<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.3 

                           MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING
                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

     This MULTICURRENCY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT is made as of March 31, 1995
among UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation with chief
executive office at 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 222, Palm Desert,
California 92260 (the "Parent"), the foreign and domestic Subsidiaries of the
Parent other than the Excluded Subsidiaries as herein defined (the Parent and
such Subsidiaries herein referred to collectively as the "Borrowers" and,
individually, as a "Borrower"), THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON ("FNBB"), a
national banking association having its principal place of business at 100
Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF
CALIFORNIA ("First Interstate"), having its principal place of business at 707
Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90017 (such financial institutions
and any financial institutions which become parties hereto in accordance with
(S)19 hereof are collectively referred to herein as the "Lenders" and
individually as a "Lender") and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON, as agent for
the Lenders (the "Agent"). 

                                   RECITALS

     WHEREAS, pursuant to a Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as
of September 20, 1993 (as amended and in effect as of the date hereof, the
"Original Credit Agreement"), among the Parent, certain Subsidiaries of the
Parent and FNBB, FNBB has made loans and issued letters of credit to the Parent
and certain of the Parent's Subsidiaries (the "Existing Loans and Letters of
Credit"); 

     WHEREAS, that indebtedness owing from certain of the Parent's foreign
Subsidiaries to the Agent's affiliate in Paris (the "Paris Affiliate"), France
and guaranteed by the Parent shall be terminated as of the Effective Date (the
"Existing Multicurrency Facility"); and 

     WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent desire to amend and
restate the Original Credit Agreement to modify the terms and structure of the
Existing Loans, to increase the amount which the Lenders are committed to lend
to the Borrowers and to replace the Existing Multicurrency Facility, to modify
certain financial covenants, and to join First Interstate Bank and certain
Subsidiaries of the Parent as parties to this Agreement. 

     NOW THEREFORE, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
(S)10 hereof, the Borrowers, the Lenders and the Agent hereby agree that
<PAGE>
 
the Original Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as
set forth herein. 

     (S)1. DEFINITIONS. (a) The following terms shall have the meanings set
           -----------
forth in this (S)1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Agreement referred to
below: 

     Accountants. See (S)7.4(a). 
     -----------

     Agent. See Preamble. 
     -----

     Agreement. This Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement, including the
     ---------
Exhibits and Schedules hereto, as amended from time to time. 

     Applicable Laws. See (S)7.10. 
     ---------------

     Assignment and Acceptance. See (S)19.1 
     -------------------------

     Balance Sheet Date. March 31, 1994. 
     ------------------

     Base Rate. The higher of (a) the rate per annum (rounded upward, if
     ---------
necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the annual rate of interest
announced from time to time by FNBB at its head office in Boston,
Massachusetts, as its "Base Rate" or (b) one-half percent (1/2%) above the
overnight federal funds effective rate, as published by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time. 

     Borrowers. See Preamble. 
     ---------

     Business Day. Any day on which commercial banking institutions in Boston,
     ------------
Massachusetts and in Los Angeles, California are open for the transaction of
banking business. 

     Capital Assets. Fixed assets, both tangible (such as land, buildings,
     --------------
fixtures, machinery and equipment) and intangible (such as patents, copyrights,
trademarks, franchises and goodwill); provided that Capital Assets shall not
include any item customarily charged directly to expense or depreciated over a
useful life of twelve (12) months or less in accordance with GAAP. 

     Capital Expenditures. Amounts paid or indebtedness incurred by any Person
     --------------------
in connection with the purchase or lease by such Person of Capital Assets that
would be required to be capitalized and shown on the balance sheet of such
Person in accordance with GAAP (excluding any Capital Assets associated with a
distinct revenue stream from a customer contract). 

     certified. With respect to the financial statements of any Person, such
     ---------
statements as audited by a firm of independent auditors, whose report expresses 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
the opinion, without qualification, that such financial statements present
fairly the financial position of such Person. 

     CFO. See (S)7.4(b). 
     ---

     Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from
     ----
time to time. 

     Collateral. The shares of the Subsidiaries of the Parent (other than
     ----------
Excluded Subsidiaries) that are or are intended to be subject to the security
interests created by the Security and Pledge Agreement. 

