EXHIBIT 10.2
(MULTICURRENCY -- CROSS BORDER)

                                            ISDA(R)
                         International Swap Dealers Association, Inc.
                                       MASTER AGREEMENT

                                 dated as of October 20, 1997

BARCLAYS  BANK  PLC  and  ALLEGHANY  FUNDING  CORPORATION  have  entered  and/or
anticipate  entering into one or more transactions  (each a "Transaction")  that
are or will be governed by this Master  Agreement,  which  includes the schedule
(the  "Schedule"),  and the  documents  and other  confirming  evidence  (each a
"Confirmation") exchanged between the parties confirming those Transactions.

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:--

1.      INTERPRETATION

(a)  DEFINITIONS.  The terms defined in Section 14 and in the Schedule will have
the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

(b) INCONSISTENCY.  In the event of any inconsistency  between the provisions of
the Schedule and the other  provisions  of this Master  Agreement,  the Schedule
will prevail.  In the event of any  inconsistency  between the provisions of any
Confirmation   and  this  Master  Agreement   (including  the  Schedule),   such
Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

(c) SINGLE AGREEMENT.  All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact
that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between
the  parties  (collectively  referred to as this  "Agreement"),  and the parties
would not otherwise enter into any transactions.

2.      OBLIGATIONS

(a)     GENERAL CONDITIONS.

        (i) Each party will make each  payment or delivery in each  Confirmation
        to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

        (ii)  Payments  under  this  Agreement  will be made on the due date for
        value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant
        Confirmation  or  otherwise  pursuant  to  this  Agreement,   in  freely
        transferable  funds and in the  manner  customary  for  payments  in the
        required currency.  Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than
        by payment),  such  delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in
        the  manner  customary  for the  relevant  obligation  unless  otherwise
        specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

        (iii) Each  obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to
        (1) the condition  precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event
        of  Default  with  respect  to  the  other  party  has  occurred  and is
        continuing,  (2) the condition  precedent that no Early Termination Date
        in respect of the relevant  Transaction has occurred or been effectively
        designated and (3) each other applicable  condition  precedent specified
        in this Agreement.

(b) CHANGE OF  ACCOUNT.  Either  party may change its  account  for  receiving a
payment  or  delivery  by giving  notice to the other  party at least five Local
Business Days prior to the  scheduled  date for the payment or delivery to which
such change  applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable
objection to such change.

(c)     NETTING.  If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:--

        (i)    in the same currency; and

        (ii)   in respect of the same Transaction,

by each party to the other,  then, on such date, each party's obligation to make
payment of any such amount will be  automatically  satisfied and discharged and,
if the  aggregate  amount that would  otherwise  have been  payable by one party
exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other
party,  replaced by an  obligation  upon the party by whom the larger  aggregate
amount  would  have been  payable  to pay to the other  party the  excess of the
larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

The parties may elect in respect of two or more  Transactions  that a net amount
will be  determined  in respect of all  amounts  payable on the same date in the
same  currency  in  respect of such  Transactions,  regardless  of whether  such
amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made
in the Schedule or a Confirmation  by specifying  that  subparagraph  (ii) above
will not apply to the Transactions  identified as being subject to the election,
together with the starting date (in which case subparagraph (ii) above will not,
or will cease to, apply to such  Transactions for such date).  This election may
be  made  separately  for  different  groups  of  Transactions  and  will  apply
separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive
payments or deliveries.

(d)     DEDUCTIONS OR WITHHOLDING FOR TAX.

        (i) GROSS-UP.  All payments under this  Agreement  shall be made without
        any  deduction or  withholding  for or on account of any Tax unless such
        deduction or withholding is required by any applicable  law, as modified
        by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority,  then in
        effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party
        ("X") will:--

               (1)    promptly notify the other party ("Y") of such requirement;

               (2) pay to the relevant  authorities  the full amount required to
               be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be
               deducted or withheld  from any  additional  amount paid by X to Y
               under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining
               that such  deduction  or  withholding  is required  or  receiving
               notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

               (3)  promptly  forward to Y an  official  receipt (or a certified
               copy),  or  other  documentation   reasonably  acceptable  to  Y,
               evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

               (4) if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to
               the  payment  to  which  Y  is  otherwise   entitled  under  this
               Agreement,  such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that
               the  net  amount  actually  received  by Y  (free  and  clear  of
               Indemnifiable  Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal
               the full amount Y would have  received  had no such  deduction or
               withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay
               any  additional  amount to Y to the  extent  that it would not be
               required to be paid but for:--

                      (A)  the  failure  by Y to  comply  with  or  perform  any
                      agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d);
                      or

                      (B) the failure of a representation  made by Y pursuant to
                      Section  3(f) to be accurate  and true unless such failure
                      would not have  occurred but for (I) any action taken by a
                      taxing  authority,  or  brought  in a court  of  competent
                      jurisdiction,  on or after the date on which a Transaction
                      is entered  into  (regardless  of whether  such  action is
                      taken  or  brought   with  respect  to  a  party  to  this
                      Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

        (ii)   LIABILITY.  If:--

               (1) X is  required  by any  applicable  law,  as  modified by the
               practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority,  to make
               any deduction or  withholding  in respect of which X would not be
               required  to  pay  an  additional   amount  to  Y  under  Section
               2(d)(i)(4);

               (2)    X does not so deduct or withhold; and

               (3) a  liability  resulting  from such Tax is  assessed  directly
               against X.

        then,  except  to the  extent  Y has  satisfied  or then  satisfies  the
        liability  resulting  from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount
        of such  liability  (including any related  liability for interest,  but
        including any related  liability  for penalties  only if Y has failed to
        comply  with or perform  any  agreement  contained  in Section  4(a)(i),
        4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

(e) DEFAULT  INTEREST;  OTHER  AMOUNTS.  Prior to the  occurrence  or  effective
designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction,
a party that defaults in the performance of any payment  obligation will, to the
extent permitted by law and subject to Section 6(c), be required to pay interest
(before as well as after  judgment) on the overdue  amount to the other party on
demand in the same  currency as such  overdue  amount,  for the period from (and
including)  the  original  due date for payment to (but  excluding)  the date of
actual  payment,  at the Default  Rate.  Such interest will be calculated on the
basis of daily  compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.  If, prior to
the occurrence or effective  designation of an Early Termination Date in respect
of  the  relevant  Transaction,  a  party  defaults  in the  performance  of any
obligation  required to be settled by  delivery,  it will  compensate  the other
party on demand if and to the extent  provided for in the relevant  Confirmation
or elsewhere in this Agreement.

3.      REPRESENTATIONS

Each party represents to the other party (which  representations  will be deemed
to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into
and, in the case of the  representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the
termination of this Agreement) that:--

(a)     BASIC REPRESENTATIONS.

        (i) STATUS.  It is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of
        the jurisdiction of its  organization or incorporation  and, if relevant
        under such laws, in good standing;

        (ii) POWERS.  It has the power to execute this  Agreement  and any other
        documentation  relating  to this  Agreement  to which it is a party,  to
        deliver  this  Agreement  and any other  documentation  relating to this
        Agreement  that it is required  by this  Agreement  to  delivery  and to
        perform its obligations  under this Agreement and any obligations it has
        under any Credit  Support  Document to which it is a party and has taken
        all  necessary   action  to  authorize  such  execution,   delivery  and
        performance;

        (iii) NO VIOLATION OR CONFLICT. Such execution, delivery and performance
        do not violate or conflict with any law  applicable to it, any provision
        of its constitutional  documents,  any order or judgment of any court or
        other agency of government  applicable to it or any of its assets or any
        contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets.

        (iv) CONSENTS.  All governmental and other consents that are required to
        have been  obtained by it with  respect to this  Agreement or any Credit
        Support  Document to which it is a party have been  obtained  and are in
        full force and effect and all  conditions of any such consents have been
        complied with; and

        (v) OBLIGATIONS  BINDING.  Its obligations  under this Agreement and any
        Credit Support  Document to which it is a party  constitutes  its legal,
        valid and binding  obligations,  enforceable  in  accordance  with their
        respective  terms  (subject to  applicable  bankruptcy,  reorganization,
        insolvency,  moratorium  or similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights
        generally and subject, as to enforceability,  to equitable principles of
        general  application  (regardless of whether  enforcement is sought in a
        proceeding in equity or at law)).

(b) ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. No event of Default or Potential event of Default
or, to its knowledge,  Termination  Event with respect to it has occurred and is
continuing  and no such  event or  circumstance  would  occur as a result of its
entering into or performing its  obligations  under this Agreement or any Credit
Support Document to which it is a party.

(c) ABSENCE OF LITIGATION. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened
against it or any of its Affiliates any action,  suit or proceeding at law or in
equity or before any court,  tribunal,  governmental body, agency or official or
any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability
against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support to which it is a party or its
ability to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement or such Credit Support
Document.

(d)  ACCURACY OF  SPECIFIED  INFORMATION.  All  applicable  information  that is
furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is  identified
for the purpose of this  Section  3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the
information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

(e) PAYER TAX REPRESENTATION.  Each representation  specified in the Schedule as
being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

(f) PAYEE TAX REPRESENTATIONS.  Each representation specified in the Schedule is
being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

4.      AGREEMENTS

Each party  agrees with the other that,  so long as either party has or may have
any obligation  under this Agreement or any Credit Support  Document to which it
is a party:--

(a) FURNISH  SPECIFIED  Information.  It will  deliver to the other party or, in
certain cases under  subparagraph  (iii) below,  to such  governmental or taxing
authority as the other party reasonably directs:--

        (i)  any  forms,   documents  or  certificates  relating  to  taxation
        specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation

        (ii)  any  other   documents   specified   in  the   Schedule  or  any
        Conformation; and

        (iii) upon reasonable  demand by such other party,  any form or document
        that may be  required  or  reasonably  requested  in writing in order to
        allow such other party or its Credit Support  Provider to make a payment
        under this Agreement or any applicable  Credit Support  Document without
        any deduction or  withholding  for or on account of any Tax or with such
        deduction or withholding  at a reduced rate (so long as the  completion,
        execution or  submission of such form or document  would not  materially
        prejudice  the legal or  commercial  position of the party in receipt of
        such  demand),  with  any  such  form or  document  to be  accurate  and
        completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to
        be  executed  and  to  be  delivered   with  any   reasonably   required
        certification.

