ADVANTA CORP
S-4/A, 1997-06-11
PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 11, 1997
    
   
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-24573
    
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
                       ADVANTA CORP.                                         ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I
  (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED
                                                                             IN ITS TRUST AGREEMENT)
                         DELAWARE                                                   DELAWARE
              (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                            (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
              INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                             INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
                           6719                                                       6719
               (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL                               (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL
                CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)                                CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)
                        23-1462070                                                 23-2869132
                     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER                                           (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                    IDENTIFICATION NO.)                                        IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
                   WELSH & MCKEAN ROADS                                         C/O ADVANTA CORP.
                       P.O. BOX 844                                             1 RIGHTER PARKWAY
             SPRING HOUSE, PENNSYLVANIA 19477                              WILMINGTON, DELAWARE 19803
                      (215) 657-4000                                             (302) 791-4400
                  (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF
                                   REGISTRANTS' PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
    
                            ------------------------
 
   
                             ELIZABETH H. MAI, ESQ.
    
                                 ADVANTA CORP.
                              WELSH & MCKEAN ROADS
                                  P.O. BOX 844
                        SPRING HOUSE, PENNSYLVANIA 19477
                                 (215) 657-4000
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENTS FOR SERVICE)
                            ------------------------
                                   COPIES TO:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                        <C>
                  JASON M. SHARGEL, ESQ.                                    EDWARD F. PETROSKY, ESQ.
            WOLF, BLOCK, SCHORR AND SOLIS-COHEN                                 BROWN & WOOD LLP
              TWELFTH FLOOR PACKARD BUILDING                                 ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
           S.E. CORNER 15TH AND CHESTNUT STREETS                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
           PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19102-2678
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this Form 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 MAXIMUM  PROPOSED MAXIMUM
              TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                    AMOUNT        OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE         AMOUNT OF
           SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED             TO BE REGISTERED     PER UNIT(1)    OFFERING PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>
Series B Capital Securities of Advanta Capital
  Trust I.........................................   $100,000,000          100%          $100,000,000         $30,303
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
  Debentures of Advanta Corp.(2)..................
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advanta Corp. Series B Guarantee with respect to
  Series B Capital Securities(3)..................
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Total....................................  $100,000,000(4)        100%         $100,000,000(5)       $30,303
==========================================================================================================================
</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 Advanta Corp. (the "New
    Junior Subordinated Debentures") distributed upon any liquidation of Advanta
    Capital Trust I.
(3) No separate consideration will be received for the Advanta Corp. Series B
    Guarantee.
(4) This Registration Statement is deemed to cover rights of holders of the New
    Junior Subordinated Debentures under the Indenture, the rights of holders of
    Series B Capital Securities of Advanta Capital Trust I under the Amended and
    Restated Declaration of Trust, the rights of holders of such Capital
    Securities under the Advanta Corp. Series B Guarantee and certain backup
    undertakings as described herein.
(5) Such amount represents the liquidation amount of the Advanta Capital Trust I
    Series B Capital Securities to be exchanged hereunder and the principal
    amount of New Junior Subordinated Debentures that may be distributed to
    holders of such Capital Securities upon any liquidation of Advanta Capital
    Trust I.
 
                            ------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 11, 1997
    
 
                            ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I
                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
                       8.99% 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
                       8.99% SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)
         UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED, TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH HEREIN, BY
 
                                 [ADVANTA LOGO]
                            ------------------------
 
       THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
   
             NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON JULY   , 1997, UNLESS EXTENDED.
    
                            ------------------------
 
     Advanta Capital Trust I, a trust formed 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 $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of its 8.99% 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 8.99% Series A Capital
Securities (the "Old Capital Securities"), of which $100,000,000 aggregate
Liquidation Amount is outstanding. Pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Advanta
Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Advanta" or 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") for a like guarantee in respect of the New Capital Securities (the
"New Guarantee") and (ii) all of its 8.99% Series A Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 17, 2026 (the "Old Junior
Subordinated Debentures") for a like aggregate principal amount of its 8.99%
Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 17,
2026 (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 are collectively referred to herein as the "Old
Securities" and the New Capital Securities, the New Guarantee and the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures are collectively referred to herein as the "New
Securities."
 
     The New Securities are substantially identical to 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 contain the
$100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction, (iii) the New Capital
Securities will not provide for any increase in the Distribution Rate (as
defined herein) thereon, (iv) the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will not
contain the $100,000 minimum principal amount transfer restriction and (v) 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 December 11, 1996 (the "Registration
Rights Agreement") among the Corporation, the Trust and the Initial Purchasers
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement). In the event that the
Exchange Offer is consummated, any Old Capital Securities
 
                                               (Continued on the following page)
 
   
     This Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal are first being mailed to all
holders of Old Capital Securities on June   , 1997.
    
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" COMMENCING ON PAGE 15 FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY HOLDERS IN DECIDING WHETHER TO TENDER OLD CAPITAL
SECURITIES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
 
  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 June   , 1997.
    
<PAGE>   3
 
(continued from the previous page)
 
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 beneficial interests in the assets of the
Trust. The Corporation is the owner of all of the beneficial interests
represented by common securities of the Trust (the "Common Securities," and
together with the Capital Securities, the "Trust Securities"). The Chase
Manhattan Bank 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 December 17, 2026 (the "Stated Maturity
Date"). 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."
 
     As used herein, (i) the "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of
December 17, 1996, as amended and supplemented from time to time, between the
Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Debenture Trustee (the "Debenture
Trustee"), (ii) the "Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust relating to the Trust among the Corporation, as Sponsor, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee (the "Property Trustee"), Chase Manhattan
Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, (the "Delaware Trustee"), and the
Administrative Trustees named therein (collectively, with the Property Trustee
and Delaware Trustee, the "Issuer Trustees"). In addition, as the context may
require, unless otherwise expressly stated, (i) the term "Junior Subordinated
Debentures" includes the Old Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures and (ii) the term "Guarantee" includes the Old Guarantee
and the New Guarantee.
 
   
     Holders of the New Capital Securities will be entitled to receive
preferential cumulative cash distributions arising from the payment of interest
on the Junior Subordinated Debentures, accruing from December 17, 1996, and
payable semi-annually in arrears on June 17 and December 17 of each year, at the
annual rate of 8.99% of the Liquidation Amount of $1,000 per New Capital
Security ("Distributions"). Holders of record of Old Capital Securities on June
1, 1997 will be entitled to receive Distributions on the Old Capital Securities
on June 17, 1997. Holders of Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities
are accepted for exchange will not thereafter receive Distributions on such Old
Capital Securities and will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any
Distribution from the Trust on such Old Capital Securities. See "The Exchange
Offer -- Distributions on New Capital Securities." 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. 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 accumulate) at the
rate of 8.99% per annum, compounded semiannually, and holders of Trust
Securities will be required to accrue interest income for United States federal
income tax purposes. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend Interest Payment Date" and
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original Issue
Discount."
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
   
     Through the Guarantee, the guarantee agreement of the Corporation relating
to the Common Securities (the "Common Guarantee"), the Declaration, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture, 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 collectively guarantee, and the New Guarantee
and the Common Guarantee collectively will guarantee, payments of Distributions
and payments on liquidation of the Trust 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 failed to make such payments, as described herein.
See "Description of New Securities -- Description of 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 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 Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
the Corporation to enforce its rights in respect of such payment. 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 subordinate and junior
in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness of the Corporation (as defined in
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Subordination") the outstanding principal amount of which was
approximately $1.3 billion at March 31, 1997.
    
 
     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 interest on, the Junior
Subordinated Debentures (the "Maturity Redemption Price"), (ii) in whole but not
in part, contemporaneously with the optional prepayment of the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event
(as defined herein) prior to December 17, 2006 (the "Initial Optional Prepayment
Date") at a redemption price equal to the Special Event Prepayment Price (as
defined below) (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 below) (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." 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 104.4950% of the principal amount thereof on the Initial
Optional Prepayment Date, declining ratably on each December 17 thereafter to
100% on or after December 17, 2016, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of
prepayment, or (ii) prior to 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 with respect to an optional redemption of Junior
Subordinated Debentures on the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, together with
scheduled payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures from the
prepayment date to and including the Initial Optional Prepayment Date,
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 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 "-- Special Event Prepayment."
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     The Corporation will have the right at any time to terminate the Trust and
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 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.
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 Junior Subordinated Debentures."

                            ------------------------
 
     The Trust is 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", as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act
(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 for resale
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 (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
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
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-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, 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. 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.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
     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 Purchasers have informed the Corporation and the Trust that
they each currently intend to make a market in the New Capital Securities, they
are 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 Securities on any securities exchange or for inclusion in the Nasdaq
Stock Market, the electronic securities market operated by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("Nasdaq").
 
     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.
 
   
     Old Capital Securities may be tendered for exchange on or prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on July   , 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) or any integral multiple of $1,000 Liquidation
Amount (one Capital Security) in excess thereof. The Corporation has agreed to
pay all expenses of the Exchange Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Fees and
Expenses."
    
 
     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."
                            ------------------------
 
   
     THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED
HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM
ADVANTA CORP., INVESTOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, WELSH & MCKEAN ROADS, P.O. BOX
844, SPRING HOUSE, PA 19477-0844; TELEPHONE: (215) 444-5335. IN ORDER TO ENSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY JULY   , 1997.
    
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Corporation is subject to the informational requirements of the
Exchange Act, and in accordance therewith, files reports, proxy statements and
other information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of
the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and
at the regional offices of the Commission located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th
Floor, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and Suite 1400, Citicorp Center,
14th Floor, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such
material can also be obtained at prescribed rates by writing to the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. Such information may also be accessed electronically by means of the
Commission's home page on the Internet (http://www.sec.gov).
 
     No separate financial statements of the Trust have been included herein.
The Corporation and the Trust do not consider that such financial statements
would be material to holders of the New Capital Securities because the Trust is
a newly formed special purpose entity, has no operating history or independent
operations and is not engaged in and does not propose to engage in any activity
other than holding as trust assets the Junior Subordinated Debentures and
issuing the Trust Securities. See "Advanta Capital Trust I" and "Description of
New Securities." In addition, the Corporation does not expect that the Trust
will file reports under the Exchange Act with the Commission.
 
     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 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.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed with the Commission by the Corporation
pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus:
 
   
          (a) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
     1996;
    
 
   
          (b) Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 22, 1997, March 17, 1997
     and April 16, 1997; and
    
 
   
          (c) Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31,
     1997.
    
 
     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 later of the termination of the Exchange Offer and the expiration
of the period permitted for resales by Participating Broker-Dealers (as
described in "Plan of Distribution") 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 or any supplement
thereto to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein (or in any
subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein or therein) 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 each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been
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: Investor Relations, Advanta Corp., Welsh and
McKean Roads, P.O. Box 844, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0844; telephone:
(215) 444-5335.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
                                    SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
                                 ADVANTA CORP.
 
   
     The Corporation serves consumers and small businesses through innovative
products and services primarily via direct, cost-effective delivery systems. The
Corporation primarily originates and services credit cards and mortgage loans.
Other products include commercial small-ticket equipment leasing, business
credit cards, automobile loans, insurance and deposit products. The Corporation
utilizes consumer information attributes, including credit assessments, usage
patterns and other characteristics, enhanced by proprietary information to match
prospect profiles with appropriate products. At March 31, 1997, assets under
management totaled $20 billion.
    
 
   
     Approximately 61% of total revenues at March 31, 1997 were derived from
credit cards marketed through targeted direct mail campaigns. For the past
several years, the Corporation's strategy has been to market this product in the
form of a no annual fee, low variable-rate gold card. The Corporation has
successfully grown to one of the ten largest issuers of gold cards in the United
States and ranks among the top 15 bankcard issuers worldwide. Personal finance
loans, which include mortgage, home equity and automobile loans, contribute
approximately 20% of total revenues with a managed loan portfolio of $3.3
billion. Mortgage loans are originated directly with consumers, as well as
through conduit relationships and wholesale purchases from brokers and other
financial institutions.
    
 
                            ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I
 
     The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) a declaration of trust executed by the Corporation, as Sponsor, and Chase
Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and the three individual trustees
named therein (the "Initial Individual Trustees"), and (ii) the filing of a
certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 5, 1996.
The Trust's business and affairs are conducted pursuant to the Declaration (as
defined herein) by the Issuer Trustees: The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property
Trustee; Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee; and the three
individual Administrative Trustees who are employees or officers of or
affiliated with 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 Trust Securities). Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures are and
will be the sole assets of the Trust, and payments under the Junior Subordinated
Debentures will be the sole revenue of the Trust. All of the Common Securities
are owned by the Corporation.
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
The Exchange Offer.........  Up to $100,000,000 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) or any integral multiple of $1,000 (one
                             Capital Security) in excess thereof. The
                             Corporation and the Trust
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
                             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., New York City time, on July   , 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."
 
