EXECUTION COPY


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                                IMPERIAL BANCORP

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




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


                                    INDENTURE

                           DATED AS OF APRIL 23, 1997
                         ------------------------------




                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                   AS TRUSTEE


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


               JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURES





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                                    TIE-SHEET

of provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 with Indenture dated as of April
23, 1997 between Imperial Bancorp and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee:


ACT SECTION                                                    INDENTURE SECTION

310(a)(1)..................................................................6.9
   (a)(2) .................................................................6.9
310(a)(3)..................................................................N/A
   (a)(4)..................................................................N/A
310(a)(5)...........................................................6.10, 6.11
310(b).....................................................................N/A
310(c)....................................................................6.13
311(a) and (b).............................................................N/A
311(c).............................................................4.1, 4.2(a)
312(a).....................................................................4.2
312(b) and (c).............................................................4.4
313(a).....................................................................4.4
313(b)(1)..................................................................4.4
313(b)(2)..................................................................4.4
313(c).....................................................................4.4
313(d).....................................................................4.4
314(a).....................................................................4.3
314(b).....................................................................N/A
314(c)(1) and (2)..........................................................6.7
314(c)(3)..................................................................N/A
314(d) ....................................................................N/A
314(e).....................................................................6.7
314(f) ....................................................................N/A
315(a)(c) and (d)..........................................................6.1
315(b) ....................................................................5.8
315(e) ....................................................................5.9
316(a)(1) .................................................................5.7
316(a)(2) .................................................................N/A
316(a) last sentence ......................................................2.9
316(b) ....................................................................9.2
317(a) ....................................................................5.5
317(b) ....................................................................6.5
318(a) ...................................................................13.8

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        THIS TIE-SHEET IS NOT PART OF THE INDENTURE AS EXECUTED.


                                        i








                                       TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS..................................................................  1
        SECTION 1.1.  Definitions............................................  1

ARTICLE II

SECURITIES................................................................... 12
        SECTION 2.1.  Forms Generally........................................ 12
        SECTION 2.2.  Execution and Authentication........................... 12
        SECTION 2.3.  Form and Payment....................................... 12
        SECTION 2.4.  Legends................................................ 13
        SECTION 2.5.  Global Security........................................ 13
        SECTION 2.6.  Interest............................................... 15
        SECTION 2.7.  Transfer and Exchange.................................. 15
        SECTION 2.8.  Replacement Securities................................. 17
        SECTION 2.9.  [Intentionally Omitted]................................ 18
        SECTION 2.10.  Temporary Securities.................................. 18
        SECTION 2.11.  Cancellation.......................................... 18
        SECTION 2.12.  Defaulted Interest.................................... 19
        SECTION 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers......................................... 19

ARTICLE III

PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.......................................... 20
        SECTION 3.1.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest............. 20
        SECTION 3.2.  Offices for Notices and Payments, Etc.................. 20
        SECTION 3.3.  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Offi....... 21
        SECTION 3.4.  Provision as to Paying Agent........................... 21
        SECTION 3.5.  Certificate to Trustee................................. 22
        SECTION 3.6.  Compliance with Consolidation Provisions............... 22
        SECTION 3.7.  Limitation on Dividends................................ 22
        SECTION 3.8.  Covenants as to Imperial Capital Trust................. 23
        SECTION 3.9.  Payment of Expenses.................................... 23
        SECTION 3.10.  Payment Upon Resignation or Removal................... 24

ARTICLE IV

SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE...................................................... 25
        SECTION 4.1.  Securityholders' Lists................................. 25


                                       ii

        SECTION 4.2.  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.................. 25
        SECTION 4.3.  Reports by Company.................................... 26
        SECTION 4.4.  Reports by the Trustee................................ 27

ARTICLE V

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
ON EVENT OF DEFAULT......................................................... 28
        SECTION 5.1.  Events of Default..................................... 28
        SECTION 5.2.  Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor....... 30
        SECTION 5.3.  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee............ 31
        SECTION 5.4.  Proceedings by Securityholders........................ 32
        SECTION 5.5.  Proceedings by Trustee................................ 33
        SECTION 5.6.  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.................... 33
        SECTION 5.7.  Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by
            Majority of Securityholders..................................... 34
        SECTION 5.8.  Notice of Defaults.................................... 34
        SECTION 5.9.  Undertaking to Pay Costs.............................. 35

ARTICLE VI

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE...................................................... 35
        SECTION 6.1.  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee................ 35
        SECTION 6.2.  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc.................. 36
        SECTION 6.3.  No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc................... 38
        SECTION 6.4.  Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, 
            Transfer Agents or Registrar May Own Securities................. 38
        SECTION 6.5.  Moneys to be Held in Trust............................ 38
        SECTION 6.6.  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.................. 38
        SECTION 6.7.  Officers' Certificate as Evidence..................... 39
        SECTION 6.8.  Conflicting Interest of Trustee....................... 39
        SECTION 6.9.  Eligibility of Trustee................................ 40
        SECTION 6.10.  Resignation or Removal of Trustee.................... 40
        SECTION 6.11.  Acceptance by Successor Trustee...................... 41
        SECTION 6.12.  Succession by Merger, Etc............................ 42
        SECTION 6.13.  Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor........ 42
        SECTION 6.14.  Authenticating Agents................................ 43

ARTICLE VII

                                CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS.............. 44
        SECTION 7.1.  Action by Securityholders............................. 44
        SECTION 7.2.  Proof of Execution by Securityholders................. 45


                                             iii

        SECTION 7.3.  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners......................... 45
        SECTION 7.4.  Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding..... 45
        SECTION 7.5.  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound........... 46

ARTICLE VIII

                                   SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS................. 46
        SECTION 8.1.  Purposes of Meetings................................... 46
        SECTION 8.2.  Call of Meetings by Trustee............................ 47
        SECTION 8.3.  Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders......... 47
        SECTION 8.4.  Qualifications for Voting.............................. 47
        SECTION 8.5.  Regulations............................................ 47
        SECTION 8.6.  Voting................................................. 49

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS................................................................... 49
        SECTION 9.1.  Without Consent of Securityholders..................... 49
        SECTION 9.2.  With Consent of Securityholders........................ 51
        SECTION 9.3.  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of 
            Supplemental Indentures.......................................... 52
        SECTION 9.4.  Notation on Securities................................. 52
        SECTION 9.5.  Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture 
            to be Furnished to the Trustee................................... 52

ARTICLE X

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE............................ 53
        SECTION 10.1.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms....... 53
        SECTION 10.2.  Successor Corporation to be Substituted for Company... 53
        SECTION 10.3.  Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee................ 54

ARTICLE XI

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE...................................... 54
        SECTION 11.1.  Discharge of Indenture................................ 54
        SECTION 11.2.  Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be
            Held in Trust by Trustee......................................... 55
        SECTION 11.3.  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held..................... 55
        SECTION 11.4.  Return of Unclaimed Moneys............................ 55
        SECTION 11.5.  Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
            Obligations...................................................... 56



                                             iv

ARTICLE XII

IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS....................................................... 57
        SECTION 12.1.  Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations. 57

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS..................................................... 58
        SECTION 13.1.  Successors............................................ 58
        SECTION 13.2.  Official Acts by Successor Corporation................ 58
        SECTION 13.3.  Surrender of Company Powers........................... 58
        SECTION 13.4.  Addresses for Notices, Etc............................ 58
        SECTION 13.5.  Governing Law......................................... 59
        SECTION 13.6.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent...... 59
        SECTION 13.7.  Business Days......................................... 59
        SECTION 13.8.  Trust Indenture Act to Control........................ 59
        SECTION 13.9.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc...................... 60
        SECTION 13.10.  Execution in Counterparts............................ 60
        SECTION 13.11.  Separability......................................... 60
        SECTION 13.12.  Assignment........................................... 60
        SECTION 13.13.  Acknowledgment of Rights............................. 60

ARTICLE XIV

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES -- MANDATORY AND
OPTIONAL SINKING FUND........................................................ 61
        SECTION 14.1.  Special Event Redemption.............................. 61
        SECTION 14.2.  Optional Redemption by Company........................ 61
        SECTION 14.3.  No Sinking Fund....................................... 62
        SECTION 14.4.  Notice of Redemption; Selection of Securities......... 63
        SECTION 14.5.  Payment of Securities Called for Redemption........... 64

ARTICLE XV

                                  SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES................ 64
        SECTION 15.1.  Agreement to Subordinate.............................. 64
        SECTION 15.2.  Default on Senior Indebtedness........................ 65
        SECTION 15.3.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.................. 65
        SECTION 15.4.  Subrogation........................................... 66
        SECTION 15.5.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination................... 67
        SECTION 15.6.  Notice by the Company................................. 67
        SECTION 15.7.  Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. 69


                                             v

        SECTION 15.8.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired.................... 69

ARTICLE XVI

                             EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD........... 70
        SECTION 16.1.  Extension of Interest Payment Period................. 70
        SECTION 16.2.  Notice of Extension.................................. 70






                                             vi

        THIS INDENTURE, dated as of April 23, 1997, between Imperial Bancorp, a
California corporation (hereinafter sometimes called the "Company"), and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (hereinafter
sometimes called the "Trustee"),

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

        In consideration of the premises, and the purchase of the Securities by
the holders thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with the Trustee for the
equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of
the Securities, as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

        SECTION 1.1.  Definitions.

        The terms defined in this Section 1.1 (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of
this Indenture shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1.
All other terms used in this Indenture which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), or which are by reference
therein defined in the Securities Act, shall (except as herein otherwise
expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) have the meanings
assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as
in force at the date of this Indenture as originally executed. The following
terms have the meanings given to them in the Declaration: (i) Clearing Agency;
(ii) Delaware Trustee; (iii) Property Trustee; (iv) Administrative Trustees; (v)
Direct Action; (vi) Purchase Agreement; (vii) Distributions; (viii) Series A
Capital Securities; (ix) Series B Capital Securities and (x) the Private
Exchange Capital Securities. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly
defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles and the term "generally accepted
accounting principles" means such accounting principles as are generally
accepted at the time of any computation. The words "herein", "hereof" and
"hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole
and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. Headings are
used for convenience of reference only and do not affect interpretation. The
singular includes the plural and vice versa.

        "Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.6(c).

        "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the
rate per annum equal to (i) the yield, under the heading which represents the
average for the immediately prior week, appearing in the most recently published
statistical release designated "H.15 (519)" or any successor publication which
is published weekly by the Federal Reserve


                                             1

and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury
securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption "Treasury Constant
Maturities," for the maturity corresponding to the Initial Optional Redemption
Date (if no maturity is within three months before or after the Initial Optional
Redemption Date, yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to the Initial Optional Redemption Date shall be interpolated, and
the Adjusted Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such
yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (ii) if such
release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding
the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal
to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury
Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a
percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
such redemption date plus, in each case, (a) 2.625% if such redemption date
occurs on or prior to April 23, 1998, and (b) 1.875% in all other cases.

        "Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any Person
directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding the power to vote 10% or
more of the outstanding voting securities or other ownership interests of the
specified Person, (b) any Person 10% or more of whose outstanding voting
securities or other ownership interests are directly or indirectly owned,
controlled or held with power to vote by the specified Person, (c) any Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with
the specified Person, (d) a partnership in which the specified Person is a
general partner, (e) any officer or director of the specified Person, and (f) if
the specified Person is an individual, any entity of which the specified Person
is an officer, director or general partner.

        "Allocable Amounts," when used with respect to any Senior Indebtedness,
means all amounts due or to become due on such Senior Indebtedness less, if
applicable, any amount which would have been paid to, and retained by, the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness (whether as a result of the receipt of
payments by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness from the Company or any
other obligor thereon or from any holders of, or trustee in respect of, other
indebtedness that is subordinate and junior in right of payment to such Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to any provision of such indebtedness for the payment over
of amounts received on account of such indebtedness to the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness or otherwise) but for the fact that such Senior Indebtedness
is subordinate or junior in right of payment to (or subject to a requirement
that amounts received on such Senior Indebtedness be paid over to obligees on)
trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of
business.

        "Authenticating Agent" shall mean any agent or agents of the Trustee
which at the time shall be appointed and acting pursuant to Section 6.14.

        "Bankruptcy Law" shall mean Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal
or state law for the relief of debtors.



                                             2

        "Board of Directors" shall mean either the Board of Directors of the
Company or any duly authorized committee of that board.

        "Board Resolution" shall mean a copy of a resolution certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by
the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

        "Business Day" shall mean, with respect to any series of Securities, any
day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in
The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to
close.

        "Capital Securities" shall mean preferred undivided beneficial interests
in the assets of Imperial Capital Trust which rank pari passu with the Common
Securities issued by Imperial Capital Trust; provided, however, that if an Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of
Distributions on, or payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with
respect to, the Common Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital
Securities shall be paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation,
redemption and other payments to which they are entitled. References to "Capital
Securities" shall include collectively any Series A Capital Securities, Series B
Capital Securities and Private Exchange Capital Securities.

        "Capital Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee that the Company
may enter into with The Chase Manhattan Bank or other Persons that operates
directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Capital Securities and
shall include a Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and a Series B Capital
Securities Guarantee with respect to the Series A Capital Securities and the
Series B Capital Securities, respectively.