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such  Confirmation  or, if
none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

(b) MAINTAIN  AUTHORIZATIONS.  It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in
full force and effect all consents of any  governmental  or other authority that
are required to be obtained by it with  respect to this  Agreement or any Credit
Support  Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable  efforts to
obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

(c)  COMPLY  WITH  LAWS.  It will  comply  in all  material  respects  with  all
applicable  laws and  orders to which it may be  subject if failure so to comply
would  materially  impair  its  ability to perform  its  obligations  under this
Agreement or any Credit Support Documents to which it is a party.

(d) TAX AGREEMENT.  It will give notice of any failure of a representation  made
by it under  Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such
failure.

(e)  PAYMENT  OF STAMP TAX.  Subject  to  Section  11, it will pay any Stamp Tax
levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or  performance of this
Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated,  organized, managed and
controlled,  or  considered  to have its  seat,  or in which a branch  or office
through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located  ("Stamp
Tax  Jurisdiction")  and will  indemnify  the other party  against any Stamp Tax
levied  or  imposed  upon the other  party or in  respect  of the other  party's
execution or performance  of this  Agreement by any such Stamp Tax  Jurisdiction
which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

5.      EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND TERMINATION EVENTS

(a) EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if
applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity or
such party of any of the following  events  constitutes  an event of default (an
"Event of Default") with respect to such party:--

        (i) FAILURE TO PAY OR DELIVER.  Failure by the party to make,  when due,
        any payment under this  Agreement or delivery  under Section  2(a)(i) or
        2(e)  required  to be made by it if such  failure is not  remedied on or
        before the third  Local  Business  Day after  notice of such  failure is
        given to the party;

        (ii) BREACH OF AGREEMENT. Failure by the party to comply with or perform
        any  agreement  or  obligation  (other  than an  obligation  to make any
        payment under this Agreement or delivery  under Section  2(a)(i) or 2(e)
        or to give notice of a Termination  Event or any agreement or obligation
        under  Section  4(a)(i),  4(a)(iii)  or  4(d))  to be  complied  with or
        performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure
        is not  remedied  on or before the  thirtieth  day after  notice of such
        failure is given to the party.

        (iii)  CREDIT SUPPORT DEFAULT.

               (1) Failure by the party or any Credit  Support  Provider of such
               party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be
               complied  with or performed by it in  accordance  with any Credit
               Support   Document  if  such  failure  is  continuing  after  any
               applicable grace period has elapsed;

               (2) the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document
               or the failing or ceasing of such Credit  Support  Document to be
               in full force and effect for the  purpose of this  Agreement  (in
               either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the
               satisfaction   of  all  obligations  of  such  party  under  each
               Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without
               the written consent of the other party; or

               (3)  the  party  or  such  Credit  Support  Provider  disaffirms,
               disclaims,  repudiates  or  rejects,  in  whole  or in  part,  or
               challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document;

        (iv)  MISREPRESENTATION.  A representation  (other than a representation
        under  Section 3(e) or (f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made
        or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in
        this  Agreement  or any  Credit  Support  Document  proves  to have been
        incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or
        deemed to have been made or repeated;

        (v) DEFAULT UNDER SPECIFIED  TRANSACTION.  The party, any Credit Support
        Provider of such party or any applicable  Specified Entity of such party
        (1) defaults under a Specified  Transaction  and, after giving effect to
        any  applicable  notice  requirement  or grace  period,  there  occurs a
        liquidation  of,  an  acceleration  of  obligations  under,  or an early
        termination of, that Specified Transaction,  (2) defaults,  after giving
        effect to any applicable  notice  requirement or grace period, in making
        any payment or delivery  due on the last  payment,  delivery or exchange
        date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction
        (or such default  continues  for at least three Local  Business  Days if
        there  is no  applicable  notice  requirement  or grace  period)  or (3)
        disaffirms,  disclaims,  repudiates  or rejects,  in whole or in part, a
        Specified  Transaction  (or such action is taken by any person or entity
        appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

        (vi) CROSS DEFAULT.  If "Cross  Default" is specified in the Schedule as
        applying to the party,  the  occurrence  or  existence of (1) a default,
        event of default or other similar condition or event (however described)
        in respect of such party,  any Credit Support  Provider of such party or
        any  applicable  Specified  Entity  of  such  party  under  one or  more
        agreements or instruments  relating to Specified  Indebtedness of any of
        them  individually or  collectively)  in an aggregate amount of not less
        than the  applicable  Threshold  Amount (as  specified in the  Schedule)
        which has resulted in such Specified  Indebtedness becoming, or becoming
        capable  at such time of being  declared,  due and  payable  under  such
        agreements or  instruments,  before it would otherwise have been due and
        payable or (2) a default by such party,  such Credit Support Provider or
        such Specified  Entity  (individually  or collectively) in making one or
        more payments on the due date thereof in an aggregate amount of not less
        than  the  applicable   Threshold   Amount  under  such   agreements  or
        instruments (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or
        grace period);

        (vii)  BANKRUPTCY.  The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party
        or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:--

               (1)  is  dissolved  (other  than  pursuant  to  a  consolidation,
               amalgamation  or merger);  (2) becomes  insolvent or is unable to
               pay its  debts  or fails  or  admits  in  writing  its  inability
               generally  to pay its  debts  as they  become  due;  (3)  makes a
               general  assignment,  arrangement or composition  with or for the
               benefit  of its  creditors;  (4)  institutes  or  has  instituted
               against it a  proceeding  seeking a  judgment  or  insolvency  or
               bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency
               law or  other  similar  law  affecting  creditors'  rights,  or a
               petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation,  and, in
               the  case  of any  such  proceeding  or  petition  instituted  or
               presented  against it, such proceeding or petition (A) results in
               a judgment of  insolvency  or bankruptcy or the entry of an order
               for  relief  or the  making  of an order  for its  winding-up  or
               liquidation  or (B)  is  not  dismissed,  discharged,  stayed  or
               restrained  in each  case  within 30 days of the  institution  or
               presentation  thereof;  (5)  has  a  resolution  passed  for  its
               winding-up,   official  management  or  liquidation  (other  than
               pursuant to a consolidation,  amalgamation or merger);  (6) seeks
               or  becomes  subject  to  the  appointment  of an  administrator,
               provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian
               or other similar official for it or for all or substantially  all
               its assets;  (7) has a secured  party take  possession  of all or
               substantially  all  its  assets  or  has a  distress,  execution,
               attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced
               or sued on or  against  all or  substantially  all its assets and
               such secured party maintains  possession,  or any such process is
               not dismissed,  discharged,  stayed or  restrained,  in each case
               within 30 days thereafter;  (8) causes or is subject to any event
               with  respect  to it  which,  under  the  applicable  laws of any
               jurisdiction,  has an  analogous  effect  to  any  of the  events
               specified  in clauses  (1) to (7)  (inclusive);  or (9) takes any
               action in furtherance  of, or indicating its consent to, approval
               of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

        (viii)  MERGER  WITHOUT  ASSUMPTION.  The  party or any  Credit  Support
        Provider of such party  consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with
        or into, or transfers all or  substantially  all its assets to,  another
        entity and, at the time of such consolidation,  amalgamation,  merger or
        transfer:--

               (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume
               all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider
               under this Agreement or any Credit  Support  Document to which it
               or its predecessor was a party by operation of law or pursuant to
               an agreement  reasonably  satisfactory to the other party to this
               Agreement; or

               (2) the benefits of any Credit  Support  Document  fail to extend
               (without  the consent of the other party) to the  performance  by
               such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations
               under this Agreement.

(b) TERMINATION  EVENTS.  The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or,
if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity
of such party of any event  specified  below  constitutes  an  Illegality if the
event is specified  in (i) below,  a Tax Event if the event is specified in (ii)
below or a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in (iii) below,  and,
if  specified  to be  applicable,  a Credit  Event  Upon  Merger if the event is
specified pursuant to (iv) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event
is specified pursuant to (v) below:--

        (i) ILLEGALITY. Due to the adoption of, or any change in, any applicable
        law after the date on which a Transaction is entered into, or due to the
        promulgation  of, or any  change in,  the  interpretation  by any court,
        tribunal or regulatory  authority  with  competent  jurisdiction  of any
        applicable  law after such date,  it becomes  unlawful  (other than as a
        result of a breach by the party of Section  4(b)) for such party  (which
        will be the Affected Party):--

               (1) to perform any absolute or  contingent  obligation  to make a
               payment  or  delivery  or to  receive a payment  or  delivery  in
               respect of such  Transaction or to comply with any other material
               provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

               (2) to perform,  or for any Credit Support Provider of such party
               to perform,  any contingent or other  obligation  which the party
               (or such Credit  Support  Provider) has under any Credit  Support
               Document relating to such Transaction:

        (ii) TAX EVENT.  Due to (x) any action taken by a taxing  authority,  or
        brought in a court of  competent  jurisdiction,  on or after the date on
        which a Transaction  is entered into  (regardless of whether such action
        is taken or brought with respect to a party to this  Agreement) or (y) a
        Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or
        there is a substantial  likelihood  that it will, on the next succeeding
        Scheduled  Payment  Date (1) be  required  to pay to the other  party an
        additional  amount in  respect  of an  Indemnifiable  Tax under  Section
        2(d)(i)(4)  (except in respect of interest under Section 2(e),  6(d)(ii)
        or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be
        deducted  or  withheld  for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of
        interest under Section 2(e),  6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) and no additional amount
        is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under  Section  2(d)(i)(4)
        (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

        (iii) TAX EVENT UPON  MERGER.  The party (the  "Burdened  Party") on the
        next  succeeding  Scheduled  Payment Date will either (1) be required to
        pay an  additional  amount  in  respect  of an  Indemnifiable  Tax under
        Section  2(d)(i)(4)  (except in respect of interest  under Section 2(e),
        6(d)(ii) or 6(e)) or (2) receive a payment from which an amount has been
        deducted  or  withheld  for or on  account of any  Indemnifiable  Tax in
        respect of which the other party is not  required  to pay an  additional
        amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either
        case as a result  of a party  consolidating  or  amalgamating  with,  or
        merging  with or into,  or  transferring  all or  substantially  all its
        assets to, another entity (which will be the Affected  Party) where such
        action does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii);

        (iv)  CREDIT  EVENT  UPON  MERGER.  If  "Credit  Event  Upon  Merger" is
        specified  in the  Schedule as applying to the party,  such party ("X"),
        any Credit Support Provider of X or any applicable Specified Entity of X
        consolidates  or amalgamates  with, or merges with or into, or transfers
        all or  substantially  all its assets to, another entity and such action
        does not  constitute an event  described in Section  5(a)(viii)  but the
        creditworthiness  of the  resulting,  surviving or transferee  entity is
        materially  weaker than that of X, such Credit Support  Provider or such
        Specified Entity,  as the case may be,  immediately prior to such action
        (and, in such event, X or its successor or transferee,  as  appropriate,
        will be the Affected Party); or

        (v) ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT. If any "Additional  Termination Event"
        is  specified  in the  Schedule or any  Confirmation  as  applying,  the
        occurrence  of such event (and,  in such event,  the  Affected  Party or
        Affected  Parties shall be as specified for such Additional  Termination
        Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

(c) EVENT OF DEFAULT AND  ILLEGALITY.  In an event or  circumstance  which would
otherwise  constitute  or give rise to an Event of Default also  constitutes  an
Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality and will not constitute an Event
of Default.