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,
                             to (i) delay the acceptance of the Old Capital
                             Securities for exchange, (ii) terminate the
                             Exchange Offer if certain specified conditions have
                             not been satisfied, (iii) 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) 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. 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."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
                             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
                             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 for resale 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
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                             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. 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 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 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."
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
Exchange Agent.............  The exchange agent with respect to the Exchange
                             Offer is The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Exchange
                             Agent"). The applicable 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
  Consequences; ERISA
  Considerations...........  Holders of Old Capital Securities should review the
                             information set forth under "Certain Federal Income
                             Tax Consequences" and "ERISA Considerations" prior
                             to tendering Old Capital Securities in the Exchange
                             Offer.
 
                           THE NEW CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
Securities Offered.........  Up to $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of
                             the New Capital Securities which have been
                             registered under the Securities Act (Liquidation
                             amount of $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, except
                             that the New Capital Securities have been
                             registered under the Securities Act and will not be
                             subject to the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount
                             transfer restriction and certain other transfer
                             restrictions 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."
 
   
Distribution Dates.........  June 17 and December 17 of each year, commencing
                             June 17, 1997 to holders of record on the first day
                             of the month in which the relevant distribution
                             date falls.
    
 
Extension Periods..........  Distributions on the Capital Securities will be
                             deferred for the duration of any Extension Period
                             elected by the Corporation with respect to the
                             payment of interest on the 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 New Junior
                             Subordinated Debentures -- Option to Extend
                             Interest Payment Date" and "Certain Federal Income
                             Tax Consequences -- Interest Income and Original
                             Issue Discount."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
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 with respect to the Common
                             Securities, in certain circumstances described
                             under "Description of New Securities -- Description
                             of 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 ("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 (as
                             defined herein) to the extent and in the manner set
                             forth in the Indenture. See "Description of New
                             Securities -- Description of New Junior
                             Subordinated Debentures." The New Guarantee will
                             rank pari passu with the Old Guarantee and all
                             other guarantees (if any) to be issued by the
                             Corporation with respect to capital securities (if
                             any) issued by Other Trusts ("Other Guarantees")
                             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 Agreement. See "Description of New
                             Securities -- Description of the New Guarantee."
 
Redemption.................  The Trust Securities will be 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, contemporaneously with the
                             optional prepayment of the Junior Subordinated
                             Debentures by the Corporation upon the occurrence
                             and continuation of a Special Event prior to the
                             Initial Optional Prepayment Date 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 Price. See "Description of
                             New Securities -- Description of New Capital
                             Securities -- Redemption."
 
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 the Initial Purchasers have informed the
                             Trust and the Corporation that they each currently
                             intend to make a market in the New Capital
                             Securities, the Initial Purchasers are 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 New
                             Capital Securities on any securities exchange or
                             for inclusion in Nasdaq. See "Plan of
                             Distribution."
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     Prospective investors 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 Capital Securities
offered hereby.
 
RANKING OF SUBORDINATE OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE GUARANTEE AND JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES
 
   
     The obligations of the Corporation under the Guarantee issued by it for the
benefit of holders of Capital Securities, as well as under the Junior
Subordinated Debentures, will be unsecured, will rank subordinate and junior in
right of payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation and will rank pari passu with obligations to or rights of the
Corporation's other general unsecured creditors, except that, in the case of a
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, the Corporation's obligations under the
Guarantee will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
liabilities (other than Other Guarantees) of the Corporation. At March 31, 1997,
the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Indebtedness of the
Corporation was approximately $1.3 billion. The Corporation's operations are
largely conducted by its subsidiaries. Because the Corporation's subsidiaries
include banks and insurance companies that are subject to significant state and
federal regulation, the Corporation's ability to receive dividends and loans
from its subsidiaries is restricted. Further, 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. Accordingly, the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be effectively
subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the Corporation's
subsidiaries. At March 31, 1997, the subsidiaries of the Corporation had total
liabilities (excluding liabilities owed to the Corporation) of approximately
$3.9 billion. 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 the New
Guarantee -- Status of the New Guarantee" and "Description of New
Securities -- 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. For a description of certain recent
developments that have adversely affected the Company's results of operations,
see "Recent Developments."
 
OPTION TO EXTEND INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD; TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     So long as no Debenture Event of Default 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 8.99% per annum,
compounded semi-annually, but not exceeding the interest rate then accruing on
the Junior Subordinated Debentures) 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. Upon the
termination 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 8.99%, 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 Date."
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
     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 Consequences -- 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 on which OID accrues that are not subject to such deferrals.
 
SPECIAL EVENT REDEMPTION OR DISTRIBUTION; POSSIBLE TAX LAW CHANGES AFFECTING THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event (as defined under
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated
Debentures -- Special Event Prepayment") prior to the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, the Corporation will have the right to prepay the Junior
Subordinated Debentures 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. The Corporation also will have the right at any
time to terminate the Trust and, after satisfaction of claims of creditors as
provided by applicable law, to cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities. See "Description of New
Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- Redemption" and
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- 
Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of New Junior Subordinated 
Debentures."
 
     On February 6, 1997, as part of President Clinton'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
Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued on or after the "date of first committee
action" if such debt obligations have a maximum term in excess of 15 years and
are not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance
sheet. Neither of the tax-writing committees of Congress has considered or acted
upon the Proposed Legislation and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures should
be considered as having been issued on December 17, 1996. If the Proposed
Legislation were enacted with the effective date proposed by the Treasury
Department, such legislation would not apply to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. There can be no assurance, however, that such effective date will be
incorporated into the Proposed Legislation, if enacted, or that other
legislation enacted after the date hereof will not otherwise adversely affect
the ability of the Corporation to deduct the interest payable on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Such a change could give rise to a Special Event, which
may permit the Corporation 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 Prepayment Price. See "Description of New
Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities -- Redemption," "Description
of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- 
Special Event Prepayment" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- 
Proposed Tax Legislation."
 
POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET PRICES
 
     There can be no assurance as to the market prices for New Capital
Securities or New Junior Subordinated Debentures distributed to the holders of
New Capital Securities if a termination of the Trust
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
were to occur. Accordingly, the New Capital Securities or the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures may trade at a discount from the price that the investor
paid to purchase the New Capital Securities. 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 Chase Manhattan Bank will act as Guarantee Trustee and will hold the
Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Capital Securities. The Chase
Manhattan Bank will also act as Property Trustee and as Debenture Trustee under
the Indenture. Chase Manhattan Bank 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 and 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 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 "Description
of New Securities -- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- 
Debenture Events of Default" and "Description of New Securities -- Description
of the New Guarantee." The Declaration will provide that each holder of 
Capital Securities by acceptance thereof agrees to the provisions of the 
Indenture.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
LIMITED VOTING RIGHTS
 
     Holders of Capital Securities generally will have voting rights relating
only to the modification of the terms of the Capital Securities, the termination
or liquidation of the Trust, and the exercise of the Trust's rights as holder of
the 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." The Property Trustee, the Administrative Trustees and the Corporation
may amend the Declaration without the consent of holders of Capital Securities
to ensure that the Trust will be classified for United States federal income tax
purposes as a grantor trust even if such action adversely affects the interests
of such holders. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Capital Securities -- Voting Rights; Amendment of the Declaration."
 
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 within
150 days after December 17, 1996 and declared effective on or prior to the 30th
day after such required filing date, the rate of Distributions (the
"Distribution Rate") borne by the Old Capital Securities, currently 8.99% per
annum, commencing on the 31st day after such required filing date 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 Capital Securities."
 
ABSENCE OF PUBLIC MARKET
 
     The Old Capital Securities were issued to, and the Corporation believes the
Old Capital 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 transferability if they
are not exchanged for the New Capital Securities. Although the New Capital
Securities generally 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. Old Capital Securities
may be transferred by the holders thereof only in blocks having a Liquidation
Amount of not less than $100,000 (100 Old Capital Securities). New
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
Capital Securities may be transferred by the holders thereof in blocks having a
Liquidation Amount of $1,000 (one New Capital Security) or integral multiples
thereof. The Corporation and the Trust have been advised by the Initial
Purchasers that the Initial Purchasers presently intend to make a market in the
New Capital Securities. However, the Initial Purchasers are not obligated to do
so and any market-making activity with respect to the New Capital Securities may
be discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making
activity will be subject to the limits 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 or 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.
 
     Notwithstanding the registration of the New Capital Securities in the
Exchange Offer, holders who are Affiliates 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 the 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 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.
 
   
RECENT OPERATING LOSS
    
 
   
     On March 17, 1997, the Corporation announced that it expects to report 1997
results well below previous expectations. On April 16, 1997, the Corporation
reported a loss of $19.8 million, or $0.43 cents per share, for the first
quarter. See "Recent Developments." There can be no assurance that the
Corporation will not incur operating losses in future periods.
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
   
AVAILABILITY OF FINANCING; RATINGS OF THE CORPORATION'S DEBT SECURITIES AND THE
CAPITAL SECURITIES
    
 
   
     Beginning March 1997, in connection with the March 17, 1997 announcement
described above under "-- Recent Operating Loss," the various rating agencies
lowered their ratings of the Corporation's debt securities and the Capital
Securities. As of the date of this Prospectus, debt of the Corporation
maintained investment grade ratings (at or above the lowest investment grade
level) from three of the rating agencies, but was rated two levels below
investment grade by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services and by Moody's Investors
Service. As of the date of this Prospectus the Capital Securities were rated
"b1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., "B+r" by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Services, "BB" by Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co., "BB+" by Fitch Investors
Services, LP and "BB+" by Thompson Bankwatch, Inc. While the Corporation
believes that the Corporation's current cash position and anticipated cash flow
from future business will provide the Corporation with adequate funds for its
current needs, there can be no assurance that the Corporation will be able to
obtain adequate financing for its business needs in the future.
    
 
   
     This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including but not
limited to projections of future earnings, that are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. Significant risks and uncertainties include: the Corporation's
managed net interest margin, which in turn is affected by the Corporation's
success in originating new credit card accounts, the receivables volume and
initial pricing of new accounts, the impact of repricing existing accounts and
account attrition, the mix of account types and interest rate fluctuations, the
level of delinquencies, customer bankruptcies, and charge-offs, and the amount
and rate of growth in the Corporation's expenses. The Corporation's earnings
also may be significantly affected by factors that affect consumer debt,
competitive pressures from other providers of financial services, the effects of
governmental regulation, the amount and cost of financing available to the
Corporation and its subsidiaries, the difficulty or inability to securitize the
Corporation's receivables and the impact of the ratings on debt of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries. Additional risks that may affect the
Corporation's future performance are set forth elsewhere in this Prospectus and
in the Corporation's other filings with the Commission.
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
                                 ADVANTA CORP.
 
   
     The Corporation serves consumers and small businesses through innovative
products and services primarily via direct, cost-effective delivery systems. The
Corporation primarily originates and services credit cards and mortgage loans.
Other products include commercial small-ticket equipment leasing, business
credit cards, automobile loans, insurance and deposit products. The Corporation
utilizes consumer information attributes, including credit assessments, usage
patterns and other characteristics, enhanced by proprietary information to match
prospect profiles with appropriate products. At March 31, 1997, assets under
management totaled $20 billion.
    
 
   
     Approximately 61% of total revenues for the year ended March 31, 1997 were
derived from credit cards marketed through targeted direct mail campaigns. For
the past several years, the Corporation's strategy has been to market this
product in the form of a no annual fee, low variable-rate gold card. The
Corporation has successfully grown to one of the ten largest issuers of gold
cards in the United States and ranks among the top 15 bankcard issuers
worldwide. Personal finance loans, which include mortgage, home equity and
automobile loans, contribute 20% of total revenues with a managed loan portfolio
of $3.3 billion. Mortgage loans are originated directly with consumers, as well
as through conduit relationships and wholesale purchases from brokers and other
financial institutions.
    
 
     The Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in 1974 as Teachers Service
Organization, Inc., the successor to a business originally founded in 1951. In
January 1988, the Corporation's name was changed from TSO Financial Corp. to
Advanta Corp. The Corporation's principal executive office is located at Welsh &
McKean Roads, P.O. Box 844, Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477-0844. The
Corporation's telephone number at its principal executive office is (215)
657-4000.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Neither the Corporation nor the Trust will receive any cash proceeds from
the issuance of the New Capital Securities. In consideration for issuing the New
Capital Securities in exchange for the 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 canceled.
 
