Exhibit 10.1
Viking Systems, Inc.
Form 8-K
File No. 000-49636


               SILICON VALLEY BANK LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

     This LOAN AND SECURITY  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") dated as of September
14, 2004,  between  SILICON VALLEY BANK, a California  chartered  bank, with its
principal place of business at 3003 Tasman Drive, Santa Clara,  California 95054
(FAX 408-654-6212) ("Bank") and Viking Systems, Inc., a Nevada corporation, with
offices at 7514 Girard  Avenue,  Suite  1509,  La Jolla,  California  92037 (FAX
858-225-0467)  ("Borrower"),  provides  the terms on which  Bank  shall  lend to
Borrower and Borrower shall repay Bank. The parties agree as follows:

     1 ACCOUNTING AND OTHER TERMS

     Accounting terms not defined in this Agreement shall be construed following
GAAP.  Calculations  and  determinations  must be made following  GAAP. The term
"financial  statements" includes the notes and schedules.  The terms "including"
and "includes" always mean "including (or includes) without limitation," in this
or any  Loan  Document.  Capitalized  terms  in this  Agreement  shall  have the
meanings set forth in Section 13. All other terms  contained in this  Agreement,
unless otherwise indicated, shall have the meanings provided by the Code, to the
extent such terms are defined therein.

     2 LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT

     2.1 Promise to Pay.  Borrower hereby  unconditionally  promises to pay Bank
the unpaid  principal amount of all Advances  hereunder with all interest,  fees
and  finance  charges  due  thereon  as and when  due in  accordance  with  this
Agreement.

     2.1.1 Financing of Accounts.

          (a) Availability. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Borrower may
     request that Bank finance specific Eligible Accounts. Bank may, in its sole
     discretion in each  instance,  finance such Eligible  Accounts by extending
     credit to  Borrower in an amount  equal to the result of the  Advance  Rate
     multiplied by the face amount of the Eligible Account (the "Advance"). Bank
     may, in its sole discretion,  change the percentage of the Advance Rate for
     a particular  Eligible Account on a case by case basis.  When Bank makes an
     Advance, the Eligible Account becomes a "Financed Receivable."

          (b)  Maximum  Advances.  The  aggregate  face  amount of all  Financed
     Receivables outstanding at any time may not exceed the Facility Amount, and
     Bank shall have no  obligation  to make  Advances in excess of FOUR HUNDRED
     THOUSAND DOLLARS ($400,000) in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

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          (c) Borrowing Procedure.  Borrower will deliver an Invoice Transmittal
     for each Eligible Account it offers. Bank may rely on information set forth
     in or provided with the Invoice Transmittal.

          (d) Credit Quality; Confirmations.  Bank may, at its option, conduct a
     credit check of the Account  Debtor for each Account  requested by Borrower
     for  financing  hereunder  in order to approve  any such  Account  Debtor's
     credit  before  agreeing  to finance  such  Account.  Bank may also  verify
     directly with the respective Account Debtors the validity, amount and other
     matters  relating to the Accounts  (including  confirmations  of Borrower's
     representations  in Section 5.3) by means of mail,  telephone or otherwise,
     either  in the  name of  Borrower  or Bank  from  time to time in its  sole
     discretion.

          (e) Accounts Notification/Collection. Bank may notify any Person owing
     Borrower money of Bank's  security  interest in the funds and verify and/or
     collect the amount of the Account.

          (f) Maturity.  This  Agreement  shall  terminate  and all  Obligations
     outstanding  hereunder shall be immediately due and payable on the Maturity
     Date.

          (g)  Bank's  Discretion.  Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary
     contained herein,  Bank is not obligated to finance any Eligible  Accounts.
     Bank and Borrower  hereby  acknowledge  and agree that Bank's  agreement to
     finance  Eligible  Accounts  hereunder is  discretionary  in each instance.
     Accordingly,  there shall not be any  recourse to Bank,  nor  liability  of
     Bank,  on account of any delay in Bank's  making of,  and/or any decline by
     Bank to make, any loan or advance requested  hereunder.  In addition,  this
     Agreement may be terminated by Borrower or Bank at any time.

     2.2  Collections,  Finance  Charges,  Remittances and Fees. The Obligations
shall be subject to the  following  fees and  Finance  Charges.  Unpaid fees and
Finance Charges may, in Bank's discretion, accrue interest and fees as described
in Section 9.2 hereof.

     2.2.1 Collections.  Collections will be credited to the Financed Receivable
Balance for such Financed Receivable,  but if there is an Event of Default, Bank
may  apply  Collections  to the  Obligations  in any order it  chooses.  If Bank
receives a payment for both a Financed Receivable and a non-Financed Receivable,
the funds will first be applied to the Financed  Receivable  and, if there is no
Event of Default then existing, the excess will be remitted to Borrower, subject
to Section 2.2.7.

     2.2.2  Facility  Fee. A fully earned,  non-refundable  facility fee of Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000) is due upon execution of this Agreement.

     2.2.3 Finance  Charges.  In computing  Finance  Charges on the  Obligations
under this Agreement,  all Collections  received by Bank shall be deemed applied
by Bank on account of the  Obligations  three (3) Business Days after receipt of
the  Collections.  Borrower will pay a finance charge (the "Finance  Charge") on
each Financed  Receivable  which is equal to the Applicable  Rate divided by 360
multiplied  by the number of days each such Financed  Receivable is  outstanding
multiplied  by the  outstanding  Financed  Receivable  Balance for such Financed

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Receivable.  The Finance  Charge is payable  when the Advance made based on such
Financed Receivable is payable in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof.

     2.2.4  Collateral  Handling  Fee.  Borrower  will pay to Bank a  collateral
handling  fee equal to 0.375% per month of the Financed  Receivable  Balance for
each Financed Receivable  outstanding based upon a 360 day year (the "Collateral
Handling  Fee").  The  Collateral  Handling Fee is payable when the Advance made
based on such  Financed  Receivable  is payable in  accordance  with Section 2.3
hereof.  In  Computing  Collateral  Handling  Fees  under  this  agreement,  all
Collections  received  by Bank  shall be deemed  applied  by Bank on  account of
Obligations  three (3) Business Days after receipt of the Collections.  After an
Event of Default,  the Collateral Handling Fee will increase an additional 0.50%
effective immediately upon such Event of Default.

     2.2.5 Accounting.  After each  Reconciliation  Period, Bank will provide an
accounting of the transactions  for that  Reconciliation  Period,  including the
amount  of all  Financed  Receivables,  all  Collections,  Adjustments,  Finance
Charges,  Collateral  Handling  Fee and the Facility  Fee. If Borrower  does not
object  to the  accounting  in  writing  within  thirty  (30)  days it  shall be
considered  accurate.  All  Finance  Charges  and  other  interest  and fees are
calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and actual days elapsed.

     2.2.6  Deductions.  Bank may deduct fees,  Finance Charges,  Advances which
become due  pursuant to Section  2.3,  and other  amounts  due  pursuant to this
Agreement from any Advances made or Collections received by Bank.

     2.2.7 Lockbox;  Account Collection  Services.  As and when directed by Bank
from time to time, at Bank's option and at the sole and exclusive  discretion of
Bank  (regardless of whether an Event of Default has  occurred),  Borrower shall
direct each Account Debtor (and each  depository  institution  where proceeds of
Accounts  are on deposit) to remit  payments  with  respect to the Accounts to a
lockbox  account  established  with Bank or to wire transfer  payments to a cash
collateral account that Bank controls (collectively,  the "Lockbox"). It will be
considered  an  immediate  Event of  Default  if the  Lockbox  is not set-up and
operational within forty-five (45) days from the date of such direction by Bank.
Until such Lockbox is established, the proceeds of the Accounts shall be paid by
the Account Debtors to an address consented to by Bank. Upon receipt by Borrower
of such proceeds,  the Borrower shall  immediately  transfer and deliver same to
Bank, along with a detailed cash receipts journal.  Provided no Event of Default
exists  or an event  that  with  notice  or  lapse  of time  will be an Event of
Default,  within  three (3) days of receipt of such  amounts by Bank,  Bank will
turn over to Borrower the proceeds of the Accounts other than  Collections  with
respect to Financed  Receivables  and the amount of Collections in excess of the
amounts for which Bank has made an Advance to Borrower,  less any amounts due to
Bank, such as the Finance Charge,  the Facility Fee, payments due to Bank, other
fees and expenses,  or otherwise;  provided,  however, Bank may hold such excess
amount with respect to Financed  Receivables  as a reserve  until the end of the
applicable  Reconciliation  Period if Bank, in its  discretion,  determines that
other Financed Receivable(s) may no longer qualify as an Eligible Account at any
time prior to the end of the subject  Reconciliation  Period.  This Section does
not  impose  any  affirmative  duty on Bank to  perform  any act  other  than as
specifically  set forth  herein.  All  Accounts  and the  proceeds  thereof  are
Collateral  and if an Event of Default  occurs,  Bank may apply the  proceeds of
such Accounts to the Obligations.