        "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from
time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or if at any time
after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and
performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the
body performing such duties at such time.

        "Common Securities" shall mean undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of Imperial Capital Trust which rank pari passu with Capital Securities
issued by Imperial Capital Trust; provided, however, that if an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing, no payments in respect of Distributions on, or
payments upon liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to, the Common
Securities shall be made until the holders of the Capital Securities shall be
paid in full the Distributions and the liquidation, redemption and other
payments to which they are entitled.

        "Common Securities Guarantee" shall mean any guarantee of the Company
that operates directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Common
Securities.



                                             3

        "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock, no par value, of the Company
or any other class of stock resulting from changes or reclassifications of such
Common Stock consisting solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no
par value, or from no par value to par value.

        "Company" shall mean Imperial Bancorp, a California corporation, and,
subject to the provisions of Article X, shall include its successors and
assigns.

        "Company Request" or "Company Order" shall mean a written request or
order signed in the name of the Company by the Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, a Vice Chairman, a Vice President, the Comptroller, the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the
Trustee.

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

        "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date
pursuant to Section 14.1, (i) the average of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date, as
set forth in the daily statistical release (or any successor release) published
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m.
Quotations for U.S. Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any
successor release) is not published or does not contain such prices on such
Business Day, (A) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for
such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than five such
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.

        "Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.1.

        "Custodian" shall mean any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, or
similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

        "Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of
Imperial Capital Trust, dated as of the Issue Date.



                                             4

        "Default" means any event, act or condition that with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

        "Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 16.1.

        "Definitive Securities" shall mean those securities issued in fully
registered certificated form not otherwise in global form.

        "Depositary" shall mean, with respect to Securities of any series, for
which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a
Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, another
clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the
Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case,
shall be designated by the Company pursuant to Section 2.5(d).

        "Dissolution Event" means the liquidation of the Imperial Capital Trust
pursuant to the Declaration, and the distribution of the Securities held by the
Property Trustee to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Imperial
Capital Trust pro rata in accordance with the Declaration.

        "Event of Default" shall mean any event specified in Section 5.1,
continued for the period of time, if any, and after the giving of the notice, if
any, therein designated.

        "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

        "Exchange Offer" means the offer that may be made pursuant to the
Registration Rights Agreement (i) by the Company to exchange Series B Securities
for Series A Securities and to exchange a Series B Capital Securities Guarantee
for a Series A Capital Securities Guarantee and (ii) by Imperial Capital Trust
to exchange Series B Capital Securities for Series A Capital Securities.

        "Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 16.1.

        "Federal Reserve" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

        "Imperial Capital Trust" shall mean Imperial Capital Trust I, a Delaware
business trust created for the purpose of issuing its undivided beneficial
interests in connection with the issuance of Securities under this Indenture.

        "Global Security" means, with respect to the Securities, a Security
executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or
pursuant to the Depositary's instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture,
which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.


                                             5

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

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

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

        "Indenture" shall mean this instrument as originally executed or, if
amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented.

        "Initial Optional Redemption Date" means June 30, 2007.

        "Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

        "Issue Date" means April 23, 1997.

        "Liquidated Damages" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.



                                             6

        "Maturity Date" shall mean December 31, 2026.

        "Non Book-Entry Capital Securities" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.5.

        "Officers" shall mean any of the Chairman, the Co-Chairman, a Vice
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President, the
Comptroller, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company.

        "Officers' Certificate" shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers
and delivered to the Trustee.

        "Opinion of Counsel" shall mean a written opinion of counsel, who may be
an employee of the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

        "Optional Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
14.2.

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

        "Other Guarantees" means all guarantees issued by the Company with
respect to capital securities (if any) and issued to other trusts established by
the Company (if any), in each case similar to the Trust.

        The term "outstanding" when used with reference to Securities, shall,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, mean, as of any particular time, all
Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent under this Indenture, except

        (a) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

        (b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of
which moneys in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the
Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set
aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its
own paying agent); provided that, if such Securities, or portions thereof, are
to be redeemed prior to maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have
been given as in Article XIV provided or provision satisfactory to the Trustee
shall have been made for giving such notice; and

        (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities
shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.8
unless proof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee is presented that any
such Securities are held by bona fide holders in due course.


                                             7

        "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, estate, partnership,
joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

        "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt and as that evidenced by
such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 2.8 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or
stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed
or stolen Security.

        "Principal Office of the Trustee", or other similar term, shall mean the
office of the Trustee, at which at any particular time its corporate trust
business shall be principally administered.

        "Private Exchange" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.

        "Private Exchange Debentures" means the junior subordinated deferrable
interest debentures issued in a Private Exchange.

        "Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Purchase Agreement dated April 18,
1997 among the Company, Imperial Capital Trust and the initial purchasers named
therein.

        "Property Trustee" shall have the same meaning as set forth in the
Declaration.

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

        "Redemption Price" means the Special Event Redemption Price or the
Optional Redemption Price, as the context requires.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer" means any U.S. Government securities dealer
in New York City selected by the Company.

        "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date pursuant to Section 14.1, the
average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury
Dealer at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the third Business Day preceding such
redemption date.

        "Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of the Issue Date, by and among the Company, the Trust and the Initial
Purchasers named therein as such agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time.



                                             8

        "Regulatory Capital Event" shall occur at any time, following the date
(the "Election Date") on which the Company shall effectively elect to treat the
Capital Securities as Tier 1 Capital (or its equivalent), that the Company shall
have received an opinion of independent bank regulatory counsel experienced in
such matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change
(including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations
thereunder) of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies of the
Federal Reserve or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced on or after
the Election Date, the Capital Securities do not constitute, or within 90 days
of the date thereof, will not constitute, Tier I Capital (or its then
equivalent); provided, however, that a Regulatory Capital Event shall not occur
by reason of the use of the proceeds of the Securities in the manner
contemplated by the Offering Memorandum dated April 18, 1997 relating to the
Capital Securities.

        "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean
any vice president, any assistant secretary, any assistant treasurer or senior
trust officer, any trust officer or assistant trust officer, or any other
officer or assistant officer of the Principal Office of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.

        "Restricted Security" shall mean Securities that bear or are required to
bear the Securities Act legends set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

        "Rule 144A" means Rule 144A under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or under any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the Commission.

        "Securities" means, collectively, the Series A Securities, the Series B
Securities and the Private Exchange Debentures.

        "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

        "Securityholder", "holder of Securities", or other similar terms, shall
mean any person in whose name at the time a particular Security is registered on
the register kept by the Company or the Trustee for that purpose in accordance
with the terms hereof.

        "Security Register" shall mean (i) prior to a Dissolution Event, the
list of holders provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1, and (ii)
following a Dissolution Event, any security register maintained by a security
registrar for the Securities appointed by the Company following the execution of
a supplemental indenture providing for transfer procedures as provided for in
Section 2.7(a).


                                             9

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

        "Series A Securities" means the Company's 9.98% Series A Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 31, 2026, as
authenticated and issued under this Indenture.

        "Series B Securities" means the Company's 9.98% Series B Junior
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due December 31, 2026, as
authenticated and issued under this Indenture.

        "Special Event" means a Tax Event or a Regulatory Capital Event, as the
case may be.

        "Special Event Redemption Price" shall mean, with respect to any
redemption of the Securities pursuant to Section 14.1 hereof, an amount in cash
equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed or (ii)
the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the
principal amount and premium payable with respect to an optional redemption
pursuant to Section 14.2 on the Initial Optional Redemption Date, together with
scheduled payments of interest on the Securities from the redemption date to and
including the Initial Optional Redemption Date, discounted to the redemption
date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, any accrued and
unpaid interest thereon, including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest,
if any, to the date of such redemption.

        "Subsidiary" shall mean with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation
at least a majority of whose outstanding voting stock is owned, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such
Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, (ii) any general partnership, joint
venture or similar entity, at least a majority of whose outstanding partnership
or similar interests shall at the time be owned by such Person, or by one or
more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries
and (iii) any limited partnership of which such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries is a general partner. For the purposes of this definition, "voting
stock" means shares, interests, participations or other equivalents in the
equity interest (however designated) in such Person having ordinary voting power
for the election of a majority of the directors (or the equivalent) of such
Person, other than shares, interests, participations or other equivalents having
such power only by reason of the occurrence of a contingency.

        "Tax Event" shall mean the receipt by Imperial Capital Trust and the
Company of an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, or any other nationally
recognized tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that, as a
result of any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective
change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the


                                             10

United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein, or as a result of any official administrative pronouncement or judicial
decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or
change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after
the Issue Date, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) Imperial
Capital Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of such opinion, subject
to United States Federal income tax with respect to income received or accrued
on the Securities, (ii) interest payable by the Company on the Securities is
not, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by
the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes,
or (iii) Imperial Capital Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date of
such opinion, subject to more than a de minimis amount of other taxes, duties or
other governmental charges.

        "Trustee" shall mean the Person identified as "Trustee" in the first
paragraph hereof, and, subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, shall
also include its successors and assigns as Trustee hereunder. The term "Trustee"
as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the
trustee with respect to that series.

        "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
as in force at the date of execution of this Indenture, except as provided in
Section 9.3.

        "Trust Securities" shall mean the Capital Securities and the Common
Securities, collectively.

        "U.S. Government Obligations" shall mean securities that are (i) direct
obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full
faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or
supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of
America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and
credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under
clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer
thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust
company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a
specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government
Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository
receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.



                                             11

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   SECURITIES

        SECTION 2.1.  Forms Generally.

        The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A, the terms of which are incorporated in
and made a part of this Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or
endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the
Company is subject or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The Securities shall be issued in minimum denominations of
$100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

        SECTION 2.2.  Execution and Authentication.

        Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature in the manner set forth in Exhibit A. If an Officer whose
signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security
is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.

        A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual
signature of an authorized officer of the Trustee. The signature of the Trustee
shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture. The form of Trustee's certificate of authentication to be borne by
the Securities shall be substantially as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

        The Trustee shall, upon a Company Order, authenticate for original issue
up to, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at any time
may not exceed, $77,320,000 aggregate principal amount of the Securities, except
as provided in Sections 2.7, 2.8, 2.10 and 14.5. The series of Securities to be
initially issued hereunder shall be the Series A Securities.

        SECTION 2.3.  Form and Payment.

        Except as provided in Section 2.5, the Securities shall be issued in
fully registered certificated form without interest coupons. Principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Securities issued in certificated form will
be payable, the transfer of such Securities will be registrable and such
Securities will be exchangeable for Securities bearing identical terms and
provisions at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose
under Section 3.2; provided, however, that payment of interest with respect to
the Securities may be made at the option of the Company (i) by check mailed to
the holder entitled thereto at such address as shall appear in the Security
Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the Person
entitled thereto, provided that proper wire transfer instructions have been
received in writing by the paying agent by the relevant record date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so


                                             12

long as the holder of any Securities is the Property Trustee, the payment of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Interest, if any) on such Securities held by the Property Trustee
will be made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the
Property Trustee.

        SECTION 2.4.  Legends.

        (a) Except as permitted by subsection (b) of this Section 2.4 or as
otherwise determined by the Company in accordance with applicable law, each
Security shall bear the applicable legends relating to restrictions on transfer
pursuant to the securities laws in substantially the form set forth on Exhibit A
hereto.

        (b) The Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate Series B
Securities in exchange for Series A Securities accepted for exchange in the
Exchange Offer (and, if required pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement,
the Private Exchange Debentures), which Series B Securities shall not bear the
legends required by subsection (a) above, in each case unless the holder of such
Series A Securities is either (A) a broker-dealer who purchased such Series A
Securities directly from the Company for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or any
other available exemption under the Securities Act, (B) a Person participating
in the distribution of the Series A Securities or (C) a Person who is an
affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company.

        SECTION 2.5.  Global Security.

        (a)    In connection with a Dissolution Event,

               (i) if any Capital Securities are held in book-entry form, the
        related Definitive Securities shall be presented to the Trustee (if an
        arrangement with the Depositary has been maintained) by the Property
        Trustee in exchange for one or more Global Securities (as may be
        required pursuant to Section 2.7) in an aggregate principal amount equal
        to the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Securities, to be
        registered in the name of the Depositary, or its nominee, and delivered
        by the Trustee to the Depositary for crediting to the accounts of its
        participants pursuant to the instructions of the Administrative
        Trustees; the Company upon any such presentation shall execute one or
        more Global Securities in such aggregate principal amount and deliver
        the same to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance
        with this Indenture; and payments on the Securities issued as a Global
        Security will be made to the Depositary; and

               (ii) if any Capital Securities are held in certificated form, the
        related Definitive Securities may be presented to the Trustee by the
        Property Trustee and any Capital Security certificate which represents
        Capital Securities other than Capital Securities in book-entry form
        ("Non Book-Entry Capital Securities") will be deemed to


                                             13

        represent beneficial interests in Securities presented to the Trustee by
        the Property Trustee having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
        aggregate liquidation amount of the Non Book-Entry Capital Securities
        until such Capital Security certificates are presented to the Security
        Registrar for transfer or reissuance, at which time such Capital
        Security certificates will be cancelled and a Security, registered in
        the name of the holder of the Capital Security certificate or the
        transferee of the holder of such Capital Security certificate, as the
        case may be, with an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
        liquidation amount of the Capital Security certificate cancelled, will
        be executed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee for
        authentication and delivery in accordance with the Indenture. Upon the
        issuance of such Securities, Securities with an equivalent aggregate
        principal amount that were presented by the Property Trustee to the
        Trustee will be deemed to have been cancelled.