                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges of
the Corporation for the respective periods indicated:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THREE MONTHS
                                         ENDED MARCH 31,             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         ---------------     ----------------------------------------
                                         1997       1996     1996     1995     1994     1993     1992
                                         ----       ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ----
                                           (UNAUDITED)                     (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                      <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
  Charges(A)...........................   (B)       2.10x    1.97x    2.26x    2.71x    2.52x    1.81x
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
(A) For purposes of computing these ratios, "earnings" represent income before
    income taxes plus fixed charges, and "fixed charges" consist of interest
    expense, one-third (the proportion deemed representative of the interest
    factor) of rental expenses on operating leases and preferred stock dividends
    of subsidiary trust.
    
 
   
(B) For the three months ended March 31, 1997, earnings were inadequate to cover
    fixed charges. The deficiency was approximately $26.7 million.
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
   
     The following table sets forth the actual unaudited capitalization of the
Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries at March 31, 1997. The table
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Corporation and the related Notes thereto included in the documents incorporated
by reference herein. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 MARCH 31, 1997
                                                                                 --------------
                                                                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                                                  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                              <C>
Long-Term Debt.................................................................    $1,467,198
                                                                                   ----------
Corporation-obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Securities of Subsidiary
  Trust Holding Solely Subordinated Debentures of the Corporation..............       100,000
                                                                                   ----------
Stockholders' Equity:
     Class A Preferred Stock, $1,000 par value; 1,010 shares authorized, issued
      and outstanding..........................................................         1,010
     Class B Preferred Stock, $.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares;
      issued and outstanding 25,000 shares.....................................             0
     Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares;
      issued and outstanding 18,157,262 shares.................................           182
     Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value; authorized 200,000,000 shares;
      issued and outstanding 26,045,299 shares.................................           260
     Additional paid in capital, net...........................................       320,123
     Retained earnings, net....................................................       515,236
                                                                                   ----------
          Total stockholders' equity...........................................       836,811
                                                                                   ----------
Total Capitalization...........................................................    $2,404,009
                                                                                   ==========
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
     The following table contains selected consolidated financial data for the
Corporation and its subsidiaries for the five years ended December 31, 1996 and
the three month periods ended March 31, 1997 and 1996. The financial data for
each of the years ended December 31, 1992 through 1996 have been derived from
audited financial statements. The financial data for the three months ended
March 31, 1997 and March 31, 1996 have been derived from unaudited financial
statements and reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the
information for such interim periods. Results for the interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. The summary
below should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Corporation and the related Notes thereto and Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which are contained in
each of the Corporation's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended
December 31, 1992 through 1996 and the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997. See "Incorporation of Certain
Documents by Reference."
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED 
                                                MARCH 31,                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         ------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1997         1996         1996         1995         1994        1993        1992
                                         -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                               (UNAUDITED)      (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
  Net interest income................... $    25,612  $    16,711  $    78,265  $    72,900  $   70,381  $   78,644  $   73,176
  Noninterest income....................     156,854      171,029      806,532      543,014     395,808     255,580     193,144
  Net operating revenues(1).............     182,466      187,740      850,977      615,914     447,837     334,224     266,320
  Provision for credit losses...........      60,364       15,082       96,862       53,326      34,198      29,802      47,138
  Operating expenses....................     148,811      110,495      523,174      350,685     266,784     181,167     142,082
  Income (loss) before income taxes and
    extraordinary item..................     (26,709)      62,163      264,761      211,903     165,207     123,255      77,100
  Income (loss) before extraordinary
    item................................     (26,709)      62,163      175,657      136,677     106,063      77,920      48,037
  Net income (loss).....................     (19,818)      41,030      175,657      136,677     106,063      76,647      48,037
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
  Income (loss) before extraordinary
    item................................ $      (.43) $       .91  $      3.89  $      3.20  $     2.58  $     1.95  $     1.38
  Net income (loss).....................        (.43)         .91         3.89         3.20        2.58        1.92        1.38
FINANCIAL CONDITION -- PERIOD END
  Investments and money market
    instruments......................... $ 2,472,917  $ 1,054,326  $ 1,671,309  $ 1,090,047  $  671,661  $  542,222  $  521,567
  Gross receivables
    Owned...............................   2,535,217    3,011,843    2,656,641    2,762,927   1,964,444   1,277,305     998,244
    Securitized.........................  13,915,828   11,079,286   13,632,552    9,452,428   6,190,793   3,968,856   2,721,726
    Managed.............................  16,451,045   14,091,129   16,289,193   12,215,355   8,155,237   5,246,161   3,719,970
  Total assets
    Owned...............................   6,244,266    4,984,916    5,583,959    4,524,259   3,113,048   2,140,195   1,775,067
    Managed.............................  20,160,094   16,064,202   19,216,511   13,976,687   9,303,841   6,109,051   4,496,793
  Deposits..............................   1,958,791    2,043,303    1,860,058    1,906,601   1,159,358   1,254,881   1,204,486
  Long-term debt........................   1,467,198      836,260    1,393,095      587,877     666,033     368,372     173,668
  Capital Securities....................     100,000            0      100,000            0           0           0           0
  Stockholders' equity..................     836,811      710,494      852,036      672,964     441,690     342,741     174,870
  Stockholders' equity, Capital
    Securities and long-term debt.......   2,404,009    1,546,754    2,345,131    1,260,841   1,107,723     711,113     348,538
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          THREE MONTHS
                                                        ENDED MARCH 31,                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        ----------------     ---------------------------------------------
                                                         1997      1996      1996      1995      1994      1993      1992
                                                        ------     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----     -----
                                                          (UNAUDITED)                         (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS
  Return on average assets............................   (1.29)%    3.38%     3.16%     4.06%     4.47%     3.91%     2.82%
  Return on average common equity.....................  (11.39)    25.79     25.31     26.15     26.97     27.50     33.32
  Return on average total equity(4)...................   (9.10)    22.48     22.07     24.75     26.97     27.50     33.32
  Equity/Owned assets(4)..............................   15.00     14.25     17.05     14.87     14.19     16.01      9.85
  Dividend payout.....................................      --     10.88     10.75      9.97      9.24      9.56      7.69
  Managed net interest margin(2)......................    7.05      6.24      6.32      5.87      6.72      7.77      8.05
  Allowance for credit losses at period end as a
    percentage of gross owned receivables.............     4.2       1.9       3.4       1.9       2.1       2.4       4.0
  Impaired assets at period end as a percentage of
    gross managed receivables.........................     2.9       1.4       2.6       1.4       1.3       1.8       2.5
  Managed net charge-offs as a percentage of average
    gross receivables.................................     5.3       2.8(3)    3.2(3)    2.2       2.3       2.9       3.4
  Risk-based capital ratios
    Advanta National Bank USA
      Tier I..........................................   10.02      9.37     10.15      7.30      7.95      7.19      9.84
      Tier I and II...................................   12.74     15.35     15.84     11.56     12.04     12.06     11.12
      Leverage ratio..................................   15.95      5.71      7.35      6.79      8.15      6.03      7.57
    Advanta National Bank
      Tier I..........................................   19.61      8.19     11.13      8.04        --        --        --
      Tier I and II...................................   27.20     12.15     17.20     12.28        --        --        --
      Leverage ratio..................................   10.39      9.79      7.15      7.87        --        --        --
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
(1) Excludes gains on sales of credit card relationships in 1994 and 1996.
 
(2) Combination of owned interest earning assets/interest-bearing liabilities
    and securitized credit card assets/liabilities.
 
(3) In the third quarter of 1996, the Company adopted a new charge-off
    methodology related to bankrupt credit card accounts, providing for up to a
    90-day (rather than up to a 30-day) investigative period following
    notification of the bankruptcy petition, prior to charge-off. Under the
    prior methodology, the charge-off rate was 3.5%
 
   
(4) Beginning with the year ended December 31, 1996, return on average total
    equity and equity/owned assets includes capital securities as equity.
    
 
                                 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
   
     On March 17, 1997, the Corporation announced that it expects to report 1997
results well below previous expectations. On April 16, 1997 the Corporation
reported a loss of $19.8 million, or $0.43 cents per share, for the first
quarter of 1997. The Corporation expects to report a net profit for full-year
1997 of approximately $1.50 per share. This interruption in the Corporation's
historical pattern of strong financial results reflects a number of factors,
including continuing increases in consumer bankruptcies and charge-offs and
lower receivables balances than originally anticipated in its credit card
business. The Corporation's mortgage financing, leasing and insurance businesses
continue to perform well.
    
 
   
     The Corporation also announced that it has retained BT Wolfensohn, a
division of Bankers Trust New York Corporation, to explore all strategic
alternatives that build upon the historic strength and success of the
Corporation as a whole and of its business units with the aim of maximizing the
Corporation's value. The strategic alternatives that might be considered by the
Corporation include, but are not limited to, a strategic alliance with another
company, an alliance or initial public offering involving one or more of the
Corporation's operating units, or a merger or sale involving the Corporation as
a whole. There is no assurance that any such event will occur. In addition to
considering other strategic alternatives with its financial and other advisers,
the Corporation is pursuing a number of steps to return the Corporation to its
historical level of financial performance by increasing revenues and stemming
credit card losses.
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
                            ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I
 
   
     The Trust is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant
to (i) a declaration of trust, dated as of December 5, 1996, executed by the
Corporation, as Sponsor, the Delaware Trustee and the Initial Individual
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
December 5, 1996. The Initial Declaration was replaced by an amended and
restated declaration of trust dated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Declaration")
executed by the Corporation, as Sponsor, the Initial Individual Trustees, who
contemporaneously withdrew as trustees, and the Issuer Trustees (as defined
herein). 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) using the proceeds of the sale of the Trust Securities
to acquire the Junior Subordinated Debentures and (iii) engaging in only those
other activities necessary, advisable or incidental thereto. Accordingly, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole assets of the Trust and payments
under the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be the sole revenues of the Trust.
All of the Common Securities are owned directly or indirectly by the
Corporation. The Common Securities will 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 under the
Declaration resulting from a Debenture 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 New Capital Securities -- Subordination of
Common Securities." The Corporation has acquired Common Securities in a
Liquidation Amount equal to 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 its trustees, each appointed by
the Corporation as holder of the Common Securities. The trustees of the Trust
are The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase Manhattan Bank
Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and three individual trustees (the
"Administrative Trustees") who are employees or officers of or affiliated with
the Corporation (collectively, the "Issuer Trustees"). The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Property Trustee, will act as sole indenture trustee under the Declaration.
The Chase Manhattan Bank will also act as indenture trustee under the Guarantee
and the Indenture. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of the New
Guarantee" and "-- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures." The
holder of the Common Securities of the Trust 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 will be 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 or indirectly, all fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other
than the Trust Securities) related to the Trust and the offering of the Capital
Securities, including all ongoing costs, expenses and liabilities of the Trust.
The principal executive office of the Trust is c/o Advanta Corp., 1 Righter
Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19803.
    
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
                               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
Purchasers, pursuant to which the Corporation and the Trust agreed to file and
to use their best efforts to cause to become effective with the Commission a
registration statement with respect to the exchange of the Old Capital
Securities for the New Capital Securities. A copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement has been filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Prospectus is a part.
 
     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 the $100,000
minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain other transfer
restrictions 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 within 150 days after December
17, 1996 and declared effective on or prior to the 30th day after such required
filing date, the Distribution Rate borne by the Old Capital Securities,
currently 8.99% per annum, commencing on the 31st day after such required filing
date 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 such 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 promptly
after the Expiration Date (as defined herein) 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 have been registered under the Securities
Act.
 
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 $100,000,000 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
$100,000,000 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 Capital
Securities) or any integral multiple of $1,000 Liquidation Amount (one Capital
Security) in excess thereof.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
     The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum Liquidation Amount
of Old Capital Securities being tendered. As of the date of this Prospectus,
$100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of Old Capital Securities is
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., New York City time, on July   ,
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, to (i) delay the acceptance of the Old Capital Securities for exchange,
(ii) 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) 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 as described under "-- Withdrawal Rights,"
and (iv) 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., New York City 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
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
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 of a book-entry transfer of Old
Capital Securities into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC, (ii) the Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with
any required signature guarantees, 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.
 
     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) 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 and any other required documents, must be
received by the Exchange Agent at its address 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 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. The entire amount
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
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. However, although delivery of
Old Capital Securities may be effected 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 in any case 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.
 