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     2.2.8 Good Faith Deposit. Borrower has paid to Bank a Good Faith Deposit of
$5,000  (the "Good  Faith  Deposit")  to initiate  Bank's due  diligence  review
process. Any portion of the Good Faith Deposit not utilized to pay Bank Expenses
will be applied to the Facility Fee.

     2.3 Repayment of Obligations; Adjustments.

     2.3.1  Repayment.  Borrower will repay each Advance on the earliest of: (a)
the date on which payment is received of the Financed Receivable with respect to
which the Advance was made, (b) the date on which the Financed  Receivable is no
longer an Eligible Account,  (c) the date on which any Adjustment is asserted to
the  Financed  Receivable  (but  only to the  extent  of the  Adjustment  if the
Financed  Receivable  remains  otherwise an Eligible  Account),  (d) the date on
which there is a breach of any warranty or  representation  set forth in Section
5.3 or a breach of any  covenant in this  Agreement,  or (e) the  Maturity  Date
(including  any early  termination).  Each payment will also include all accrued
Finance  Charges and  Collateral  Handling Fees with respect to such Advance and
all other amounts then due and payable hereunder.

     2.3.2  Repayment  on Event of  Default.  When there is an Event of Default,
Borrower  will, if Bank demands (or, upon the  occurrence of an Event of Default
under Section 8.5,  immediately without notice or demand from Bank) repay all of
the  Advances.  The demand may, at Bank's  option,  include the Advance for each
Financed Receivable then outstanding and all accrued Finance Charges, Collateral
Handling Fee, attorneys and professional fees, court costs and expenses, and any
other Obligations.

     2.3.3 Debit of Accounts.  Bank may debit any of Borrower's deposit accounts
for payments or any amounts  Borrower owes Bank  hereunder.  Bank shall promptly
notify  Borrower  when it debits  Borrower's  accounts.  These  debits shall not
constitute a set-off.

     2.3.4  Adjustments.  If at any time during the term of this  Agreement  any
Account Debtor asserts an Adjustment or if Borrower  issues a credit  memorandum
or if any of the  representations,  warranties or covenants set forth in Section
5.3 are not longer true in all material respects,  Borrower will promptly advise
Bank.

     2.4  Power  of  Attorney.   Borrower  irrevocably  appoints  Bank  and  its
successors and assigns as  attorney-in-fact  and authorizes Bank,  regardless of
whether  there has been an Event of  Default,  to: (i) sell,  assign,  transfer,
pledge,  compromise,  or discharge all or any part of the Financed  Receivables;
(ii) demand,  collect,  sue, and give releases to any Account  Debtor for monies
due and compromise,  prosecute,  or defend any action, claim, case or proceeding
about the Financed  Receivables,  including  filing a claim or voting a claim in
any  bankruptcy  case in Bank's  or  Borrower's  name,  as Bank  chooses;  (iii)
prepare, file and sign Borrower's name on any notice, claim, assignment, demand,
draft,  or notice  of or  satisfaction  of lien or  mechanics'  lien or  similar
document;  (iv) notify all Account  Debtors to pay Bank  directly;  (v) receive,
open, and dispose of mail addressed to Borrower; (vi) endorse Borrower's name on
checks  or other  instruments  (to the  extent  necessary  to pay  amounts  owed
pursuant  to this  Agreement);  and  (vii)  execute  on  Borrower's  behalf  any
instruments,  documents, financing statements to perfect Bank's interests in the
Financed  Receivables  and  Collateral  and do all acts and things  necessary or
expedient,  as determined solely and exclusively by Bank, to protect,  preserve,
and  otherwise  enforce  Bank's  rights and remedies  under this  Agreement,  as
directed by Bank.

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      3     CONDITIONS OF LOANS

     3.1 Conditions  Precedent to Initial Advance.  Bank's agreement to make the
initial  Advance  is  subject to the  condition  precedent  that Bank shall have
received,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to Bank,  such  documents,  and
completion  of such other  matters,  as Bank may  reasonably  deem  necessary or
appropriate,  including, without limitation,  subject to the condition precedent
that Bank shall have received,  in form and substance  satisfactory to Bank, the
following:

          (a) a  certificate  of the  Secretary  of  Borrower  with  respect  to
     articles,  bylaws, incumbency and resolutions authorizing the execution and
     delivery of this Agreement;

          (b) an  Intellectual  Property  Security  Agreement / Negative  Pledge
     Agreement covering Intellectual Property;

          (c)  subordination   agreements/intercreditor  agreements  by  certain
     Persons;

          (d) Perfection Certificate(s) by Borrower;

          (e) insurance certificates;

          (f) payment of the fees and Bank Expenses then due and payable;

          (g) Certificate of Foreign Qualification (if applicable);

          (h) Certificate of Good Standing/Legal Existence; and

          (i) such other  documents,  and completion of such other  matters,  as
     Bank may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate.

     3.2  Conditions  Precedent to all Advances.  Bank's  agreement to make each
Advance, including the initial Advance, is subject to the following:

          (a) receipt of the Invoice Transmittal;

          (b) Bank shall have (at its option)  conducted the  confirmations  and
     verifications as described in Section 2.1.1 (d); and

          (c) each of the  representations  and warranties in Section 5 shall be
     true on the date of the Invoice  Transmittal  and on the effective  date of
     each Advance and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
     or result from the Advance.  Each Advance is Borrower's  representation and
     warranty on that date that the  representations and warranties in Section 5
     remain true.

     4 CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST

     4.1 Grant of Security Interest.  Borrower hereby grants Bank, to secure the
payment and performance in full of all of the Obligations and the performance of
each of  Borrower's  duties  under the Loan  Documents,  a  continuing  security

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interest in, and pledges and assigns to Bank, the Collateral,  wherever located,
whether  now owned or  hereafter  acquired  or  arising,  and all  proceeds  and
products  thereof.  Borrower  warrants and represents that the security interest
granted herein shall be a first priority security interest in the Collateral.

     Except as noted on the Perfection Certificate,  Borrower is not a party to,
nor is bound by, any material  license or other  agreement with respect to which
Borrower is the licensee  that  prohibits or otherwise  restricts  Borrower from
granting a security interest in Borrower's interest in such license or agreement
or any other property. Without prior consent from Bank, Borrower shall not enter
into,  or become  bound by, any such license or  agreement  which is  reasonably
likely to have a material impact on Borrower's business or financial  condition.
Borrower  shall take such steps as Bank  requests  to obtain the  consent of, or
waiver by, any person whose consent or waiver is necessary for all such licenses
or  contract  rights to be deemed  "Collateral"  and for Bank to have a security
interest in it that might otherwise be restricted or prohibited by law or by the
terms of any such license or agreement,  whether now existing or entered into in
the future.

     If the Agreement is  terminated,  Bank's lien and security  interest in the
Collateral  shall continue until Borrower fully  satisfies its  Obligations.  If
Borrower  shall at any time,  acquire a commercial  tort claim,  Borrower  shall
promptly  notify  Bank in a writing  signed  by  Borrower  of the brief  details
thereof and grant to Bank in such writing a security interest therein and in the
proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement,  with such writing to be
in form and substance satisfactory to Bank.

     4.2 Authorization to File Financing Statements.  Borrower hereby authorizes
Bank  to file  financing  statements,  without  notice  to  Borrower,  with  all
appropriate  jurisdictions  in order to perfect or protect  Bank's  interest  or
rights hereunder, which financing statements may indicate the Collateral as "all
assets of the  Debtor"  or words of similar  effect,  or as being of an equal or
lesser scope, or with greater detail, all in Bank's discretion.

