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                                 EXHIBIT 10.23
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                          THE PRIVATE FINANCING GROUP
                          ---------------------------
                                        CORPORATE FINANCE

                         FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT

This exclusive Financial Advisory Agreement ("FAA") is entered into as of this 
17th day of December, 1996, between Anchor Pacific Underwriters, Inc., herein 
referred to as the "Company", "Principal" or "Client", and The Private Financing
Group ("TPFG"), with offices at 2659 Townsgate Road, Suite 101, Westlake 
Village, CA 91361. The "Client's" business address is 1800 Sutter Street, Suite 
400, Concord, CA 94520, telephone number 510/682-7707.

                              TERMS OF AGREEMENT

1.  On the terms and conditions set forth herein, the "Client" engages "TPFG" as
    a Financial Advisor, and "TPFG" accepts such engagement on an exclusive
    basis.

2.  Advisory Services:  "TPFG" agrees to advise and assist the "Client" on a 
    -----------------
    best efforts, non guarantee basis, in some or all of the following areas:
    planning, balance sheet analysis, locating investors, joint venture, merger
    partners, or funding sources, reviewing overall business needs and in
    promoting the internal and external business goals of the "Client". For the
    purpose of this "FAA", Parties introduced to the "Client" related to any or
    all of the above activities, or Sources introduced to the "Client" by a
    party(ies) introduced to the "Client" by "TPFG" shall be defined as
    "Introduced Party". Common sense and reasonableness will be used as the
    standard to define "Introduced Party". The "Client" agrees and acknowledges
    that they have provided specific direction to "TPFG", with regard to capital
    requirements, structure and aggregate amounts of capital required by the
    "Client" in order for "TPFG" to carry out its advisory assignment.

3.  Advisory Compensation:
    ---------------------

    a.  Advisory Consulting fees:  $15,000 per month commencing on the signature
        date of this "FAA" and each twenty (20) business days thereafter.
        Advisory Consulting Fees are due, payable and fully earned on the first
        day of each 20 business day cycle. The Advisory Consulting Fees will be
        applicable and payable from the date of the signing of this "FAA" for a
        period of six (6) months. Advisory Consulting Fees may be extended with
        the mutual consent of the client and "TPFG". Please refer to
        cancellation Section 5, page 3.

    b.  Advisory Bonus:

        (1)  If an "Introduced Party" enters into an Agreement with the
             "Client", the "Client" shall immediately pay "TPFG", for each
             funding, a percentage of the gross funding or gross line of credit
             amount without reductions for other parties' fees, expenses, etal.,
             between the "Client" and the "Introduced Party" according to the
             following schedule: ("TPFG" at its sole discretion, may establish
             an escrow account to disburse funds to appropriate parties.)

                     FUNDING SCHEDULE                ADVISORY BONUS
                     ----------------                --------------
             Up to   $ 5.0 million:                    7.50% Plus;
             From    $ 5.1 million to $ 8.0 million:   7.00% Plus;
             From    $ 8.1 million to $10.0 million:   6.55% Plus;
             From    $10.1 million to $15.0 million:   6.35% Plus;
             Over    $15.1 million:                    5.00%.


    c.  Warrants: Warrants for Common Stock will be issued to "TPFG" according
        to the following funding schedule, each exercisable at any time, at or
        after a public offering at the discretion of "TPFG", or the private sale
        of the "Client". Company Warrants for Common Stock will be issued to
        "TPFG" according to the schedule below for monies received by the
        "Client" as per Section 7., page 3. Terms of Agreement. The Warrant
        percentages below are to be applied to monies raised per the Funding
        Schedule, shares issued to an "Introduced Party" for each funding plus
        any shares issued pursuant to any other rights present and/or


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             made available in all other agreements and securities issued after
             the Contract Signature Date that confer a right to obtain Common
             Stock by their terms, such as Stock Options or Warrants.