6.      EARLY TERMINATION

(a) RIGHT TO TERMINATE  FOLLOWING  EVENT OF DEFAULT.  If at any time an Event of
Default  with  respect to a party (the  "Defaulting  Party") has occurred and is
then continuing,  the other party (the "Non-defaulting  Party") may, by not more
than 20 days notice to the  Defaulting  Party  specifying  the relevant Event of
Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an
Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions.  If, however,
"Automatic  Early  Termination"  is  specified  in the Schedule as applying to a
party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions
will occur  immediately  upon the  occurrence  with  respect to such party of an
Event of Default  specified in Section  5(a)(vii)(1),  (3),  (5), (6) or, to the
extent  analogous  thereto,  (8), and as of the time  immediately  preceding the
institution  of the  relevant  proceeding  or the  presentation  of the relevant
petition upon the  occurrence  with respect to such party of an Event of Default
specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

(b)     RIGHT TO TERMINATE FOLLOWING TERMINATION EVENT.

        (i) NOTICE.  If a  Termination  Event  occurs,  an Affected  Party will,
        promptly upon becoming  aware of it, notify the other party,  specifying
        the nature of that Termination  Event and each Affected  Transaction and
        will also give such other  information  about that Termination  Event as
        the other party may reasonably require.

        (ii) TRANSFER TO AVOID TERMINATION  EVENT. If either an Illegality under
        Section  5(b)(i)(1) or a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected
        Party,  or if a Tax Event Upon Merger  occurs and the Burdened  Party is
        the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right
        to designate an Early Termination Date under Section  6(b)(iv),  use all
        reasonable  efforts  (which will not require such party to incur a loss,
        excluding  immaterial,  incidental  expenses) to transfer within 20 days
        after  it  gives  notice  under  Section  6(b)(i)  all  its  rights  and
        obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions
        to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such  Termination  Event
        ceases to exist.

        If the  Affected  Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give
        notice to the other  party to that  effect  within  such 20 day  period,
        whereupon  the other  party may effect  such a  transfer  within 30 days
        after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

        Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject
        to and  conditional  upon the prior written  consent of the other party,
        which  consent  will not be withheld if such other  party's  policies in
        effect at such time would permit it to enter into  transactions with the
        transferee on the terms proposed.

        (iii) TWO AFFECTED PARTIES. If an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or
        a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected  Parties,  each party will
        use all  reasonable  efforts  to reach  agreement  within 30 days  after
        notice  thereof is given under  Section  6(b)(i) on action to avoid that
        Termination Event.

        (iv)   RIGHT TO TERMINATE.  If:--

               (1) a transfer  under  Section  6(b)(ii)  or an  agreement  under
               Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with
               respect  to all  Affected  Transactions  within 30 days  after an
               Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

               (2) an Illegality under Section  5(b)(i)(2),  a Credit Event Upon
               Merger or an Additional  Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event
               Upon Merger  occurs and the  Burdened  Party is not the  Affected
               Party,

        either party in the case of an  Illegality,  the  Burdened  Party in the
        case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax
        Event or an  Additional  Termination  Event  if  there is more  than one
        Affected Party, or the party which is not the Affected Party in the case
        of a Credit  Event Upon  Merger or an  Additional  Termination  Event if
        there is only one Affected Party may, by not more than 20 days notice to
        the other party and provided that the relevant Termination Event is then
        continuing,  designate  a day not  earlier  than the day such  notice is
        effective  as an  Early  Termination  Date in  respect  of all  Affected
        Transactions.

(c)     EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.

        (i) If  notice  designating  an Early  Termination  Date is given  under
        Section 6(a) or (b), the Early  Termination  Date will occur on the date
        so  designated,  whether  or  not  the  relevant  Event  of  Default  or
        Termination Event is then continuing.

        (ii)  Upon  the   occurrence  or  effective   designation  of  an  Early
        Termination  Date,  no further  payments  or  deliveries  under  Section
        2(a)(i)  or 2(e)  in  respect  of the  Terminated  Transactions  will be
        required to be made,  but without  prejudice to the other  provisions of
        this  Agreement.  The  amount,  if any,  payable  in respect of an Early
        Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Section 6(e).

(d)     CALCULATIONS.

        (i)  STATEMENT.  On or as soon as reasonably  practicable  following the
        occurrence  of an Early  Termination  Date,  each  party  will  make the
        calculations on its part, if any,  contemplated by Section 6(e) and will
        provide  to the other  party a  statement  (1)  showing,  in  reasonable
        detail,  such  calculations   (including  all  relevant  quotations  and
        specifying any amount payable under Section 6(e)) and (2) giving details
        of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid.
        In the  absence of written  confirmation  from the source of a quotation
        obtained in  determining  a Market  Quotation,  the records of the party
        obtaining such  quotation  will be conclusive  evidence of the existence
        and accuracy of such quotation.

        (ii) PAYMENT DATE.  An amount  calculated as being due in respect of any
        Early  Termination  Date under  Section  6(e) will be payable on the day
        that notice of the amount  payable is effective (in the case of an Early
        Termination  Date which is  designated or occurs as a result of an Event
        of Default)  and on the day which is two Local  Business  Days after the
        day on which notice of the amount  payable is effective  (in the case of
        an  Early  Termination  Date  which  is  designated  as  a  result  of a
        Termination  Event).  Such  amount  will be paid  together  with (to the
        extent  permitted under applicable law) interest thereon (before as well
        as after judgment) in the Termination Currency, from (and including) the
        relevant Early  Termination Date to (but excluding) the date such amount
        is paid, at the Applicable Rate. Such interest will be calculated on the
        basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

(e) PAYMENTS ON EARLY  TERMINATION.  If an Early  Termination  Date occurs,  the
following  provisions shall apply based on the parties' election in the Schedule
of a payment measure, either "Market Quotation" or "Loss", and a payment method,
either the  "First  Method"  or the  "Second  Method".  If the  parties  fail to
designate a payment measure or payment method in the Schedule, it will be deemed
that "Market Quotation" or the "Second Method", as the case may be, shall apply.
The  amount,  if any,  payable  in  respect  of an  Early  Termination  Date and
determined pursuant to this Section will be subject to any Set-off.

        (i) EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  If the Early  Termination Date results from an
        Event of Default:--

               (1) FIRST  METHOD AND MARKET  QUOTATION.  If the First Method and
               Market  Quotation  apply,  the  Defaulting  Party will pay to the
               Non-defaulting Party the excess, if a positive number, of (A) the
               sum of the Settlement  Amount  (determined by the  Non-defaulting
               Party)  in  respect  of  the  Terminated   Transactions  and  the
               Termination  Currency  Equivalent of the Unpaid  Amounts owing to
               the  Non-defaulting  Party  over  (B)  the  Termination  Currency
               Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party.

               (2) FIRST  METHOD AND LOSS.  If the First  Method and Loss apply,
               the Defaulting Party will pay to the  Non-defaulting  Party, if a
               positive number,  the  Non-defaulting  Party's Loss in respect of
               this Agreement.

               (3) SECOND METHOD AND MARKET QUOTATION.  If the Second Method and
               Market  Quotation  apply,  an amount will be payable equal to (A)
               the   sum   of  the   Settlement   Amount   (determined   by  the
               Non-defaulting  Party) in respect of the Terminated  Transactions
               and the  Termination  Currency  Equivalent of the Unpaid  Amounts
               owing  to the  Non-defaulting  Party  less  (B)  the  Termination
               Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting
               Party. If that amount is a positive number,  the Defaulting Party
               will  pay it to the  Non-defaulting  Party,  if it is a  negative
               number, the  Non-defaulting  Party will pay the absolute value of
               that amount to the Defaulting Party.

               (4) SECOND  METHOD AND LOSS. If the Second Method and Loss apply,
               an amount  will be payable  equal to the  Non-defaulting  Party's
               Loss in respect of this  Agreement.  If that amount is a positive
               number,  the Defaulting  Party will pay it to the  Non-defaulting
               Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting  Party will
               pay the absolute value of that amount to the Defaulting Party.

        (ii)   TERMINATION EVENTS.  If the Early Termination Date results from a
        Termination Event:--

               (1) ONE  AFFECTED  PARTY.  If there is one  Affected  Party,  the
               amount  payable will be  determined  in  accordance  with Section
               6(e)(i)(3),  if Market Quotation applies,  or Section 6(e)(i)(4),
               if Loss applies,  except that, in either case,  references to the
               Defaulting Party and to the  Non-defaulting  Party will be deemed
               to be references to the Affected Party and the party which is not
               the Affected Party, respectively,  and, if Loss applies and fewer
               than all the  Transactions  are being  terminated,  Loss shall be
               calculated in respect of all Terminated Transactions.

               (2)    TWO AFFECTED PARTIES. If there are two Affected Parties:--

                      (A) if Market Quotation applies, each party will determine
                      a   Settlement   Amount  in  respect  of  the   Terminated
                      Transactions,  and an amount will be payable  equal to (I)
                      the sum of (a)  one-half  of the  difference  between  the
                      Settlement  Amount of the party with the higher Settlement
                      Amount ("X") and the  Settlement  Amount of the party with
                      the lower Settlement  Amount ("Y") and (b) the Termination
                      Currency  Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less
                      (II) the  Termination  Currency  Equivalent  of the Unpaid
                      Amounts owing to Y; and

                      (B) if Loss applies, each party will determine its Loss in
                      respect  of this  Agreement  (or,  if  fewer  than all the
                      Transactions  are  being  terminated,  in  respect  of all
                      Terminated  Transactions)  and an amount  will be  payable
                      equal to  one-half of the  difference  between the Loss of
                      the party with the  higher  Loss ("X") and the Loss of the
                      party with the lower Loss ("Y").