     Commitment. With respect to each Lender, the amount set forth on Schedule
      ----------                                                      --------
1 hereto as the amount of such Lender's commitment to make Loans to, and to
-
participate in the issuance, extension and renewal of Letters of Credit for the
account of, the Borrowers, as the same may be reduced from time to time; or if
such commitment is terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero. 

     Commitment Percentage. With respect to each Lender, the percentage set
     ---------------------
forth on Schedule 2 hereto as such Lender's percentage of the aggregate
         ----------
Commitments of all of the Lenders. 

     Commitment Fee. See (S)5.16.
     --------------

     Compliance Certificate. See (S)7.4(c). 
     ----------------------

     Consolidated or consolidated. With reference to any term defined herein,
     ----------------------------
shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Borrowers, consolidated
in accordance with GAAP, after eliminating all intercompany items. 

     Consolidated Current Assets. All assets of the Borrowers on a consolidated
     ---------------------------
basis that, in accordance with GAAP, are properly classified as current assets,
provided that notes and accounts receivable shall be included only if payable
--------
on demand or within one (1) year from the date as of which Consolidated Current
Assets are to be determined and if not directly or indirectly renewable or
extendable at the option of the debtors, by their terms, or by the terms of any
instrument or agreement relating thereto, beyond such year, and such notes and
accounts receivable shall be taken at their face value less reserves determined
to be sufficient in accordance with GAAP. 

     Consolidated Current Liabilities. All liabilities of the Borrowers on a
     --------------------------------
consolidated basis maturing on demand or within one (1) year from the date as
of which Consolidated Current Liabilities are to be determined (but, until
March 30, 1998, excluding the Loans), and such other liabilities as may
properly be classified as current liabilities in accordance with GAAP. 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and
     ---------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization, or EBITDA. For any period, the Consolidated Net Income (or
-----------------------
Deficit) of the Borrowers determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (a) interest
                                                              ----
expense, (b) income taxes, (c) depreciation, and (d) amortization for such
period. 

     Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) or Net Income (or Deficit). The
     ------------------------------------    -----------------------
consolidated net income (or deficit) of the Borrowers, or the net income or
deficit of any Borrower on an individual basis, after deduction of all
expenses, taxes, extraordinary gains, and other proper charges, determined in
accordance with GAAP. 

     Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization or EBITA.
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
For any period, the Consolidated Net Income (or Deficit) of the Borrowers
determined in accordance with GAAP, plus (a) interest expense, (b) income
                                    ----
taxes, and (c) amortization for such period. 

     Consolidated Senior Liabilities. Consolidated Total Liabilities less
     -------------------------------                                 ----
Subordinated Debt. 

     Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. The excess of the Consolidated Total
     -------------------------------
Assets over Consolidated Total Liabilities, and less the sum of:

     (a) the total book value of all assets of the Borrowers which would be
     treated as intangibles under GAAP including without limitation, such items
     as goodwill, trademarks, trade names, service marks, brand names,
     copyrights, patents and licenses, and rights with respect to the
     foregoing; and 

     (b) all amounts representing any write-up in the book value of any
     consolidated assets resulting from a revaluation thereof subsequent to the
     Balance Sheet Date. 

     Consolidated Total Assets. All assets of the Borrowers determined on a
     -------------------------
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. 

     Consolidated Total Interest Expense. For any period, the aggregate amount
     -----------------------------------
of interest required to be paid or accrued by the Borrowers during such period
on all Indebtedness of the Borrowers outstanding during all or any part of such
period, whether such interest was or is required to be reflected as an item of
expense or capitalized, including commitment fees, agency fees, facility fees,
balance deficiency fees and similar fees or expenses in connection with the
borrowing of money. 

     Consolidated Total Liabilities. All liabilities of the Borrowers
     ------------------------------
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. 

     Default. See (S)12. 
     -------

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     Disposal. See "Release." 
     --------

     Distribution. The declaration or payment of any dividend on or in respect
     ------------
of any shares of any class of capital stock of any Person, other than dividends
payable solely in shares of common stock of such Person; or the purchase,
redemption, or other retirement of any shares of any class of capital stock of
such Person, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary or otherwise; the
return of capital by any Person to its shareholders as such; or any other
distribution on or in respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of
such Person. 