     5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

     5.1 Due  Organization  and  Authorization.  Borrower and each Subsidiary is
duly  existing and in good  standing in its state of formation and qualified and
licensed  to do  business  in, and in good  standing  in, any state in which the
conduct  of its  business  or its  ownership  of  property  requires  that it be
qualified  except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
cause a Material Adverse Change.  Borrower represents and warrants to Bank that:
(a) Borrower's exact legal name is that indicated on the Perfection  Certificate
and on the signature  page hereof;  and (b) Borrower is an  organization  of the
type,  and is  organized  in  the  jurisdiction,  set  forth  in the  Perfection
Certificate; and (c) the Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth Borrower's
organizational  identification  number or  accurately  states that  Borrower has
none; and (d) the Perfection  Certificate accurately sets forth Borrower's place
of  business,  or,  if more  than one,  its  chief  executive  office as well as
Borrower's mailing address if different, and (e) all other information set forth
on the Perfection  Certificate  pertaining to Borrower is accurate and complete.
If Borrower does not now have an organizational identification number, but later
obtains  one,  Borrower  shall  forthwith  notify  Bank of  such  organizational
identification number.

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     The  execution,  delivery and  performance  of the Loan Documents have been
duly authorized,  and do not conflict with Borrower's  organizational documents,
nor  constitute  an event of  default  under  any  material  agreement  by which
Borrower is bound. Borrower is not in default under any agreement to which or by
which it is bound in which the default  could  reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Change.

     5.2 Collateral.  Borrower has good title to the  Collateral,  free of Liens
except Permitted  Liens.  All inventory is in all material  respects of good and
marketable quality, free from material defects. Borrower has no deposit account,
other than the deposit accounts with Bank and deposit accounts  described in the
Perfection  Certificate delivered to Bank in connection herewith. The Collateral
is not in the possession of any third party bailee (such as a warehouse). Except
as hereafter disclosed to Bank in writing by Borrower, none of the components of
the  Collateral  shall be maintained at locations  other than as provided in the
Perfection  Certificate.  In the event  that  Borrower,  after the date  hereof,
intends to store or otherwise deliver any portion of the Collateral to a bailee,
then  Borrower  will first  receive the written  consent of Bank and such bailee
must  acknowledge in writing that the bailee is holding such  Collateral for the
benefit of Bank.

     5.3  Financed  Receivables.  Borrower  represents  and  warrants  for  each
Financed Receivable:

          (a) Each Financed Receivable is an Eligible Account.

          (b) Borrower is the owner with legal right to sell,  transfer,  assign
     and encumber such Financed Receivable;

          (c)  The  correct  amount  is on the  Invoice  Transmittal  and is not
     disputed;

          (d)  Payment is not  contingent  on any  obligation  or  contract  and
     Borrower has fulfilled all its  obligations  as of the Invoice  Transmittal
     date;

          (e) Each  Financed  Receivable is based on an actual sale and delivery
     of goods and/or services rendered,  is due to Borrower,  is not past due or
     in default, has not been previously sold, assigned, transferred, or pledged
     and is free of any liens,  security  interests and encumbrances  other than
     Permitted Liens;

          (f) There are no defenses,  offsets,  counterclaims  or agreements for
     which the Account Debtor may claim any deduction or discount;

          (g)  Borrower  reasonably  believes no Account  Debtor is insolvent or
     subject to any Insolvency Proceedings;

          (h)  Borrower  has  not  filed  or had  filed  against  it  Insolvency
     Proceedings and does not anticipate any filing;

          (i) Bank has the right to endorse and/ or require  Borrower to endorse
     all  payments  received  on  Financed   Receivables  and  all  proceeds  of
     Collateral; and

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          (j) No representation,  warranty or other statement of Borrower in any
     certificate  or  written  statement  given  to  Bank  contains  any  untrue
     statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to
     make  the  statement   contained  in  the  certificates  or  statement  not
     misleading.

     5.4  Litigation.  There are no actions or  proceedings  pending  or, to the
knowledge of Borrower's Responsible Officers or legal counsel,  threatened by or
against Borrower or any Subsidiary in which an adverse decision could reasonably
be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

     5.5  No  Material  Deviation  in  Financial  Statements.  All  consolidated
financial  statements for Borrower and any  Subsidiary  delivered to Bank fairly
present in all material respects Borrower's consolidated financial condition and
Borrower's  consolidated results of operations.  There has not been any material
deterioration in Borrower's  consolidated  financial condition since the date of
the most recent financial statements submitted to Bank.

     5.6 Solvency.  Borrower is able to pay its debts (including trade debts) as
they mature.

     5.7 Regulatory  Compliance.  Borrower is not an  "investment  company" or a
company  "controlled"  by an "investment  company" under the Investment  Company
Act.  Borrower is not engaged as one of its  important  activities  in extending
credit for margin stock  (under  Regulations  X, T and U of the Federal  Reserve
Board of  Governors).  Borrower has complied in all material  respects  with the
Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Borrower has not violated any laws, ordinances
or rules,  the  violation  of which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to cause a
Material Adverse Change.  None of Borrower's or any  Subsidiary's  properties or
assets has been used by Borrower or any Subsidiary or, to the best of Borrower's
knowledge, by previous Persons, in disposing,  producing,  storing, treating, or
transporting  any  hazardous  substance  other than  legally.  Borrower and each
Subsidiary  has timely filed all required tax returns and paid, or made adequate
provision to pay, all material taxes, except those being contested in good faith
with adequate reserves under GAAP. Borrower and each Subsidiary has obtained all
consents,  approvals and  authorizations  of, made all  declarations  or filings
with, and given all notices to, all government authorities that are necessary to
continue its business as currently  conducted except where the failure to obtain
or make such consents, declarations,  notices or filings would not reasonably be
expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

     5.8 Subsidiaries.  Borrower does not own any stock, partnership interest or
other equity securities except for Permitted Investments.

     5.9 Full Disclosure. No written representation, warranty or other statement
of Borrower in any  certificate or written  statement given to Bank contains any
untrue  statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary
to  make  the  statements  contained  in  the  certificates  or  statements  not
misleading.

     6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     Borrower shall do all of the following:

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     6.1   Government   Compliance.   Borrower   shall   maintain  its  and  all
Subsidiaries' legal existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of formation
and  maintain  qualification  in each  jurisdiction  in which the  failure to so
qualify  would  reasonably  be  expected  to have a material  adverse  effect on
Borrower's  business  or  operations.  Borrower  shall  comply,  and  have  each
Subsidiary  comply,  with all laws,  ordinances  and  regulations to which it is
subject,  noncompliance  with  which  could have a  material  adverse  effect on
Borrower's  business or  operations  or would  reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Change.

     6.2 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates.

          (a) Borrower shall deliver to Bank:  (i) as soon as available,  but no
     later than  thirty  (30) days after the last day of each  month,  a company
     prepared   consolidated   balance  sheet  and  income  statement   covering
     Borrower's  consolidated  operations  during  the  period  certified  by  a
     Responsible Officer and in a form acceptable to Bank; (ii) [omitted]; (iii)
     within  five (5) days of the filing  deadline  for filing the same with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission,  copies of all statements,  reports and
     notices made available to Borrower's  security holders or to any holders of
     Subordinated Debt and all reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the
     Securities  and  Exchange  Commission;  (iv) a prompt  report  of any legal
     actions pending or threatened against Borrower or any Subsidiary that could
     result in damages or costs to  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  of One Hundred
     Thousand  Dollars  ($100,000.00) or more; (v) prompt notice of any material
     change in the composition of the Intellectual  Property Collateral,  or the
     registration of any copyright,  including any subsequent ownership right of
     Borrower in or to any  Copyright,  Patent or Trademark  not shown in the IP
     Agreement or knowledge of an event that  materially  adversely  affects the
     value of the  Intellectual  Property  Collateral;  and (vi) budgets,  sales
     projections,  operating  plans or other  financial  information  reasonably
     requested by Bank.

          (b) Within thirty (30) days after the last day of each month, Borrower
     shall  deliver to Bank with the monthly  financial  statements a Compliance
     Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer in the form of Exhibit B.