               If the amount payable is a positive  number,  Y will pay it to X;
               if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of that
               amount to Y.

        (iii)  ADJUSTMENT  FOR  BANKRUPTCY.  In  circumstances  where  an  Early
        Termination Date occurs because "Automatic Early Termination" applies in
        respect of a party,  the amount  determined under this Section 6(e) will
        be subject to such  adjustments as are  appropriate and permitted by law
        to reflect  any  payments or  deliveries  made by one party to the other
        under this  Agreement  (and  retained  by such other  party)  during the
        period from the relevant Early  Termination Date to the date for payment
        determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

        (iv) PRE-ESTIMATE. The parties agree that if Market Quotation applies an
        amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable  pre-estimate
        of loss  and not a  penalty.  Such  amount  is  payable  for the loss of
        bargain and the loss of  protection  against  future risks and except as
        otherwise  provided in this Agreement  neither party will be entitled to
        recover any additional damages as a consequence of such losses.

7.      TRANSFER

Subject  to  Section  6(b)(ii),  neither  this  Agreement  nor any  interest  or
obligation  in or under this  Agreement  may be  transferred  (whether by way of
security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written  consent of the
other party except that:--

(a)  a  party  may  make  such  a  transfer  of  this  Agreement  pursuant  to a
consolidation  or amalgamation  with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all
or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any
other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

(b) a party may make such a transfer  of all or any part of its  interest in any
amount payable to it from a Defaulting Party under Section 6(e).

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section will be void.

8.      CONTRACTUAL CURRENCY

(a) PAYMENT IN THE CONTRACTUAL CURRENCY.  Each payment under this Agreement will
be made in the relevant  currency  specified in this  Agreement for that payment
(the  "Contractual  Currency").  To the extent  permitted by applicable law, any
obligation to make payments  under this  Agreement in the  Contractual  Currency
will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the
Contractual  Currency,  except to the extent such  tender  results in the actual
receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in a reasonable manner and
in good faith in  converting  the  currency  so  tendered  into the  Contractual
Currency,  of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable
in respect of this  Agreement.  If for any reason the amount in the  Contractual
Currency  so  received  falls  short of the amount in the  Contractual  Currency
payable in respect of this  Agreement,  the party  required  to make the payment
will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional
amount in the  Contractual  Currency as may be necessary to  compensate  for the
shortfall.  If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received
exceeds  the  amount in the  Contractual  Currency  payable  in  respect of this
Agreement,  the party  receiving the payment will refund  promptly the amount of
such excess.

(b)  JUDGMENTS.  To the extent  permitted by applicable  law, if any judgment or
order  expressed in a currency other than the  Contractual  Currency is rendered
(i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this  Agreement,  (ii) for
the payment of any amount  relating to any early  termination in respect of this
Agreement  or (iii) in respect of a judgment  or order of another  court for the
payment  of any  amount  described  in (i) or  (ii)  above,  the  party  seeking
recovery,  after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is
entitled  pursuant  to the  judgment  or  order,  will be  entitled  to  receive
immediately  from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual
Currency  received  by such  party as a  consequence  of sums paid in such other
currency  and  will  refund  promptly  to the  other  party  any  excess  of the
Contractual  Currency  received by such party as a  consequence  of sums paid in
such other  currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any
variation  between  the rate of exchange  at which the  Contractual  Currency is
converted  into the  currency of the  judgment or order for the purposes of such
judgment or order and the rate of  exchange at which such party is able,  acting
in a reasonable  manner and in good faith in  converting  the currency  received
into the Contractual  Currency,  to purchase the  Contractual  Currency with the
amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party.
The term "rate of exchange" includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs
of exchange  payable in connection  with the purchase of or conversion  into the
Contractual Currency.

(c) SEPARATE  INDEMNITIES.  To the extent  permitted by  applicable  law,  these
indemnities  constitute  separate  and  independent  obligations  from the other
obligations in this  Agreement,  will be enforceable as separate and independent
causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party
to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained
or claim or proof  being  made for any other  sums  payable  in  respect of this
Agreement.

(d) EVIDENCE OF LOSS.  For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be  sufficient
for a party to  demonstrate  that it would  have  suffered  a loss had an actual
exchange or purchase been made.

9.      MISCELLANEOUS

(a) ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement  and
understanding  of the parties with respect to its subject  matter and supersedes
all oral communication and prior writings with respect thereto.

(b)  AMENDMENTS.  No  amendment,  modification  or  waiver  in  respect  of this
Agreement will be effective unless in writing (including a writing evidence by a
facsimile  transmission)  and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an
exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

(c)  SURVIVAL  OF  OBLIGATIONS.  Without  prejudice  to  Section  2(a)(iii)  and
6(c)(ii),  the  obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the
termination of any Transaction.

(d)  REMEDIES  CUMULATIVE.  Except as  provided in this  Agreement,  the rights,
powers,  remedies and  privileges  provided in this Agreement are cumulative and
not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

(e)     COUNTERPARTS AND CONFIRMATIONS.

        (i) This  Agreement  (and each  amendment,  modification  and  waiver in
        respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts  (including
        by facsimile transmission), each of which will be deemed an original.

        (ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each
        Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or
        otherwise).  A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable
        and  may  be  executed  and  delivered  in  counterparts  (including  by
        facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes or by an
        exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system, which
        in each case will be  sufficient  for all purposes to evidence a binding
        supplement  to this  Agreement.  The  parties  will  specify  therein or
        through  another  effective  means that any such  counterpart,  telex or
        electronic message constitutes a Confirmation.

(f) NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS.  A failure or delay in exercising  any right,  power or
privilege  in respect of this  Agreement  will not be  presumed  to operate as a
waiver,  and a single or partial exercise of any right,  power or privilege will
not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further  exercise,  of that right,
power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

(g)  HEADINGS.  The  headings  used in this  Agreement  are for  convenience  of
reference  only and are not to affect  the  construction  of or to be taken into
consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

10.     OFFICES:  MULTIBRANCH PARTIES

(a) If Section  10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying,  each party that
enters into a  Transaction  through an Office other than its head or home office
represents to the other party that,  notwithstanding the place of booking office
or jurisdiction of  incorporation or organization of such party, the obligations
of such party are the same as if it had entered into the Transaction through its
head or home office.  This  representation will be deemed to be repeated by such
party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into.

(b)  Neither  party may change the Office  through  which it makes and  receives
payments  or  deliveries  for the  purpose of a  Transaction  without  the prior
written consent of the other party.

(c) If a party  is  specified  as a  Multibranch  Party  in the  Schedule,  such
Multibranch  Party  may  make and  receive  payments  or  deliveries  under  any
Transaction  through any Office listed in the Schedule,  and the Office  through
which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction
will be specified in the relevant Confirmation.

11.     EXPENSES

A Defaulting Party will, on demand,  indemnify and hold harmless the other party
for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,  including legal fees and
Stamp  Tax,  incurred  by such  other  party by  reason of the  enforcement  and
protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support  Document to
which the Defaulting  Party is a party or by reason of the early  termination of
any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

12.     NOTICES

(a)  EFFECTIVENESS.  Any  notice  or  other  communication  in  respect  of this
Agreement  may be given in any manner set forth below  (except  that a notice or
other  communication  under  Section  5 or 6  may  not  be  given  by  facsimile
transmission  or  electronic  messaging  system) to the  address or number or in
accordance  with the  electronic  messaging  system  details  provided  (see the
Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated.--

        (i) if in writing and  delivered in person or by courier,  on the date
        it is delivered;

        (ii) if  sent by  telex,  on the  date  the  recipient's  answerback  is
        received;

        (iii) if sent by facsimile  transmission,  on the date that transmission
        is received by a  responsible  employee of the recipient in legible form
        (it being  agreed  that the  burden of  proving  receipt  will be on the
        sender and will not be met by a  transmission  report  generated  by the
        sender's facsimile machine);

        (iv) if sent by certified or registered  mail (airmail,  if overseas) or
        the  equivalent  (return  receipt  requested),  on the date that mail is
        delivered or its delivery is attempted; or

        (v) if sent by electronic  messaging system, on the date that electronic
        message is received.

unless the date of that  delivery (or attempted  delivery) or that  receipt,  as
applicable,  is not a Local Business Day or that  communication is delivered (or
attempted) or received,  as  applicable,  after the close of business on a Local
Business  Day,  in which  case  that  communication  shall be  deemed  given and
effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

(b)  CHANGE OF  ADDRESSES.  Either  party may by notice to the other  change the
address,  telex or facsimile  number or electronic  messaging  system details at
which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

13.     GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

(a)  GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  will  be  governed  by and  construed  in
accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

(b) JURISDICTION.  With respect to any suit,  action or proceedings  relating to
this Agreement ("Proceedings"), each party irrevocably:--

        (i) submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts, if this Agreement
        is  expressed  to be  governed by English  law, or to the  non-exclusive
        jurisdiction  of the  courts  of the  State of New  York and the  United
        States  District  Court  located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York
        City,  if this  Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the
        State of New York; and

        (ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of
        venue of any  Proceedings  brought in any such  court,  waives any claim
        that such  Proceedings  have been brought in an  inconvenient  forum and
        further  waives the right to object,  with respect to such  Proceedings,
        that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party.

Nothing in this Agreement  precludes  either party from bringing  Proceedings in
any other jurisdiction  (outside,  if this Agreement is expressed to be governed
by English law, the Contracting  States, as defined in Section 1(3) of the Civil
Jurisdiction  and  Judgments  Act  1982  or  any   modification,   extension  or
re-enactment  thereof  for the time  being in force)  nor will the  bringing  of
Proceedings  in  any  one  or  more  jurisdictions   preclude  the  bringing  of
Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

(c) SERVICE OF PROCESS.  Each party  irrevocably  appoints the Process Agent (if
any) specified  opposite its name in the Schedule to receive,  for it and on its
behalf,  service of process in any  Proceedings.  If for any reason any  party's
Process  Agent is unable to act as such,  such  party will  promptly  notify the
other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute  process agent acceptable to
the other party. The parties  irrevocably consent to service of process given in
the manner  provided for notices in Section 12.  Nothing in this  Agreement will
affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner  permitted
by law.