     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 (each of the foregoing, 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:
 
          (a) such tenders are made by or through an Eligible Institution;
 
          (b) 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
 
          (c) 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.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
     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 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 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 Trust is making the Exchange Offer for 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
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
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
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 for resale 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 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
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
   
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 the
address 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, 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. 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.
 
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, telegraphic, telex or
facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by
the Exchange Agent at its address 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, telegraphic, telex 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."
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
     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 record of Old Capital Securities on June 1, 1997 will be
entitled to the payment of Distributions thereon on June 17, 1997. Holders of
Old Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange
will not thereafter receive Distributions on such Old Capital Securities and
will be deemed to have waived the right to receive any Distributions from the
Trust on such Old Capital Securities.
    
 
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:
 
          (a) there shall occur a change in the current interpretation 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) 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;
 
          (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;
 
          (c) the Corporation has determined in good faith that there is a
     reasonable likelihood that, or a material uncertainty exists as to whether,
     consummation of the Exchange Offer would result in a material adverse tax
     consequence to the Corporation; or
 
          (d) 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 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.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
     The Chase Manhattan Bank 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 or By Hand or Overnight Delivery:
 
                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                              450 West 33rd Street
                                   15th Floor
                               New York, NY 10001
               Attention: Sheik Wiltshire, Second Vice President
                             Global Trust Services
 
                             Confirm By Telephone:
                                 (212) 946-3082
 
                            Facsimile Transmissions:
                          (ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
                                 (212) 946-8161
 
     Delivery to other than the above addresses or facsimile number will not
constitute a valid delivery.
 
FEES AND EXPENSES
 
     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.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF NEW SECURITIES
 
DESCRIPTION OF NEW CAPITAL 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 pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The New Capital Securities will
represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust and the holders thereof
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." Upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the
Declaration will be 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,
the Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act. Certain capitalized terms used
herein are defined in the Declaration.
    
 
     General.  The Capital Securities (including the Old Capital Securities and
the New Capital Securities) are limited to $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
Amount at any one time outstanding. 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 with respect to the Common
Securities, in certain circumstances described under "-- Subordination of Common
Securities" below. Legal title to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
held by the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the New
Capital Securities. The New Guarantee 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 the New Guarantee."
 
     Distributions.  Distributions on the New Capital Securities will be
cumulative, will accumulate from December 17, 1996 and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on June 17 and December 17 of each year, commencing
June 17, 1997, at the annual rate of 8.99% of the Liquidation Amount to the
holders of the New Capital Securities on the relevant record dates. The record
dates will be the first day of the month in which the relevant Distribution Date
(as defined herein) falls. The amount of Distributions payable for any period
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. 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), in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date
(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 Wilmington, Delaware are authorized or required by law or executive
order to remain closed.
 
     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 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 election, semi-annual
Distributions on the Capital Securities will be deferred by the Trust during
such Extension Period. Distributions to which holders of the Capital Securities
are entitled during any such Extension Period will accumulate additional
Distributions thereon at the rate per annum of 8.99% thereof, compounded
semi-annually from the relevant Distribution Date, but not exceeding the
interest rate then accruing on the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The term
"Distributions," as used herein, shall include any such additional
Distributions.
 
     During any 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
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
Days prior to the earlier of (i) the date the Distributions on the Capital
Securities would have been payable except for the election to begin or extend
such Extension Period and (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice to
any securities exchange or to holders of the 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 Date" and "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences -- 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) 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 Junior Subordinated
Debentures or (iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by
the Corporation of the debt 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 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 result of 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).
 
     Although the Corporation may in the future exercise its option to defer
payments of interest on the 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 New Junior
Subordinated Debentures. 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 the
New Guarantee."
 
     Redemption.  Upon the repayment on the Stated Maturity Date or prepayment
prior to the Stated Maturity Date of the 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 Junior Subordinated Debentures on the
Stated Maturity Date, the Maturity Redemption Price (equal to the principal of
and accrued interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures), (ii) in the case of
the optional prepayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures upon the
occurrence and continuation of a Special Event prior to the Initial Optional
Prepayment Date, the Special Event Redemption Price (equal to the Special Event
Prepayment Price in respect of the Junior Subordinated Debentures) and (iii) in
the case of the optional prepayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on or
after the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, the Optional Redemption Price (equal
to the Optional Prepayment Price in respect of the Junior Subordinated 
Debentures). See "-- Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- 
Optional Prepayment" and "-- Special Event Prepayment."
 
     "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
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
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 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, upon the occurrence of a Special Event prior to the Initial
Optional Prepayment Date, at the Special Event Prepayment Price.
 
     Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of Junior Subordinated
Debentures.  The Corporation will have the right at any time to terminate the
Trust and 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 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.
 
     The Trust shall automatically terminate upon the first to occur of: (i)
certain events of bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation;
(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 Issuer Trustees as
expeditiously as the Issuer 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, unless such distribution is determined by the
Property Trustee not to be practicable, 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." If an early termination occurs, the
Junior Subordinated Debentures will be subject to optional prepayment, in whole
or in part, on or after the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, except in the case
of an early termination described in clause (v) above, in which case the Junior
Subordinated Debentures will be subject to optional prepayment, in whole but not
in part, on or after the Initial Optional Prepayment Date.
 
     If the Corporation elects not to prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures
prior to maturity in accordance with their terms and either elects not to or is
unable to liquidate the Trust and distribute the Junior Subordinated Debentures
to holders of the Trust Securities, the Trust Securities will remain outstanding
until the repayment of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the Stated Maturity
Date.
 
     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 be exchanged for a registered global certificate 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
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
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.
 
     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 termination and liquidation of the
Trust were to occur. Accordingly, the New Capital Securities, or the New Junior
Subordinated Debentures that the investor may receive on termination and
liquidation of the Trust, may trade at a discount to the price that the investor
paid to purchase the New Capital Securities.
 
     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
"-- Subordination of Common Securities."
 
     If the Trust gives a notice of redemption in respect of the 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 Capital Securities
held by DTC or its nominees, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with
DTC funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price. See "-- Form,
Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer." With respect to the Capital
Securities held in certificated form, the Property Trustee, to the extent funds
are legally available, will irrevocably deposit with the paying agent for the
Capital Securities funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price and
will give such paying agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the
applicable Redemption Price to the holders thereof upon surrender of their
certificates evidencing the Capital Securities. See "-- Payment and Paying
Agency." Distributions payable on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be
payable to the holders of such Capital Securities on the relevant record dates
for the related Distribution Dates. If notice of redemption shall have been
given and funds deposited as required, then upon the date of such deposit, all
rights of the holders of the Capital Securities will cease, except the right of
the holders of the Capital Securities to receive the applicable Redemption
Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price, and the Capital Securities
will cease to be outstanding. In the event that any Redemption Date of Capital
Securities 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 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
Guarantee as described under "-- Description of the New Guarantee," (i)
Distributions on 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), 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,
Distributions will cease to accrue on the Trust Securities called for redemption
on and after the Redemption Date.
 
     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 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
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
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 New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- Debenture Events
of Default") constitutes an "Event of Default" under the Declaration.
 
     Within five 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 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 corporation 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 corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which such Issuer Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation
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 corporation 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 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,
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
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, 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, (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, (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, 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 the New Guarantee -- Amendments and
Assignment" and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the holders of
the 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 the case
of clause (i), 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 (a) with the consent of holders representing a majority
(based upon Liquidation Amount) of the outstanding Trust Securities, and (b)
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 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 (x) change the amount or timing of any
Distribution or other payment on the Trust Securities or any redemption
provisions 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 (y) restrict the right of a holder of Trust Securities to institute suit
for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such date. The New Capital
Securities and any Old Capital
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
Securities which remain outstanding after consummation of the Exchange Offer
will vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether the
holders of the required 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 Property 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 United States 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, the Issuer Trustees or any
Affiliate of the Corporation or any Issuer Trustees shall, for purposes of such
vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding.
 
     Form, Denomination, Book-Entry Procedures and Transfer.  The New Capital
Securities may be represented by one or more New 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.
 
     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 under "-- Exchange of Book-Entry
Capital Securities for Certificated Capital Securities" below.
 
   
     Depositary Procedures.  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 Purchasers), 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
    
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
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 Capital Securities,
DTC will credit the accounts of Participants with portions of the Liquidation
Amount of the Global Capital Securities and (ii) ownership of such interests in
the Global 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).
 
     Investors in the Global Capital Securities may hold their interests therein
directly through DTC if they are Participants in such system, or indirectly
through organizations which are Participants in such system. All interests in a
Global Capital Security will be subject to the procedures and requirements of
DTC. 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 interests in the Global New Capital
Securities will not have New Capital Securities registered in their name, will
not receive physical delivery of New 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 New 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 New
Capital Securities, including the Global New 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 New 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 New 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 New 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
Global 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 Global New Capital
Securities, and the Trust or the 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.
 
     Interests in the Global New 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 and Indirect Participants.
Transfers
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
among Participants and Indirect Participants in DTC will be effected in
accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds.
 
     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 New 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 interest in the Global New 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 Participants or Indirect Participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing DTC's
operations.
 
   
     Exchange of Book-Entry Capital Securities for Certificated Capital
Securities.  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 (the "Depositary") 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") is initially 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 is 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.
 
     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 the 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
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
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 own 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. If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Property
Trustee is required to decide between alternative causes of action, construe
ambiguous provisions in the Declaration or is unsure of the application of any
provision of the Declaration, and the matter is not one on which holders of the
Capital Securities or the Common Securities are entitled under the Declaration
to vote, then the Property Trustee shall take such action as is directed by the
Corporation and if not so directed, shall take such action as it deems advisable
and in the best interests of the holders of the Trust Securities and will have
no liability except for its own bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct.
 
   
     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 of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") or
classified as an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal
income tax purposes and so that the Junior Subordinated Debentures will be
treated as indebtedness of the Corporation for United States 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. Upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Indenture will
be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. This summary of certain terms and
provisions of the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the Indenture does not
purport to be complete and, where reference is made to particular provisions of
the Indenture, such provisions, including the definitions of certain terms, some
of which are not otherwise defined herein, are qualified in their entirety by
reference to all of the provisions of the Indenture and those terms made a part
of the Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act.
 
     General.  Concurrently with the issuance of the Old Capital Securities, the
Trust invested the proceeds thereof, together with the consideration paid by the
Corporation for the Common Securities, in the 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 8.99% of the principal amount thereof, payable semi-annually in arrears
on June 17 and December 17 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
commencing June 17, 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 first day of the month in which the relevant payment
date falls. It is anticipated that, until the liquidation, if any, of the Trust,
each Junior Subordinated Debenture will be held in the name of the Property
Trustee in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Trust 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. 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). 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
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
annum of 8.99% 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 mature on the Stated Maturity
Date. The New Junior Subordinated Debentures will rank pari passu with the Old
Junior Subordinated Debentures and 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. See
"-- Subordination." The Corporation is largely 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
the issuance of its debt securities to meet its obligations. The Corporation is
a legal entity separate and distinct from its banking, insurance and other
subsidiaries. The Corporation's subsidiaries include, among others, Advanta
National Bank USA and Advanta National Bank, each national banking associations,
and Advanta Financial Corp., an industrial loan corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Utah (collectively, the "FDIC-insured Subsidiaries"). The
FDIC-insured Subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions on the transfer of
funds by each of such depository institutions to the Corporation and certain
other affiliates, in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or
purchases of assets. Transfers by any one of such FDIC-insured Subsidiaries to
the Corporation or any single affiliate are generally limited in amount as to
the Corporation and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of such
FDIC-insured Subsidiary's capital and surplus and transfers to all affiliates
are limited in the aggregate to 20% of such FDIC-insured Subsidiary's capital
and surplus. Furthermore, such loans and extensions of credit are also subject
to various collateral requirements. In addition, payment of dividends to the
Corporation by the FDIC-insured Subsidiaries is subject to various limitations
and in certain circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory
authorities. The insurance subsidiaries of the Corporation (the "Insurance
Subsidiaries") also are subject to the laws and regulations of, and supervision
by, the states in which they are domiciled or have obtained the authority to
transact business, including limitations on the amount of dividends that may be
paid by the Insurance Subsidiaries to the Corporation. 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. The Indenture does not limit the incurrence or
issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Corporation, including Senior
Indebtedness, or of the Corporation's subsidiaries. See "-- Subordination."
 