        (b) The Global Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of
outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon; provided, that the
aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to
time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and
redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount of any
increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby
shall be made by the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the
Company as required by this Section 2.5.

        (c) The Global Securities may be transferred, in whole but not in part,
only to the Depositary, another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor
Depositary selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor
Depositary.

        (d) If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or the Depositary has ceased to be
a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary
is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such
notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company will
execute, and the Trustee, upon written notice from the Company, will
authenticate and make available for delivery the Definitive Securities, in
authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global Security. If
there is an Event of Default, the Depositary shall have the right to exchange
the Global Securities for Definitive Securities. In addition, the Company may at
any time determine that the Securities shall no longer be represented by a
Global Security. In the event of such an Event of Default or such a
determination, the Company shall execute, and subject to Section 2.7, the
Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination
by the Company, will authenticate and make available for delivery the Definitive
Securities, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such Global
Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Definitive
Securities, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be cancelled
by the Trustee. Such Definitive Securities issued in exchange for the Global


                                             14

Security shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations
as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect
participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver
such Definitive Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in
whose names such Definitive Securities are so registered.

        SECTION 2.6.  Interest.

        (a) Each Security will bear interest at the rate of 9.98% per annum (the
"Coupon Rate") from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the
Issue Date, until the principal thereof becomes due and payable, and at the
Coupon Rate on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent
that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest, compounded semi-annually, payable (subject to
the provisions of Article XVI) semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December
31 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date") commencing on June 30, 1997,
to the Person in whose name such Security or any predecessor Security is
registered, at the close of business on the regular record date for such
interest installment, which shall be the fifteenth day of the month preceding
the month in which the relevant Interest Payment Date falls.

        (b) Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30- day months and, for any period of less than a full calendar month,
the number of days lapsed in such month. In the event that any Interest Payment
Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable
on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day
(and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), with
the same force and effect as if made on such date.

        (c) During such time as the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Securities, the Company shall pay any additional amounts on the Securities as
may be necessary in order that the amount of Distributions then due and payable
by the Imperial Capital Trust shall not be reduced as a result of any additional
taxes, duties and other governmental charges to which the Imperial Capital Trust
has become subject as a result of a Tax Event ("Additional Interest").

        SECTION 2.7.  Transfer and Exchange.

        (a) Transfer Restrictions. The Securities may not be transferred except
in amounts of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and
those Series B Securities with respect to which any Person described in Section
2.4(b) (A) (B) or (C) is the beneficial owner, may not be transferred except in
compliance with the legend contained in Exhibit A unless otherwise determined by
the Company in accordance with applicable law. Upon any distribution of the
Securities following a Dissolution Event, the Company and the Trustee shall
enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.1 to provide for the
transfer restrictions and procedures with respect to the Securities
substantially similar to those contained in the Declaration to the extent
applicable in the circumstances existing at such time.


                                             15

        (b) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges. Upon
surrender for registration of transfer of any Security at the office or agency
of the Company maintained for the purpose pursuant to Section 3.2, the Company
shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for
delivery, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more
new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like
aggregate principal amount.

        At the option of the holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged
for other Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a
like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be
exchanged at the office or agency identified above. Whenever any Securities are
so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall
authenticate and make available for delivery, the Securities which the holder
making the exchange is entitled to receive.

        Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) shall be duly endorsed,
or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Company and the Security registrar duly executed by the holder thereof or
such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing.

        All Definitive Securities and Global Securities issued upon any
registration of transfer or exchange of Definitive Securities or Global
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Definitive
Securities or Global Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer
or exchange.

        No service charge shall be made to a holder for any registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.

        The Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of
or exchange Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15
days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption or any notice of
selection of Securities for redemption under Article XIV hereof and ending at
the close of business on the day of such mailing; or (ii) register the transfer
of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

        (c) Exchange of Series A Securities for Series B Securities or Private
Exchange Debentures. The Series A Securities may be exchanged for Series B
Securities pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Offer. In addition, the
Securities A Securities may by exchanged in a Private Exchange for Private
Exchange Debentures under the circumstances described in the Registration Rights
Agreement. The Trustee shall make such exchange as follows:



                                             16

        The Company shall present the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
certifying the following:

        (A) upon issuance of the Series B Securities or the Private Exchange
Debentures, as the case may be, the transactions contemplated by the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange have been consummated; and

        (B) the principal amount of Series A Securities properly tendered in the
Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange that are represented by a Global
Security and the principal amount of Series A Securities properly tendered in
the Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange that are represented by Definitive
Securities, the name of each holder of such Definitive Securities, the principal
amount properly tendered in the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as the case
may be, by each such holder and the name and address to which Definitive
Securities for Series B Securities or Private Exchange Debentures, as the case
may be, shall be registered and sent for each such holder.

        The Trustee, upon receipt of such Officers' Certificate shall
authenticate a Global Security for Series B Securities or Private Exchange
Debentures, as the case may be, in aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Securities represented by a Global
Security and the Definitive Securities indicated in such Officers' Certificate
as having been properly tendered.

        If the principal amount of the Global Security for the Series B
Securities and the Private Exchange Debentures is less than the principal amount
of the Global Security for the Series A Securities, the Trustee shall make an
endorsement on such Global Security for Series A Securities indicating a
reduction in the principal amount represented thereby.

        SECTION 2.8.  Replacement Securities.

        If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company
and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss
or theft of any Security, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall
authenticate a replacement Security if the Trustee's requirements for
replacements of Securities are met. At the request of the Trustee or the
Company, an indemnity bond may be required from the holder that is sufficient in
the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee,
any agent thereof or any Authenticating Agent from any loss that any of them may
suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company or the Trustee may charge for its
expenses in replacing a Security.

        Every replacement Security is an obligation of the Company and shall be
entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with all other Securities duly issued hereunder.



                                             17

        The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.


        SECTION 2.9.  [Intentionally Omitted]

        SECTION 2.10.  Temporary Securities.

        Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Company may
execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make
available for delivery, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed,
typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise reproduced, in any authorized
denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of
which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions,
substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may
determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

        If temporary Securities are issued, the Company shall cause definitive
Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. The definitive Securities
shall be printed, lithographed or engraved, or provided by any combination
thereof, or in any other manner permitted by the rules and regulations of any
applicable securities exchange, all as determined by the officers executing such
definitive Securities. After the preparation of definitive Securities, the
temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities upon
surrender of the temporary Securities at the office or agency maintained by the
Company for such purpose pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, without charge to the
Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities,
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available
for delivery, in exchange therefor the same aggregate principal amount of
definitive Securities of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the
temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits
under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

        SECTION 2.11.  Cancellation.

        The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Securities
surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or
cancellation and shall retain or dispose of cancelled Securities in accordance
with its normal practices (subject to the record retention requirement of the
Exchange Act) unless the Company directs them to be returned to it. Subject to
the other provisions of the Indenture, the Company may not issue new Securities
to replace Securities that have been redeemed or paid or that have been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.



                                             18

        SECTION 2.12.  Defaulted Interest.

        Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid
or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted
Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on the relevant
regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted
Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause
(a) or clause (b) below:

        (a) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities
to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor
Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for
the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following
manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of
Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the
proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in
respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to
the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such
money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee
shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which
shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the
proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of
the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the
Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the
Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest
and the special record date therefor to be mailed, first class postage prepaid,
to each Securityholder at his or her address as it appears in the Security
Register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor
having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor
Securities) are registered on such special record date and shall be no longer
payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

        (b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any
Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such
notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the
Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such
manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

        SECTION 2.13.  CUSIP Numbers.

        The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices
of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided that any such notice
may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers
either as printed on the Securities or as


                                             19

contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such
redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.
The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

                                   ARTICLE III

                       PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

        SECTION 3.1.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

        The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the holders of the
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the
principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities at the place,
at the respective times and in the manner provided herein. Except as provided in
Section 2.3, each installment of interest on the Securities may be paid by
mailing checks for such interest payable to the order of the holder of Security
entitled thereto as they appear in the Security Register. The Company further
covenants to pay any and all amounts including, without limitation, Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the dates and in the manner required under the Registration
Rights Agreement.

        SECTION 3.2.  Offices for Notices and Payments, Etc.

        So long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Company will
maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency
where the Securities may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the
Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in
this Indenture provided and an office or agency where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be
served. The Company will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of
any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Until otherwise
designated from time to time by the Company in a notice to the Trustee, any such
office or agency for all of the above purposes shall be the Principal Office of
the Trustee. In case the Company shall fail to maintain any such office or
agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or shall fail to give
such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof,
presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the Principal
Office of the Trustee.

        In addition to any such office or agency, the Company may from time to
time designate one or more offices or agencies outside the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, where the Securities may be presented for payment,
registration of transfer and for exchange in the manner provided in this
Indenture, and the Company may from time to time rescind such designation, as
the Company may deem desirable or expedient; provided, however, that no such
designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its
obligation to maintain any such office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, for


                                             20

the purposes above mentioned. The Company will give to the Trustee prompt
written notice of any such designation or rescission thereof.

        SECTION 3.3.  Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office.

        The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office
of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so
that at all times there shall be a Trustee hereunder.

        SECTION 3.4.  Provision as to Paying Agent.

        (a) If the Company shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee
with respect to the Securities, it will cause such paying agent to execute and
deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the
Trustee, subject to the provision of this Section 3.4,

               (1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the
payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities
(whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor
on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the
Securities;

               (2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the
Company (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the
principal of and premium or interest on the Securities when the same shall be
due and payable; and

               (3) that it will at any time during the continuance of any such
failure, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee
all sums so held in trust by it as such paying agent.

        (b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or
before each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the
Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the
holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or
interest so becoming due and will notify the Trustee of its action or any
failure to take such action and of any failure by the Company (or by any other
obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and
premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due
and payable.

               Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents, it
will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of and premium, if any, or
interest on any Securities, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay
the principal of and premium, if any, or interest so becoming due, such sum to
be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless
such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee
of its action or failure to act.


                                             21

        (c) Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Company may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and
discharge with respect to the Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay
or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by
the Trustee or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.4, such
sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

        (d) Anything in this Section 3.4 to the contrary notwithstanding, the
agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.4 is subject to
Sections 11.3 and 11.4.

        SECTION 3.5.  Certificate to Trustee.

        The Company will deliver to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the
end of each fiscal year in each year, commencing with the first fiscal year
ending after the date hereof, so long as Securities are outstanding hereunder,
an Officers' Certificate, one of the signers of which shall be the principal
executive, principal financial or principal accounting officer of the Company
stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as
officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any default by the
Company in the performance of any covenants contained herein, stating whether or
not they have knowledge of any such default and, if so, specifying each such
default of which the signers have knowledge and the nature thereof.

        SECTION 3.6.  Compliance with Consolidation Provisions.

        The Company will not, while any of the Securities remain outstanding,
consolidate with, or merge into, or merge into itself, or sell or convey all or
substantially all of its property to any other Person unless the provisions of
Article X hereof are complied with.

        SECTION 3.7.  Limitation on Dividends.

        If at any time (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing (other than solely an Event of Default under Section 5.1(c) hereof),
(ii) there shall have occurred any event of which the Company has actual
knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or
both, would constitute an Event of Default (other than solely an Event of
Default under Section 5.1(c) hereof) and (b) in respect of which the Company
shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure, (iii) if the Securities are held
by the Property Trustee, the Company shall be in default with respect to its
payment obligations under the Capital Securities Guarantee or (iv) the Company
shall have given notice of its election of the exercise of its right to extend
the interest payment period pursuant to Section 16.1 and any such extension
shall be continuing, then, in each such case, the Company will not (i) declare
or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make
a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which
includes common and preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of principal,
interest or premium, if any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt
securities of the Company (including any Other Debentures)


                                             22

that rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities or
(iii) make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company
of any securities of any Subsidiary of the Company (including Other Guarantees)
if such guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment to the
Securities (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options,
warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock of the
Company; (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation
of a stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in
the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto;
(c) payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee; (d) as a direct result of,
and only to the extent required in order to avoid the issuance of fractional
shares of capital stock following a reclassification of the Company's capital
stock or the exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Company's
capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock; (e)
the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock
pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the
security being converted or exchanged; and (f) purchases of Common Stock related
to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the Company's benefit
plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the Company's dividend
reinvestment plans).

        SECTION 3.8.  Covenants as to Imperial Capital Trust.

        In the event Securities are issued to Imperial Capital Trust or a
trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by
Imperial Capital Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities remain outstanding,
the Company will (i) maintain 100% direct ownership of the Common Securities of
Imperial Capital Trust; provided, however, that any successor of the Company,
permitted pursuant to Article X, may succeed to the Company's ownership of such
Common Securities, (ii) use its reasonable efforts to cause Imperial Capital
Trust (a) to remain a business trust, except in connection with a distribution
of Securities, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of Imperial Capital
Trust or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by
the Declaration of Imperial Capital Trust, and (b) to otherwise continue to be
treated as a grantor trust and not an association taxable as a corporation for
United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use its reasonable
efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an
individual beneficial interest in the Securities.