          (c)  Borrower  will  allow  Bank  to  audit   Borrower's   Collateral,
     including, but not limited to, Borrower's Accounts and accounts receivable,
     at  Borrower's  expense,  upon  reasonable  notice to  Borrower;  provided,
     however, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default,  Borrower shall be
     obligated  to pay for not more  than one (1)  audit  per  year.  After  the
     occurrence of an Event of Default,  Bank may audit  Borrower's  Collateral,
     including,  but not limited to, Borrower's Accounts and accounts receivable
     at  Borrower's  expense and at Bank's  sole and  exclusive  discretion  and
     without notification and authorization from Borrower.

          (d) Upon  Bank's  request,  provide a written  report  respecting  any
     Financed  Receivable,  if payment of any Financed Receivable does not occur
     by its due date and include the reasons for the delay.

          (e) Provide Bank with, as soon as available, but no later than fifteen
     (15) days following each Reconciliation Period, an aged listing of accounts
     receivable  and accounts  payable by invoice  date,  in form  acceptable to
     Bank.

                                       9



          (f) Provide Bank with, as soon as available, but no later than fifteen
     (15) days following each Reconciliation  Period, a Deferred Revenue report,
     in form acceptable to Bank.

     6.3 Taxes.  Borrower shall make, and cause each Subsidiary to make,  timely
payment of all material  federal,  state, and local taxes or assessments  (other
than taxes and  assessments  which  Borrower is contesting  in good faith,  with
adequate reserves  maintained in accordance with GAAP) and will deliver to Bank,
on demand, appropriate certificates attesting to such payments.

     6.4 Insurance.  Borrower shall keep its business and the Collateral insured
for risks and in amounts, and as Bank may reasonably request. Insurance policies
shall be in a form,  with  companies,  and in amounts that are  satisfactory  to
Bank.  All property  policies  shall have a lender's  loss  payable  endorsement
showing Bank as an additional  loss payee and all liability  policies shall show
Bank as an  additional  insured and all policies  shall provide that the insurer
must give Bank at least twenty (20) days notice before canceling its policy.  At
Bank's request, Borrower shall deliver certified copies of policies and evidence
of all premium  payments.  Proceeds  payable under any policy  shall,  at Bank's
option,  be payable to Bank on account of the Obligations.  If Borrower fails to
obtain  insurance as required under this Section or to pay any amount or furnish
any required  proof of payment to third  persons and Bank,  Bank may make all or
part of such payment or obtain such insurance  policies required in this Section
and take any action under the policies Bank deems prudent.

     6.5 Accounts.

          (a)  In  order  to  permit  Bank  to  monitor   Borrower's   financial
     performance and condition, Borrower, and all Borrower's Subsidiaries, shall
     maintain  Borrower's,   and  such  Subsidiaries,   primary  depository  and
     operating accounts with Bank which accounts shall represent at least 85% of
     the  dollar  value of  Borrower's  and such  Subsidiaries  accounts  at all
     financial  institutions.  Any  Guarantor  shall  maintain  all  depository,
     operating and securities accounts with Bank.

          (b)  Borrower  shall  identify  to  Bank,  in  writing,  any  bank  or
     securities account opened by Borrower with any institution other than Bank.
     In addition,  for each such account that  Borrower or Guarantor at any time
     opens or maintains,  Borrower shall, at Bank's request and option, pursuant
     to an  agreement  in form  and  substance  acceptable  to Bank,  cause  the
     depository  bank or securities  intermediary  to agree that such account is
     the collateral of Bank pursuant to the terms  hereunder.  The provisions of
     the previous sentence shall not apply to deposit accounts  exclusively used
     for payroll,  payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to
     or for the benefit of Borrower's employees.

     6.6 Financial Covenants. [Omitted].

     6.7 Further Assurances.  Borrower shall execute any further instruments and
take further action as Bank  reasonably  requests to perfect or continue  Bank's
security interest in the Collateral or to effect the purposes of this Agreement.

                                       10



     7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     Borrower  shall not do any of the  following  without  Bank's prior written
consent.

     7.1 Dispositions.  Convey,  sell,  lease,  transfer or otherwise dispose of
(collectively a "Transfer"),  or permit any of its Subsidiaries to Transfer, all
or any part of its business or property,  except for  Transfers (i) of inventory
in the ordinary course of business;  (ii) of non-exclusive  licenses and similar
arrangements  for the use of the property of Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business; or (iii) of worn-out or obsolete equipment.

     7.2 Changes in  Business,  Ownership,  Management  or  Business  Locations.
Engage in or permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any business other than
the businesses  currently engaged in by Borrower or reasonably  related thereto,
or have a material change in its ownership (other than by the sale of Borrower's
equity  securities in a public offering or to venture capital  investors so long
as  Borrower  identifies  to Bank the  venture  capital  investors  prior to the
closing of the investment), or management.  Borrower shall not, without at least
thirty (30) days prior written notice to Bank: (i) relocate its chief  executive
office,  or add any new  offices or  business  locations,  including  warehouses
(unless such new offices or business  locations  contain less than Five Thousand
Dollars  ($5,000.00)  in  Borrower's  assets or  property),  or (ii)  change its
jurisdiction of organization,  or (iii) change its  organizational  structure or
type, or (iv) change its legal name, or (v) change any organizational number (if
any) assigned by its jurisdiction of organization.

     7.3 Mergers or  Acquisitions.  Merge or  consolidate,  or permit any of its
Subsidiaries  to merge or  consolidate,  with any other Person,  or acquire,  or
permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to  acquire,  all or  substantially  all of the
capital  stock  or  property  of  another  Person.  A  Subsidiary  may  merge or
consolidate into another Subsidiary or into Borrower.

     7.4 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, or be liable for any Indebtedness,
or permit any Subsidiary to do so, other than Permitted Indebtedness.

     7.5 Encumbrance.  Create,  incur, or allow any Lien on any of its property,
or assign  or convey  any right to  receive  income,  including  the sale of any
Accounts,  or permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to do so,  except  for  Permitted
Liens, or permit any Collateral not to be subject to the first priority security
interest granted herein. The Collateral may also be subject to Permitted Liens.

     7.6 Distributions;  Investments.  (i) Directly or indirectly acquire or own
any  Person,  or  make  any  Investment  in any  Person,  other  than  Permitted
Investments,  or  permit  any of its  Subsidiaries  to do so;  or  (ii)  pay any
dividends or make any distribution or payment or redeem,  retire or purchase any
capital stock.

     7.7  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  Directly or indirectly  enter into or
permit to exist any material transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower,  except
for transactions  that are in the ordinary course of Borrower's  business,  upon
fair and  reasonable  terms that are no less favorable to Borrower than would be
obtained in an arm's length transaction with a non-affiliated Person.

                                       11



     7.8 Subordinated Debt. Make or permit any payment on any Subordinated Debt,
except under the terms of the  Subordinated  Debt, or amend any provision in any
document  relating  to the  Subordinated  Debt,  without  Bank's  prior  written
consent.

     7.9 Compliance.  Become an "investment  company" or a company controlled by
an "investment  company",  under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or undertake
as one of its important  activities extending credit to purchase or carry margin
stock,  or use the  proceeds of any Advance for that  purpose;  fail to meet the
minimum funding  requirements of ERISA,  permit a Reportable Event or Prohibited
Transaction, as defined in ERISA, to occur; fail to comply with the Federal Fair
Labor  Standards  Act or violate any other law or  regulation,  if the violation
could  reasonably  be expected to have a material  adverse  effect on Borrower's
business  or  operations  or would  reasonably  be  expected to cause a Material
Adverse Change, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so.