     Dollar Equivalent. With respect to any amounts denominated in a currency
     -----------------
other than Dollars, the amount of Dollars which would be obtained upon
conversion of such currency into Dollars, converted at the middle spot rate of
exchange, at about 11:00 a.m., local time, on the date of determination, of the
Paris Affiliate. 

     Dollars or $. Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America. 
     ------------

     Domestic Borrowers. The domestic Subsidiaries of the Parent listed on
     ------------------
Schedule 1 hereto. 
----------

     Drawdown Date. The date on which any Loan is made or is to be made. 
     -------------

     Effective Date. The date on which the conditions precedent set forth in
     --------------
(S)10 hereof are satisfied.

     Eligible Assignee. Any of (i) a commercial bank organized under the laws
     -----------------
of the United States, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and
having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii) a savings and loan
association or savings bank organized under the laws of the organized under the
laws of United States, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and
having a net worth of at least $100,000,000, calculated in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles; (iii) a commercial bank organized
under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"), or a political subdivision
of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000,
provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the
--------
country in which it is organized or another country which is also a member of
the OECD; (iv) the central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD;
and (v) if, but only if, any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
any other bank, insurance company, commercial finance company or other
financial institution approved by the Agent, such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     Employee Benefit Plan. Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
     ---------------------
(S)3(3) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate, other than a Multiemployer Plan. 

     Environmental Laws. All applicable federal, state, provincial, municipal,
     ------------------
local and foreign laws, principles of common law or civil law, regulations,
by-laws, guidelines and codes, as such laws, principles, regulations, by-laws
and guidelines and codes may be amended from time to time, as well as orders,
decrees, judgments, seizures or injunctions issued, promulgated, approved or
entered thereunder relating to pollution, protection of the environment, or
protection of the public from pollution or employee health and safety,
including, but not limited to the Release or threatened Release of Hazardous
Substances into the environment or otherwise relating to the presence,
manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport or handling of Hazardous Substances.

     EPA. See (S)6.17(b). 
     ---

     ERISA. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and
     -----
in effect from time to time. 

     ERISA Affiliate. Any Person which is treated as a single employer with any
     ---------------
of the Borrowers under (S)414(b) and (c) of the Code. 

     ERISA Reportable Event. A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
     ----------------------
Pension Plan within the meaning of (S)4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder as to which the requirement of notice has not been
waived.

     Eurocurrency Business Day. Any Business Day on which dealings in foreign
     -------------------------
currency and exchange are carried on among banks in Paris, France and London,
England. 

     Eurocurrency Interest Determination Date. For any Interest Period, (a) for
     ----------------------------------------
Multicurrency Loans, the date four (4) Eurocurrency Business Days prior to the
first day of such Interest Period, and (b) for Revolving Credit Loans, the date
three (3) Eurocurrency Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest
Period. 

     Eurocurrency Loans. Loans bearing interest calculated by reference to the
     ------------------
Eurocurrency Rate. 

     Eurocurrency Offered Rate. The rate per annum at which deposits of Dollars
     -------------------------
or Optional Currency as applicable, are offered to the Agent by prime banks in
whatever Eurocurrency interbank market may be selected by the 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Agent, in its sole discretion, acting in good faith, at or about 11:00 a.m.
local time in such interbank market, on the Eurocurrency Interest Determination
Date for a period equal to the period of such Interest Period in an amount
substantially equal to the principal amount requested to be loaned at or
converted to a rate based on the Eurocurrency Offered Rate. With respect to the
Revolving Credit Loans which will bear interest by reference to the
Eurocurrency Rate, the Agent shall select a Eurodollar market. 

     Eurocurrency Rate. The rate per annum, rounded upwards to the nearest 1/16
     -----------------
of 1%, determined by the Agent with respect to an Interest Period, in
accordance with the following formula: 

     Eurocurrency Rate = Eurocurrency Offered Rate
                         -------------------------
                              1-Reserve Rate

     Event of Default. See (S)12. 
     ----------------

     Excluded Subsidiaries. The Subsidiaries of the Parent listed on Schedule 1
     ---------------------                                           ----------
hereto. 