     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 so distributed 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 the New Junior Subordinated Debentures are expected
to be substantially similar to those in effect for the New Capital Securities.
For a description of DTC and the terms of the depositary arrangements relating
to payments, transfers, voting rights, prepayments 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 and premium, if any,
and any interest on New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be made at the
office of the Debenture Trustee in New York, 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, except in the case of New Junior Subordinated Debentures in global
form, by (i) 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) transfer to an account maintained by the person entitled thereto, 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
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
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 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 then accrued at the
annual rate of 8.99%, compounded semi-annually, to the extent permitted by
applicable law). During an Extension Period, interest will continue to accrue
and holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures (and holders of the Trust
Securities while Trust Securities are outstanding) will be required to accrue
interest income for United States federal income tax purposes prior to the
receipt of cash attributable to such income. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences -- 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 the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation
(including any 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 result of 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 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 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.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
     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, at a price (the "Optional Prepayment
Price") that is 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 December 17 of the years indicated below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       YEAR                         PERCENTAGE
                --------------------------------------------------  ----------
                <S>                                                 <C>
                2006..............................................    104.4950%
                2007..............................................    104.0455%
                2008..............................................    103.5960%
                2009..............................................    103.1465%
                2010..............................................    102.6970%
                2011..............................................    102.2475%
                2012..............................................    101.7980%
                2013..............................................    101.3485%
                2014..............................................    100.8990%
                2015..............................................    100.4495%
                2016 and thereafter...............................    100.0000%
</TABLE>
 
     Special Event Prepayment.  If a Special Event occurs and is continuing
prior to the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, the Corporation may, at its
option, prepay the Junior Subordinated Debentures in whole (but not in part) at
any time within 90 days of the occurrence of such Special Event, 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 with respect to an optional redemption of Junior
Subordinated Debentures on the Initial Optional Prepayment Date, together with
scheduled payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures from the
prepayment date to and including the Initial Optional Prepayment Date (the
"Remaining Life"), 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 each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of
prepayment.
 
     A "Special Event" means the receipt by the Corporation and the Trust of an
opinion of 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 amendment or change is effective or
which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after December 17, 1996,
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.
 
     "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 recently published
statistical release designated "H.15 (519)" or any successor publication which
is published weekly by the Federal Reserve Board and which establishes yields on
actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity
under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding
to the Remaining Life (if no maturity is within three months before or after the
maturity corresponding to the Remaining Life, yields for the two published
maturities most closely corresponding to the Remaining Life 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
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
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, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such prepayment date, in each case calculated on the third
Business Day preceding the prepayment date, plus in each case (a) 1.25% if such
prepayment date occurs on or prior to December 31, 1997 and (b) 0.50% in all
other cases.
 
     "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the Remaining
Life of the Junior Subordinated Debentures that would be utilized, at the time
of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Life
of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. If no United States Treasury security has
a maturity which is within a period from three months before to three months
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 Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated on a
straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month, using such securities.
 
     "Quotation Agent" means the Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by the
Corporation. "Reference Treasury Dealer" means: (i) Merrill Lynch Government
Securities, Inc. and its respective 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 Trust 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 Special 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.
 
     If the Trust is required to pay any additional taxes, duties or other
governmental charges as a result of a Special 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 stock and preferred
stock) or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, on or
repay or repurchase or redeem any debt
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
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 the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Corporation
(including under Other Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu 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
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 result of 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) there shall have occurred any event of which the Corporation has actual
knowledge that (A) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would be, a Debenture Event of Default (as defined herein) and (B) in
respect of which the Corporation shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure,
(2) if such Junior Subordinated Debentures are held by the Trust, the
Corporation shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations
under the Guarantee or (3) 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.
 
     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
 
          (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 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 in 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,
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
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.
 
     Enforcement of Certain Rights by Holders of 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 principal of the Junior Subordinated Debentures on the due date, a
holder of 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 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
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.
 
     The holders of the 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 Junior Subordinated Debentures unless there shall have
been an Event of Default under the Declaration. See "-- Description of New
Capital Securities -- Events of Default; Notice."
 
     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
interests of the holders of Junior Subordinated Debentures) and qualifying, or
maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Corporation and the Debenture
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of
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 or any
provisions governing redemption, or 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, and the Corporation deposits
or causes to be deposited with the Debenture Trustee funds, in trust, for the
purpose and in an amount sufficient
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
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 the deposit
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 issued thereunder 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 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 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.
 
     "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all Indebtedness for Money Borrowed,
whether outstanding on the date of execution of the Indenture or thereafter
created, assumed or incurred, unless the terms thereof specifically provide that
it is not superior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Debentures,
and any deferrals, renewals or extensions of such Senior Indebtedness.
 
     "Indebtedness for Money Borrowed" shall mean 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.
 
     The Corporation is largely 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 is a legal entity separate and
distinct from its banking, insurance and other subsidiaries. The principal
source of the Corporation's funds is the issuance of its debt securities. The
FDIC-insured Subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions on the transfer of
funds by each of such depository institutions to the Corporation and certain
other affiliates, in the form of loans, extensions of credit, investments or
purchases of assets. Transfers by any one of such FDIC-insured Subsidiaries to
the Corporation or any single affiliate are generally limited in amount as to
the Corporation and as to each of such other affiliates to 10% of such
FDIC-insured Subsidiaries' capital and surplus and transfers to all affiliates
are limited in the aggregate to 20% of such FDIC-insured Subsidiaries' capital
and surplus. In addition, payment of dividends to the Corporation by the
FDIC-insured Subsidiaries is subject to various limitations and in certain
circumstances requires approval by banking regulatory authorities. The Insurance
Subsidiaries also are subject to the laws and regulations of, and supervision by
the states in which they are domiciled or have obtained the authority to
transact business, including limitations on the amount of dividends that may be
paid by the Insurance Subsidiaries to the Corporation. 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 Junior Subordinated Debentures
will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
Corporation's subsidiaries.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   53
 
     The Indenture places no limitation on the amount of additional Senior
Indebtedness that may be incurred by the Corporation. The Corporation expects
from time to time to incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior
Indebtedness.
 
     Governing Law.  The Indenture 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.  Subject to the provisions of
the Trust Indenture Act, 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 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 Old Guarantee will be exchanged for the
New Guarantee for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the New
Capital Securities. The Chase Manhattan Bank will act as indenture trustee
("Guarantee Trustee") under the New Guarantee. When executed and delivered, the
New Guarantee will be 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, 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 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 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
portion of the Liquidation Distribution payable to holders of New Capital
Securities 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 of the
New Guarantee." 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. 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.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   54
 
     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 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 of the New Guarantee.  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, except in the case of a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding in respect of the Corporation, in which case the New Guarantee will
rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all liabilities (other than
the Old Guarantee and Other Guarantees) of the Corporation.
 
     The New Guarantee will rank pari passu with the Old Guarantee and all Other
Guarantees issued by the Corporation. 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 of the New Junior Subordinated
Debentures to the holders of the New Capital Securities. The New Guarantee does
not place a limitation on the amount of additional Senior Indebtedness that may
be incurred by the Corporation. The Corporation expects from time to time to
incur additional indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness.
 
   
     Amendments and Assignment.  Except with respect to any changes that do not
materially and adversely affect the rights of holders of the New Capital
Securities (in which case no consent 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.
    
 
     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 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.
 
     Termination of the New Guarantee.  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 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, 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.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   55
 
     Information Concerning the Guarantee Trustee.  The Guarantee Trustee, other
than during the continuance of a default with respect to the New Guarantee, will
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the New
Guarantee and, after default, must exercise the same degree of care as a prudent
individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to
such provisions, the Guarantee Trustee will be 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 accounts and other
banking 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 laws of the State of New York.
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF OLD SECURITIES
 
   
     The terms of the Old Securities are identical in all material respects to
the terms of the New Securities, 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 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 the $100,000 minimum Liquidation Amount transfer restriction and certain
other transfer restrictions applicable to Old Capital Securities; (iii) the New
Capital Securities will not provide for any increase in the Distribution Rate
thereon; (iv) the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will not contain the
$100,000 minimum principal amount transfer restriction; and (v) 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 within 150 days
after December 17, 1996 and been declared effective on or prior to the 30th day
after such required filing date, 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 on
or prior to the 30th day after such required filing date, then interest will
accumulate (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 the occurrence of such event until such time as such
required Exchange Offer is consummated or any required Shelf Registration
Statement is effective. 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 -- 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 New Securities --
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 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
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   56
 
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 provides 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 provide that no payments may be made
in respect of the 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 Junior Subordinated Debentures
would constitute an Event of Default under the Declaration.
 
LIMITED PURPOSE OF THE TRUST
 
     The New Capital Securities will represent preferred beneficial interests in
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. A principal difference
between the rights of a holder of a New Capital Security and a holder of a New
Junior Subordinated Debenture is that a holder of a New Junior Subordinated
Debenture will be entitled to receive from the Corporation the principal amount
of and premium, if any, and interest on New Junior Subordinated Debentures held,
while a holder of New Capital Securities is entitled to receive Distributions
from the Trust (or, in certain circumstances, from the Corporation under the New
Guarantee) if and to the extent the Trust has funds on hand legally available
for the payment of such Distributions.
 
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, the Liquidation Distribution in cash. See
"Description of New Securities -- Description of New Capital Securities --
Liquidation of the Trust and Distribution of 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 
    
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   57
 
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 (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 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 Capital Securities and a holder of Junior Subordinated Debentures relative 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 CONSEQUENCES
 
GENERAL
 
     In the opinion of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen, 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 purchase,
ownership and disposition of Capital Securities held as capital assets by a
holder who purchases such Capital Securities upon initial issuance. 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, 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 federal income
tax purposes, such exchange should constitute a recapitalization for United
States 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 Junior Subordinated Debentures, Tax
Counsel will render 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 Junior Subordinated Debentures will be 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.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   58
 
CLASSIFICATION OF THE TRUST
 
     In connection with the issuance of the Capital Securities, Tax Counsel will
render 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 will be 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 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 be treated as OID as long as the Junior
Subordinated Debentures remain outstanding. Thereafter, 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.
 
     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
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 receive 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 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
Capital Securities"), the Junior Subordinated Debentures may be redeemed for
cash and the proceeds of such redemption distributed to
    
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   59
 
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 it sold such redeemed Capital Securities for cash.
See "-- Sales of Capital Securities."
 
SALES OF CAPITAL SECURITIES
 
     A holder that sells Capital Securities will recognize 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). 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. Such gain or loss generally will be a capital gain
or loss and generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Capital
Securities have been held for more than one year.
 
     The Capital Securities may trade at a price that does not accurately
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) 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. 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 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.
 
PROPOSED TAX LEGISLATION
 
     On February 6, 1997, the Treasury Department proposed 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
Junior Subordinated Debentures, issued on or after the "date of first committee
action" if such debt obligations have a maximum term in excess of 15 years and
are not shown as indebtedness on the issuer's applicable consolidated balance
sheet. Neither of the tax-writing committees of the Congress has considered or
acted upon the Proposed Legislation and the New Junior Subordinated Debentures
should be considered as having been issued on December 17, 1996. If the Proposed
Legislation were enacted with the effective date proposed by the Treasury
Department, such legislation would not apply to the Junior Subordinated
Debentures. There can be no assurance, however, that such effective date will be
incorporated into the Proposed Legislation, if enacted, or that other
legislation enacted after the date hereof will not otherwise adversely affect
the ability of the Corporation to deduct the interest payable on the Junior
Subordinated Debentures. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Special
Event will not occur. The occurrence of a Special Event may result in the
redemption of the Junior Subordinated Debentures for cash, in which event the
holders of the Capital Securities would receive cash in redemption of their
Capital Securities. See "Description of New Securities -- Description of New
Capital Securities -- Redemption" and "Description of New Securities -- 
Description of New Junior Subordinated Debentures -- 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.
 
   
     A "U.S. Holder" is a holder of Capital Securities who or which is (i) a
citizen or individual resident (or is treated as a citizen or individual
resident) of the United States for federal income tax purposes, (ii) a
corporation or partnership created or organized (or treated as created or
organized for federal income tax
    
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   60
 
   
purposes) in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof, (iii) an estate the income of which is includable in its gross income
for federal income tax purposes without regard to its source or (iv) if, and
only if, (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of the trust and (B) 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.
 
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% 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 MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE DEPENDING UPON A 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, FOREIGN
AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN UNITED STATES FEDERAL
OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
 
                              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
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   61
 
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 95-23 (an exemption for certain transactions determined by an
in-house asset manager). In addition, a Plan fiduciary considering the purchase
of 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 purchase 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) to which such a delegation of authority generally would be permissible
under ERISA. Further, prior to an Event of Default with respect to the New
Junior Subordinated Debentures, the Property Trustee will have only limited
custodial and ministerial authority with respect to Trust assets.
 