     8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     Any one of the following is an Event of Default:

     8.1 Payment Default. Borrower fails to pay any of the Obligations when due;

     8.2 Covenant Default.  Borrower fails or neglects to perform any obligation
in Section 6 or  violates  any  covenant  in Section 7 or fails or  neglects  to
perform,  keep,  or  observe  any other  material  term,  provision,  condition,
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, any Loan Documents, or in any
present or future agreement between Borrower and Bank;

     8.3 Material Adverse Change. A Material Adverse Change occurs;

     8.4 Attachment.  (i) Any portion of Borrower's assets is attached,  seized,
levied on, or comes into possession of a trustee or receiver and the attachment,
seizure or levy is not  removed in ten (10)  days;  (ii) the  service of process
upon Borrower  seeking to attach,  by trustee or similar  process,  any funds of
Borrower  on  deposit  with  Bank,  or any  entity  under  the  control  of Bank
(including a subsidiary);  (iii) Borrower is enjoined,  restrained, or prevented
by court  order from  conducting  any part of its  business;  (iv) a judgment or
other claim becomes a Lien on a portion of Borrower's assets; or (v) a notice of
lien,  levy, or  assessment  is filed  against any of  Borrower's  assets by any
government  agency and not paid  within ten (10) days  after  Borrower  receives
notice;

     8.5 Insolvency.  (i) Borrower is unable to pay its debts  (including  trade
debts) as they become due or otherwise becomes  insolvent;  (ii) Borrower begins
an Insolvency  Proceeding;  or (iii) an  Insolvency  Proceeding is begun against
Borrower and not  dismissed or stayed  within  thirty (30) days (but no Advances
shall be made before any Insolvency Proceeding is dismissed);

     8.6 Other  Agreements.  If there is a  default  in any  agreement  to which
Borrower is a party with a third party or parties  resulting  in a right by such
third party or parties,  whether or not exercised, to accelerate the maturity of
any  Indebtedness  in an  amount  in  excess  of One  Hundred  Thousand  Dollars
($100,000) or that could result in a Material Adverse Change;

                                       12



     8.7  Judgments.  If a judgment or judgments  for the payment of money in an
amount,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  of at least Two  Hundred  Thousand
Dollars   ($200,000)  shall  be  rendered  against  Borrower  and  shall  remain
unsatisfied  and  unstayed  for a period  of ten  (10)  days  (provided  that no
Advances will be made prior to the satisfaction or stay of such judgment);

     8.8 Misrepresentations. If Borrower or any Person acting for Borrower makes
any  material  misrepresentation  or material  misstatement  now or later in any
warranty or representation in this Agreement or in any writing delivered to Bank
or to induce Bank to enter this Agreement or any Loan Document;

     8.9  Subordinated  Debt.  A default or breach  occurs  under any  agreement
between  Borrower  and any  creditor  of Borrower  that  signed a  subordination
agreement with Bank, or any creditor that has signed a  subordination  agreement
with Bank breaches any terms of the subordination agreement.

     8.10 Guaranty. [Omitted].

     9 BANK'S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

     9.1 Rights and Remedies. When an Event of Default occurs and continues Bank
may, without notice or demand, do any or all of the following:

          (a) Declare all  Obligations  immediately  due and payable  (but if an
     Event of Default  described  in Section  8.5  occurs  all  Obligations  are
     immediately due and payable without any action by Bank);

          (b) Stop advancing  money or extending  credit for Borrower's  benefit
     under this  Agreement  or under any other  agreement  between  Borrower and
     Bank;

          (c) Settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with Account Debtors
     for amounts,  on terms and in any order that Bank  considers  advisable and
     notify any Person owing Borrower money of Bank's security  interest in such
     funds and verify the amount of such  account.  Borrower  shall  collect all
     payments in trust for Bank and, if requested by Bank,  immediately  deliver
     the payments to Bank in the form  received  from the Account  Debtor,  with
     proper endorsements for deposit;

          (d)  Make  any  payments  and do any acts it  considers  necessary  or
     reasonable  to protect its security  interest in the  Collateral.  Borrower
     shall  assemble the  Collateral  if Bank  requests and make it available as
     Bank  designates.  Bank may enter premises where the Collateral is located,
     take  and  maintain  possession  of any  part of the  Collateral,  and pay,
     purchase,  contest,  or  compromise  any Lien which  appears to be prior or
     superior to its security interest and pay all expenses  incurred.  Borrower
     grants  Bank a license  to enter and occupy  any of its  premises,  without
     charge, to exercise any of Bank's rights or remedies;

          (e) Apply to the Obligations any (i) balances and deposits of Borrower
     it holds, or (ii) any amount held by Bank owing to or for the credit or the
     account of Borrower;

                                       13



          (f) Ship, reclaim,  recover, store, finish, maintain,  repair, prepare
     for sale,  advertise  for  sale,  and sell the  Collateral.  Bank is hereby
     granted  a  non-exclusive,  royalty-free  license  or  other  right to use,
     without charge, Borrower's labels, patents,  copyrights, mask works, rights
     of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks,  service marks,
     and  advertising  matter,  or any  similar  property  as it pertains to the
     Collateral,  in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling
     any Collateral  and, in connection with Bank's exercise of its rights under
     this  Section,  Borrower's  rights  under all  licenses  and all  franchise
     agreements inure to Bank's benefit;

          (g) Place a "hold" on any account  maintained with Bank and/or deliver
     a notice of exclusive  control,  any entitlement order, or other directions
     or  instructions  pursuant to any control  agreement or similar  agreements
     providing control of any Collateral; and

          (h) Exercise  all rights and  remedies  and dispose of the  Collateral
     according to the Code.

     9.2 Bank Expenses; Unpaid Fees. Any amounts paid by Bank as provided herein
shall  constitute Bank Expenses and are  immediately due and payable,  and shall
bear interest at the Default Rate and be secured by the Collateral.  No payments
by Bank shall be deemed an agreement  to make similar  payments in the future or
Bank's  waiver  of any Event of  Default.  In  addition,  any  amounts  advanced
hereunder  which  are not  based on  Financed  Receivables  (including,  without
limitation,  unpaid fees and Finance  Charges as described in Section 2.2) shall
accrue interest at the Default Rate and be secured by the Collateral.

     9.3  Bank's  Liability  for  Collateral.  So  long as  Bank  complies  with
reasonable banking practices regarding the safekeeping of collateral, Bank shall
not be liable or responsible for: (a) the safekeeping of the Collateral; (b) any
loss or  damage  to the  Collateral;  (c) any  diminution  in the  value  of the
Collateral; or (d) any act or default of any carrier,  warehouseman,  bailee, or
other Person.  Borrower  bears all risk of loss,  damage or  destruction  of the
Collateral.

     9.4 Remedies  Cumulative.  Bank's rights and remedies under this Agreement,
the Loan Documents, and all other agreements are cumulative. Bank has all rights
and remedies  provided under the Code, by law, or in equity.  Bank's exercise of
one  right or  remedy  is not an  election,  and  Bank's  waiver of any Event of
Default is not a continuing waiver.  Bank's delay is not a waiver,  election, or
acquiescence.  No waiver  hereunder shall be effective unless signed by Bank and
then is only  effective  for the specific  instance and purpose for which it was
given.

     9.5 Demand Waiver.  Borrower waives demand,  notice of default or dishonor,
notice of payment and nonpayment, notice of any default, nonpayment at maturity,
release, compromise,  settlement,  extension, or renewal of accounts, documents,
instruments,  chattel paper,  and  guarantees  held by Bank on which Borrower is
liable.

     9.6  Default  Rate.  After  the  occurrence  of an  Event of  Default,  all
Obligations  shall  accrue  interest at the  Applicable  Rate plus five  percent
(5.0%) per annum (the "Default Rate").

                                       14




     10 NOTICES.

     Notices or demands by either party about this  Agreement must be in writing
and personally  delivered or sent by an overnight delivery service, by certified
mail postage prepaid return receipt requested, or by fax to the addresses listed
at the beginning of this Agreement. A party may change notice address by written
notice to the other party.

     11 CHOICE OF LAW, VENUE AND JURY TRIAL WAIVER

     California law governs the Loan  Documents  without regard to principles of
conflicts of law. Borrower and Bank each submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the State and Federal courts in California and Borrower accepts  jurisdiction of
the courts and venue in Santa  Clara  County,  California.  NOTWITHSTANDING  THE
FOREGOING,  BANK SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  AGAINST
BORROWER  OR ITS  PROPERTY  IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER  JURISDICTION  WHICH BANK
DEEMS  NECESSARY  OR  APPROPRIATE  IN ORDER TO REALIZE ON THE  COLLATERAL  OR TO
OTHERWISE ENFORCE BANK'S RIGHTS AGAINST BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTY.

     BORROWER  AND BANK EACH WAIVE  THEIR  RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR
CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT,  THE LOAN DOCUMENTS
OR ANY CONTEMPLATED  TRANSACTION,  INCLUDING CONTRACT,  TORT, BREACH OF DUTY AND
ALL OTHER CLAIMS. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR BOTH PARTIES TO ENTER
INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS COUNSEL.