                     FUNDING SCHEDULE                ADVISORY BONUS
                     ----------------                --------------
             Up to   $ 5.0 million:                    6.00% Plus;
             From    $ 5.1 million to $ 8.0 million:   7.05% Plus;
             From    $ 8.1 million to $10.0 million:   7.15% Plus;
             From    $10.1 million to $15.0 million:   7.25% Plus;
             Over    $15.1 million:                    7.50%.


             (1)  Exercise Price: $1.35 for each share of Common Stock of the
                  Company.

             (2)  Registration Rights: At any time, more than one (1) year
                  following the Closing Date of the Offering, "TPFG" shall have
                  a one time demand registration rights, subject to reasonable
                  and customary terms, to cover its shares of Common Stock.

             (3)  Selling Expenses: All expenses and fees relating to the
                  registered sale of Common Stock, including the fees and
                  expenses of "TPFG". Common Stock, including the fees and
                  expenses of "TPFG's" counsel, in all demand and "piggyback"
                  registrations, shall be paid by the "Company".

             (4)  Anti-Dilution and Net Exercisability: Customary terms and
                  provisions.

             (5)  "Piggyback" Rights: "TPFG" shall have the right to participate
                  on a pro-rata basis and on customary terms, in any and all
                  public offerings of Common Stock by the "Company".

             (6)  Right of First Refusal: "TPFG" shall have the right to
                  purchase, on the same basis as all other purchasers, its pro-
                  rata share, assuming full exercise of Warrants, of any and
                  all issuances of Common Stock or Options, Warrants, other
                  rights or securities exercisable, convertible or exchangeable
                  for shares of Common Stock.

             (7)  Warrant Convertibility: The "Client" shall promptly (no less
                  than 45 days) give "TPFG" notice in the event the "Client" is
                  sold or there is a change in control of the "Company". In such
                  instance "TPFG" shall have the right to exercise the Warrants
                  and receive all the rights and powers received by the
                  Shareholders of the "Client's" Common Stock, including
                  registration rights and other customary rights.

    d.  Stock Options: "TPFG" is hereby granted Stock Option rights to purchase
        "Client's" Common Stock at $1.35 per common share. "TPFG" may invest,
        at their discretion, up to 60% of their earned Advisory Bonus to
        purchase said Options. These Stock Options are granted for a four (4)
        year period beginning from receipt of funds by the "Client" and are
        earned for monies received by the "Client" during the "Full Agreement
        Term", thirty six (36) months from the Contract Signature Date from
        "Introduced Parties". It is also agreed that "TPFG" will receive a copy
        of the "Client's" Stock Option Plan and has the right to inspect any
        document associated with same.

    e.  Business Plan Retainer: Evaluation, rewrite, or writing of a new or
        existing Business Plan shall cost $11,600 and require an initial
        retainer payment of $6,750 if required by "Client". All Business Plan
        related expenses such as, but not limited for the plan, printing and
        binding will be billed to and payable by "Client" at cost.

    f.  Break-Up Fee: Should "Client" not accept funding after a funding offer
        is accepted in writing by the "Client" and/or "Client" violates the
        exclusivity of this Agreement in raising funds with sources other than
        those introduced by "TPFG" and/or those illustrated, if any in Schedule
        A attached, then the "Client" shall pay to "TPFG" $110,000* which is in
        addition to all current and future Advisory Consulting Fees as well as
        the dollar amount of the Advisory Bonus that would have been earned had
        up to $2.5 million been funded. Common Stock, Warrants and Common Stock
        Options for the $2.5 million funding level are also to be treated as
        immediately earned by "TPFG" and are





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        immediately due and payable along with the Break-Up Fee and Advisory
        Bonus. *Break-Up Fee is per each acquisition occurrence where "Client"
        does not accept funding offer after being accepted by "Client" in
        writing.

    g.  Management Consulting Advisory Agreement: "Client" agrees that "TPFG"
        has the right via this Agreement to offer and "Client" agrees to accept,
        if offered by "TPFG" a Management Consulting Advisory Agreement in lieu
        of a lump sum payment as defined in the Advisory Compensation and
        Subsequent Financing Sections pages 1,2 and 3. Payment to "TPFG" of
        Compensation earned by "TPFG" as a result of their efforts shall be over
        a twenty four (24) month period of time. Said Consulting Agreement and
        payments will commence immediately upon receipt of funds by "Client"
        from an "Introduced Party" and are considered immediately earned by
        "TPFG".