   
     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.
    
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   62
 
                              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
 
   
     Certain legal matters will be passed upon on behalf of the Corporation by
Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Certain legal
matters relating to the New Junior Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee
will be passed upon on behalf of the Corporation by Brown & Wood LLP, New York,
New York. Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen will also pass upon certain
matters relating to United States federal income taxation considerations.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
   
     The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Corporation and
subsidiaries, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the
Registration Statement, to the extent and for the periods indicated in their
reports, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, and are incorporated herein in reliance upon the authority of said
firm as experts in giving said reports.
    
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   63
 
   
     UNTIL OCTOBER   , 1997 ALL PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALERS EFFECTING
TRANSACTIONS IN THE NEW SECURITIES ACQUIRED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL BE
REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
    
 
     NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS EXCHANGE
OFFER AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE
RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST. NEITHER
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY
CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS
OF THE CORPORATION OR THE TRUST SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR A SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
                                                                                        ----
<S>                                                                                     <C>
Available Information.................................................................    7
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.......................................    8
Summary...............................................................................    9
Risk Factors..........................................................................   15
Advanta Corp..........................................................................   21
Use of Proceeds.......................................................................   21
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges...................................................   21
Capitalization........................................................................   22
Summary Financial Data................................................................   23
Recent Developments...................................................................   24
Advanta Capital Trust I...............................................................   25
The Exchange Offer....................................................................   26
Description of New Securities.........................................................   35
Description of Old Securities.........................................................   54
Relationship Among the New Capital Securities, the New Junior Subordinated
  Debentures and the New Guarantee....................................................   54
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences...............................................   56
ERISA Considerations..................................................................   59
Plan of Distribution..................................................................   61
Legal Matters.........................................................................   61
Experts...............................................................................   61
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>   64
 
                                    PART II
 
                   INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides, inter alia,
that under specified circumstances a corporation shall have the power to
indemnify any person who is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, against expenses, attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and
settlements. The By-Laws of the Corporation provide that the Corporation shall
indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the
fullest extent now or hereafter permitting by law in connection with any such
action, suit or proceeding. The By-Laws further provide that the Board of
Directors of the Corporation may, by resolution, indemnify any person other than
a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation for liabilities
incurred in connection with services rendered for or at the request of the
Corporation or its subsidiaries. In addition, consistent with Section 102 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation
limits the personal liability of the Corporation's directors to the Corporation
or its stockholders for monetary damages for certain breaches of fiduciary duty.
The Corporation maintains director and officer liability insurance which would
provide coverage against certain securities law liabilities.
 
     Pursuant to the Declaration, the Corporation has agreed, subject to certain
conditions, to indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, each
Administrative Trustee, its Affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders,
members, partners, employees and agents, and any officer, employee or agent of
the Trust, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the
fact that such person is or was an Administrative Trustee, or an Affiliate,
officer, director, shareholder, member, partner, employee or agent thereof or an
officer, employee or agent of the Trust, against expenses, attorney's fees,
judgments, fines and settlements. In addition, each of the Administrative
Trustees of the Trust is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with, the
Corporation. Accordingly, the Administrative Trustees are subject to and covered
by the Corporation's indemnification and liability policies described above for
actions taken as an Administrative Trustee.
 
ITEM 21.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
- ---------
<C>         <S>
    4.1     Indenture dated as of December 17, 1996 between Advanta Corp. and The Chase
            Manhattan Bank, as trustee relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-g to the Corporation's Annual Report on
            Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)
    4.2     Form of Certificate of New Junior Subordinated Debenture*
    4.3     Certificate of Trust dated as of December 5, 1996 of Advanta Capital Trust I*
    4.4     Declaration of Trust dated as of December 5, 1996 of Advanta Capital Trust I
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-h to the Corporation's Annual Report on
            Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)
    4.5     Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of December 17, 1996 for
            Advanta Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-i to the
            Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
            1996)
    4.6     Form of New Capital Security Certificate for Advanta Capital Trust I*
    4.7     Form of New Guarantee of Advanta Corp. relating to the New Capital Securities*
    4.8     Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 11, 1996 between Advanta
            Corp. and the Initial Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-j to
            the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
            31, 1996)
    5.1     Opinion and consent of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen as to legality of the
            New Capital Securities to be issued by Advanta Capital Trust I
    5.2     Opinion and consent of Brown & Wood LLP as to legality of the New Junior
            Subordinated Debentures and the New Guarantee to be issued by Advanta Corp.
    8       Opinion of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen, as to certain federal income tax
            matters
   12.1     Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   65
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
- ---------
<C>         <S>
   23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
   23.2     Consent of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8)
   23.3     Consent of Brown & Wood LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
   24       Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of Advanta Corp. (included
            on signature page)*
   25.1     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee
            under the Indenture of Advanta Corp.*
   25.2     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee
            under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Advanta Capital Trust I*
   25.3     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee
            under the New Guarantee of Advanta Corp. for the benefit of the holders of New
            Capital Securities of Advanta 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>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed.
    
 
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.
 
     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.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   66
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Advanta Corp.
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in Lower Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on June 10, 1997.
    
 
                                          Advanta Corp.
 
   
                                          By:     /s/ DAVID D. WESSELINK
    
                                            ------------------------------------
   
                                              David D. Wesselink, Senior Vice
                                                          President,
    
   
                                            Chief Financial Officer and Director
    
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                            DATE
                  ---------                                            ----
<S>                                                  <C>
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
                Dennis Alter
            Chairman and Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
                Alex W. Hart
    Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
              William A. Rosoff
         Vice Chairman and Director
 
           /s/ DAVID D. WESSELINK                                 June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
             David D. Wesselink
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                   Officer
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
              John J. Calamari
        Vice President, Finance, and
          Chief Accounting Officer
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
         Arthur P. Bellis, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
             Max Botel, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
        Richard J. Braemer, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
       William C. Dunkelberg, Director
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   67
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                          DATE
                  ---------                                          ----
<S>                                                               <C>
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
         Dana Becker Dunn, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
          Robert C. Hall, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
         James E. Ksansnak, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
         Ronald J. Naples, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
        Phillip A. Turberg, Director
 
                      *                                           June 10, 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
           Ronald Lubner, Director
 
         *By: /s/ DAVID D. WESSELINK
- ---------------------------------------------
    David D. Wesselink, Attorney-in-fact
       Pursuant to powers of attorney
      previously filed as part of this
           Registration Statement.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   68
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Advanta Capital
Trust I certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1
to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Wilmington, and State of Delaware, on
June 10, 1997.
    
 
                                          ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I
 
                                          By:       /s/ JEFFREY D. BECK
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      Jeffrey D. Beck,
                                                 as Administrative Trustee
 
                                          By:      /s/ RONALD V. SAMUELS
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                     Ronald V. Samuels,
                                                 as Administrative Trustee
 
                                          By:         /s/ VERA REGOLI
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                        Vera Regoli,
                                                 as Administrative Trustee
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   69
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
  NO.                                     DESCRIPTION
- -------                                   -----------
<C>       <S>
   4.1    Indenture dated as of December 17, 1996 between Advanta Corp. and The Chase Manhattan
          Bank, as trustee relating to the Junior Subordinated Debentures (incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4-g to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)
   4.2    Form of Certificate of New Junior Subordinated Debenture*
   4.3    Certificate of Trust dated as of December 5, 1996 of Advanta Capital Trust I*
   4.4    Declaration of Trust dated as of December 5, 1996 of Advanta Capital Trust I
          (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-h to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)
   4.5    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated as of December 17, 1996 for Advanta
          Capital Trust I (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-i to the Corporation's Annual
          Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)
   4.6    Form of New Capital Security Certificate for Advanta Capital Trust I*
   4.7    Form of New Guarantee of Advanta Corp. relating to the New Capital Securities*
   4.8    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 11, 1996 between Advanta Corp. and
          the Initial Purchasers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-j to the Corporation's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996)
   5.1    Opinion and consent of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen as to legality of the New
          Capital Securities to be issued by Advanta Capital Trust I
   5.2    Opinion and consent of Brown & Wood LLP as to legality of the New Junior Subordinated
          Debentures and the New Guarantee to be issued by Advanta Corp.
   8      Opinion of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen, as to certain federal income tax
          matters
  12.1    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges
  23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
  23.2    Consent of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8)
  23.3    Consent of Brown & Wood LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)
  24      Power of Attorney of certain officers and directors of Advanta Corp. (included on
          signature page)*
  25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under
          the Indenture of Advanta Corp.*
  25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under
          the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Advanta Capital Trust I*
  25.3    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as trustee under
          the New Guarantee of Advanta Corp. for the benefit of the holders of New Capital
          Securities of Advanta 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>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed.
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


                [WOLF, BLOCK, SCHORR AND SOLIS-COHEN LETTERHEAD]

(302) 777-5860

                                 June 10, 1997

Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
c/o  Advanta Corp.
      Welsh & McKean Roads
      P.O. Box 844
      Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477

                  RE:   Advanta Corp. - Advanta Capital Trust I
                        Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24573

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel to Advanta Corp. (the "Corporation"),
a Delaware corporation and sponsor of Advanta Capital Trust I, a Delaware
statutory business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with a Registration
Statement on Form S-4, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto to be filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the
"Registration Statement"), relating to: (i) the proposed issuance by the Trust
of $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust's 8.99% Series B
Capital Securities (the "New Capital Securities") to be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to the
Registration Statement, in exchange for up to $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Trust's outstanding 8.99% Series A Capital Securities (the "Old
Capital Securities"); (ii) the proposed issuance by the Corporation to the
Trust, in an aggregate principal amount corresponding to the aggregate
Liquidation Amount of the New Capital Securities, of the Corporation's 8.99%
Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 17,
2026 (the "New Junior Subordinated Debentures"), to be registered under the
Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Statement, in exchange for a
comparable aggregate principal amount of the Company's outstanding 8.99% Series
A Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 17, 2026; and
(iii) the Corporation's guarantee of the New Capital Securities registered under
the Securities Act in exchange for termination of the Corporation's guarantee of
the Old Capital Securities. The New Capital Securities will be issued under an
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for the Trust, dated as of December
17, 1996 (the "Amended Declaration"), among the Corporation, as Sponsor, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as property trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as
Delaware trustee, and the Administrative Trustees named therein, and the New
Junior
<PAGE>   2
Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
June 10, 1997
Page 2

Subordinated Debentures will be issued under an Indenture, dated as of December
17, 1996, between the Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as debenture
trustee.

                  For the purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth,
we have examined originals or copies of the following:

                  (i)   Executed counterparts of the Amended Declaration.

                  (ii)  Specimen of the New Capital Securities.

                  (iii) Executed counterparts of the Registration Rights
                  Agreement, dated as of December 11, 1996 (the "Registration
                  Rights Agreement"), among the Trust, the Corporation and the
                  Initial Purchasers named therein.

                  (iv)  Executed copy of the Registration Statement.

                  Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined are used as defined in the Amended Declaration.

                  For purposes of this opinion, we have reviewed only the
documents listed above and corporate and trust records relating to the
Corporation, the Trust and the transactions described above as we have deemed
appropriate. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any documents
that we have not reviewed that bears upon or is inconsistent with the opinions
stated herein. As to various questions of fact material to our opinion, we have
assumed the accuracy of representations and warranties made by the Trust and the
Corporation in and pursuant to certificates of officers of the Corporation and
trustees of the Trust and agreements delivered in connection with the
transactions described above. We have conducted no independent factual
investigation, but instead have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the
statements and information set forth therein and the additional matters recited
or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and
accurate in all material respects.

                  With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed
(i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, (ii) the
conformity with authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as copies
or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.

                  For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the
Amended Declaration constitutes the entire agreement among the parties thereto
with respect to the subject matter
<PAGE>   3
Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
June 10, 1997
Page 3

thereof, including with respect to the creation, operation, and termination of
the Trust, and that the Amended Declaration is in full force and effect and has
not been amended, (ii) the due creation, due formation or due organization, as
the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of each party to the
documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction governing its
creation, formation or organization, (iii) the legal capacity of each natural
person who is a part to the documents examined by us, (iv) that each of the
parties to the documents examined by us has all requisite power and authority to
execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents, (v)
that each of the parties to the documents examined by us has duly authorized,
executed and delivered such documents, and (vi) that the Delaware Trustee
satisfies the requirements of Section 3807(a) of the Delaware Business Trust
Act.