     12 GENERAL PROVISIONS

     12.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement binds and is for the benefit of
the successors and permitted assigns of each party. Borrower may not assign this
Agreement or any rights or  Obligations  under it without  Bank's prior  written
consent  which may be granted or  withheld  in Bank's  discretion.  Bank has the
right,  without  the  consent  of or  notice  to  Borrower,  to sell,  transfer,
negotiate,  or grant  participation  in all or any part of, or any  interest in,
Bank's obligations, rights and benefits under this Agreement, the Loan Documents
or any related agreement.

     12.2 Indemnification.  Borrower hereby indemnifies,  defends and holds Bank
and its officers,  employees,  directors and agents  harmless  against:  (a) all
obligations,  demands,  claims,  and liabilities  asserted by any other party in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents; and (b) all
losses  or  Bank  Expenses  incurred,  or  paid  by  Bank  from,  following,  or
consequential to transactions  between Bank and Borrower  (including  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and  expenses),  except  for  losses  caused  by  Bank's  gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

     12.3 Right of Set-Off.  Borrower  hereby  grants to Bank, a lien,  security
interest and right of setoff as security for all  Obligations  to Bank,  whether
now  existing or  hereafter  arising  upon and against  all  deposits,  credits,
collateral  and  property,   now  or  hereafter  in  the  possession,   custody,
safekeeping  or  control  of  Bank  or any  entity  under  the  control  of Bank
(including a Bank  subsidiary)  or in transit to any of them.  At any time after

                                       15



the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without demand
or notice,  Bank may set off the same or any part  thereof and apply the same to
any liability or obligation of Borrower even though  unmatured and regardless of
the  adequacy of any other  collateral  securing  the  Obligations.  ANY AND ALL
RIGHTS TO REQUIRE  BANK TO EXERCISE  ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES  WITH RESPECT TO ANY
OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF
SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF BORROWER, ARE
HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

     12.4 Time of Essence.  Time is of the essence  for the  performance  of all
Obligations in this Agreement.

     12.5  Severability  of  Provision.  Each  provision  of this  Agreement  is
severable from every other  provision in determining the  enforceability  of any
provision.

     12.6 Amendments in Writing;  Integration.  All amendments to this Agreement
must be in writing signed by both Bank and Borrower. This Agreement and the Loan
Documents  represent  the  entire  agreement  about  this  subject  matter,  and
supersede   prior   negotiations   or   agreements.    All   prior   agreements,
understandings,   representations,  warranties,  and  negotiations  between  the
parties about the subject matter of this Agreement and the Loan Documents  merge
into this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

     12.7  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may  be  executed  in any  number  of
counterparts and by different parties on separate  counterparts,  each of which,
when executed and delivered, are an original, and all taken together, constitute
one Agreement.

     12.8 Survival.  All covenants,  representations and warranties made in this
Agreement continue in full force while any Obligations remain  outstanding.  The
obligation of Borrower in Section 12.2 to indemnify Bank shall survive until the
statute of limitations  with respect to such claim or cause of action shall have
run.

     12.9 Confidentiality.  In handling any confidential information, Bank shall
exercise  the same  degree of care  that it  exercises  for its own  proprietary
information,   but  disclosure  of  information  may  be  made:  (i)  to  Bank's
subsidiaries or affiliates in connection with their business with Borrower; (ii)
to  prospective  transferees  or  purchasers  of any  interest  in the  Advances
(provided,  however, Bank shall use commercially reasonable efforts in obtaining
such  prospective  transferee's  or  purchaser's  agreement to the terms of this
provision); (iii) as required by law, regulation, subpoena, or other order, (iv)
as required in  connection  with Bank's  examination  or audit;  and (v) as Bank
considers appropriate in exercising remedies under this Agreement.  Confidential
information  does not  include  information  that  either:  (a) is in the public
domain or in Bank's  possession  when  disclosed to Bank, or becomes part of the
public  domain after  disclosure to Bank; or (b) is disclosed to Bank by a third
party,  if Bank does not know that the third party is prohibited from disclosing
the information.

     12.10  Attorneys'  Fees,  Costs and  Expenses.  In any action or proceeding
between  Borrower and Bank  arising out of the Loan  Documents,  the  prevailing
party will be  entitled  to recover  its  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and other
reasonable costs and expenses incurred, in addition to any other relief to which
it may be entitled.

                                       16



     13 DEFINITIONS

     13.1 Definitions. In this Agreement:

     "Accounts" are all existing and later arising  accounts,  contract  rights,
and other  obligations  owed  Borrower in  connection  with its sale or lease of
goods  (including  licensing  software  and other  technology)  or  provision of
services, all credit insurance,  guaranties,  other security and all merchandise
returned or reclaimed by Borrower and  Borrower's  Books  relating to any of the
foregoing.

     "Account  Debtor"  is as  defined  in the Code and shall  include,  without
limitation,  any person liable on any Financed Receivable,  such as, a guarantor
of the  Financed  Receivable  and any  issuer of a letter of credit or  banker's
acceptance.

     "Adjusted Quick Ratio" is the ratio of Quick Assets to Current  Liabilities
minus Deferred Revenue.

     "Adjustments"   are   all   discounts,   allowances,   returns,   disputes,
counterclaims,  offsets,  defenses,  rights of  recoupment,  rights  of  return,
warranty  claims,  or short  payments,  asserted  by or on behalf of any Account
Debtor for any Financed Receivable.

     "Advance" is defined in Section 2.1.1.

     "Advance  Rate" is defined as eighty  percent  (80.0%),  net of any offsets
related  to each  specific  Account  Debtor,  or such other  percentage  as Bank
establishes under Section 2.1.1.

     "Affiliate"  is a Person that owns or controls  directly or indirectly  the
Person,  any Person that controls or is controlled by or is under common control
with the Person, and each of that Person's senior executive officers, directors,
partners and, for any Person that is a limited liability company,  that Person's
managers and members.

     "Applicable  Rate" is a per annum  rate  equal to the Prime Rate plus three
and one-half percent (3.5%) (the "Domestic Applicable Rate"); provided, however,
with respect to each Financed  Receivable deemed an Eligible Account pursuant to
subclause (c) of the definition of Eligible  Accounts,  the Applicable Rate is a
per annum rate equal to the Prime  Rate plus  three and  three-quarters  percent
(3.75%)  (the  "Foreign  Applicable  Rate");  provided,  further,  that upon the
Borrower  receiving at least  $3,000,000  cash  proceeds  after the date of this
Agreement  from the  issuance  of equity  securities  of the  Borrower  (the "$3
Million  Equity  Event"),  each of the  Domestic  Applicable  Rate  and  Foreign
Applicable  Rate will decrease by 0.75% per annum,  and such  decreases  will go
into effect on the first day of the month  immediately  following Bank's receipt
and approval of evidence of  Borrower's  satisfaction  of the $3 Million  Equity
Event.

     "Bank  Expenses"  are all audit fees and expenses and  reasonable  costs or
expenses  (including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees and expenses) for  preparing,
negotiating,   administering,   defending  and  enforcing  the  Loan   Documents
(including appeals or Insolvency Proceedings).

                                       17



     "Borrower's  Books" are all Borrower's books and records including ledgers,
records  regarding  Borrower's assets or liabilities,  the Collateral,  business
operations  or financial  condition  and all  computer  programs or discs or any
equipment containing the information.

     "Business Day" is any day that is not a Saturday,  Sunday or a day on which
Bank is closed.

     "Closing Date" is the date of this Agreement.

     "Code" is the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted in California,  as amended
and as may be amended and in effect from time to time.

     "Collateral"  is any and all  properties,  rights  and  assets of  Borrower
granted by Borrower to Bank or arising under the Code, now, or in the future, in
which  Borrower  obtains  an  interest,  or the  power to  transfer  rights,  as
described on Exhibit A.

     "Collateral Handling Fee" is defined in Section 2.2.4.

     "Collections"  are all  funds  received  by Bank  from or on  behalf  of an
Account Debtor for Financed Receivables.

     "Compliance Certificate" is attached as Exhibit B.