    h.  Expenses: The "Client" shall reimburse "TPFG" for all reasonable
        expenses; reasonable documented expenses are mileage at $.15/mile,
        postage, business lunches, air travel, hotel, etal "TPFG" incurs in
        performance of this "FAA". All expenses above $150 for each occurrence
        are to be pre-approved by the "Client". Expenses will be pre-paid in
        advance by "Client".

4.  Payment Schedule: The "Client" shall pay "TPFG" all forms of
    ----------------
    Compensation immediately upon receipt of funds when received by the "Client"
    from the "Introduced Party". Any cash payment required to be made hereunder
    which is not made on its due date shall accrue interest on the unpaid
    balance at the annual rate of twelve percent (12%), cumulative compounded
    yearly, until fully paid. "Client" acknowledges and agrees that "TPFG" may
    pursue collection activities at "Client" expense to collect Compensation
    owed. This "FAA" may be placed in escrow for payment at the discretion of
    "TPFG".

5.  Cancellation: In the event that, during the term hereof, the "Client"
    ------------
    decides to cancel the "FAA" with "TPFG" before a letter of interest to
    proceed with the financing is offered by an "Introduced Party", the "Client"
    shall immediately pay "TPFG" any remaining unpaid balance of the Advisory
    Consulting Fees. However, should "Client" engage in any manner, or receive
    funds from an "Introduced Party" subsequent to this cancellation and for a
    period of time covering three (3) years from Contract Signature Date, the
    "Full Agreement Term", "TPFG" will be entitled and has the rights to all
    forms of compensation and benefits as described and noted in this Agreement
    as though "TPFG" had completed their assignment. "TPFG" may cancel with
    thirty (30) days written notice, no further fees, bonuses, etal are due
    "TPFG" after the effective cancellation date. Agreement may be canceled by
    "Client" after the lapse of thirty (30) days, thereafter with thirty (30)
    day notice. All fees are immediately due and payable upon cancellation.

6.  Subsequent Financings: "TPFG" shall also have the exclusive right of first
    ---------------------
    refusal for six (6) months following any successful funding to represent the
    "Client" as Advisor for any other form of future financing beyond
    acquisition financing as covered by Sections 3b. and c. pages 1 and 2;
    beyond those specific relationships currently in existence at the time this
    "FAA" is entered into as outlined in Exhibit A attached; e.g.
    public/secondary offering. For this effort, "TPFG" shall be paid *% of gross
    fundings or gross line of credit, without reductions for other parties'
    fees, expenses, etal as well as additional non cash Compensation at a 40%
    reduction from the initial acquisition assignment non cash Compensation
    (Warrants, Stock and/or Stock Options) as per Schedules on pages 1 and 2.
    This earned Compensation is intended to include Stock, Options and Warrants
    as described in Advisory and Subsequent Financing Compensation Sections on
    pages 1,2,3 and 4. *All financing will be at the Advisory Bonus rates on
    page 1.

7.  Terms of Agreement: This "FAA" shall remain in force and effect for one (1)
    ------------------
    year beginning with the Signature Acceptance Date of this "FAA" and may be
    extended upon such terms and conditions as are mutually agreed upon by the
    "Client" and "TPFG". If an additional or new transaction is entered into
    with an "Introduced Party", and consummated after this "FAA", extension of
    this "FAA" or the "Full Agreement Term" then all forms of Compensation as
    outlined in Section 3, Pages 1,2 and 3 as well as Section 6, page 3 shall
    be treated as earned and is hereby agreed by the "Client" to be fully
    earned. The termination of this "FAA" within a period of three (3) years
    following the Contract Signature Date of this "FAA", called the "Full
    Agreement Term"; "TPFG" shall be entitled to all forms of



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    Compensation herein as if such transaction had been consummated during the
    term of this "FAA", or extension of this "FAA", as outlined in all of the
    Sections relating to Advisory Compensation Section 3, pages 1,2 and 3 as
    well as Section 6, page 3 Compensation. The option to proceed with the
    finalization and acceptance of any funding commitments is at the discretion
    of the "Client". This "FAA" further binds any successors, assigns,
    affiliates and subsidiaries of the "Client".