     Existing Loans and Letters of Credit. See the Recitals hereto. 
     ------------------------------------

     First Interstate. See Preamble. 
     ----------------

     FNBB. See Preamble. 
     ----

     Foreign Borrowers. The foreign Subsidiaries of the Parent listed on
     -----------------
Schedule 1 hereto. 
----------

     Foreign Guaranties. Standby guaranties backing payment and performance
     ------------------
obligations of the Borrowers issued through the Agent's Paris Affiliate. 

     Funded Debt. Long term Indebtedness of the Borrowers determined on a
     -----------
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including the outstanding principal
amount of the Loans but excluding current maturities of long-term debt (other
than the Loans). 

     generally accepted accounting principles or GAAP. (i) When used in general,
     ------------------------------------------------
GAAP means principles which are (1) consistent with the principles promulgated
or adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors or
successors, in effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date and
(2) such that a certified public accountant would, insofar as the use of
accounting principles is pertinent, be in a position to deliver an unqualified
opinion as to financial statements in which such principles have been properly
applied; and (ii) when used with reference to the Borrowers, such principles
shall include (to the extent consistent with such principles) the 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
accounting practice of the Borrowers reflected in their Financial statements
for the year ended on the Balance Sheet Date. 

     Guaranteed Pension Plan. Any pension benefit plan within the meaning of
     -----------------------
(S)3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full or in
part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer
Plan. 

     Hazardous Substances. Any waste, contaminant, pollutant, hazardous
     --------------------
substance, toxic substance, hazardous waste, special waste, industrial
substance or waste, radio-active materials, petroleum or petroleum-derived
substance or waste, or any constituent or combination of any such substance or
waste, which substance, contaminant, pollutant or material or waste is or
shall hereafter become regulated under, governed by, or defined by any
Environmental Law. 

     Indebtedness. All obligations, contingent and otherwise, which in
     ------------
accordance with GAAP should be classified upon the obligor's balance sheet as
liabilities. or to which reference should be made by footnotes thereto,
including, without limitation, in any event and whether or not so classified:
(i) all debt and similar monetary obligations, whether direct or indirect; (ii)
all liabilities secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien,
charge, or other encumbrance existing on property owned or acquired subject
thereto, whether or not the liability secured thereby shall have been assumed;
and (iii) all guarantees, endorsements and other contingent obligations whether
direct or indirect in respect of Indebtedness of others, including any
obligation to supply funds to or in any manner to invest in, directly or
indirectly, the debtor, to purchase Indebtedness, or to assure the owner of
Indebtedness against loss, through an agreement to purchase goods, supplies, or
services for the purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of the
Indebtedness held by such owner or otherwise, and the obligations to reimburse
the issuer of any letters of credit. 

     Initial Multicurrency Commitment Percentage. 
     -------------------------------------------

          (a) for First Interstate, zero percent (0%); and

          (b) for FNBB, one hundred percent (100%). 

     Initial Multicurrency Period. The period beginning on the Effective Date
     ----------------------------
and ending on the earlier of (a) September 30, 1995, or (b) the date on which
First Interstate provides written notice to FNBB that First Interstate is
willing and able to make Multicurrency Loans pursuant to (S)4.1 hereof. 

     Interest Period. With respect to each Eurocurrency Loan: 
     ---------------

     (a) (i) for Multicurrency Loans, initially, the period commencing on the
     date of a conversion from a Base Rate Loan into a Eurocurrency Loan 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     or the making of a Eurocurrency Loan, and ending one (1), two (2) or three
     (3) months thereafter, as the case may be, as the Borrowers may select,
     and (ii) for Revolving Credit Loans, initially, the period commencing on
     the date of a conversion from a Base Rate Loan into a Eurocurrency Loan or
     the making of a Eurocurrency Loan, and ending thirty (30), sixty (60) or
     ninety (90) days thereafter, as the case may be, as the Borrowers may
     select; and 

     (b) thereafter, (i) for Multicurrency Loans, each subsequent Interest
     Period shall begin on the last day of the preceding Interest Period, and
     end one (1), two (2) or three (3) months thereafter, as the case may be,
     as the Borrowers may select, and (ii) for Revolving Credit Loans, each
     subsequent Interest Period shall begin on the last day of the preceding
     Interest Period, and end thirty (30), sixty (60) or ninety (90) days
     thereafter, as the case may be, as the Borrowers may select, and; 

     (c) provided that any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day
         --------
     which is not a Eurocurrency Business Day shall be deemed to end on the
     next succeeding Eurocurrency Business Day unless the result of such
     extension would be to carry such interest Period into another calendar
     month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately
     preceding Eurocurrency Business-Day. 