     "Contingent  Obligation"  is,  for  any  Person,  any  direct  or  indirect
liability,  contingent or not, of that Person for (i) any  indebtedness,  lease,
dividend,  letter of credit or other obligation of another such as an obligation
directly or indirectly guaranteed,  endorsed,  co-made,  discounted or sold with
recourse by that  Person,  or for which that  Person is  directly or  indirectly
liable;  (ii) any  obligations  for undrawn letters of credit for the account of
that  Person;  and (iii) all  obligations  from any interest  rate,  currency or
commodity  swap  agreement,  interest  rate cap or  collar  agreement,  or other
agreement or arrangement  designated to protect a Person against  fluctuation in
interest rates,  currency  exchange rates or commodity  prices;  but "Contingent
Obligation"  does not include  endorsements  in the ordinary course of business.
The amount of a Contingent  Obligation is the stated or determined amount of the
primary  obligation  for  which  the  Contingent  Obligation  is made or, if not
determinable,  the maximum reasonably anticipated liability for it determined by
the Person in good  faith;  but the  amount  may not  exceed the  maximum of the
obligations under the guarantee or other support arrangement.

     "Current  Liabilities"  is all  obligations  and liabilities of Borrower to
Bank,  plus,  without  duplication,  the aggregate  amount of  Borrower's  Total
Liabilities which mature within one (1) year.

     "Default Rate" is defined in Section 9.6.

     "Deferred Revenue" is all amounts received or invoiced, as appropriate,  in
advance of performance under contracts and not yet recognized as revenue.

     "Eligible   Accounts"  are  billed  Accounts  in  the  ordinary  course  of
Borrower's  business that meet all Borrower's  representations and warranties in

                                       18



Section 5.3,  have been,  at the option of Bank,  confirmed in  accordance  with
Section  2.1.1  (d),  and  are  due  and  owing  from  Account   Debtors  deemed
creditworthy by Bank in its sole discretion.  Without limiting the fact that the
determination  of which  Accounts  are  eligible  hereunder  is a matter of Bank
discretion in each instance,  Eligible  Accounts shall not include the following
Accounts  (which  listing  may be amended or changed in Bank's  discretion  with
notice to Borrower):

          (a) Accounts  that the Account  Debtor has not paid within ninety (90)
     days of invoice date;

          (b) Accounts for an Account  Debtor,  fifty  percent  (50%) or more of
     whose Accounts have not been paid within ninety (90) days of invoice date;

          (c) Accounts for which the Account  Debtor does not have its principal
     place  of  business  in the  United  States,  unless  agreed  to by Bank in
     writing, in its sole discretion, on a case-by-case basis;

          (d) Accounts for which the Account Debtor is a federal, state or local
     government  entity or any department,  agency, or  instrumentality  thereof
     except for  Accounts  of the United  States if the payee has  assigned  its
     payment rights to Bank and the assignment has been  acknowledged  under the
     Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C. 3727);

          (e) Accounts for which Borrower owes the Account  Debtor,  but only up
     to the amount owed (sometimes called "contra"  accounts,  accounts payable,
     customer deposits or credit accounts);

          (f) Accounts for demonstration or promotional  equipment,  or in which
     goods are consigned,  sales guaranteed,  sale or return,  sale on approval,
     bill  and  hold,  or  other  terms  if  Account  Debtor's  payment  may  be
     conditional;

          (g) Accounts  for which the Account  Debtor is  Borrower's  Affiliate,
     officer, employee, or agent;

          (h) Accounts in which the Account Debtor  disputes  liability or makes
     any claim and Bank  believes  there may be a basis for dispute (but only up
     to the disputed or claimed amount),  or if the Account Debtor is subject to
     an Insolvency Proceeding, or becomes insolvent, or goes out of business;

          (i) Accounts for which Bank  reasonably  determines  collection  to be
     doubtful or any Accounts which are unacceptable to Bank for any reason.

     "ERISA" is the Employment  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, and its
regulations.

     "Events of Default" are set forth in Article 8.

     "Facility Amount" is Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000).

     "Facility Fee" is defined in Section 2.2.2.

                                       19



     "Finance Charges" is defined in Section 2.2.3.

     "Financed  Receivables"  are all those Eligible  Accounts,  including their
proceeds  which  Bank  finances  and makes an  Advance,  as set forth in Section
2.1.1.  A Financed  Receivable  stops being a Financed  Receivable  (but remains
Collateral)  when the Advance  made for the Financed  Receivable  has been fully
paid.

     "Financed  Receivable  Balance" is the total outstanding gross face amount,
at any time, of any Financed Receivable.

     "GAAP" is generally accepted accounting principles.

     "Good Faith Deposit" is defined in Section 2.2.8.

     "Guarantor" [omitted].

     "Indebtedness" is (a) indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred price
of property or services,  such as reimbursement and other obligations for surety
bonds and  letters  of  credit,  (b)  obligations  evidenced  by  notes,  bonds,
debentures  or  similar  instruments,  (c)  capital  lease  obligations  and (d)
Contingent Obligations.

     "Insolvency  Proceeding"  is any  proceeding by or against any Person under
the United States  Bankruptcy  Code, or any other  bankruptcy or insolvency law,
including  assignments  for the benefit of creditors,  compositions,  extensions
generally  with  its   creditors,   or   proceedings   seeking   reorganization,
arrangement, or other relief.

     "Investment" is any beneficial  ownership of (including stock,  partnership
interest  or other  securities)  any  Person,  or any loan,  advance  or capital
contribution to any Person.

     "Invoice  Transmittal"  shows Eligible Accounts which Bank may finance and,
for each such Account,  includes the Account Debtor's,  name,  address,  invoice
amount, invoice date and invoice number.

     "IP  Agreement"  is a  certain  Intellectual  Property  Security  Agreement
executed and delivered by Borrower to Bank.

     "Intellectual Property Collateral" is a defined in the IP Agreement.

     "Lockbox" is defined in Section 2.2.7.

     "Lien"  is a  mortgage,  lien,  deed of  trust,  charge,  pledge,  security
interest or other encumbrance.

     "Loan Documents" are, collectively,  this Agreement,  any note, or notes or
guaranties  executed  by  Borrower,  and any other  present or future  agreement
between  Borrower  and/or  for  the  benefit  of Bank in  connection  with  this
Agreement, all as amended, extended or restated.

                                       20



     "Material  Adverse Change" is: (i) A material  impairment in the perfection
or priority of Bank's  security  interest in the  Collateral  or in the value of
such Collateral; (ii) a material adverse change in the business,  operations, or
condition  (financial or otherwise) of Borrower;  or (iii) a material impairment
of the prospect of repayment of any portion of the Obligations.

     "Maturity Date" is 364 days from the date of this Agreement;  provided that
the Maturity Date shall  automatically  be extended,  and this  Agreement  shall
automatically  and continuously  renew,  for successive  additional terms of one
year each,  subject to Borrower paying all fees and expenses provided for herein
(including,  without  limitation,  any  additional  Facility  Fee) and  subject,
further,  to each party's right to terminate this Agreement  pursuant to Section
2.1.1 (g).

     "Minimum Finance Charge" [omitted].

     "Obligations"  are all advances,  liabilities,  obligations,  covenants and
duties  owing,  arising,  due or payable by  Borrower to Bank now or later under
this  Agreement  or  any  other  document,   instrument  or  agreement,  account
(including  those  acquired by  assignment)  primary or  secondary,  such as all
Advances,  Finance Charges,  Facility Fee,  Collateral  Handling Fee,  interest,
fees,  expenses,  professional fees and attorneys' fees, or other amounts now or
hereafter owing by Borrower to Bank.

     "Perfection Certificate" is a certain representations and warranties letter
agreement  previously  executed and  delivered by Borrower to Bank in connection
with this Agreement.

     "Permitted Indebtedness" is:

          (a) Borrower's  indebtedness  to Bank under this Agreement or the Loan
     Documents;

          (b) Subordinated Debt;

          (c) Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of
     business; and

          (d) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens.

     "Permitted  Investments" are: (i) marketable direct  obligations  issued or
unconditionally  guaranteed  by the  United  States  or its  agency or any state
maturing within 1 year from its  acquisition,  (ii) commercial paper maturing no
more than 1 year after its  creation  and having the highest  rating from either
Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc., (iii) Bank's
certificates  of deposit issued  maturing no more than 1 year after issue,  (iv)
any other investments administered through Bank.