        SECTION 3.9.  Payment of Expenses.

        In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the Securities to
the Imperial Capital Trust and in connection with the sale of the Trust
Securities by the Imperial Capital Trust, the Company, in its capacity as
borrower with respect to the Securities, shall:

        (a) pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and
issuance of the Securities, including commissions to the initial purchasers
payable pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, fees and expenses in connection with
any exchange offer or other action to be


                                             23

taken pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and compensation of the
Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.6;

        (b) pay all costs and expenses of the Imperial Capital Trust (including,
but not limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of the
Imperial Capital Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities
(including commissions to the initial purchasers in connection therewith), the
fees and expenses of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the costs
and expenses relating to the operation of the Imperial Capital Trust, including
without limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or
bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and computing or
accounting equipment, paying agent(s), registrar(s), transfer agent(s),
duplicating, travel and telephone and other telecommunications expenses and
costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing and
disposition of assets of the Imperial Capital Trust;

        (c) be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification obligations
arising with respect to the Declaration;

        (d) pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes
attributable to the Imperial Capital Trust or its assets) and all liabilities,
costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Imperial Capital Trust; and

        (e) pay all other fees, expenses, debts and obligations (other than
payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Trust Securities)
related to Imperial Capital Trust.

        SECTION 3.10.  Payment Upon Resignation or Removal.

        Upon termination of this Indenture or the removal or resignation of the
Trustee, unless otherwise stated, the Company shall pay to the Trustee all
amounts accrued and owing to the date of such termination, removal or
resignation. Upon termination of the Declaration or the removal or resignation
of the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the case may be, pursuant to
Section 5.7 of the Declaration, the Company shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or
the Property Trustee, as the case may be, all amounts accrued and owing to the
date of such termination, removal or resignation.



                                             24

                                   ARTICLE IV

                    SECURITYHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE
                                   COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE

        SECTION 4.1.  Securityholders' Lists.

        The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be
furnished to the Trustee:

        (a) on a semi-annual basis on each regular record date for the
Securities in connection with the payment of interest thereon, a list, in such
form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Securityholders as of such record date; and

        (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company, of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished,

        except that, no such lists need be furnished so long as the Trustee is
in possession thereof by reason of its acting as Security registrar.

        SECTION 4.2.  Preservation and Disclosure of Lists.

        (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of the
Securities (1) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in
Section 4.1 or (2) received by it in the capacity of Securities registrar (if so
acting) hereunder. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided
in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

        (b) In case three or more holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to
as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee
reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of
at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application
states that the applicants desire to communicate with other holders of
Securities or with holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under
this Indenture and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other
communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall
within 5 Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election,
either:

               (1) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at
the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of
this Section 4.2, or



                                             25

               (2) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of
holders of all Securities, whose names and addresses appear in the information
preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to
such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified
in such application.

        If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such
information, the Trustee, upon the written request of such applicants, shall
mail to each Securityholder whose name and address appear in the information
preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other
communication which is specified in such request with reasonable promptness
after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or
provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within
five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file
with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a
written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such
mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the holders of Securities of
such series or all Securities, as the case may be, or would be in violation of
applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion.
If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified
in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any
of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of
such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for
hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an
order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such
Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the
renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any
obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

        (c) Each and every holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the
same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the
Trustee nor any paying agent shall be held accountable by reason of the
disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the holders
of Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this
Section 4.2, regardless of the source from which such information was derived,
and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any
material pursuant to a request made under said subsection (b).

        SECTION 4.3.  Reports by Company.

        (a) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee, within 15
days after the date on which the Company is required to file the same with the
Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and
other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as said
Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the
Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file
information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then to
file with the


                                             26

Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed
from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic
information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13
of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national
securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and
regulations.

        (b) The Company covenants and agrees to file with the Trustee and the
Commission, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to
time by said Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with
respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided
for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and
regulations.

        (c) The Company covenants and agrees to transmit by mail to all holders
of Securities, as the names and addresses of such holders appear upon the
Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee,
such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by
the Company pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4.3 as may be
required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the
Commission.

        (d) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee
is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not
constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or
determinable from information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

        (e) So long as is required for an offer or sale of the Securities to
qualify for an exemption under Rule 144A under the Securities Act, the Company
shall, upon request, provide the information required by clause (d)(4)
thereunder to each Holder and to each beneficial owner and prospective purchaser
of Securities identified by any holder of Restricted Securities, unless such
information is furnished to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act.

        SECTION 4.4.  Reports by the Trustee.

        (a) The Trustee shall transmit to Securityholders such reports
concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided
pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the
Trustee, within sixty days after each March 15 following the date of this
Indenture, commencing March 15, 1998, shall deliver to Securityholders a brief
report, dated as of such March 15, which complies with the provisions of such
Section 313(a).

        (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission
to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any,
upon which the


                                             27

Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company
will promptly notify the Trustee if the Securities are listed on any stock
exchange.

                                    ARTICLE V

                   REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS
                               ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

        SECTION 5.1.  Events of Default.

        One or more of the following events of default shall constitute an Event
of Default hereunder (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether
it shall be voluntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any
judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body):

        (a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security or any
Other Debentures when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such
default for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an
interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms hereof shall
not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; or

        (b) default in the payment of all or any part of the principal of (or
premium, if any, on) any Security or any Other Debentures as and when the same
shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration
or otherwise; or

        (c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty
of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in
whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically
dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days
after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by
the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities a written notice
specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating
that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

        (d) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or
order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in
effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator (or similar official) of the Company or for any substantial part of
its property, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs and such
decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 90
consecutive days; or

        (e) the Company shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, shall
consent to the entry of an


                                             28

order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to
the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or
of any substantial part of its property, or shall make any general assignment
for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they
become due.

        If an Event of Default with respect to Securities at the time
outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding may declare the principal amount of all Securities to be due
and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the
Trustee if given by the holders of the outstanding Securities), and upon any
such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

        The foregoing provisions, however, are subject to the condition that if,
at any time after the principal of the Securities shall have been so declared
due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys
due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, (i) the Company
shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all
matured installments of interest upon all the Securities and the principal of
and premium, if any, on any and all Securities which shall have become due
otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium,
if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under
applicable law, on overdue installments of interest, at the same rate as the
rate of interest specified in the Securities to the date of such payment or
deposit) and (B) such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable
compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective
agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred,
and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a
result of negligence or bad faith, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under
the Indenture, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities
which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall
have been cured, waived or otherwise remedied as provided herein, then, in every
such case, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding, by written notice to the Company and to the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences, but no
such waiver or rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any
subsequent default or shall impair any right consequent thereon.

        In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this
Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because
of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been
determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Company,
the Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall be restored respectively to
their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and
powers of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall
continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.



                                             29

        SECTION 5.2.  Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor.

        The Company covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the
payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities as and when
the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for
a period of 30 days, or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, on any of the Securities as and when the same
shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Securities or upon
redemption or by declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the
Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the
Securities, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all
such Securities for principal and premium, if any, or interest, or both, as the
case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and premium, if any, and
(to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law
and, if the Securities are held by Imperial Capital Trust or a trustee of such
trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by Imperial Capital Trust
or a trustee in respect thereof) upon the overdue installments of interest at
the rate borne by the Securities; and, in addition thereto, such further amount
as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including
a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and
any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee hereunder other than through
its negligence or bad faith.

        In case the Company shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such
demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall
be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in
equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any
such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such
judgment or final decree against the Company or any other obligor on the
Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the
Company or any other obligor on the Securities wherever situated the moneys
adjudged or decreed to be payable.

        In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the
reorganization of the Company or any other obligor on the Securities under Title
11, United States Code, or any other applicable law, or in case a receiver or
trustee shall have been appointed for the property of the Company or such other
obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to
the Company or other obligor upon the Securities, or to the creditors or
property of the Company or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of
whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein
expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee
shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to
file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest
owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and, in case of any judicial
proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may
be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including
any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor
Trustee, and their respective agents,


                                             30

attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities
incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee,
except as a result of negligence or bad faith) and of the Securityholders
allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Company or any other
obligor on the Securities, or to the creditors or property of the Company or
such other obligor, unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote
on behalf of the holders of the Securities in any election of a trustee or a
standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy
or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar functions in comparable
proceedings, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction
of its charges and expenses; and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy
or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make
such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent
to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the
Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to
the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and
counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made,
by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee except as a result of negligence or
bad faith.

        Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any
plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

        All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or
under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the
possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof on any trial or
other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by
the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and
any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the
Securities.

        In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings
involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the
Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders
of the Securities, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of the
Securities parties to any such proceedings.

        SECTION 5.3.  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee.

        Any moneys collected by the Trustee shall be applied in the order
following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of
such moneys, upon presentation of the Securities in respect of which moneys have
been collected, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and
upon surrender thereof if fully paid:



                                             31


        First: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection applicable to
the Securities and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys
and counsel, and of all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all
advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith;

        Second: To the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company if and
to the extent required by Article XV;

        Third: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities
for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities, in
respect of which or for the benefit of which money has been collected, ratably,
without preference of priority of any kind, according to the amounts due on such
Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

        Fourth:  To the Company.

        SECTION 5.4.  Proceedings by Securityholders.

        No holder of any Security shall have any right by virtue of or by
availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or
proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture
or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy
hereunder, unless such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written
notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the
Securities specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided, and
unless also the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of
the Securities then outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee
to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee
hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it
may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein
or thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
request and offer of indemnity shall have failed to institute any such action,
suit or proceeding, it being understood and intended, and being expressly
covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other taker and
holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have any
right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other holder of
Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any
other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the
manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all
holders of Securities.

        Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the
right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on such Security, on or after the same shall have
become due and payable, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder
and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and


                                             32

covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security with every other such taker
and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities shall have
any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of
this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any
other Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to
any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all
holders of Securities. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of
this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to
such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

        The Company and the Trustee acknowledge that pursuant to the
Declaration, the holders of Capital Securities are entitled, in the
circumstances and subject to the limitations set forth therein, to commence a
Direct Action with respect to any Event of Default under this Indenture and the
Securities.

        SECTION 5.5.  Proceedings by Trustee.

        In case an Event of Default occurs with respect to Securities and is
continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the
rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings
as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such
rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceeding in
bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or
agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right
vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.

        SECTION 5.6.  Remedies Cumulative and Continuing.

        Except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 2.8, all powers and
remedies given by this Article V to the Trustee or to the Securityholders, to
the extent permitted by law, shall be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any
other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the
Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or
observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or
otherwise established with respect to the Securities, and no delay or omission
of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right
or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as
aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a
waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the
provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article V or by
law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time,
and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the
Securityholders.



                                             33

        SECTION 5.7. Direction of Proceedings and Waiver of Defaults by Majority
of Securityholders.

        The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding shall have the right to direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided,
however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have
the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, upon the
advice of counsel, shall determine that the action so directed would be unjustly
prejudicial to the holders not taking part in such direction or if the Trustee
being advised by counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed
may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee, in good faith, by its board of
directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors or
trustees and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or
proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior
to any declaration accelerating the maturity of the Securities, the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding
may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities waive any past default or
Event of Default and its consequences except a default (a) in the payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities or (b) in
respect of covenants or provisions hereof which cannot be modified or amended
without the consent of the holder of each Security affected; provided, however,
that if the Securities are held by the Property Trustee, such waiver or
modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a
majority in aggregate liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have
consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver; and provided further,
that if the consent of the holder of each outstanding Security is required, such
waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities shall
have consented to such waiver. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby
shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company,
the Trustee and the holders of the Securities shall be restored to their former
positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to
any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever
any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by
this Section 5.7, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the
Securities and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not
continuing.

        SECTION 5.8.  Notice of Defaults.

        The Trustee, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with
respect to the Securities, shall mail to all Securityholders, as the names and
addresses of such holders appear upon the Security register, notice of all
defaults known to the Trustee, unless such defaults shall have been cured before
the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purpose of this Section
5.8 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c),
(d) and (e) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for
therein, and irrespective of the giving of written notice specified in clause
(c) of Section 5.1); and provided that, except in the case of default in the
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any


                                             34

of the Securities, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if
and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Securityholders; and provided further, that in the case of any default of the
character specified in Section 5.1(c) no such notice to Securityholders shall be
given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof but shall be given
within 90 days after such occurrence.

        SECTION 5.9.  Undertaking to Pay Costs.

        All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Security by
his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court in its
discretion may require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy
under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or
omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its
discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the
merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but
the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the
Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of
Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any
Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on any Security against the Company on or after the
same shall have become due and payable.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                             CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

        SECTION 6.1.  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.

        With respect to the holders of the Securities issued hereunder, the
Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or
waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform
such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or
waived) the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as
a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of
his own affairs.