8.  Remedies in the Event of Breach:  In the event of breach of this "FAA", the 
    -------------------------------
    breaching party agrees to repay the other party for all expenses, including
    but not limited to: mediation costs, arbitration costs, court costs and
    reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the other party as a result of the
    breach or in taking any action necessary to obtain and enforce its rights
    under this "FAA".

9.  Non-Circumvention:
    -----------------

    a.  The "Client" agrees that neither they, their partners, officers or
        business associates, or relatives will make any contact, deal with, or
        otherwise become involved with any "Introduced Party" that have been
        introduced by "TPFG" for a period of three (3) years from the Signature
        Date of this "FAA" unless "TPFG" is compensated as per this "FAA".

    b.  The "Client" also acknowledges that unauthorized contact without the
        express written direction of "TPFG" with the "Introduced Parties"
        sourced by "TPFG" within this three (3) year period may cause harm
        and/or financial detriment to "TPFG". The "Client" and "TPFG" agree that
        any legal cost incurred relative to an action associated with the
        performance of this "FAA" shall be borne by the defaulting party. The
        "Client" further acknowledges the confidential nature of the financing
        sources, and agrees not to disclose these sources without the permission
        of "TPFG".

10.  Non-Disclosure:
     --------------

     a. The "Client" agrees that any information that is disclosed by "TPFG"
        will be considered proprietary and confidential, including any and all
        such information relating to the documents and/or this specific "FAA"
        provided by "TPFG" relating to the "Client". The "Client" acknowledges
        that disclosure without "TPFG's" permission could result in monetary
        damages to "TPFG".

     b. "TPFG" acknowledges the confidential and proprietary nature of technical
        and business financial information disclosed by the "Client". "TPFG"
        herein agrees to use reasonable care in disclosing any of the
        information divulged by the "Client" to "TPFG" in carrying out its
        services for the "Client".

11.  Indemnification and Hold Harmless:  The "Client" shall indemnify, defend 
     ---------------------------------
     and hold harmless "TPFG" and its shareholders, officers, directors, agents,
     employees, and attorneys from and against any and all obligations, claims,
     liabilities, indebtedness, losses, costs, expenses, including without
     limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, damages deficiencies,
     liens, encumbrances and judgments, whether direct, consequential or
     contingent, resulting or arising from or in any way related to this "FAA"
     or the services provided by "TPFG" under this "FAA", including, without
     limitation, any untrue statement or omission in the information provided by
     or through the "Client" to prospective providers of funds, provided,
     however, the "Client" shall have no obligation to indemnify, or defend
     "TPFG", its shareholders, officers, directors, agents, employees and
     attorneys for any conduct that is grossly negligent or willful misconduct.
     This indemnity shall survive any termination or expiration of this "FAA".

12.  Reconciliation:
     --------------

     a.  Good faith attempts shall be made by the parties to resolve any 
         disputes by informal mediation.

     b.  Any continuing discrepancies with the best efforts (non-guarantee)
         basis and other terms of this "FAA" shall be handled in binding
         arbitration, under the rules of the American Arbitration Association.





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13. Choice of Law/Acknowledgment: This "FAA" shall be construed pursuant to the
    ----------------------------
    Laws of the State of California. This Agreement shall be deemed entered into
    in Ventura County, CA.

14. Assignment: This "FAA" may not be assigned by any party hereto without the 
    ----------
    prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be 
    unreasonably withheld. 