                  This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware
(excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware) and Federal law of the
United States as in effect on the date hereof, and we have not considered and
express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction or on Federal or state
banking or insurance laws.

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

                  1. The New Capital Securities have been duly authorized for
issuance by the Trust, and when the New Capital Securities are duly executed,
authenticated and issued in accordance with the Amended Declaration and
delivered and issued in the Exchange Offer as contemplated by the Amended
Declaration, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Registration Statement,
the New Capital Securities will represent, subject to the qualifications set
forth in paragraph 2 below, fully paid and nonassessable undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust.

                  2. The holders of the New Capital Securities will be entitled
to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private
corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware. We bring to your attention, however, that the holders of the New
Capital Securities may be obligated, pursuant to the Amended Declaration, to (i)
provide indemnity and/or security in connection with, and pay taxes or
governmental charges arising from, transfers of New Capital Securities and the
issuance of replacement New Capital Securities and (ii) provide security and
indemnity in connection with requests of, or directions to, the Property Trustee
and in connection with the Property Trustee's exercise of its rights and powers
under the Amended Declaration.

                  This opinion is given as of the date hereof and we assume no
obligation to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or
circumstance which may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in laws
which may hereafter occur.
<PAGE>   4
   
Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
June 10, 1997
Page 4
    
                  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" contained in the Prospectus included therein.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen

<PAGE>   1
                         [BROWN & WOOD LLP LETTERHEAD]


                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.2

   
                                                                   June 10, 1997
    


Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
c/o Advanta Corp.
    Welsh & McKean Roads
    P.O. Box 844
    Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477

                  Re:      Advanta Corp.
                           Advanta Capital Trust I
                           Registration Statement on Form S-4
                           File No. 333-24573

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as counsel to Advanta Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation") and Sponsor of Advanta Capital Trust I, a
Delaware statutory business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") relating to:
(i) the proposed issuance by the Trust of $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation
Amount of its 8.99% Series B Capital Securities (the "New Capital Securities")
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
in exchange for $100,000,000 aggregate Liquidation Amount of its outstanding
8.99% Series A Capital Securities (the "Old Capital Securities"); (ii) the
proposed issuance by the Corporation to the Trust, in an aggregate principal
amount corresponding to the aggregate Liquidation Amount of the New Capital
Securities, of the Corporation's 8.99% Series B Junior Subordinated Deferrable
Interest Debentures due December 17, 2026 (the "New Junior Subordinated
Debentures") registered under the Securities Act in exchange for a comparable
aggregate principal amount of the Corporation's outstanding 8.99% Series A
Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 17, 2026 (the
"Old Junior Subordinated Debentures"); and (iii) the proposed execution of the
Corporation's guarantee in respect of the New Capital Securities (the "New
Guarantee") registered under the Securities Act. The New Capital Securities will
be issued under an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust for the Trust,
dated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Amended Declaration"), among the
Corporation, as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Property Trustee, Chase
Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware Trustee, and the Administrative Trustees
named therein, while the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will be issued under
an Indenture, dated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Indenture"), between the
Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Debenture Trustee.

         We have examined such documents and records as we deemed appropriate,
including the following:
<PAGE>   2
         (i) Copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
         Corporation, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of
         the State of Delaware;


         (ii) Copy of the By-Laws of the Corporation, as amended, certified as
         of a recent date by an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation to be a
         true and complete copy;


         (iii) Copy, certified as of a recent date by an Assistant Secretary of
         the Corporation to be a true and complete copy, of resolutions adopted
         by the Board of Directors of the Corporation on December 5, 1996 and by
         the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of the Corporation on
         December 11, 1996;


         (iv) Executed counterparts of the Amended Declaration;

         (v) Specimen of the New Capital Security;


         (vi) Executed counterparts of the Indenture;


         (vii) Specimen of the New Junior Subordinated Debenture;


         (viii) Proposed form of the New Guarantee; and


         (ix) Executed counterparts of the Registration Rights Agreement, dated
         as of December 11, 1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), among
         the Trust, the Corporation and the Initial Purchasers named therein.

         In addition, as to certain factual matters, we have relied upon
certificates of officers of the Corporation, the Administrative Trustees of the
Trust, public officials and others.

         In the course of our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of
all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of
all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. In making our
examination of documents executed by parties other than the Corporation we have
assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and
perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization
by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such
parties of such documents, as well as the validity, binding effect and
enforceability thereof on such parties.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3
         Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

         (1) The New Junior Subordinated Debentures have been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate action of the Corporation and, when executed and
authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against
surrender and cancellation of a like aggregate principal amount of Old Junior
Subordinated Debentures as contemplated in the Registration Rights Agreement,
the New Junior Subordinated Debentures will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Corporation entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and
enforceable against the Corporation in accordance with their terms, except as
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally or by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law).

         (2) The New Guarantee has been duly authorized by all requisite
corporate action of the Corporation and, when executed by the Corporation and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Guarantee Trustee, and delivered as contemplated in
the Registration Rights Agreement, the New Guarantee will constitute a valid and
binding agreement of the Corporation, enforceable against the Corporation in
accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law).

         We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and we express no
opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of
New York and the federal laws of the United States of America. As to matters
governed by Delaware law, we have relied exclusively upon the opinion of
Elizabeth H. Mai, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the 
Corporation, and have not made any independent investigation of the matters
covered in such opinion.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included therein.


                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/ Brown & Wood LLP

                                       BROWN & WOOD LLP




                                       3

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       Exhibit 8

                [WOLF, BLOCK, SCHORR AND SOLIS-COHEN LETTERHEAD]

Direct Dial Number:
(302) 777-5860

                                   June 10, 1997

Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
c/o    Advanta Corp.
        Welsh & McKean Roads
        P.O. Box 844
        Spring House, Pennsylvania 19477

                  RE:   Advanta Corp. - Advanta Capital Trust I
                       Registration Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-24573

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have acted as special tax counsel for Advanta Corp. (the
"Corporation") and Advanta Capital Trust I (the "Trust") in connection with the
offer to exchange up to $100,000,000 of the Trust's 8.99% Series B Capital
Securities (the "Series B Capital Securities") which will be registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for a like Liquidation Amount of the
Trust's outstanding 8.99% Series A Capital Securities (the "Series A Capital
Securities" and together with the Series B Capital Securities, the "Capital
Securities"). In rendering our opinion, we have examined the Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust for the Trust dated as of December 17, 1996 (the
"Trust Agreement"), among the Corporation, as Sponsor, The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Property Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware, as Delaware trustee, and
the Administrative Trustees named therein, and have assumed that the
Administrative Trustees will conduct the affairs of the Trust in accordance with
the Trust Agreement.

                  Although the discussion set forth in the prospectus (the
"Prospectus"), that is part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4, as
amended by Amendment No. 1 to filed by the Corporation and the Trust with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof, under the
caption "Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" does not purport to discuss
all possible federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the Capital Securities, such discussion represents, to the extent
that it concerns matters of federal law or legal conclusions with respect
thereto, in all material respects, a fair and accurate
<PAGE>   2
Advanta Corp.
Advanta Capital Trust I
June 10, 1997
Page 2

summary of the United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the Capital Securities under current law.

                  Capitalized terms used herein but not defined have the
meanings as provided in the Prospectus.

                  We hereby consent to the use of our name under the caption
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus. The issuance of
such a consent does not concede that we are an "Expert" for the purposes of the
Securities Act of 1933.

                                       Very truly yours,


                                       /s/ Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1
 
                                 ADVANTA CORP.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
            STATEMENTS SETTING FORTH DETAILS OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO
                          OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       FOR THE THREE
                                       MONTHS ENDED
                                         MARCH 31,                  FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31ST,
                                   ---------------------   ----------------------------------------------------
                                     1997         1996       1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
                                   --------     --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                   (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Net earnings (loss)..............  $(19,818)    $ 41,030   $175,657   $136,677   $106,063   $ 77,920   $ 48,037
Federal and state income taxes
  (benefit)......................    (6,891)      21,133     89,104     75,226     59,144     45,335     29,063
                                   --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
Earnings (loss) before income
  taxes (benefit)................   (26,709)      62,163    264,761    211,903    165,207    123,255     77,100
                                   --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
Fixed charges:
  Interest.......................    71,462       55,935    269,700    166,032     94,758     79,303     93,545
  One-third of all rentals.......       819          461      2,833      1,641      1,809      1,591      1,252
  Preferred stock dividend of
    subsidiary trust.............     2,248            0        350          0          0          0          0
                                   --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
         Total fixed charges.....    74,529       56,376    272,883    167,673     96,567     80,894     94,797
                                   --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
Earnings before income taxes and
  fixed charges..................  $ 47,820     $118,559   $537,644   $379,576   $261,774   $204,149   $171,897
                                   --------     --------   --------   --------   --------
Ratio of earnings to fixed
  charges(A).....................        (B)        2.10x      1.97x      2.26x      2.71x      2.52x      1.81x
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
(A) For purposes of computing these ratios, "earnings" represent income before
    income taxes plus fixed charges, and "fixed charges" consist of interest
    expense, one-third (the proportion deemed representative of the interest
    factor) of rental expense on operating leases and preferred stock dividend
    of subsidiary trust.
    
 
   
(B) For the three months ended March 31, 1997, earnings were inadequate to cover
    Fixed Charges. The deficiency was approximately $26.7 million.
    

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
(No. 333-24573) of our reports dated January 21, 1997 on the Advanta Corp.
consolidated financial statements included in the Advanta Corp. Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1996 and to all references to our Firm included in
this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement File No. 333-24573.
    
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Philadelphia, PA
   
June 6, 1997
    

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

                              LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                             ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I

                              Offer to Exchange its
                        8.99% 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
                        8.99% Series A Capital Securities
                (Liquidation Amount $1,000 per Capital Security)

                           Pursuant to the Prospectus
                              dated June __, 1997
                                 --------------

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

                  THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

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

                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                              450 West 33rd Street
                                   15th Floor
                            New York, New York 10001
                Attention: Sheik Wiltshire, Second Vice President
                              Global Trust Services

                              Confirm by Telephone:
                                  (212)946-3082

                            Facsimile Transmissions:
                          (ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
                                  (212)946-8161


     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 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 Chase Manhattan Bank (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.
<PAGE>   2
         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.

                    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 registered holder.             Old Capital Securities tendered
                                                                       (Attach additional list if necessary)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Certificate     Aggregate Principal     Principal Amount of Old
                                                           Number(s)*     Amount of Old Capital   Capital Securities Tendered
                                                                               Securities            (if less than all)**
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>                     <C> 
                                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------


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


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


                                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         TOTAL
                                                         AMOUNT
                                                         TENDERED:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*   Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
**  Old Capital Securities may be tendered in whole or in part in denominations
    of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, provided 
    that if any Old Capital Securities are tendered for exchange in part, the 
    untendered Principal amount thereof must be $100,000 or any integral 
    multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  All Old Capital Securities held shall
    be deemed tendered unless a lesser number is specified in this column.  
    See Instruction 4.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       2
<PAGE>   3
            (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 Delivery 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:__________________________________________________________________

             __________________________________________________________________

                                       3
<PAGE>   4
Ladies and Gentlemen:

   
         The undersigned hereby tenders to Advanta Capital Trust I, a trust
formed under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust"), and Advanta Corp., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), the above described aggregate Liquidation
Amount of the Trust's 8.99% Series A Capital Securities (the "Old Capital
Securities") in exchange for a like aggregate Liquidation Amount of the Trust's
8.99% Series B Capital Securities (the "New Capital Securities") which have been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), 
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated 
June __, 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.

         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 this
Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto 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," the undersigned hereby directs that the New
Capital Securities be delivered to the undersigned at the address shown below
the undersigned's signature.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5
         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 OR THE TRUST HAS 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
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 record of Old Capital Securities on June 1, 1997 will be
entitled to the payment of Distributions on June 17, 1997. Holders of Old 
Capital Securities whose Old Capital Securities are accepted for exchange will
not receive Distributions on such Old Capital Securities thereafter and the
undersigned waives the right to receive any Distribution on such Old Capital
Securities accumulated from and after the date of such acceptance.

         The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional
documents deemed by the Corporation or the Trust to be necessary or desirable to
complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Capital Securities
tendered hereby. 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.

                                       5
<PAGE>   6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            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))

Date___________________, 1997

Names(s)_______________________________________________________________________
                                 (PLEASE PRINT)

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_________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

                                       6
<PAGE>   7
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.)