     Investments. All cash expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
     -----------
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock, all or substantially
all of the assets of, or Indebtedness of, or for loans, advances, capital
contributions or transfers of property to, or in respect of any guaranties (or
other commitments as described under Indebtedness), or obligations of, any
Person. In determining the aggregate amount of Investments outstanding at any
particular time, (i) the amount of any Investment represented by a guaranty
                  -
shall be taken at not less than the principal amount of the obligations
guaranteed and still outstanding; (ii) there shall be included as an Investment
                                   --
all interest accrued with respect to Indebtedness constituting an Investment
unless and until such interest is paid, (iii) there shall be deducted in
                                         ---
respect of each such Investment any amount received as a return of capital (but
only by repurchase, redemption, retirement, repayment, liquidating dividend or
liquidating distribution); (iv) there shall not be deducted in respect of any
                            --
Investment any amounts received as earnings on such Investment, whether as
dividends, interest or otherwise, except that accrued interest included as
provided in the foregoing clause (ii) may be deducted when paid; and (v) there
                                  --                                  -
shall not be deducted from the aggregate amount of Investments any decrease in
the value thereof.

     Ionpure Italy. Ionpure Technologies .S.r.L., a corporation organized under
     -------------
the laws of Italy. 

     Ionpure Italy Note. Promissory note of Ionpure Italy in an aggregate
     ------------------
principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 payable to the Parent. 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     Lenders. See Preamble.
     -------

     Letters of Credit. Standby Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by the
     -----------------
Agent under (S)3 hereof for the account of the Borrowers. 

     Letter of Credit Applications. Letter of Credit Applications in such form
     -----------------------------
as may be agreed upon by the Borrowers and the Agent from time to time which are
entered into pursuant to (S)3 hereof as such Letter of Credit Applications are
amended, varied or supplemented from time to time. 

     Letter of Credit Fee. See (S)3.6. 
     --------------------

     Letter of Credit Participation. See (S)3.7. 
     ------------------------------

     Loans. The Revolving Credit Loans and the Multicurrency Loans made or to be
     -----
made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement. 

     Loan and Letter of Credit Request. See (S)2.4. 
     ---------------------------------

     Loan Documents. Collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of
     --------------
Credit Applications, and the Security Documents, as each may be amended,
modified, or restated from time to time. 

     Majority Lenders. As of any date on which FNBB and First Interstate are the
     ----------------
Lenders hereunder (the "Existing Lenders"), the Lenders holding one hundred
percent (100%) of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans on such date,
and if no such principal is outstanding, the Lenders whose aggregate
Commitments constitute one hundred percent (100%) of the Total Commitment,
provided that upon consummation of the first assignment by any Lender in
--------
accordance with (S)19 hereof, the foregoing percentages shall be determined at
such time by the Existing Lenders, with the approval of the Borrowers, not to
be unreasonably withheld. 

     Maturity Date. March 31, 1999. 
     -------------

     Maximum Drawing Amount. The maximum aggregate amount from time to time
     ----------------------
that the beneficiaries may draw under outstanding Letters of Credit plus the
                                                                    ----
aggregate amount of the Foreign Guaranties. 

     Multicurrency Commitment. $30,000,000 or the Dollar Equivalent thereof,
     ------------------------
minus the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans and
-----
Maximum Drawing Amount in excess of $15,000,000, as the same may be reduced
pursuant to (S)4.2 hereof. 

     Multicurrency Loans. Loans made by the Lenders or FNBB (during the Initial
     -------------------
Multicurrency Period) to the Borrowers pursuant to (S)(S)4.1 or 4.6 hereof. 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     Multiemployer Plan. Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of (S)3(37)
     ------------------
of ERISA maintained or contributed to by any Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate. 