(d) WAIVER OF IMMUNITIES.  Each party irrevocably  waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable  law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets
(irrespective  of their use or  intended  use),  all  immunity on the grounds of
sovereignty or other similar  grounds from (i) suit,  (ii)  jurisdiction  of any
court, (iii) relief by way of injunction,  order for specific performance or for
recovery of property,  (iv)  attachment of its assets  (whether  before or after
judgment)  and (v) execution or  enforcement  of any judgment to which it or its
revenues or assets might  otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts
of  any  jurisdiction  and  irrevocably  agrees,  to  the  extent  permitted  by
applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

14.     DEFINITIONS

As used in this Agreement:--

"ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"AFFECTED PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"AFFECTED  TRANSACTIONS"  means  (a)  with  respect  to  any  Termination  Event
consisting  of  an  Illegality,   Tax  Event  or  Tax  Event  Upon  Merger,  all
Transactions  affected by the occurrence of such Termination  Event and (b) with
respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

"AFFILIATE"  means,  subject to the  Schedule,  in relation  to any person,  any
entity  controlled,  directly  or  indirectly,  by the  person,  any entity that
controls,  directly  or  indirectly,  the  person  or  any  entity  directly  or
indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose,  "control" of
any entity or person  means  ownership  of a majority of the voting power of the
entity or person.

"APPLICABLE RATE" means:--

(a) in respect of obligations  payable or deliverable  (or which would have been
but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

(b) in respect of an  obligation  to pay an amount under  Section 6(e) of either
party from and after the date  (determined in accordance with Section  6(d)(ii))
on which that amount is payable, the Default Rate;

(c) in respect of all other  obligations  payable or deliverable (or which would
have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting  Party, the Non-default
Rate; and

(d) in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

"BURDENED PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"CHANGE IN TAX LAW" means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification
of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official
interpretation  of any  law)  that  occurs  on or after  the  date on which  the
relevant Transaction is entered into.

"CONSENT"  includes  a  consent,  approval,  action,  authorization,  exemption,
notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

"CREDIT EVENT UPON MERGER" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT" means any agreement or instrument that is specified as
such in this Agreement.

"CREDIT SUPPORT PROVIDER" has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

"DEFAULT  RATE"  means a rate per  annum  equal to the  cost  (without  proof or
evidence of any actual  cost) to the relevant  payee (as  certified by it) if it
were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

"DEFAULTING PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

"EARLY  TERMINATION  DATE" means the date  determined in accordance with Section
6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

"EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable,
in the Schedule.

"ILLEGALITY" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"INDEMNIFIABLE  TAX" means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in
respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection
between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation  authority  imposing such
Tax and the  recipient  of such  payment or a person  related to such  recipient
(including,  without  limitation,  a connection  arising from such  recipient or
related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such  jurisdiction,
or being or having been organized,  present or engaged in a trade or business in
such  jurisdiction,  or having or having had a permanent  establishment or fixed
place of business in such  jurisdiction,  but  excluding  a  connection  arising
solely  from such  recipient  or  related  person  having  executed,  delivered,
performed  its  obligations  or  received a payment  under,  or  enforced,  this
Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

"LAW" includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified,  in the case of
tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and
"LAWFUL" and "UNLAWFUL" will be construed accordingly.

"LOCAL BUSINESS DAY" means,  subject to the Schedule,  a day on which commercial
banks are open for business  (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign
currency  deposits) (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i),  in
the place(s) specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified,  as
otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined  pursuant to provisions
contained, or incorporated by reference,  in this Agreement,  (b) in relation to
any other  payment,  in the place where the relevant  account is located and, if
different,  in the principal  financial  center, if any, of the currency of such
payment, (c) in relation to any notice or other communication,  including notice
contemplated  under Section  5(a)(i),  in the city  specified in the address for
notice  provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice  contemplated  by
Section  2(b),  in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and
(d) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), in the relevant locations for performance
with respect to such Specified Transaction.

"LOSS"  means,  with  respect  to  this  Agreement  or  one or  more  Terminated
Transactions,  as the  case  may  be,  and a  party,  the  Termination  Currency
Equivalent of an amount that party reasonably determines in good faith to be its
total losses and costs (or gain, in which case  expressed as a negative  number)
in connection  with this  Agreement or that  Terminated  Transaction or group of
Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, including any loss of bargain, cost
of funding or, at the  election of such party but without  duplication,  loss or
cost  incurred  as a  result  of  its  terminating,  liquidating,  obtaining  or
reestablishing  any hedge or  related  trading  position  resulting  from any of
them).  Loss  includes  losses and costs (or gains) in respect of any payment or
delivery  required to have been made (assuming  satisfaction  of each applicable
condition  precedent) on or before the relevant Early  Termination  Date and not
made,  except,  so as to avoid  duplication,  if  Section  6(e)(i)(1)  or (3) or
6(e)(ii)(2)(A)  applies.  Loss  does  not  include  a  party's  legal  fees  and
out-of-pocket  expenses referred to under Section 11. A party will determine its
Loss as of the relevant  Early  Termination  Date, or, if that is not reasonably
practicable,  as of the earliest date thereafter as is reasonably practicable. A
party  may (but need not)  determine  its Loss by  reference  to  quotations  of
relevant  rates or  prices  from one or more  leading  dealers  in the  relevant
markets.

"MARKET  QUOTATION" means,  with respect to one or more Terminated  Transactions
and a party  making  the  determination,  an amount  determined  on the basis of
quotations from Reference  Market-makers.  Each quotation will be for an amount,
if any, that would be paid to such party  (expressed as a negative number) or by
such party  (expressed as a positive  number) in  consideration  of an agreement
between such party  (taking into account any existing  Credit  Support  Document
with  respect  to the  obligations  of such  party)  and the  quoting  Reference
Market-maker to enter into a transaction (the  "Replacement  Transaction")  that
would have the effect of  preserving  for such party the economic  equivalent of
any payment or delivery  (whether  the  underlying  obligation  was  absolute or
contingent and assuming the satisfaction of each applicable condition precedent)
by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of such  Terminated  Transaction
or group of Terminated  Transactions  that would,  but for the occurrence of the
relevant Early  Termination  Date,  have been required after that date. For this
purpose,  Unpaid  Amounts in respect of the  Terminated  Transaction or group of
Terminated Transactions are to be excluded but, without limitation,  any payment
or delivery that would, but for the relevant Early  Termination  Date, have been
required (assuming  satisfaction of each applicable  condition  precedent) after
that Early Termination Date is to be included. The Replacement Transaction would
be subject to such  documentation  as such party and the Reference  Market-maker
may, in good faith,  agree.  The party making the  determination  (or its agent)
will request each Reference  Market-maker to provide its quotation to the extent
reasonably  practicable as of the same day and time (without regard to different
time zones) on or as soon as  reasonably  practicable  after the relevant  Early
Termination  Date.  The day and  time as of  which  those  quotations  are to be
obtained  will  be  selected  in  good  faith  by the  party  obliged  to make a
determination  under  Section  6(e),  and,  if each party is so  obliged,  after
consultation  with the other.  If more than three  quotations are provided,  the
Market  Quotation will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations,  without regard
to the quotations  having the highest and lowest  values.  If exactly three such
quotations are provided,  the Market  Quotation will be the quotation  remaining
after disregarding the highest and lowest quotations.  For this purpose, if more
than one quotation has the same highest value or lowest value,  then one of such
quotations shall be disregarded. If fewer than three quotations are provided, it
will be  deemed  that  the  Market  Quotation  in  respect  of  such  Terminated
Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions cannot be determined.

"NON-DEFAULT  RATE" means a rate per annum equal to the cost  (without  proof or
evidence of any actual cost) to the Non-defaulting Party (as certified by it) if
it were to fund the relevant amount.

"NON-DEFAULTING PARTY" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

"OFFICE" means a branch or office of a party,  which may be such party's head or
home office.

"POTENTIAL EVENT OF DEFAULT" means any event which, with the giving of notice or
the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

"REFERENCE  MARKET-MAKERS"  means four leading  dealers in the  relevant  market
selected  by the party  determining  a Market  Quotation  in good faith (a) from
among dealers of the highest credit standing which satisfy all the criteria that
such party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make
an  extension  of credit  and (b) to the  extent  practicable,  from  among such
dealers having an office in the same city.

"RELEVANT JURISDICTION" means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in
which the party is incorporated, organized, managed and controlled or considered
to have its  seat,  (b) where an Office  through  which the party is acting  for
purposes of this  Agreement  is located,  (c) in which the party  executes  this
Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment
is made.

"SCHEDULED  PAYMENT  DATE"  means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be
made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

"SET-OFF" means set-off, offset,  combination of accounts, right of retention or
withholding  or  similar  right or  requirement  to which the payer of an amount
under Section 6 is entitled or subject  (whether  arising under this  Agreement,
another contract,  applicable law or otherwise) that is exercised by, or imposed
on, such payer.

"SETTLEMENT  AMOUNT"  means,  with respect to a party and any Early  Termination
Date, the sum of:--

(a) the  Termination  Currency  Equivalent  of the  Market  Quotations  (whether
positive or negative)  for each  Terminated  Transaction  or group of Terminated
Transactions for which a Market Quotation is determined; and

(b) such party's Loss (whether positive or negative and without reference to any
Unpaid  Amounts)  for  each  Terminated   Transaction  or  group  of  Terminated
Transactions  for which a Market Quotation cannot be determined or would not (in
the  reasonable  belief  of  the  party  making  the  determination)  produce  a
commercially reasonable result.

"SPECIFIED ENTITY" has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

"SPECIFIED INDEBTEDNESS" means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether
present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise)
in respect of borrowed money.