        No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee
from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or
its own willful misconduct, except that



                                             35

        (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing
or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred

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

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

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

        (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it in good faith, in accordance with the direction of the
Securityholders pursuant to Section 5.7, relating to the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;
and

        (d) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the
Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if there is reasonable ground for believing that the
repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the
terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not
reasonably assured to it.

        SECTION 6.2.  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, Etc.

        Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1:

        (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, note, debenture or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper party or parties;



                                             36

        (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned
herein may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate (unless other
evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any Board
Resolution may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

        (c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice
or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken or suffered omitted by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;

        (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or
direction of any of the Securityholders, pursuant to the provisions of this
Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which may be incurred therein or thereby;

        (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by
it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or
rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; nothing contained herein
shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise such of the
rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under
the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs;

        (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture,
coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Securities; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to
the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in
the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not
reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of
this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such
expense or liability as a condition to so proceeding; and

        (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents (including
any Authenticating Agent) or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible
for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney
appointed by it with due care.



                                             37

        SECTION 6.3.  No Responsibility for Recitals, Etc.

        The recitals contained herein and in the Securities (except in the
certificate of authentication of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent) shall
be taken as the statements of the Company and the Trustee and the Authenticating
Agent assume no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee and
the Authenticating Agent make no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee and the
Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of any Securities or the proceeds of any Securities authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent in conformity with the
provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of
any default or Event of Default under Section 5.1(a) or (b) relating to Other
Debentures unless (i) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee assigned to its
Principal Office shall have actual knowledge thereof or (ii) the Company, any
Securityholder or the holder of any Other Debenture shall have given the Trustee
written notice thereof in accordance with Section 13.4.

        SECTION 6.4. Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agents, Transfer
Agents or Registrar May Own Securities.

        The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent or any paying agent or any
transfer agent or any Security registrar, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, paying agent, transfer
agent or Security registrar.

        SECTION 6.5.  Moneys to be Held in Trust.

        Subject to the provisions of Section 11.4, all moneys received by the
Trustee or any paying agent, until used or applied as herein provided, shall be
held in trust for the purpose for which they were received, but need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee
and any paying agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money
received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.
So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all
interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time upon the
written order of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
the President or a Vice President or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of
the Company.

        SECTION 6.6.  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.

        The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to
time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed
to in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by
any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for
all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or


                                             38

made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture
(including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its
counsel and of all persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense,
disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The
Company also covenants to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor
Trustee (and its officers, agents, directors and employees) for, and to hold it
harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense
including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred
without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the
costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the
premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 6.6 to compensate
and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses,
disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder.
Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the
Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such,
except funds held in trust for the benefit of the holders of particular
Securities.

        Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under
applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in
connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(d) or Section
5.1(e), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its
counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute
expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or other similar law.

        The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this
Indenture.

        SECTION 6.7.  Officers' Certificate as Evidence.

        Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the
administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it
necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or
omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect
thereof is herein specifically prescribed), in the absence of negligence or bad
faith on the part of the Trustee, may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such
certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the
Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.

        SECTION 6.8.  Conflicting Interest of Trustee.

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


                                             39

        SECTION 6.9.  Eligibility of Trustee.

        The Trustee hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or
territory thereof or of the District of Columbia or a corporation or other
Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission authorized under such laws
to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at
least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000) and subject to supervision or
examination by federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If
such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to
law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority,
then for the purposes of this Section 6.9 the combined capital and surplus of
such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set
forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

        The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as
Trustee.

        In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 6.9, the Trustee shall resign immediately in
the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10.

        SECTION 6.10.  Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

        (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at
any time resign by giving written notice of such resignation to the Company and
by mailing notice thereof to the holders of the Securities at their addresses as
they shall appear on the Security register. Upon receiving such notice of
resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees
by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of which instrument shall be
delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no
successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment
within 60 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the
Securityholders, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder
who has been a bona fide holder of a Security for at least six months may,
subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others
similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor
trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem
proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.

        (b)    In case at any time any of the following shall occur,

               (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of
Section 6.8 after written request therefor by the Company or by any
Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for
at least six months, or



                                             40

               (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request
therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder, or

               (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be
adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its
property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control
of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
conservation or liquidation,

               then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and
appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, one copy of
which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to
the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any
Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security for at least six
months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the
appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice,
if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a
successor trustee.

        (c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee and
nominate a successor trustee, which shall be deemed appointed as successor
trustee unless within 10 days after such nomination the Company objects thereto
or if no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted
appointment within 30 days after such removal, in which case the Trustee so
removed or any Securityholder, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in
subsection (a) of this Section 6.10 provided, may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor trustee.

        (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall
become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as
provided in Section 6.11.

        SECTION 6.11.  Acceptance by Successor Trustee.

        Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor trustee
an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring trustee shall become effective and such
successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become
vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee herein; but,
nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor trustee,
the trustee ceasing to act, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to
the provisions of Section 6.6, shall execute and deliver an instrument
transferring to such successor trustee all the rights and powers of the trustee
so ceasing to act and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
trustee all property


                                             41

and money held by such retiring trustee thereunder. Upon request of any such
successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing
for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee
all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act, nevertheless, shall
retain a lien upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to
secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6.

        No successor trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this
Section 6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall
be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the
provisions of Section 6.9.

        Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in
this Section 6.11, the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such
trustee hereunder to the holders of Securities at their addresses as they shall
appear on the Security register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within
10 days after the acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the
successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the
Company.

        SECTION 6.12.  Succession by Merger, Etc.

        Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without
the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of
the parties hereto.

        In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the
trusts created by this Indenture any Securities shall have been authenticated
but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate
of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so
authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have
been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such
Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the
successor trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full
force which the Securities or this Indenture elsewhere provides that the
certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to
adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or
authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only
to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

        SECTION 6.13.  Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor.

        The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act,
excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act. A Trustee who


                                             42

has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust
Indenture Act to the extent included therein.

        SECTION 6.14.  Authenticating Agents.

        There may be one or more Authenticating Agents appointed by the Trustee
upon the request of the Company with power to act on its behalf and subject to
its direction in the authentication and delivery of Securities issued upon
exchange or transfer thereof as fully to all intents and purposes as though any
such Authenticating Agent had been expressly authorized to authenticate and
deliver Securities; provided, that the Trustee shall have no liability to the
Company for any acts or omissions of the Authenticating Agent with respect to
the authentication and delivery of Securities. Any such Authenticating Agent
shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws
of the United States or of any state or territory thereof or of the District of
Columbia authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a
combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000 and being subject to
supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of
Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least
annually pursuant to law or the requirements of such authority, then for the
purposes of this Section 6.14 the combined capital and surplus of such
corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth
in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with
the effect herein specified in this Section.

        Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of
the corporate trust business of any Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor
of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, if such successor corporation is
otherwise eligible under this Section 6.14 without the execution or filing of
any paper or any further act on the part of the parties hereto or such
Authenticating Agent.

        Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice
of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time
terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of
termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such
a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible under this Section 6.14, the
Trustee may, and upon the request of the Company shall, promptly appoint a
successor Authenticating Agent eligible under this Section 6.14, shall give
written notice of such appointment to the Company and shall mail notice of such
appointment to all Securityholders as the names and addresses of such holders
appear on the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon
acceptance of its appointment hereunder


                                             43

shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of its
predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating
Agent herein.

        The Company agrees to pay to any Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services. Any Authenticating Agent shall have no
responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such in accordance
with the directions of the Trustee.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                         CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS

        SECTION 7.1.  Action by Securityholders.

        Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a
specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities may take
any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any
notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at
the time of taking any such action the holders of such specified percentage have
joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of
instruments of similar tenor executed by such Securityholders in person or by
agent or proxy appointed in writing, or (b) by the record of such holders of
Securities voting in favor thereof at any meeting of such Securityholders duly
called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article VIII, or (c) by a
combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a
meeting of such Securityholders.

        If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the
Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers' Certificate, fix in
advance a record date for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action or to revoke any such action, but the Company shall have no obligation to
do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization,
direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action or revocation may be given
before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the
close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for
the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion
of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of
the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or
consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective
unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture
not later than six months after the record date.



                                             44

        SECTION 7.2.  Proof of Execution by Securityholders.

        Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, 6.2 and 8.5, proof of the
execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy shall be
sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as
may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to
the Trustee. The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register or by a certificate of the Security registrar. The Trustee may require
such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem
necessary.

        The record of any Securityholders' meeting shall be proved in the manner
provided in Section 8.6.

        SECTION 7.3.  Who Are Deemed Absolute Owners.

        Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security,
the Company, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any paying agent, any
transfer agent and any Security registrar may deem the person in whose name such
Security shall be registered upon the Security Register to be, and may treat him
as, the owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue)
for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and
premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.6) interest on such Security and for
all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
Authenticating Agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any
Security registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such
payments so made to any holder for the time being or upon his order shall be
valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and
discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

        SECTION 7.4.  Securities Owned by Company Deemed Not Outstanding.

        In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal
amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under
this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Company or any other obligor
on the Securities or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any
other obligor on the Securities shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding for the purpose of any such determination; provided that for the
purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any
such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee actually
knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been
pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding for the purposes of this
Section 7.4 if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee
the pledgee's right to vote such Securities and that the pledgee is not the
Company or any such other obligor or person directly or indirectly controlling
or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or
any such other obligor. In the case of a dispute as to such right, any decision
by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the
Trustee.


                                             45

        SECTION 7.5.  Revocation of Consents; Future Holders Bound.

        At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as
provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the holders of the
percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities specified in this
Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security (or any
Security issued in whole or in part in exchange or substitution therefor),
subject to Section 7.1, the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to
be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action
may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its Principal Office and upon
proof of holding as provided in Section 7.2, revoke such action so far as
concerns such Security (or so far as concerns the principal amount represented
by any exchanged or substituted Security). Except as aforesaid any such action
taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such
holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any
Security issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or
not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security or any Security
issued in exchange or substitution therefor.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            SECURITYHOLDERS' MEETINGS

        SECTION 8.1.  Purposes of Meetings.

        A meeting of Securityholders may be called at any time and from time to
time pursuant to the provisions of this Article VIII for any of the following
purposes:

        (a) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee, or to give any
directions to the Trustee, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder
and its consequences, or to take any other action authorized to be taken by
Securityholders pursuant to any of the provisions of Article V;

        (b) to remove the Trustee and nominate a successor trustee pursuant to
the provisions of Article VI;

        (c) to consent to the execution of an indenture or indentures
supplemental hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.2; or

        (d) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of
the holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of such Securities under
any other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.



                                             46

        SECTION 8.2.  Call of Meetings by Trustee.

        The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Securityholders to take
any action specified in Section 8.1, to be held at such time and at such place
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Trustee shall
determine. Notice of every meeting of the Securityholders, setting forth the
time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to
be taken at such meeting, shall be mailed to holders of Securities at their
addresses as they shall appear on the Securities Register. Such notice shall be
mailed not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the
meeting.

        SECTION 8.3.  Call of Meetings by Company or Securityholders.

        In case at any time the Company pursuant to a resolution of the Board of
Directors, or the holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding, shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting
of Securityholders, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the
action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have
mailed the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request,
then the Company or such Securityholders may determine the time and the place in
said Borough of Manhattan for such meeting and may call such meeting to take any
action authorized in Section 8.1, by mailing notice thereof as provided in
Section 8.2.

        SECTION 8.4.  Qualifications for Voting.

        To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Securityholders a person shall
(a) be a holder of one or more Securities or (b) be a person appointed by an
instrument in writing as proxy by a holder of one or more Securities. The only
persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of
Securityholders shall be the persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their
counsel and any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any
representatives of the Company and its counsel.

        SECTION 8.5.  Regulations.

        Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may
make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of
Securityholders, in regard to proof of the holding of Securities and of the
appointment of proxies, and in regard to the appointment and duties of
inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and
other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the
conduct of the meeting as it shall think fit.

        The Trustee, by an instrument in writing, shall appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Securityholders as provided in Section 8.3, in which case the
Company or the Securityholders calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in
like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent


                                             47

chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by majority 
vote of the meeting.

        Subject to the provisions of Section 8.4, at any meeting each holder of
Securities or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount of Securities held or represented by him; provided, however,
that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security
challenged as not outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not
outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote other than
by virtue of Securities held by him or instruments in writing as aforesaid duly
designating him as the person to vote on behalf of other Securityholders. Any
meeting of Securityholders duly called pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.2
or 8.3 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of those present,
whether or not constituting a quorum, and the meeting may be held as so
adjourned without further notice.

        The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding Securities shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of holders of
Securities; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting
with respect to a consent, waiver, request, demand, notice, authorization,
direction or other action which may be given by the holders of not less than a
specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities, the
Persons holding or representing such specified percentage in principal amount of
the outstanding Securities will constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum
within 30 minutes of the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting, if
convened at the request of holders of Securities, shall be dissolved. In any
other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as
determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such
meeting. In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such
adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days
as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such
adjourned meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be
given as provided in Section 8.2, except that such notice need be given only
once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled
to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned meeting shall state
expressly the percentage, as provided above, of the principal amount of the
outstanding Securities which shall constitute a quorum.