                                       7
<PAGE>   8
                                  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 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 address
set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Old Capital Securities may
be tendered in whole or in part in the principal amount of $100,000 (100 Capital
Securities) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, 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) or any
integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

         A. 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
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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("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 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.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9
         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) and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, 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) or
any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. 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, telegraphic,
telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely
received by the Exchange Agent at its address 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,
telegraphic, telex 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."

         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.

                                       9
<PAGE>   10
         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), in which cases 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 - Conditions to the Exchange Offer"
or any conditions 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 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.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11
         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.

         10. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS. The Corporation and the Trust reserve the
absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive satisfaction of any or all
conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.

         11. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS. No alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Old Capital Securities, by
execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice
of the acceptance of Old Capital Securities for exchange.

         Neither the Corporation, the Trust, the Exchange Agent nor any other
person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to
any tender of Old Capital Securities nor shall any of them incur any liability
for failure to give any such notice.

         12. 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.

         13. 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.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12
                             TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL
                            TENDERING SECURITYHOLDERS
                               (SEE INSTRUCTION 9)

                      PAYER'S NAME: ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             SUBSTITUTE                
              Form W-9                 
                                       
                                       

     Department of the Treasury        
      Internal Revenue Service         


Part 1 - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR               TIN________________________       
TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND                     Social Security Number or    
CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND                        Employer Identification Number 
DATING BELOW                                                                 
                                                                             
                                           Part 2                            
                                              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
                                       (the "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____________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 99.2

                          NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

                                  FOR TENDER OF

                        8.99% SERIES A CAPITAL SECURITIES
                (LIQUIDATION AMOUNT $1,000 PER CAPITAL SECURITY)

                                       OF

                             ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I
                    UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT
                  SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS BY ADVANTA 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) the
procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis (ii) certificates for the Trust's (as defined below) 8.99% Series A
Capital Securities (the "Old Capital Securities") are not immediately available
or (iii) Old Capital Securities, the Letter of Transmittal and all other
required documents cannot be delivered to The Chase Manhattan Bank (the
"Exchange Agent") on or prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the
Prospectus referred to below). 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.

                  The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

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

                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                              450 West 33rd Street
                                   15th Floor
                            New York, New York 10001
                Attention: Sheik Wiltshire, Second Vice President
                              Global Trust Services


                              Confirm by Telephone:
                                  (212)946-3082

                            Facsimile Transmissions:
                          (ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY)
                                  (212)946-8161

  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 A
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 Advanta Capital Trust I, a trust formed
under the laws of Delaware (the "Trust"), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated June  , 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 Principal Amount
  Tendered:____________________________________________________________________

Certificate No(s). (if available):

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

DTC Account Number:____________________________________________________________

Date:__________________________________________________________________________

Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):

_______________________________________________________________________________

Address(es):

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Area Code and Telephone Number(s):

_______________________________________________________________________________

Signature(s):

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

               THE GUARANTEE ON THE REVERSE SIDE MUST BE COMPLETED
<PAGE>   2
                                    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 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 clearing
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 its address 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
Depository Trust Company, 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 three 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:

_______________________________________________________________________________

Address:

_______________________________________________________________________________
                                                    (Zip Code)

Area Code and
Telephone Number:______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
                    (Authorized Signature)

Title:_________________________________________________________________________

Name:__________________________________________________________________________
                    (Please type or print)

Date:__________________________________________________________________________


NOTE: DO NOT SEND OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY. ACTUAL SURRENDER OF OLD CAPITAL SECURITIES MUST BE MADE PURSUANT TO,
AND BE ACCOMPANIED BY, A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT 99.3



                                                                  June 10, 1997



                            EXCHANGE AGENT AGREEMENT




The Chase Manhattan Bank
450 West 33rd Street
15th Floor
New York, New York  10001



Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Advanta Capital Trust I (the "Trust") proposes to make an offer (the
"Exchange Offer") to exchange its 8.99% Series A Capital Securities (the "Old
Capital Securities") for its registered 8.99% Series B Capital Securities (the
"New Capital Securities"), respectively. The terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer as currently contemplated are set forth in a prospectus, dated
June 12, 1997 (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" or the "Securities".

         The Trust hereby appoints The Chase Manhattan Bank to act as exchange
agent (the "Exchange Agent") in connection with the Exchange Offer. References
hereinafter to "you" shall refer to The Chase Manhattan Bank.

         The Exchange Offer is expected to be commenced by the Trust on or about
June 13, 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.

         The Exchange Offer shall expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
July 14, 1997 or on such later date or time to which the Trust may extend the
Exchange Offer (the "Expiration Date"). Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Prospectus, the Trust and Advanta Corp. (the "Corporation")
expressly reserve
<PAGE>   2
the right to extend the Exchange Offer from time to time and may extend the
Exchange Offer by giving oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice to you
before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the business day following the
previously scheduled Expiration Date.

         The Trust and the Corporation expressly reserve the right to delay,
amend or terminate the Exchange Offer, and 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 captions "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange Offer" and
"-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer". The Trust or the Corporation will give to
you as promptly as practicable oral (confirmed in writing) or written notice of
any delay, amendment, termination or nonacceptance.

         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 herein and such duties which are necessarily incidental
thereto.

         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 



                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
other action as may be necessary or advisable to cause such irregularity to be
corrected.

         4. With the approval of the Chairman of the Board, the President, or
any Vice President of the Corporation or any administrative trustee of the Trust
(such approval, if given orally, promptly to be confirmed in writing) or any
other party designed by such officer 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 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 the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President
of the Corporation or any other party designated by any such officer in writing
shall approve as having been properly tendered shall be considered to be
properly tendered (such approval, if given orally, promptly shall be confirmed
in writing).

         6. You shall advise the Corporation with respect to any Old Capital
Securities delivered subsequent to the Expiration Date and accept its
instructions with respect to disposition of such Old Capital Securities.

         7. You shall accept tenders:

            (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
indentured Old Capital Securities to the holder (or such other person as may be
designated in the Letter of Transmittal) as promptly as 



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
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, promptly 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 the Old
Capital Securities tendered promptly after notice (such notice if given orally,
promptly 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
document. You shall issue New Capital Securities only in aggregate liquidation
amounts of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

         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. Notice of any decision by the Trust not to exchange any Old Capital
Securities tendered shall be given (such notices if given orally, promptly shall
be confirmed in writing) by the Trust or the Corporation to you.

         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 captions "The Exchange Offer -- Terms of the Exchange
Offer" and "-- 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 



                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
Transmittal relating thereto that are in your possession, to the persons who 
deposited them.

         12. All certificates for reissued Old Capital Securities, unaccepted
Old Capital Securities or for New Capital Securities shall be forwarded by (a)
first-class mail, postage pre-paid under a blanket surety bond protecting you
and the Trust from loss or liability arising out of the non-receipt or
non-delivery of such certificates or (b) by registered mail insured separately
for the replacement value of each of such certificates.

         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 persons to solicit tenders.

         14. As Exchange Agent hereunder you:

             (a) 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;

             (b) 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;

             (c) shall not be liable to the Trust or the Corporation for any
action taken or omitted by you, or any action suffered by you to be taken or
omitted, without negligence, misconduct or bad faith on your part, by reason of
or as a result of the administration of your duties hereunder in accordance with
the terms and conditions of this Agreement or by reason of your compliance with
the instructions set forth herein or with any written or oral instructions
delivered to you pursuant hereto, and may reasonably rely on and shall be
protected in acting in good faith in reliance upon any certificate, instrument,
opinion, notice, letter, facsimile or other document or security delivered to
you and reasonably believed by you to be genuine and to have been signed by the
proper party or parties;

             (d) 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 


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
reasonably believe to be genuine or to have been signed or represented by
a proper person or persons;

             (e) may rely on and shall be protected in acting upon written
notice or oral instructions from any officer of the Corporation or any
administrative trustee of the Trust with respect to the Exchange Offer;

             (f) 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;

             (g) may consult with counsel and the written advice or opinion of
such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect
of any action taken, suffered or omitted by you hereunder in good faith and in
reliance thereon.

         15. You shall send to all holders of Old Capital Securities a copy of
the Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, as
defined in the Prospectus, and such other documents (collectively, the "Exchange
Offer Documents") as may be furnished by the Trust or the Corporation to
commence the Exchange Offer and take such other action as may from time to time
be requested by the Trust or the Corporation or its counsel (and such other
action as you may reasonably deem appropriate) to furnish copies of the Exchange
Offer Documents or such other forms as may be approved from time to time by the
Trust or the Corporation, to all holders of Old Capital Securities and 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 for accepting (or withdrawing
from) the Exchange Offer. The Corporation 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 Corporation, Attention: ________, at the
Corporation's offices at Welsh & McKean Roads, P.O. Box 844, Spring House,
Pennsylvania 19477, telephone (215) 657-4000.

         16. You shall advise by facsimile transmission or telephone, and
promptly thereafter confirm in writing to ________ of the Corporation, and such
other person or persons as the Trust may request in writing, not later than 7:00
p.m., New York City time, each business day, and more frequently if reasonably
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 



                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
improperly received. In addition, you will also inform, and cooperate in making
available to, the Trust or any such other person or persons as the Corporation
requests in writing from time to time prior to the Expiration Date of such other
information as it reasonably requests. Such cooperation shall include, without
limitation, the granting by you to the Corporation and such person as the
Corporation 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 Corporation 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 and the aggregate
principal amount of Old Capital Securities accepted and deliver said list to the
Corporation.

         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
customarily preserve other records pertaining to the transfer of securities. You
shall dispose of unused Letters of Transmittal and other surplus materials in
accordance with your customary procedures.

         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
Corporation, 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 and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses as set
forth on Schedule I attached hereto.

         20. You hereby acknowledge receipt of the Prospectus, the Letter of
Transmittal and the other documents associated with the Exchange Offer attached
hereto and further acknowledge that you have examined each of them. Any
inconsistency between this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Prospectus, the
Letter of Transmittal and such other forms (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. Each of the Trust and the Corporation, jointly and severally,
agrees to indemnify and hold you harmless in your capacity as Exchange Agent
hereunder against any liability, cost 



                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
or expense, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, arising out of or
in connection with your appointment as Exchange Agent and the performance of
your duties hereunder, including, without limitation, any act, omission, delay
or refusal made by you in reasonable reliance upon any signature, endorsement,
assignment, certificate, order, request, notice, instruction or other instrument
or document reasonably believed by you 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 neither the Trust nor the
Corporation shall be liable for indemnification or otherwise for any loss,
liability, cost or expense to the extent arising out of your negligence, willful
misconduct or bad faith.

         22. 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 Corporation 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 Trust 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.

         23. 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 insure to
the benefit of, and the obligations created hereby shall be binding upon, the
successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

         24. 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.

         25. 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.

         26. 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 



                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
representative of the party to be charged. This Agreement may not be modified
orally.

         27. Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests and other
communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile)
and shall be given to such party, addressed to it, as its address or telecopy
number set forth below:

                  If to the Trust or the Corporation:

                           Advanta Corp.
                           Welsh & McKean Roads
                           P.O. Box 844
                           Spring House, Pennsylvania  19477

                           Facsimile:
                           Attention:


                  If to the Exchange Agent:

                           The Chase Manhattan Bank
                           450 West 33rd Street, 15th Floor
                           New York, New York  10001

                           Facsimile: (212) 946-8161
                           Attention: Sheik Wiltshire
                                      Second Vice President

         28. Unless terminated earlier by the parties hereto, this Agreement
shall terminate 90 days follow the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Paragraphs 18, 19 and 21 shall survive the termination of this
Agreement. Upon any termination of this Agreement, you shall promptly deliver to
the Corporation any certificates for Old Capital Securities, funds or property
(including, without limitation, Letters of Transmittal and any other documents
relating to the Exchange Offer) then held by you as Exchange Agent under this
Agreement.

         29.This Agreement shall be binding and effective as of the date hereof.



                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10
         Please acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and confirm the
arrangements herein provided by signing and returning the enclosed copy.



                                            ADVANTA CAPITAL TRUST I



                                            By:/s/ Jeffrey D. Beck
                                               -------------------
                                               Name: Jeffrey D. Beck
                                               Title:  Administrative Trustee




                                            ADVANTA CORP.



                                            By:/s/ David D. Wesselink
                                               ----------------------
                                               Name: David D. Wesselink
                                               Title: Senior Vice President



Accepted as the date 
first above written:

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK



By: /s/ Sheik Wiltshire
    -------------------
   Name: Sheik Wiltshire
   Title: Second Vice President



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