"SPECIFIED  TRANSACTION"  means,  subject to the Schedule,  (a) any  transaction
(including an agreement with respect thereto) now existing or hereafter  entered
into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such
party or any applicable  Specified  Entity of such party) and the other party to
this  Agreement  (or any Credit  Support  Provider  of such  other  party or any
applicable  Specified  Entity  of  such  other  party)  which  is  a  rate  swap
transaction,  basis swap,  forward rate transaction,  commodity swap,  commodity
option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option,
interest rate option,  foreign  exchange  transaction,  cap  transaction,  floor
transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction,  cross-currency rate
swap transaction,  currency option or any other similar  transaction  (including
any option with respect to any of these  transactions),  (b) any  combination of
these  transactions  and (c) any other  transaction  identified  as a  Specified
Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

"STAMP TAX" means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

"TAX" means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or
fee of any nature (including interest,  penalties and additions thereto) that is
imposed by any  government  or other taxing  authority in respect of any payment
under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration,  documentation or similar
tax.

"TAX EVENT" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"TAX EVENT UPON MERGER" has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

"TERMINATED  TRANSACTIONS"  means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a)
if resulting  from a Termination  Event,  all Affected  Transactions  and (b) if
resulting from an Event of Default,  all Transactions (in either case) in effect
immediately  before  the  effectiveness  of the  notice  designating  that Early
Termination  Date (or, if "Automatic  Early  Termination"  applies,  immediately
before that Early Termination Date).

"TERMINATION CURRENCY" has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

"TERMINATION CURRENCY EQUIVALENT" means, in respect of any amount denominated in
the Termination  Currency,  such Termination  Currency amount and, in respect of
any amount  denominated in a currency other than the  Termination  Currency (the
"Other  Currency"),  the amount in the  Termination  Currency  determined by the
party  making the  relevant  determination  as being  required to purchase  such
amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early  Termination Date, or, if
the relevant Market  Quotation or Loss (as the case may be), is determined as of
a later date, that later date,  with the Termination  Currency at the rate equal
to the spot exchange rate of the foreign  exchange  agent  (selected as provided
below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination  Currency at
or about  11:00  a.m.  (in the  city in which  such  foreign  exchange  agent is
located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate
for the  purchase  of such  Other  Currency  for  value  on the  relevant  Early
Termination  Date or that later date.  The foreign  exchange agent will, if only
one party is obliged to make a determination  under Section 6(e), be selected in
good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

"TERMINATION EVENT" means an Illegality,  a Tax Event or a Tax Event Upon Merger
or, if specified to be  applicable,  a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional
Termination Event.

"TERMINATION  RATE" means a rate per annum equal to the  arithmetic  mean of the
cost (without  proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified
by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

"UNPAID AMOUNTS" owing to any party means,  with respect to an Early Termination
Date,  the  aggregate  of (a) in respect  of all  Terminated  Transactions,  the
amounts that became  payable (or that would have become  payable but for Section
2(a)(iii))  to such  party  under  Section  2(a)(i)  on or prior  to such  Early
Termination  Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early  Termination Date and
(b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section
2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii))  required to be
settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and
which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal
to the fair market  value of that which was (or would have been)  required to be
delivered  as of the  originally  scheduled  date  for  delivery,  in each  case
together with (to the extent  permitted under  applicable law) interest,  in the
currency  of such  amounts,  from  (and  including)  the date  such  amounts  or
obligations  were or would have been  required to have been paid or performed to
(but  excluding)  such Early  Termination  Date, at the  Applicable  Rate.  Such
amounts of interest will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the
actual number of days elapsed.  The fair market value of any obligation referred
to in clause (b) above shall be  reasonably  determined  by the party obliged to
make the  determination  under Section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged,  it
shall be the average of the Termination  Currency Equivalents of the fair market
values reasonably determined by both parties.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF the parties have executed  this  document on the  respective
dates  specified  below with effect from the date specified on the first page of
this document.

             BARCLAYS BANK PLC                  ALLEGHANY FUNDING CORPORATION
- -----------------------------------------  -------------------------------------
              (Name of Party)                         (Name of Party)

By:  /s/ J. Robert Bredehl                 By: /s/ David B. Cuming
    ------------------------------             --------------------------------
      Name: J. Robert Bredehl                   Name: David B. Cuming
      Title: Managing Director                  Title: President
      Date: 10/20/97                            Date: 10/20/97





(MULTICURRENCY -- CROSS BORDER)
EXECUTION COPY

                                    SCHEDULE
                                     TO THE
                                MASTER AGREEMENT

                          dated as of October 20, 1997

                                     between

         BARCLAYS BANK PLC              a      ALLEGHANY FUNDING CORPORATION
                                        n
            ("PARTY A")                 d               ("PARTY B")

PART 1.  TERMINATION PROVISIONS.

(a)     "SPECIFIED ENTITY" means:

FOR PURPOSES OF            IN RELATION TO PARTY A:    IN RELATION TO PARTY B:
Section 5(a)(v):           None                       None
Section 5(a)(vi):          None                       None
Section 5(a)(vii):         None                       None
Section 5(b)(iv):          None                       None


(b)     "SPECIFIED TRANSACTION" will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of
        this Agreement.

(c)     The "CROSS  DEFAULT"  provisions  of Section  5(a)(vi) will not apply to
        Party A and will not apply to Party B.

(d)     The "CREDIT EVENT UPON MERGER" provisions of Section 5(b)(iv) will apply
        to Party A and will not apply to Party B.

(e)     The "AUTOMATIC EARLY TERMINATION"  provisions of Section 6(a) will apply
        to Party A and will not apply to Party B.

(f)     PAYMENTS  OF EARLY  TERMINATION.  For the  purpose  of  Section  6(e) of
this Agreement:

        (i)    Market Quotation will apply.

        (ii)   The Second Method will apply.

(g)     "TERMINATION CURRENCY" means United States Dollars.

(h)     ADDITIONAL TERMINATION EVENT will not apply.

(i)     ADDITIONAL  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  There shall be added to Section  5(a) of
        the Agreement the following additional Events of Default:

        (ix)   INSTALLMENT NOTE DEFAULT.  With respect to Party B only:

                       (1) An Event of Default  designated (1) shall exist under
               the  Installment  Note dated  January  7, 1987,  as amended by an
               instrument  dated August 14, 1990,  and as further  amended by an
               instrument  dated  October 20,  1997,  of Merrill  Lynch,  Pierce
               Fenner & Smith  Incorporated (the  "Installment  Note") and shall
               continue for a period of 15 days.

                       (2) An Event of Default  designated (2) shall exist under
               the Installment Note and shall continue for a period of 30 days.

                       (3) An Event of Default  designated (4) shall exist under
               the Installment Note and shall continue for a period of 30 days.

                       (4) An Event of Default  designated (5) shall exist under
               the Installment Note.

        (x)    NOTE ACCELERATION.  As to Party B only, the Floating Rate Secured
               Notes due 2007 of Alleghany Funding Corporation  ("Issuer") shall
               have been declared due and payable as a  consequence  of an Event
               of  Default  under the  Indenture  dated as of October  20,  1997
               between Issuer and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank, as Trustee,  other
               than an Event of  Default  caused by a default  in payment of any
               amount due hereunder by Party A."

        (j)    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary in
               the Agreement,  no Event of Default shall apply to Party B except
               those  specified  in Sections  5(a)(i),  5(a)(vii),  5(a)(ix) and
               5(a)(x).

PART 2.  TAX REPRESENTATIONS.

(a)     PARTY A AND  PARTY B  PAYER  TAX  REPRESENTATIONS.  For the  purpose  of
        Section  3(e),  each  of  Party  A  and  Party  B  makes  the  following
        representation:

        It is not required by any  application  law, as modified by the practice
        of  any  relevant  governmental  revenue  authority,   of  any  Relevant
        Jurisdiction  to make any deduction or withholding  for or on account of
        any Tax from any  payment  (other  than  interest  under  Section  2(e),
        6(d)(ii) or 6(e) of this  Agreement) to be made by it to the other party
        under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on: (i)
        the accuracy of any  representation  made by the other party pursuant to
        Section 3(f) of this Agreement;  (ii) the  satisfaction of the agreement
        of the other party  contained  in Section  4(a)(i) or  4(a)(iii) of this
        Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by
        the other  party  pursuant  to  Section  4(a)(i)  or  4(a)(iii)  of this
        Agreement;  and (iii) the  satisfaction  of the  agreement  of the other
        party  contained in Section  4(d) of this  Agreement,  PROVIDED  that it
        shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on
        clause  (ii) and the other  party  does not  deliver a form or  document
        under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material  prejudice to its legal or
        commercial position.

(b)     PARTY A PAYEE TAX  REPRESENTATIONS.  For the  purpose of  Section  3(f),
        Party A makes the following representations:

        (i)    The following  representation  applies to Party A with respect to
               that portion of its payments that are not  attributable  to Party
               A's U.S. trade or business:

               It is fully  eligible for the benefits of the "Business  Profits"
               or "Industrial and Commercial Profits" provision, as the case may
               be, the "Interest"  provision or the "Other Income" provision (if
               any)  of  the  Specified  Treaty  with  respect  to  any  payment
               described in such provisions and received or to be received by it
               in connection with this Agreement.

               "SPECIFIED  TREATY" means the income tax  convention  between the
               United States and the United Kingdom.

        (ii)   The following  representation  applies to Party A with respect to
               that portion of its payments that are  attributable  to Party A's
               U.S. trade or business:

               Each payment  received or to be received by it in connection with
               this Agreement will be effectively  connected with its conduct of
               a trade or business in the United States.

(c)     PARTY B PAYEE TAX  REPRESENTATIONS.  For the  purpose of  Section  3(f),
        Party B makes the following representation:

        It is fully  eligible  for the  benefits  of the  "Business  Profits" or
        "Industrial and Commercial Profits"  provision,  as the case may be, the
        "Interest"  provisionor  the "Other  Income"  provision  (if any) of the
        Specified  Treaty  with  respect  to  any  payment   described  in  such
        provisions and received or to be received by it in connection  with this
        Agreement  and no such  payment is  attributable  to a trade or business
        carried  on by it through a  permanent  establishment  in the  Specified
        Jurisdiction.

        "SPECIFIED  TREATY" means the income tax  convention  between the United
        States and the United Kingdom.

        "SPECIFIED JURISDICTION" means the United Kingdom.

PART 3.  AGREEMENT TO DELIVER DOCUMENTS.