     "Permitted Liens" are:

          (a) Liens arising under this Agreement or other Loan Documents;

          (b) Liens for taxes, fees,  assessments or other government charges or
     levies,  either not  delinquent  or being  contested  in good faith and for
     which Borrower  maintains  adequate  reserves on its Books, if they have no
     priority over any of Bank's security interests;

                                       21



          (c) Purchase  money  Liens  securing  no  more  than  $400,000  in the
     aggregate amount  outstanding (i) on equipment acquired or held by Borrower
     incurred for financing the  acquisition of the equipment,  or (ii) existing
     on  equipment  when  acquired,  if the Lien is confined to the property and
     improvements and the proceeds of the equipment;

          (d) Leases or  subleases  and  non-exclusive  licenses or  sublicenses
     granted in the  ordinary  course of  Borrower's  business,  if the  leases,
     subleases,  licenses  and  sublicenses  permit  granting  Bank  a  security
     interest;

          (e) Liens  incurred in the  extension,  renewal or  refinancing of the
     indebtedness  secured  by  Liens  described  in (a)  through  (d),  but any
     extension,  renewal or  replacement  Lien must be  limited to the  property
     encumbered  by  the  existing   Lien  and  the  principal   amount  of  the
     indebtedness may not increase.

     "Person"  is any  individual,  sole  proprietorship,  partnership,  limited
liability company, joint venture, company, trust,  unincorporated  organization,
association,  corporation,  institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint
stock company, estate, entity or government agency.

     "Prime Rate" is the greater of (i) four and one-quarter  percent (4.25%) or
(ii)  Bank's  most  recently  announced  "prime  rate," even if it is not Bank's
lowest rate.

     "Reconciliation Day" is the last calendar day of each month.

     "Reconciliation Period" is each calendar month.

     "Responsible  Officer" is each of the Chief Executive  Officer,  President,
Chief Financial Officer and Controller of Borrower.

     "Subordinated Debt" is debt incurred by Borrower subordinated to Borrower's
debt to Bank (pursuant to a subordination  agreement  entered into between Bank,
Borrower and the subordinated creditor), on terms acceptable to Bank.

     "Subsidiary" is any Person,  corporation,  partnership,  limited  liability
company,  joint venture,  or any other business entity of which more than 50% of
the voting stock or other equity  interests is owned or controlled,  directly or
indirectly, by the Person or one or more Affiliates of the Person.

     "Tangible  Net Worth" is, on any date,  the  consolidated  total  assets of
Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries  minus  (i)  any  amounts  attributable  to (a)
goodwill,  (b) intangible items including unamortized debt discount and expense,
patents,  trade and  service  marks  and  names,  copyrights  and  research  and
development  expenses  except  prepaid  expenses,  and (c)  reserves not already
deducted from assets, minus (ii) Total Liabilities.

     "Total Liabilities" is on any day,  obligations that should, under GAAP, be
classified as liabilities on Borrower's  consolidated  balance sheet,  including
all Indebtedness,  and current portion of Subordinated Debt permitted by Bank to
be paid by Borrower, but excluding all other Subordinated Debt.

                                       22



     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
executed as a sealed  instrument under the laws of the State of California as of
the date first above written.

BORROWER:

VIKING SYSTEMS, INC.

By  /s/ Thomas B. Marsh
Name:  Thomas B. Marsh
Title: CEO

BANK:

SILICON VALLEY BANK

By  /s/ Robert Anderson
Name: Robert Anderson
Title:  Vice President










                                       23




                                    EXHIBIT A

     The Collateral  consists of all of Borrower's right,  title and interest in
and to the following:

     All goods,  equipment,  inventory,  contract rights or rights to payment of
money, leases,  license agreements,  franchise  agreements,  general intangibles
(including payment intangibles),  accounts (including health-care  receivables),
documents,  instruments (including any promissory notes), chattel paper (whether
tangible or electronic),  cash,  deposit accounts,  fixtures,  letters of credit
rights  (whether  or not the  letter  of  credit  is  evidenced  by a  writing),
commercial  tort  claims,   securities,   and  all  other  investment  property,
supporting  obligations,  and financial  assets,  whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, wherever located; and

     Any copyright rights,  copyright applications,  copyright registrations and
like  protections  in each  work of  authorship  and  derivative  work,  whether
published or unpublished,  now owned or later acquired; any patents, trademarks,
service marks and applications  therefor;  trade styles,  trade names, any trade
secret  rights,  including  any  rights  to  unpatented  inventions,   know-how,
operating manuals,  license rights and agreements and confidential  information,
now owned or hereafter  acquired;  or any claims for damages by way of any past,
present and future infringement of any of the foregoing; and

     All  Borrower's  books  relating to the  foregoing  and any and all claims,
rights and interests in any of the above and all substitutions  for,  additions,
attachments,  accessories,  accessions  and  improvements  to and  replacements,
products, proceeds and insurance proceeds of any or all of the foregoing.












                                       24




                                    EXHIBIT B
                               SILICON VALLEY BANK
                           SPECIALTY FINANCE DIVISION
                             Compliance Certificate

     I, as authorized officer of Viking Systems, Inc. ("Borrower") certify under
the Loan and Security  Agreement (the "Agreement")  between Borrower and Silicon
Valley Bank  ("Bank") as follows (all  capitalized  terms used herein shall have
the meaning set forth in the Agreement):

Borrower represents and warrants for each Financed Receivable:

Each Financed Receivable is an Eligible Account.

Borrower is the owner with legal right to sell,  transfer,  assign and  encumber
such Financed Receivable;

The correct amount is on the Invoice Transmittal and is not disputed;

Payment is not  contingent  on any  obligation  or  contract  and  Borrower  has
fulfilled all its obligations as of the Invoice Transmittal date;

Each Financed Receivable is based on an actual sale and delivery of goods and/or
services rendered,  is due to Borrower,  is not past due or in default,  has not
been  previously  sold,  assigned,  transferred,  or pledged  and is free of any
liens, security interests and encumbrances other than Permitted Liens;

There  are no  defenses,  offsets,  counterclaims  or  agreements  for which the
Account Debtor may claim any deduction or discount;

It  reasonably  believes  no  Account  Debtor is  insolvent  or  subject  to any
Insolvency Proceedings;

It has not filed or had filed  against it  Insolvency  Proceedings  and does not
anticipate any filing;

Bank has the right to endorse  and/ or require  Borrower to endorse all payments
received on Financed Receivables and all proceeds of Collateral.

No representation, warranty or other statement of Borrower in any certificate or
written statement given to Bank contains any untrue statement of a material fact
or omits to state a material fact  necessary to make the statement  contained in
the certificates or statement not misleading.

                                       25



Additionally, Borrower represents and warrants as follows:

Borrower and each  Subsidiary is duly existing and in good standing in its state
of formation  and qualified and licensed to do business in, and in good standing
in, any state in which the conduct of its business or its  ownership of property
requires  that it be  qualified  except  where  the  failure  to do so could not
reasonably  be  expected  to cause a Material  Adverse  Change.  The  execution,
delivery and performance of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized, and do
not conflict with Borrower's  organizational  documents, nor constitute an event
of default under any material agreement by which Borrower is bound.  Borrower is
not in default under any agreement to which or by which it is bound in which the
default could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

Borrower has good title to the Collateral, free of Liens except Permitted Liens.
All inventory is in all material respects of good and marketable  quality,  free
from material defects.

Borrower  is  not  an  "investment  company"  or a  company  "controlled"  by an
"investment  company" under the Investment  Company Act. Borrower is not engaged
as one of its important  activities in extending  credit for margin stock (under
Regulations X, T and U of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors).  Borrower has
complied in all material  respects  with the Federal Fair Labor  Standards  Act.
Borrower has not violated any laws,  ordinances or rules, the violation of which
could  reasonably  be  expected  to cause a  Material  Adverse  Change.  None of
Borrower's or any Subsidiary's properties or assets has been used by Borrower or
any Subsidiary or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge,  by previous Persons, in
disposing, producing, storing, treating, or transporting any hazardous substance
other than legally.  Borrower and each  Subsidiary has timely filed all required
tax returns and paid,  or made  adequate  provision to pay, all material  taxes,
except those being  contested in good faith with adequate  reserves  under GAAP.
Borrower  and  each   Subsidiary  has  obtained  all  consents,   approvals  and
authorizations  of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices
to, all  government  authorities  that are necessary to continue its business as
currently  conducted  except where the failure to obtain or make such  consents,
declarations,  notices or filings  would not  reasonably  be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Change.

All  representations and warranties in the Agreement are true and correct in all
material  respects on this date,  and the Borrower  represents  that there is no
existing Event of Default. Sincerely,

Signature:
            ------------------------------

Title:
            ------------------------------

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



834216.1







                                       26