        Except as limited by the first proviso to the first paragraph of Section
9.2, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened
at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities;
provided, however, that, except as limited by the first proviso to the first
paragraph of Section 9.2, any resolution with respect to any consent, waiver,
request, demand, notice, authorization, direction or other action which this
Indenture expressly provides may be given by the holders of not less than a
specified percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may be
adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a
quorum is present as aforesaid only by the


                                             48

affirmative vote of the holders of not less than such specified percentage in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities.

        Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of
Securities duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the
holders of Securities whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

        SECTION 8.6.  Voting.

        The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of holders of
Securities shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the
signatures of such holders or of their representatives by proxy and the serial
number or numbers of the Securities held or represented by them. The permanent
chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count
all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make
and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in
triplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the
proceedings of each meeting of Securityholders shall be prepared by the
secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original
reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and
affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a
copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was mailed as
provided in Section 8.2. The record shall show the serial numbers of the
Securities voting in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be
signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of
the meeting and one of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the
other to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached
thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. The holders of the Series A
Securities, the Series B Securities and the Private Exchange Debentures shall
vote or consent for all purposes as a single class.

        Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                   AMENDMENTS

        SECTION 9.1.  Without Consent of Securityholders.

        The Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time amend
the Indenture, without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of
the following purposes:



                                             49

        (a) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Company, or
successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the
covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company pursuant to Article X
hereof;

        (b) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants,
restrictions or conditions for the protection of the Securityholders as the
Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of
the Securityholders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and
continuance, of a default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions or
conditions a default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or
any of the remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided,
however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction or
condition such amendment may provide for a particular period of grace after
default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of
other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or
may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default;

        (c) to provide for the issuance under this Indenture of Securities in
coupon form (including Securities registrable as to principal only) and to
provide for exchangeability of such Securities with the Securities issued
hereunder in fully registered form and to make all appropriate changes for such
purpose;

        (d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision
contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or
inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental
indenture, or to enable the Company and Imperial Capital Trust to conduct an
Exchange Offer as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, or to make
such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this
Indenture; provided that any such action shall not materially adversely affect
the interests of the holders of the Securities;

        (e) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder
by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities;

        (f) to make provision for transfer procedures, certification, book-entry
provisions, the form of restricted securities legends, if any, to be placed on
Securities, minimum denominations and all other matters required pursuant to
Section 2.7 or otherwise necessary, desirable or appropriate in connection with
the issuance of Securities to holders of Capital Securities in the event of a
distribution of Securities by Imperial Capital Trust following a Dissolution
Event;

        (g) to qualify or maintain qualification of this Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act; or

        (h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Securityholder in any material respect.


                                             50

        The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the
execution of any supplemental indenture to effect such amendment, to make any
further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained
and to accept the conveyance, transfer and assignment of any property
thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to, but may in its
discretion, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

        Any amendment to the Indenture authorized by the provisions of this
Section 9.1 may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent
of the holders of any of the Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding
any of the provisions of Section 9.2.

        SECTION 9.2.  With Consent of Securityholders.

        With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 7.1) of the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time
outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee
may from time to time and at any time amend the Indenture for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
holders of the Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall
without the consent of the holders of each Security then outstanding and
affected thereby (i) extend the Maturity Date of any Security, or reduce the
rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (except as contemplated
by Article XVI), or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce any amount
payable on redemption thereof, or make the principal thereof or any interest or
premium thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the
Securities, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute
suit for payment thereof, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities
the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment to the
Indenture, provided, however, that if the Securities are held by Imperial
Capital Trust, such amendment shall not be effective until the holders of a
majority in liquidation amount of Trust Securities shall have consented to such
amendment; and provided, further, that if the consent of the holder of each
outstanding Security is required, such amendment shall not be effective until
each holder of the Trust Securities shall have consented to such amendment.

        Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a copy of a Board
Resolution authorizing the execution of any supplemental indenture affecting
such amendment, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent
of Securityholders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the
execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture
affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or
otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.

        Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Trustee
shall transmit by mail, first


                                             51

class postage prepaid, a notice, prepared by the Company, setting forth in
general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the
Securityholders as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register.
Any failure of the Trustee to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall
not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental
indenture.

        It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under
this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental
indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the
substance thereof.

        SECTION 9.3. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act; Effect of Supplemental
Indentures.

        Any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the provisions of this
Article IX shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act. Upon the execution of any
supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this
Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance
therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties
and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders
of Securities shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder
subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments and all the terms
and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be
part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

        SECTION 9.4.  Notation on Securities.

        Securities authenticated and delivered after the execution of any
supplemental indenture affecting such series pursuant to the provisions of this
Article IX may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company or the Trustee shall
so determine, new Securities so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture
contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the
Company, authenticated by the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent and delivered
in exchange for the Securities then outstanding.

        SECTION 9.5. Evidence of Compliance of Supplemental Indenture to be
Furnished to the Trustee.

        The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may
receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive
evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant hereto complies with
the requirements of this Article IX.

        The Trustee may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence
that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized
or permitted by, and


                                             52

conforms to, the terms of this Article and that it is proper for the Trustee
under the provisions of this Article to join in the execution thereof.

                                   ARTICLE X

               CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, CONVEYANCE AND LEASE

        SECTION 10.1.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms.

        Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall
prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person
(whether or not affiliated with the Company, as the case may be), or successive
consolidations or mergers in which the Company, or its successor or successors,
as the case may be, shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale,
conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Company, or its successor
or successors, as the case may be, as an entirety, or substantially as an
entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company, or
its successor or successors, as the case may be) authorized to acquire and
operate the same; provided, that (a) the Company is the surviving Person, or the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of property is
made is a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and (b) upon any such
consolidation or merger in which the Company is not the surviving Person or any
such sale, conveyance, transfer or lease of the property of the Company as an
entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person, the due and
punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the
Securities according to their tenor and the due and punctual performance and
observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or
performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture
(which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in
effect) satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the
Trustee by the Person formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company
shall have been merged, or by the Person which shall have acquired such
property, as the case may be, and (c) after giving effect to such consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.

        SECTION 10.2.  Successor Corporation to be Substituted for Company.

        In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer and
upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee,
of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and
observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be
performed or observed by the Company, such successor Person shall succeed to and
be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named
herein as the party


                                             53

of the first part, and the Company thereupon shall be relieved of any further
liability or obligation hereunder or upon the Securities. Such successor Person
thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the
name of Imperial Bancorp, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which
theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee or the Authenticating Agent; and, upon the order of such successor
Person instead of the Company and subject to all the terms, conditions and
limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee or the Authenticating
Agent shall authenticate and deliver any Securities which previously shall have
been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent for authentication, and any Securities which such successor
Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee or the
Authenticating Agent for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all
respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the
Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture as though all of such Indentures had been issued at the date of the
execution hereof.

        SECTION 10.3.  Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee.

        The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may
receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any consolidation,
merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or lease, and any assumption, permitted or
required by the terms of this Article X complies with the provisions of this
Article X. The Trustee is not obligated to receive such an opinion of counsel in
any case.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                     SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

        SECTION 11.1.  Discharge of Indenture.

        When (a) the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all
Securities theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities which shall have
been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced as provided in
Section 2.8) and not theretofore cancelled, or (b) all the Securities not
theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have
become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within
one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the
Company shall deposit with the Trustee, in trust, funds sufficient to pay on the
Maturity Date or upon redemption all of the Securities (other than any
Securities which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have
been replaced as provided in Section 2.8) not theretofore cancelled or delivered
to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and
interest due or to become due to the Maturity Date or redemption date, as the
case may be, but excluding, however, the amount of any moneys for the payment of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (1) theretofore
repaid to the Company in


                                             54

accordance with the provisions of Section 11.4, or (2) paid to any State or to
the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws, and
if in either case the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums
payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall cease to be of
further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.2, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 3.2,
3.4, 6.6, 6.10 and 11.4 hereof, which shall survive until such Securities shall
mature and be paid. Thereafter, Sections 6.6, 6.10 and 11.4 shall survive, and
the Trustee, on demand of the Company accompanied by any Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company, shall
execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this
Indenture; provided that the Company hereby agrees to reimburse the Trustee for
any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred by the Trustee
in connection with this Indenture or the Securities.

        SECTION 11.2. Deposited Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations to be
Held in Trust by Trustee.

        Subject to the provisions of Section 11.4, all moneys and U.S.
Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.1 or
11.5 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or
through any paying agent (including the Company if acting as its own paying
agent), to the holders of the particular Securities for the payment of which
such moneys or U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee,
of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal, premium, if any, and
interest.

        The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 11.5 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the holders of outstanding Securities.

        SECTION 11.3.  Paying Agent to Repay Moneys Held.

        Upon the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys then
held by any paying agent of the Securities (other than the Trustee), upon
written demand of the Company, shall be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee, and
thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with
respect to such moneys.

        SECTION 11.4.  Return of Unclaimed Moneys.

        Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on Securities and
not applied but remaining unclaimed by the holders of Securities for two years
after the date upon which the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
such Securities, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable, shall be
repaid to the Company by the Trustee or such paying agent on Company Request;
and the holder of any of the Securities shall thereafter look only to the
Company for


                                             55

any payment which such holder may be entitled to collect and all liability of
the Trustee or such paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon
cease.

        SECTION 11.5.  Defeasance Upon Deposit of Moneys or U.S. Government
Obligations.

        The Company shall be deemed to have been Discharged (as defined below)
from its obligations with respect to the Securities on the 91st day after the
conditions set forth below have been satisfied:

               (1) The Company shall have deposited or caused to be deposited
irrevocably with the Trustee or the Defeasance Agent (as defined below) as trust
funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to,
the benefit of the holders of the Securities (i) money in an amount, or (ii)
U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest and principal
in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than
one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a
combination of (i) and (ii), sufficient, in the opinion (with respect to (ii)
and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee and the
Defeasance Agent, if any, to pay and discharge each installment of principal of
and interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Securities on the dates
such installments of principal, interest or premium are due;

               (2) if the Securities are then listed on any national securities
exchange, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Defeasance
Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the exercise of the
option under this Section 11.5 would not cause such Securities to be delisted
from such exchange;

               (3) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities
shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

               (4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the
Defeasance Agent, if any, an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of
the Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes as a result of the exercise of the option under this Section
11.5 and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount
and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
option had not been exercised, and such opinion shall be based on a statute so
providing or be accompanied by a private letter ruling to that effect received
from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a revenue ruling pertaining
to a comparable form of transaction to that effect published by the United
States Internal Revenue Service; and

               (5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the
Defeasance Agent, if any, an Officers' Certificate stating that in the opinion
of the signers all conditions precedent provided for in this Section 11.5 have
been compiled with.


                                             56

        "Discharged" means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations under, the
Securities and to have satisfied all the obligations under this Indenture
relating to the Securities (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except (A) the rights
of holders of Securities to receive, from the trust fund described in clause (1)
above, payment of the principal of and the interest and premium, if any, on the
Securities when such payments are due; (B) the Company's obligations with
respect to the Securities under Sections 2.2, 2.7, 2.8, 3.2, 3.4, 6.10 and 11.4;
and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder.

        "Defeasance Agent" means another financial institution which is eligible
to act as Trustee hereunder and which assumes all of the obligations of the
Trustee necessary to enable the Trustee to act under this Article. In the event
such a Defeasance Agent is appointed pursuant to this Section, the following
conditions shall apply:

        (1) The Trustee shall have approval rights over the document appointing
such Defeasance Agent and the document setting forth such Defeasance Agent's
rights and responsibilities; and

        (2) The Defeasance Agent shall provide verification to the Trustee
acknowledging receipt of sufficient money and/or U. S. Government Obligations to
meet the applicable conditions set forth in this Section 11.5.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                    IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,
                             OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

        SECTION 12.1.  Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.

        No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect
thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of
the Company in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of the creation of
any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator,
stockholder, officer or director, as such, past, present or future, of the
Company or of any successor Person to the Company, either directly or through
the Company or any successor Person to the Company, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or
penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is
hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration
for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.



                                             57

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

        SECTION 13.1.  Successors.

        All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this
Indenture contained by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns whether
so expressed or not.

        SECTION 13.2.  Official Acts by Successor Corporation.

        Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or
required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the
Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the
like board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be
the lawful sole successor of the Company.

        SECTION 13.3.  Surrender of Company Powers.

        The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of 2/3
(two-thirds) of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may
surrender any of the powers reserved to the Company, and thereupon such power so
surrendered shall terminate both as to the Company, as the case may be, and as
to any successor Person.

        SECTION 13.4.  Addresses for Notices, Etc.

        Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is
required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the holders of
Securities on the Company may be given or served by being deposited postage
prepaid by registered or certified mail in a post office letter box addressed
(until another address is filed by the Company with the Trustee for the purpose)
to the Company, 9920 South La Cienega Boulevard, 14th Floor, Inglewood,
California 90301, Attention: General Counsel. Any notice, direction, request or
demand by any Securityholder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been
sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the
office of the Trustee, 450 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001, Attention:
Corporate Trustee Administration Department (unless another address is provided
by the Trustee to the Company for the purpose).

        Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class
mail to his or her address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Failure
to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not
affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.



                                             58

        SECTION 13.5.  Governing Law.

        This Indenture and each Security shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of said State, without regard to
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

        SECTION 13.6.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.

        Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish
to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that in the opinion of the
signers all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of
Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent have been complied with.

        Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered
to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided
for in this Indenture (except pursuant to Section 3.5) shall include (1) a
statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such
covenant or condition; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in
such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of
such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to
enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or
condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether or not, in
the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

        SECTION 13.7.  Business Days.

        In any case where the date of payment of principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on the Securities will not be a Business Day, the payment of
such principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities need not be
made on such date but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, with the
same force and effect as if made on the date of payment and no interest shall
accrue for the period from and after such date.

        SECTION 13.8.  Trust Indenture Act to Control.

        If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits,
qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Sections 310 to 317,
inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.



                                             59

        SECTION 13.9.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

        The table of contents and the titles and headings of the articles and
sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only,
are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict
any of the terms or provisions hereof.

        SECTION 13.10.  Execution in Counterparts.

        This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but
one and the same instrument.

        SECTION 13.11.  Separability.

        In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or
in the Securities shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities,
but this Indenture and the Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

        SECTION 13.12.  Assignment.

        The Company will have the right at all times to assign any of its
respective rights or obligations under this Indenture to a direct or indirect
wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, in the event of any such
assignment, the Company will remain primarily liable for all its obligations.
Subject to the foregoing, the Indenture is binding upon and inures to the
benefit of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns. This
Indenture may not otherwise be assigned by the parties thereto.

        SECTION 13.13.  Acknowledgment of Rights.

        The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Securities held by
Imperial Capital Trust or a trustee of such trust, if the Property Trustee of
such Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the holder of the
Securities held as the assets of Imperial Capital Trust, any holder of Capital
Securities may institute, to the fullest extent permitted by law, legal
proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Property Trustee's
rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings
against such Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event
is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on the Securities when due, the Company acknowledges that a
holder of Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement
of payment to such holder of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on
the Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation
amount of the Capital Securities of such holder on or after the respective due
date specified in the Securities.


                                             60

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                    REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES -- MANDATORY AND
                             OPTIONAL SINKING FUND

        SECTION 14.1.  Special Event Redemption.

        If a Special Event has occurred and is continuing then, notwithstanding
Section 14.2(a) but subject to Section 14.2(c), the Company shall have the right
at any time prior to the Initial Optional Redemption Date, upon (i) not less
than 45 days written notice to the Trustee, which notice shall be accompanied by
an Officers' Certificate certifying that a Special Event entitling the Company
to redeem the Securities pursuant to this Section, has occurred and (ii) not
less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice to the Securityholders,
to redeem the Securities, in whole (but not in part), within 90 days following
the occurrence of such Special Event at the Special Event Redemption Price.
Following a Special Event, the Company shall take such action as is necessary to
promptly determine the Special Event Redemption Price, including without
limitation the appointment by the Company of a Quotation Agent. The Special
Event Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the
date of such redemption or such earlier time as the Company determines, provided
that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the
Special Event Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such
Special Event Prepayment Price is to be paid. The Company shall provide the
Trustee with written notice of the Special Event Redemption Price promptly after
the calculation thereof, which notice shall include any calculation made by the
Quotation Agent in connection with the determination of the Special Event
Redemption Price.

        SECTION 14.2.  Optional Redemption by Company.

        (a) Subject to the provisions of this Article XIV, including but not
limited to Section 14.2(c), the Company shall have the right to redeem the
Securities, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after the Initial
Optional Redemption Date at the optional redemption prices set forth below
(expressed as percentages of principal) plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon
(including Additional Interest and Compounded Interest, if any) to the
applicable date of redemption (the "Optional Redemption Price"): if redeemed
during the 12-month period beginning June 30 of the years indicated below.




                                             61


           Year                                         Percentage

           2007                                          105.113
           2008                                          104.601
           2009                                          104.090
           2010                                          103.579
           2011                                          103.068
           2012                                          102.556
           2013                                          102.045
           2014                                          101.534
           2015                                          101.023
           2016                                          100.511
           2017 and thereafter                           100.00

        If the Securities are only partially redeemed pursuant to this Section
14.2, the Securities will be redeemed by lot or by any other method utilized by
the Trustee; provided, that if at the time of redemption the Securities are
registered as a Global Security, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance
with its procedures, the principal amount of such Securities held for the
account of its participants to be redeemed. The Optional Redemption Price shall
be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date of such redemption or at
such earlier time as the Company determines, provided that the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Optional Redemption
Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such Optional Redemption Price
is to be paid.

        (b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 14.2, upon the entry
of an order for dissolution of the Imperial Capital Trust by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the Securities thereafter will be subject to optional
redemption, in whole only, but not in part, on or after June 30, 2007, at the
Optional Redemption Prices set forth in Section 14.2 and otherwise in accordance
with this Article XIV.

        (c) Any redemption of Securities pursuant to Section 14.1 or Section
14.2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Company of any required regulatory
approval, including but not limited to the approval of the Federal Reserve, if
then required.

        SECTION 14.3.  No Sinking Fund.

        The Securities are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.



                                             62

        SECTION 14.4.  Notice of Redemption; Selection of Securities.

        In case the Company shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all,
or, as the case may be, any part of the Securities in accordance with their
terms, it shall fix a date for redemption and shall mail a notice of such
redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
redemption to the holders of Securities so to be redeemed as a whole or in part
at their last addresses as the same appear on the Security Register. Such
mailing shall be by first class mail. The notice if mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice by
mail or any defect in the notice to the holder of any Security designated for
redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

        Each such notice of redemption shall specify the CUSIP number of the
Securities to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price
at which the Securities are to be redeemed (or the method by which such
redemption price is to be calculated), the place or places of payment, that
payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of the Securities, that
interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in
said notice, and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions
thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. If less than all the Securities are
to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the numbers of the
Securities to be redeemed. In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only,
the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof
to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption,
upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal
amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.

        By 10:00 a.m. New York time on the redemption date specified in the
notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company will deposit
with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents an amount of money sufficient
to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities so called for redemption at
the appropriate Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the date
fixed for redemption.

        The Company will give the Trustee notice not less than 45 days prior to
the redemption date as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be
redeemed and the Trustee shall select, in such manner as in its sole discretion
it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Securities or portions thereof (in
integral multiples of $1,000, except as otherwise set forth in the applicable
form of Security) to be redeemed.



                                             63

        SECTION 14.5.  Payment of Securities Called for Redemption.

        If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 14.4, the
Securities or portions of Securities with respect to which such notice has been
given shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated
in such notice at the applicable Redemption Price, together with interest
accrued to the date fixed for redemption (subject to the rights of holders of
Securities on the close of business on a regular record date in respect of an
Interest Payment Date occurring on or prior to the redemption date), and on and
after said date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such
Securities at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued to said date)
interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption
shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a
place of payment specified in said notice, the said Securities or the specified
portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable
Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for
redemption (subject to the rights of holders of Securities on the close of
business on a regular record date in respect of an Interest Payment Date
occurring on or prior to the redemption date).

        Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery
to the holder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security or
Securities of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

                                   ARTICLE XV

                           SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

        SECTION 15.1.  Agreement to Subordinate.

        The Company covenants and agrees, and each holder of Securities issued
hereunder likewise covenants and agrees, that the Securities shall be issued
subject to the provisions of this Article XV; and each holder of a Security,
whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and
agrees to be bound by such provisions.

        The payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on all Securities issued hereunder, to the extent and in the manner
hereinafter set forth, shall be subordinated and junior in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of all Allocable Amounts with respect to Senior
Indebtedness, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter
incurred.

        No provision of this Article XV shall prevent the occurrence of any
Default or Event of Default hereunder.



                                             64

        SECTION 15.2.  Default on Senior Indebtedness.

        In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company
in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any
Senior Indebtedness, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior
Indebtedness has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no
payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including
redemption payments) of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities.

        In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities, then
no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including
redemption payments) of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities until
the holders of all Senior Indebtedness outstanding at the time of such
acceleration shall receive payment in full of all Allocable Amounts due in
respect of such Senior Indebtedness (including any amounts due upon
acceleration).

        In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be
received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding
paragraphs of this Section 15.2, such payment shall be held in trust for the
benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees
under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent
that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing, within 90 days of
such payment of the Allocable Amounts then due and owing on such Senior
Indebtedness and only the Allocable Amounts specified in such notice to the
Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

        SECTION 15.3.  Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy.

        Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company
of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors
upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or other proceedings, all Allocable Amounts due upon all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof
provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made
by the Company on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on
the Securities; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or
reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
which the Securityholders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the
Company, except for the provisions of this Article XV, shall be paid by the
Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or
other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Securityholders or
by the Trustee under the Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the
basis of the respective Allocable Amounts of Senior Indebtedness


                                             65

held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued,
as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay all
Allocable Amounts in respect of such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or
money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to
or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or
distribution is made to the Securityholders or to the Trustee.

        In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the
Trustee before all Allocable Amounts in respect of Senior Indebtedness is paid
in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its
terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of
and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under
any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior
Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, as
calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Allocable
Amounts in respect of such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance
with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to
or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

        For purposes of this Article XV, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article XV with respect
to the Securities to the payment of Senior Indebtedness that may at the time be
outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new
corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and
(ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the
consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The
consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another
Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale,
conveyance, transfer or lease of its property as an entirety, or substantially
as an entirety, to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided for in
Article X of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up,
liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.3 if such
other Person, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance,
transfer or lease, shall comply with the conditions stated in Article X of this
Indenture.

        SECTION 15.4.  Subrogation.

        Subject to the payment in full of all Allocable Amounts in respect of
Senior Indebtedness, the rights of the Securityholders shall be subrogated to
the rights of the holders


                                             66

of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash,
property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, applicable to such
Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation,
no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any
cash, property or securities to which the Securityholders or the Trustee would
be entitled except for the provisions of this Article XV, and no payment over
pursuant to the provisions of this Article XV to or for the benefit of the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Securityholders or the Trustee, shall, as
between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, and the holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the
Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the
provisions of this Article XV are and are intended solely for the purposes of
defining the relative rights of the holders of the Securities, on the one hand,
and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness on the other hand.

        Nothing contained in this Article XV or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the
holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the holders of the Securities the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall
become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or
shall affect the relative rights of the holders of the Securities and creditors
of the Company, as the case may be, other than the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, nor shall anything herein or
therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Security from exercising all
remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under the Indenture,
subject to the rights, if any, under this Article XV of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company,
as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

        SECTION 15.5.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

        Each Securityholder by such Securityholder's acceptance thereof
authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Securityholder's behalf to take such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination
provided in this Article XV and appoints the Trustee such Securityholder's
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

        SECTION 15.6.  Notice by the Company.

        The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of
the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of
any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant
to the provisions of this Article XV. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Article XV or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be
charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the
making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the
Securities pursuant


                                             67

to the provisions of this Article XV, unless and until a Responsible Officer of
the Trustee assigned to its Principal Office shall have received written notice
thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from
any trustee therefor or representative thereof; and before the receipt of any
such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of
this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts
exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice
provided for in this Section 15.6 at least two Business Days prior to the date
(i) upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose
(including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
any) or interest on any Security), or (ii) moneys and/or U.S. Government
Obligations are deposited in trust pursuant to Article XI then, anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and
authority to receive such money and U.S. Government Obligations and to apply the
same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by
any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days
prior to such date.

        The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article VI of this Indenture,
shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice
by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder) to establish
that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a
trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event
that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with
respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to
participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XV, the
Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by
such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such
payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such
Person under this Article XV, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the
Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as
to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

        Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article XV, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be entitled to rely
upon any order or decree entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which
such insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization,
dissolution, winding up or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a
certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, custodian,
receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors, agent or other person making
such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the
Securityholders, for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness
and other indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon,
the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent
thereto or to this Article XV.



                                             68

        SECTION 15.7.  Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

        The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the
rights set forth in this Article XV in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any
time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness,
and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as
such holder.

        With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee
undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations
as are specifically set forth in this Article XV, and no implied covenants or
obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe
any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the
provisions of Article VI of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to
any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to
Securityholders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any
holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XV or
otherwise.

        Nothing in this Article XV shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6.

        SECTION 15.8.  Subordination May Not Be Impaired.

        No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or
otherwise be charged with.

        Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time,
without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Securityholders, without
incurring responsibility to the Securityholders and without impairing or
releasing the subordination provided in this Article XV or the obligations
hereunder of the holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place
or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such
Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior
Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which
such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or
otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such
Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the
collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from
exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.



                                             69

                                   ARTICLE XVI

                      EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

        SECTION 16.1.  Extension of Interest Payment Period.