For the purpose of Section 4(a)(i) and (ii) of this Agreement, each party agrees
to deliver the following documents as applicable:

        (a) Tax forms, documents or certificates to be delivered are:

PARTY      FORM/DOCUMENT/CERTIFICATE           DATE BY WHICH TO BE DELIVERED
REQUIRED
TO
DELIVER
DOCUMENT
Party A    An executed United States Internal  Upon execution of this Agreement,
           Revenue Service Form 1001 (or any   and thereafter promptly upon
           successor thereto) with respect to  reasonable demand by Party B.
           any payments received or to be
           received by Party A that are not
           effectively connected or otherwise
           attributable to Party A's conduct
           of a trade or business in the
           United States.
Party A    An executed United States Internal  Upon execution of this Agreement,
           Revenue Service Form 4224 (or any   and thereafter promptly upon
           successor thereto) with respect to  reasonable demand by Party B.
           any payments received or to be
           received by Party A that are
           effectively connected or otherwise
           attributable to Party A's conduct
           of a trade or business in the
           United States.
Party B    An executed United States Internal  Upon execution of this Agreement,
           Revenue Service Form                and thereafter promptly upon
           W-9 (or any successor thereto)      reasonable demand by Party A.
           with respect to any payments
           received or to be received by
           Party B.


        (b)    Other documents to be delivered are:

PARTY      FORM/DOCUMENT/CERTIFICATE           DATE BY WHICH TO BE     COVERED
REQUIRED                                       DELIVERED               BY
TO                                                                     SECTION 
DELIVER                                                                3(D)
DOCUMENT                                                               REPRE-
                                                                       SENTATION

Party A    Evidence reasonably satisfactory    Upon execution of this  Yes.
           to Party B, as to the incumbency    Agreement and, if
           and true signatures of the          requested, each
           signatories of Party A for this     Confirmation.
           Agreement, each Credit Support 
           Document to which it is a party 
           and each Confirmation.
Party B    Evidence reasonably satisfactory    Upon execution of this  Yes
           to Party A, as to the incumbency    Agreement and, if
           and true signatures of the          requested, each
           signatories of Party B for, and     Confirmation.
           the authority of Party B to
           execute, deliver and perform, this
           Agreement, each Credit Support
           Document to which it is a party
           and each Confirmation.
Party A    Copy of the annual report of Party  Promptly upon request.  Yes
and        A (in the case of Party A) or
Party B    Party B and Party B's Credit
           Support Provider, if any (in the
           case of Party B), containing
           annual audited consolidated
           financial statements of such
           entity for its most recently ended
           fiscal year (or, if the request to
           deliver such financial statements
           is received during the 120-day
           period following the end of its
           most recently ended fiscal year
           and such financial statements are
           not available, for the immediately
           preceding fiscal year), prepared
           in accordance with generally
           accepted accounting principles in
           the country in which such entity
           is organized, and certified by
           independent certified public
           accountants or chartered
           accountants.
Party A    Onion of Counsel to Party A         Upon execution and      Yes
           reasonably satisfactory to Party B. delivery of this
                                               Agreement.
Party B    Opinion of Counsel to Party B       Upon execution and      Yes
           reasonably satisfactory to Party A. delivery of this
                                               Agreement.
Party A    Such other documents as the other   Promptly upon request.  Yes
and        party may reasonably request in
Party B    connection with each Transaction
           so long as providing such
           documents would not materially
           prejudice the legal or commercial
           position of the party in receipt
           of the request as determined in
           good faith by such party.


PART 4.  MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)   ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

ADDRESSES  FOR  NOTICES  OF                       ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES OR  
COMMUNICATIONS  TO PARTY A                        COMMUNICATIONS  TO PARTY B
The North Colonnade                               375 Park Avenue
Canary Wharf                                      New York, NY  10152
London E14 4BB, ENGLAND                           Attention:  David B. Cuming
Attention:  Swaps Documentation
                                                  Telephone No.:  212-752-1356
Telephone No.:  0171-773-6915/6904                Facsimile No.:  212-759-8149
Facsimile No.:  0171-773-6857/6858
Telex No.:  811234
Answerback:  BZWSEC-G

WITH A COPY IN THE CASE OF NOTICES OR
COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO SECTIONS 5, 6, 7, 11
OR 13 TO:
General Counsel's Office
222 Broadway
New York, NY  10038

ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES OR COMMUNICATIONS TO PARTY A
    FOR U.S. DOLLAR AND CANADIAN DOLLAR
    TRANSACTIONS:

222 Broadway
New York, NY  10038
Attention:  Swap Operations

Telephone No.:  212-412-6910
Facsimile No.:  212-412-2677


(b)     PROCESS AGENT.  For the purpose of Section 13(c) of this Agreement

PARTY A APPOINTS AS ITS PROCESS              PARTY B APPOINTS AS ITS PROCESS 
AGENT:  None.                                AGENT:  None

(c) OFFICES. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

(d)     [MULTIBRANCH PARTY.  For the purpose of Section 10(c) of this Agreement

        Party A is not a Multibranch Party.  Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

(e)     CALCULATION  AGENT.  The  Calculation  Agent  will  be  Party  A  unless
        otherwise  specified  in a  Confirmation  in  relation  to the  relevant
        Transaction.

(f)     CREDIT SUPPORT DOCUMENT.  Details of any Credit Support Document:  Not
        Applicable.

(g)     CREDIT SUPPORT PROVIDER.

In relation to Party A, none.                In relation to Party B, none.

(h)     GOVERNING  LAW.  THIS  AGREEMENT  WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND  CONSTRUED  IN
        ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT  REFERENCE TO
        CHOICE OF LAW DOCTRINE).

(i)     NETTING OF PAYMENTS. Subparagraph (ii) of Section 2(c) of this Agreement
        will apply to all Transactions under this Agreement with effect from the
        date of this Agreement.

(j)     "AFFILIATE"  will  have the  meaning  specified  in  Section  14 of this
        Agreement.  Each party and its  Affiliates may share with each other any
        credit  or  other  information   concerning  the  other  party  and  its
        Affiliates.

PART 5.  OTHER PROVISIONS.

(a)     WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
        WAIVES  ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH  RESPECT  TO ANY LEGAL
        PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM  ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
        OR ANY TRANSACTION.

(b)     INCONSISTENCY.  In the  event of any  inconsistency  between  any of the
        following  documents,  the relevant  document first listed shall govern:
        (i)  a   Confirmation,   (ii)  this  Schedule,   (iii)  the  definitions
        incorporated by reference in a Confirmation  or in this  Agreement,  and
        (iv) the printed form of ISDA Master Agreement.

(c)     CONSENT TO  RECORDING.  Each party (i) consents  to  the  monitoring  or
        recording,  at any time and from time to time,  by  the  other  party of
        any  and  all  communications  between  officers  or  employees  of  the
        parties,  (ii)  waives  any  further  notice  of   such   monitoring  or
        recording, and (iii) agrees to notify (and, if required  by  law, obtain
        the  consent  of) its  officers  and  employees  with  respect  to  such
        monitoring  or  recording.  Any  such  recording  may  be  submitted  in
        evidence  to  any  court  or  in  any  Proceeding  for  the  purpose  of
        establishing   any  matters   pertinent  to   this   Agreement  or   any
        Transaction.

(d)     MODIFIED REPRESENTATION. For purposes of Section 3(d) of this Agreement,
        the following shall be added, immediately prior to the period at the end
        thereof:

        "; provided that, in the case of financial statements delivered by Party
        A, such financial statements give a fair view of the state of affairs of
        the  relevant  entity  to  which  they  relate  as at the  date  of such
        financial statements,  and in the case of financial statements delivered
        by Party B, such  financial  statements  fairly  present  the  financial
        position of the  relevant  entity to which they relate as at the date of
        such financial statements".

(e)     ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIONS. For purposes of Section 3 of this Agreement,
        the  following  shall be  added,  immediately  following  paragraph  (f)
        thereof:

               (g) It is an "eligible  swap  participant"  within the meaning of
               Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") Regulations Section
               35.1(b)(2).  Neither this Agreement nor any Transaction is one of
               a fungible class of agreements that are  standardized as to their
               material  economic terms,  within the meaning of CFTC Regulations
               Section 35.2(b).  The  creditworthiness of the other party was or
               will be a material  consideration in entering into or determining
               the  terms  of this  Agreement  and each  Transaction,  including
               pricing,  cost or credit  enhancement  terms of the  Agreement or
               Transaction,  within  the  meaning  of CFTC  Regulations  Section
               35.2(c).  It has  entered  into this  Agreement  (including  each
               Transaction) in conjunction with its line of business  (including
               financial  intermediation  services)  or  the  financing  of  its
               business.

(f)     RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES. Each party will be deemed to represent
        to the  other  party on the date on which it enters  into a  Transaction
        that  (absent a written  agreement  between the parties  that  expressly
        imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for that Transaction):

        (i) NON-RELIANCE.  It is acting for its own account, and it has made its
        own  independent  decisions  to enter  into that  Transaction  and as to
        whether that  Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its
        own  judgment  and upon  advice  from  such  advisors  as it has  deemed
        necessary.  It is not relying on any communication  (written or oral) of
        the other party as  investment  advice or as a  recommendation  to enter
        into  that  Transaction;   it  being  understood  that  information  and
        explanations  related to the terms and conditions of a Transaction shall
        not be considered investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into
        that Transaction.  No communication  (written or oral) received from the
        other party shall be deemed to be an  assurance  or  guarantee as to the
        expected results of that Transaction.

        (ii) ASSESSMENT AND UNDERSTANDING. It is capable of assessing the merits
        of  and  understanding  (on  its  own  behalf  or  through   independent
        professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions
        and risks of that  Transaction.  It is also  capable  of  assuming,  and
        assumes, the financial and other risks of that Transaction.

        (iii) STATUS OF PARTIES. The other party is not acting as a fiduciary or
        an advisor for it in respect of that Transaction.

(g)     1991 ISDA DEFINITIONS.  The definitions and provisions  contained in the
        1991 ISDA Definitions (the "1991 ISDA  Definitions") as published by the
        International Swaps and Derivatives  Association,  Inc. are incorporated
        into this Agreement by reference.  For these purposes, all references in
        the 1991 ISDA  Definitions  to a "Swap  Transaction"  shall be deemed to
        apply to each Transaction under this Agreement.