15. Force Majeure: Neither party will be deemed in default of this Agreement to 
    -------------
    the extent that performances of their obligations or attempts to cure any
    breach are delayed or prevented by reason of any act of God, fire, natural
    disaster, accident, act of government, shortages of material or supplies or
    any other cause beyond the control of such party ("Force Majeure"), provided
    that such party gives the other written notice thereof promptly and, in any
    event, within fifteen (15) days of discovery thereof and uses its good faith
    efforts to cure the breach. In the event of such a Force Majeure, the time
    for performance of cure will be extended for a period equal to the duration
    of the Force Majeure but not in excess of six (6) months.

16. Severability: Should any provision of this Agreement be held to be void, 
    ------------
    invalid or inoperative, such provision shall be enforced to the extent
    possible and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be 
    affected.

17. Headings: The headings of the Sections of this Agreement are for 
    --------
    convenience only and shall not be of any effect in construing the meanings
    of the Sections.

18. Waiver: No waiver of any obligation by any party hereto under this 
    ------
    Agreement shall be effective unless in writing, specifying such waiver,
    executed by the party making such waiver. A waiver by a party hereto of any
    of its rights or remedies under this Agreement on any occasion shall not be
    a bar to the exercise of the same right of remedy on any subsequent occasion
    shall not be a bar to the exercise of the same right of remedy on any
    subsequent occasion or of any other right of remedy at any time.

19. Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which 
    ------------
    shall be deemed an original Agreement for all purposes, including the
    judicial proof of any of the terms hereof, provided, however that all such
    counterparts shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

20. Presumptions: Because the parties hereto have participated in drafting this 
    ------------
    Agreement, there shall be no presumption against any party on the ground
    that such party was responsible for preparing this Agreement or any part of
    it.

21. Amendments: No amendments or modification of this Agreement will be made 
    ----------
    except by an instrument in writing signed by both parties.

22. Remedies: Unless expressly set forth to the contrary, either party's 
    --------
    election of any remedies provided for in this Agreement shall not be
    exclusive of any other remedies available hereunder or otherwise at law or
    in equality, and all such remedies shall be deemed to be cumulative.

23. Limitation of Liability: Except for the indemnification obligation of 
    -----------------------
    either party as expressly set forth herein, neither party shall be liable
    to the other party for any incidental, consequential, special or punitive
    damages arising out of this Agreement or its termination, or the breach of
    any of its provisions, whether for breach of warranty or any obligation
    arising therefrom or otherwise, whether liability is asserted in contract or
    tort (including negligence and strict product liability), and irrespective
    of whether the parties have been advised or not been advised of the
    possibility of any such loss or damage.

24. Doing Acts to Achieve Intent: The parties convenant and agree to do such 
    ----------------------------
    things, to attend or cause their respective representatives to attend such
    meetings, and execute such further documents, agreements and assurances as
    may be deemed necessary or advisable from time to time in order to carry out
    the terms and conditions of this Agreement in accordance with its true
    intent.










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25.  Prior Consulting Agreements: "Client" has previously engaged Bentley
     ---------------------------
     Securities and Gerbsman Partners to seek funding and that such parties may
     have a right to receive a commission or other compensation in the event
     funding is provided by a source they introduced to the "Client". In such
     event, the "Client" shall assume sole responsibility for any such fee or
     commission to such previously engaged parties and "TPFG" shall be entitled
     to the Compensation provided for pursuant to the "FAA" as though they were
     a "TPFG" "Introduced Party".


THE ABOVE IS UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED AS OF THE 17TH DAY OF DECEMBER, 1996.
ALL LEGIBLE FACSIMILE SIGNATURES WILL BE CONSIDERED AND ACCEPTED AS ORIGINALS.

FOR:            ANCHOR PACIFIC UNDERWRITERS, INC.
PRINT NAME:     JAMES R. DUNATHAN
SIGNATURE:      /s/ James R. Dunathan
                ---------------------
TITLE:          PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

FOR:            THE PRIVATE FINANCING GROUP
PRINT NAME:     JAY L. BARTELSTONE
SIGNATURE:      /s/ Jay L. Bartelstone
                ----------------------
TITLE:          PRESIDENT










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                                  SCHEDULE A
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                           Intentionally Left Blank





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