        So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term
of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending the interest
payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10 consecutive
semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period during such
extension period (the "Extended Interest Payment Period"), during which Extended
Interest Payment Period no interest shall be due and payable; provided that no
Extended Interest Payment Period shall end on a date other than an Interest
Payment Date or extend beyond the Maturity Date. To the extent permitted by
applicable law, interest, the payment of which has been deferred because of the
extension of the interest payment period pursuant to this Section 16.1, will
bear interest thereon at the Coupon Rate compounded semi-annually for each
semi-annual period of the Extended Interest Payment Period ("Compounded
Interest"). At the end of the Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the Securities, including any
Additional Interest and Compounded Interest (together, "Deferred Interest") that
shall be payable to the holders of the Securities in whose names the Securities
are registered in the Security Register on the first record date preceding the
end of the Extended Interest Payment Period. Before the termination of any
Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may further defer payments of
interest by further extending such period, provided that such period, together
with all such previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest
Payment Period, shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including
the first such semi-annual period during such Extended Interest Payment Period,
or extend beyond the Maturity Date. Upon the termination of any Extended
Interest Payment Period and the payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the
Company may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the
foregoing requirements. No interest shall be due and payable during an Extended
Interest Payment Period, except at the end thereof, but the Company may prepay
at any time all or any portion of the interest accrued during an Extended
Interest Payment Period.

        SECTION 16.2.  Notice of Extension.

        (a) If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the
Securities at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period,
the Company shall give written notice to the Administrative Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Trustee of its selection of such Extended Interest
Payment Period five Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding
date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities issued by Imperial Capital
Trust are payable, or (ii) the date Imperial Capital Trust is required to give
notice of the record date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to any
national securities exchange or to holders of


                                             70

the Capital Securities issued by Imperial Capital Trust, but in any event at
least five Business Days before such record date.

        (b) If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the Securities at
the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company
shall give the holders of the Securities and the Trustee written notice of its
selection of such Extended Interest Payment Period at least 10 Business Days
before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or (ii) the
date the Company is required to give notice of the record or payment date of
such interest payment to any national securities exchange.

        (c) The semi-annual period in which any notice is given pursuant to
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 16.2 shall be counted as one of the 10
semi-annual periods permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period
permitted under Section 16.1.

        The Chase Manhattan Bank hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture
declared and provided, upon the terms and conditions hereinabove set forth.




                                             71

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the
day and year first above written.



                                            IMPERIAL BANCORP

                                            By /s/ Robert M. Franko
                                               -----------------------------
                                               Robert M. Franko
                                               Executive Vice President



                                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                            as Trustee

                                            By /s/ Richard Lorenzen
                                               -----------------------------
                                               Richard Lorenzen
                                               Senior Trust Officer




                                    EXHIBIT A

                           (FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY)


        [IF THE SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT: -- THIS SECURITY IS A
GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND
IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS
SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER
THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED
IN THE INDENTURE, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY (OTHER THAN A TRANSFER OF
THIS SECURITY AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY
A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY) MAY BE REGISTERED EXCEPT IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

        UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC") TO THE ISSUER OR ITS
AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED
IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT HEREON IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.
OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC),
ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY
PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN
INTEREST HEREIN.]

        [IF THE SECURITY IS A RESTRICTED SECURITY INSERT: THIS SECURITY HAS NOT
BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES
ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW.
NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED,
SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

        THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER,
SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUANCE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY
"AFFILIATE" OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF
THIS SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                            A-1

WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) SO LONG AS THIS
SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
("RULE 144A"), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A) THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE
TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL
"ACCREDITED INVESTOR" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7)
OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR ITS OWN
ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, FOR
INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (E) PURSUANT TO
ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER,
SALE OR TRANSFER (i) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE
COMPANY, AND (ii) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D), TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF
TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND
DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE COMPANY. SUCH HOLDER FURTHER AGREES THAT IT
WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS SECURITY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.]

                                            A-2


No.                                                  CUSIP No. ______________

                                IMPERIAL BANCORP

       9.98% [SERIES A] [SERIES B] [PRIVATE EXCHANGE] JUNIOR SUBORDINATED
            D E F E R R A B L E  I N T E R E S T  D E B E N T U R E
                              DUE DECEMBER 31, 2026

        Imperial Bancorp, a California corporation (the "Company", which term
includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for
value received, hereby promises to pay to _________ or registered assigns, the
principal sum of _____________ Dollars on December 31, 2026 (the "Maturity
Date"), unless previously redeemed, and to pay interest on the outstanding
principal amount hereof from April 23, 1997, or from the most recent interest
payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually (subject to deferral as set forth
herein) in arrears on June 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing June 30,
1997 at the rate of 9.98% per annum until the principal hereof shall have become
due and payable, and at the same rate per annum on any overdue principal and
premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the extent that payment of such
interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue installment of
interest at the same rate per annum compounded semi-annually. The amount of
interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on the basis of
a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and, for any period less than a full
calendar month, the number of days elapsed in such month. In the event that any
date on which the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on this Security
is payable is not a Business Day, then the payment payable on such date will be
made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest
or other payment in respect of any such delay), with the same force and effect
as if made on such date. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, in
certain limited circumstances the Company will be required to pay Liquidated
Damages (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) with respect to this
Security. EACH HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS OF
THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.

        The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of business
on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall be the
fifteenth day of the month preceding the month in which the relevant interest
payment date falls. Any such interest installment not punctually paid or duly
provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the holders on such regular
record date and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or
more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such defaulted
interest, notice whereof shall be given to the holders of Securities not less
than 10 days prior to such special record date, or may be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Securities may

                                            A-3

be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more
fully provided in the Indenture.


        The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security
shall be payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that
purpose in any coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that, payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by
(i) check mailed to the holder entitled thereto at such address as shall appear
in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by
the Person entitled thereto, provided that proper written wire transfer
instructions have been received by the paying agent by the relevant record date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Holder of this Security is the
Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on this Security will be made at such place and to such account as may
be designated by the Property Trustee.

        The indebtedness evidenced by this Security is, to the extent provided
in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Allocable Amounts in respect of Senior Indebtedness, and
this Security is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect
thereto. Each holder of this Security, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and
shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his
or her behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to
acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so provided and (c) appoints the
Trustee his or her attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. Each holder
hereof, by his or her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the
acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture
by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter
incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

        This Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to, or be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until
the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf
of the Trustee.

        The provisions of this Security are continued on the reverse side hereof
and such provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully
set forth at this place.


                                            A-4

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed.


                                            IMPERIAL BANCORP 

                                            By: _______________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title



                                            By: _______________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:


                     (FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION)

                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

        This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture.

Dated ______________

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Trustee


By ____________________
  Authorized Officer



                                            A-5

                          (FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY)

        This Security is one of the [Series A Securities] [Series B Securities]
[Private Exchange Debentures] of the Company (herein sometimes referred to as
the "Securities"), specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be issued under
and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 23, 1997 (the "Indenture"), duly
executed and delivered between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a
description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of the
Securities.

        Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event, the Company
shall have the right at any time, within 90 days following the occurrence of a
Special Event, prior to June 30, 2007 (the "Initial Optional Redemption Date"),
to redeem this Security in whole (but not in part) at the Special Event
Redemption Price. "Special Event Redemption Price" shall mean, with respect to
any redemption of the Securities following a Special Event, an amount in cash
equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed or (ii)
the sum, as determined by a Quotation Agent, of the present values of the
principal amount and premium payable with respect to an Optional Redemption (as
defined below) on the Initial Optional Redemption Date, together with scheduled
payments of interest on the Securities from the redemption date to and including
the Initial Optional Redemption Date, discounted to the redemption date on a
semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months)
at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, including Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any,
to the date of such redemption.

        In addition, the Company shall have the right to redeem this Security,
in whole or in part, at any time on or after the Initial Optional Redemption
Date (an "Optional Redemption"), at the Optional Redemption Price as set forth
below (expressed as percentages of principal to be redeemed) plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon (including Additional Interest and Compounded Interest,
if any) to the applicable date of redemption: if redeemed during the 12- month
period beginning June 30 of the years indicated below.

              Year                                   Percentage
              ----                                   ----------
              2007                                     105.113
              2008                                     104.601
              2009                                     104.090
              2010                                     103.579
              2011                                     103.068
              2012                                     102.556
              2013                                     102.045
              2014                                     101.534
              2015                                     101.023
              2016                                     100.511
              2017 and thereafter                      100.00



                                       A-6

        The Optional Redemption Price or the Special Event Redemption Price, as
the case requires, shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date
of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company determines, provided,
that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the
applicable Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such
Redemption Price is to be paid. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph will
be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice. If the
Securities are only partially redeemed by the Company pursuant to an Optional
Redemption, the Securities will be redeemed by lot or by any other method
utilized by the Trustee; provided that if, at the time of redemption, the
Securities are registered as a Global Security, the Depositary shall determine
in accordance with its procedures the principal amount of such Securities held
for the account of its participants to be redeemed.

        In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security
or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of
the holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, any redemption of Securities by the
Company shall be subject to the receipt by the Company of any required
regulatory approval.

        In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Securities may be
declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

        The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, as defined in the Indenture,
to execute supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to
or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture
or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the Securities;
provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the
consent of each holder of Securities then outstanding and affected thereby, (i)
extend the Maturity Date of any Securities, or reduce the principal amount
thereof, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, or reduce the rate
or extend the time of payment of interest thereon (subject to Article XVI of the
Indenture), or make the principal of, or interest or premium on, the Securities
payable in any coin or currency other than U.S. dollars, or impair or affect the
right of any holder of Securities to institute suit for the payment thereof, or
(ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are
required to consent to any such supplemental indenture. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities at the time outstanding, on behalf of all of the
holders of the Securities, to waive any past default in the performance of any
of the covenants contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the
Indenture, and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities or a
default in respect of any covenant or provision which under the Indenture cannot
be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of Securities then
outstanding. Any such

                                            A-7

consent or waiver by the holder of this Security (unless revoked as provided in
the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all
future holders and owners of this Security and of any Security issued in
exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Security.

        No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security
or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which
is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on this Security at the time and place and at the rate and in the money
herein prescribed.

        The Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to time
during the term of the Securities, to defer payments of interest by extending
the interest payment period of such Securities for a period not exceeding 10
consecutive semi-annual periods, including the first such semi-annual period
during such extension period, and not to extend beyond the Maturity Date of the
Securities (an "Extended Interest Payment Period"), at the end of which period
the Company shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with
interest thereon at the rate specified for the Securities to the extent that
payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law). Before the
termination of any such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may
further defer payments of interest by further extending such Extended Interest
Payment Period, provided that such Extended Interest Payment Period, together
with all such previous and further extensions within such Extended Interest
Payment Period, shall not exceed 10 consecutive semi-annual periods, including
the first semi-annual period during such Extended Interest Payment Period, and
shall not end on any date other than an Interest Payment Date or extend beyond
the Maturity Date of the Securities. Upon the termination of any such Extended
Interest Payment Period and the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and
any additional amounts then due, the Company may commence a new Extended
Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.

        The Company has agreed that it will not (i) declare or pay any dividends
or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment
with respect to, any of the Company's capital stock (which includes common and
preferred stock) or (ii) make any payment of principal, interest or premium, if
any, on or repay or repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the Company that
rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Securities or (iii)
make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Company of any
securities or any Subsidiary of the Company (including Other Guarantees) if such
guarantee ranks pari passu or junior in right of payment to the Securities
(other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or
rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, Common Stock of the Company; (b)
any declaration of a dividend in connection with the implementation of a
stockholder's rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the
future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (c)
payments under the Capital Securities Guarantee; (d) as a direct result of, and
only to the extent required in order to avoid the issuance of fractional shares
of capital stock following a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or
the exchange or the conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital
stock for another class or series of the

                                            A-8

Company's capital stock; (e) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of
the Company's capital stock pursuant to the exchange or conversion of such
capital stock or the security being exchanged or converted and (f) purchases of
Common Stock related to the issuance of Common Stock or rights under any of the
Company's benefit plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Company's dividend reinvestment plans) if at such time (i) an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing (other than solely an Event of Default
under Section 5.1(c) of the Indenture), (ii) there shall have occurred any event
of which the Company has actual knowledge that (a) is, or with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default (other than
solely an Event of Default under Section 5.1(c) of the Indenture) and (b) in
respect of which the Company shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure,
(iii) if such Securities are held by Imperial Capital Trust, the Company shall
be in default with respect to its payment obligations under the Capital
Securities Guarantee or (iv) the Company shall have given notice of its election
of the exercise of its right to extend the interest payment period and any such
extension shall be continuing.

        The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
minimum denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess
thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to the transfer restrictions
limitations as may be contained herein and therein from time to time, this
Security is transferable by the holder hereof on the Security Register of the
Company, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the
office or agency of the Company in the City and State of New York accompanied by
a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security registrar duly executed by the holder hereof or his
attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount and series
will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge
will be made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation
thereto.

        Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this Security,
the Company, the Trustee, any authenticating agent, any paying agent, any
transfer agent and the registrar may deem and treat the holder hereof as the
owner hereof (whether or not this Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding
any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by anyone other than the Security
Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the
principal hereof and premium, if any, and (subject to the Indenture) interest
due hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee
nor any authenticating agent nor any paying agent nor any transfer agent nor any
registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

        No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium,
if any, or interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or
otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against
any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor Person, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.

                                            A-9

        All capitalized terms used in this Security that are defined in the
Indenture but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture.

        THE INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF.











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