                                BARCLAYS BANK PLC

                              AMENDED CONFIRMATION

To:         Alleghany Funding Corporation

Attn:       Mr. Peter Sismondo

Fax No.:    (212) 759-8149

Date:       October 24, 1997

Reference:  BASIS 500282 / 114676

                              RATE SWAP TRANSACTION

The purpose of this letter  agreement is to confirm the terms and  conditions of
the  Transaction  entered  into between  Barclays  Bank PLC (London Head Office)
("Barclays") and Alleghany Funding Corporation (the "Counterparty") on the Trade
Date specified below (the  "Transaction").  This letter agreement  constitutes a
"Confirmation" for purposes of the Agreement referred to below.

THIS LETTER  AGREEMENT  AMENDS,  RESTATES  AND  SUPERSEDES  IN ITS  ENTIRETY THE
CONFIRMATION  DATED  OCTOBER  20,  1997 (REF.  NO.  BASIS  500282 / 114676)  AND
EVIDENCES A COMPLETE BINDING  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN BARCLAYS AND COUNTERPARTY AS TO
THE TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED BELOW.

This  Confirmation  supplements,  forms a part of,  and is  subject  to the 1992
Master  Agreement dated as of October 20, 1997 between Barclays and Counterparty
(the   "Agreement").   All  provisions  of  the  Agreement   shall  govern  this
Confirmation, except as expressly modified below.

The  definitions  and  provisions  contained  in the 1991 ISDA  Definitions  (as
published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA"))
are  incorporated  into this  Confirmation.  In the  event of any  inconsistency
between  those   definitions   and  provisions  and  this   Confirmation,   this
Confirmation will govern for purposes of the Transaction. References herein to a
"Transaction"  shall be deemed to be references to a "Swap  Transaction" for the
purposes  of  the  1991  ISDA  Definitions.   Capitalized  terms  used  in  this
Confirmation  and not defined in this  Confirmation or the 1991 ISDA Definitions
shall have the respective meanings assigned in the Agreement.  Each party hereto
agrees  to make  payment  to the  other  party  hereto  in  accordance  with the
provisions of this Confirmation and of the Agreement.

Each party hereto  represents  and  warrants to the other party hereto that,  in
connection  with the  Transaction,  (i) it has and will continue to consult with
its own legal, regulatory, tax, business,  investment,  financial and accounting
advisors to the extent it deems necessary,  and it has and will continue to make
its own investment,  hedging and trading decisions (including without limitation
decisions regarding the  appropriateness  and/or suitability of the Transaction)
based upon its own judgment  and upon any advice from such  advisors as it deems
necessary,  and not in  reliance  upon  the  other  party  hereto  or any of its
branches,  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  or any of  their  respective  officers,
directors  or  employees,  or any view  expressed  by any of  them,  (ii) it has
evaluated and it fully  understands  all the terms,  conditions and risks of the
Transaction,  and it is willing to assume  (financially  and otherwise) all such
risks, (iii) it has and will continue to act as principal,  and not agent of any
person, and the other party hereto and its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates
have  not and  will not be  acting  as a  fiduciary  or  financial,  investment,
commodity  trading  or  other  advisor  to it and (iv) it is  entering  into the
Transaction  for purposes of hedging its assets or  liabilities or in connection
with a line of business, and not for the purpose of speculation.

            The terms of the particular  Transaction to which this  Confirmation
relates are as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A.                                         TRADE DETAILS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTIONAL AMOUNT:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Floating Rate Payer (A) Notional        USD 80,000,000
   Amount:

   Floating Rate Payer (B) Notional        USD 86,232,000
   Amount:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRADE DATE:                                October 17, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EFFECTIVE DATE:                            October 20, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TERMINATION DATE:                          January   22,   2007;   subject   to
                                           adjustment  in  accordance  with the
                                           Following Business Day Convention
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLOATING AMOUNTS (A):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Floating Rate Payer (A):                Barclays

   Floating                                Rate Payer Payment Date(s):  The 20th
                                           of January,  April,  July and October
                                           in each  year  from  (and  including)
                                           January 20,  1998 to (and  including)
                                           the  Termination  Date;   subject  to
                                           adjustment  in  accordance  with  the
                                           Following Business Day Convention

   Floating Rate for initial Calculation   6.14844%  per  annum  (inclusive  of
   Period:                                 Spread)

   Floating Rate Option:                   USD-LIBOR-BBA

   Spread:                                 0.375%

   Floating Rate Day Count Fraction:       Actual/360

   Designated Maturity:                    3 Months

   Reset Dates:                            The  first  day in each  Calculation
                                           Period

   Compounding:                            Not applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLOATING AMOUNTS (B):
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Floating Rate Payer (B):                Counterparty

   Floating                                Rate  Payer  Payment  Date(s):  Every
                                           fourth  Wednesday  in each  year from
                                           (and  including)  October 29, 1997 to
                                           (and including)  January 10, 2007 and
                                           the  Termination  Date;   subject  to
                                           adjustment  in  accordance  with  the
                                           Following Business Day Convention

   Floating Rate for initial Calculation   5.48%  per  annum  (converted  to  a
   Period:                                 Money Market Yield)

   Floating Rate Option:                   USD-CP-H.15


                                           "USD-CP-H.15" means that the rate for
                                           a Reset Date will be the Money Market
                                           Yield  of  the  rate  set   forth  in
                                           H.15(519)  for  the  day  that is two
                                           Business  Days  preceding  that Reset
                                           Date opposite the Designated Maturity
                                           under   the    caption    "Commercial
                                           Paper-Nonfinancial."   If  such  rate
                                           does not  appear  in  H.15(519),  the
                                           rate  for  that  Reset  Date  will be
                                           determined  as  if  the  parties  had
                                           specified  "USD-CP-Reference Dealers"
                                           as  the   applicable   Floating  Rate
                                           Option.


                                           "USD-CP-Reference Dealers" means that
                                           the rate for a Reset Date will be the
                                           Money Market Yield of the  arithmetic
                                           mean  of  the  offered  rates  of the
                                           Reference  Dealers as of 10:00  a.m.,
                                           New York City  Time,  on the day that
                                           is two Business Days  preceding  that
                                           Reset Date for U.S. Dollar commercial
                                           paper  of  the  Designated   Maturity
                                           placed for  industrial  issuers whose
                                           bond  rating is Aa or the  equivalent
                                           from a nationally  recognized  rating
                                           agency.


                                           "Reference   Dealers"   means   four
                                           leading   dealers  of  U.S.   Dollar
                                           commercial paper in New York City.

   Spread:                                 Plus 0.0625%

   Floating Rate Day Count Fraction:       Actual/360

   Designated Maturity:                    1 Month

   Reset Dates:                            The  first  day in each  Calculation
                                           Period

   Compounding:                            Not applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUSINESS DAYS:                             New York and London
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALCULATION AGENT:                         Barclays Bank PLC
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSIGNMENT:                                Except as expressly  provided in the
                                           Agreement,  the  Transaction may not
                                           be assigned by either  party  hereto
                                           without  the  consent  of the  other
                                           party  hereto,   and  any  purported
                                           assignment   of   the    Transaction
                                           without such consent shall be void
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOVERNING LAW:                             THE     TRANSACTION     AND     THIS
                                           CONFIRMATION  WILL  BE  GOVERNED  BY
                                           AND  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH
                                           THE  LAWS OF THE  STATE  OF NEW YORK
                                           WITHOUT  REFERENCE  TO CHOICE OF LAW
                                           DOCTRINE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

B.                                         ACCOUNT DETAILS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Payments to Barclays:                      FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK
                                           ABA: XXX-XXXX-XX
                                           A/C:  BARCLAYS BANK PLC, NEW YORK
                                           FAVOR:  BARCLAYS SWAPS & OPTIONS
                                           GROUP, NEW YORK
                                           A/C:  XXX-XXXXX-X
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Payments to Counterparty:                  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, NY
                                           ABA: XXX-XXX-XXX
                                           FAVOR:  ALLEGHANY FUNDING
                                           CORPORATION
                                           A/C: XXX-XXXXXX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

C.                                         OFFICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barclays:                                  Address for Notices:
                                           222 BROADWAY - 9TH FLOOR
                                           NEW YORK, NY 10038
                                           Telephone: (212) 412-1440
                                           Fax: (212) 412-2677
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Counterparty:                              Address for Notices:
                                           375 PARK AVENUE - 32ND FLOOR
                                           NEW YORK, NY 10152
                                           Telephone: (212) 752-1356
                                           Fax: (212) 759-8149
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please  confirm  that the  foregoing  correctly  sets  forth  all the  terms and
conditions of our agreement with respect to the Transaction by responding within
three (3) Business Days by promptly signing in the space provided below and both
(i) faxing the signed copy to Barclays, Swap Operations, Fax No. (212) 412-2677,
and (ii) mailing the signed copy to Barclays Bank PLC, 222  Broadway,  New York,
New York 10038,  Attention of Swap  Operations.  Your failure to respond  within
such period shall not affect the validity or  enforceability  of the Transaction
as  against  you.  Barclays  Bank  PLC,  New York  Branch  acted as agent in the
Transaction.


For on behalf of                           For on behalf of
BARCLAYS BANK PLC                          ALLEGHANY FUNDING CORPORATION

/s/ Patrick Peschler                       /s/ Peter R. Sismondo
- -------------------------------------      -------------------------------------
NAME: Patrick Peschler                     NAME: Peter R. Sismondo
Authorized Signatory No.: P017             Authorized Signatory
Date: October 24, 1997                     Date: Oct. 28, 1997

For on behalf of                           For on behalf of
BARCLAYS BANK PLC                          ALLEGHANY FUNDING CORPORATION

/s/ Giordine Downsgate                     /s/ David B. Cuming
- -------------------------------------      -------------------------------------
NAME: Giordine Downsgate                   NAME: David B. Cuming
Authorized Signatory No.: O582             Authorized Signatory
Date:                                      Date: Oct. 28, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EY-JRC//X:\DATA\EFILE\114676NOCT1797.DOC

BARCLAYS BANK PLC AND ITS AFFILIATES,  INCLUDING BZW SECURITIES  INC., MAY SHARE
WITH EACH OTHER INFORMATION, INCLUDING NON-PUBLIC CREDIT INFORMATION, CONCERNING
ITS CLIENTS AND PROSPECTIVE  CLIENTS.  IF YOU DO NOT WANT SUCH INFORMATION TO BE
SHARED,  YOU MUST WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF  COMPLIANCE,  BARCLAYS  BANK PLC, 222
BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10038.