     Notes. The promissory notes of the Borrowers in favor of each Lender which
     -----
is or becomes a party hereto pursuant to the terms hereof, substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto.
        ---------

     Obligations. All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the
     -----------
Borrowers to the Agent and the Lenders, individually or collectively, existing
on the date of this Agreement or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint
or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or
otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or in respect of Loans made
and the Notes or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof,
including, without limitation, all Reimbursement Obligations.

     Optional Currency shall mean any currency which is freely convertible into
     -----------------
Dollars and which is traded on the Paris inter-bank foreign currency deposits
market.

     Original Credit Agreement. See the Recitals hereto.
     -------------------------

     Parent. See preamble.
     ------

     Paris Affiliate. See Preamble. 
     ---------------

     PBGC. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by (S)4002 of ERISA
     ----
and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities. 

     Permitted Liens. See (S)8.2.
     ---------------

     Person. Any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated
     ------
association, business, or other legal entity, and any government or any
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof. 

     Preferred Dividends. Distributions permitted by (S)8.6 hereof with respect
     -------------------
to the preferred shares of the Parent outstanding as of the Effective Date. 

     Real Property. The real properties owned or operated by the Borrowers. 
     -------------

     Reimbursement Obligation. The Borrowers' obligation to reimburse the Agent
     ------------------------
for the benefit of the Lenders on account of any drawing under any Letter of
Credit as provided in (S)3.2. 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     Release. Shall mean any release, issuance, spill, emission, leaking,
     -------
pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or
migration into the indoor or outdoor environment or into or out of any
property, including the movement of Hazardous Substances through or in the air,
soil, surface water, ground water, or property other than in compliance with
all Environmental Laws. 

     Reserve Rate. The rate, expressed as a decimal, at which the Lenders would
     ------------
be required to maintain reserves under Regulation D of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System (or any subsequent or similar regulation relating
to such reserve requirements) against "Eurocurrency Liabilities" (as such term
is defined in Regulation D), or against any other category of liabilities which
might be incurred by the Lenders to fund Loans bearing interest based on the
Eurocurrency Rate, if such liabilities were outstanding. 

     Revolving Credit Commitment. $45,000,000 minus the outstanding principal
     ---------------------------
amount of Multicurrency Loans and the Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of
Credit, as the same may be reduced pursuant to (S)2.2 hereof. 

     Revolving Credit Loans. Loans made by the Lenders to the Domestic Borrowers
     ----------------------
pursuant to (S)2.1 hereof. 

     Security and Pledge Agreement. The Amended and Restated Security and
     -----------------------------
Pledge Agreement dated as of September 20, 1993, as amended as of the date
hereof, among the Borrowers and the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. 

     Security Documents. The Security and Pledge Agreement, as amended and in
     ------------------
effect from time to time, and any additional documents evidencing or perfecting
the Agent's lien on the Collateral. 

     Smogless. Smogless S.p.A., a corporation organized under the laws of
     --------
Italy. 

     Subordinated Debentures. The convertible subordinated debentures of the
     -----------------------
Parent due 2000, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000,000, on
substantially the same terms and conditions described in the Subordinated
Indenture. 

     Subordinated Debt. The Subordinated Debentures and the Subordinated Notes. 
     -----------------

     Subordinated Indenture. The indenture dated October 19, 1993 from the
     ----------------------
Parent to FNBB executed in connection with the Subordinated Debentures. 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     Subordinated Notes. The convertible subordinated notes issued on September
     ------------------
1, 1994 by Ionpure Italy in favor of Laidlaw International Investments
(Luxembourg) S.A. and Laidlaw Investments (Barbados) Ltd. in an aggregate
principal amount of $45,000,000 in connection with the acquisition of Smogless. 

     Subsidiary. Any corporation, association, trust, or other business entity
     ----------
of which the designated parent shall at any time own directly or indirectly
through a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries at least a majority of the outstanding
capital stock or other interest entitled to vote generally. 

     Total Commitment. A maximum aggregate principal amount with respect to
     ----------------
Loans made and the Maximum Drawing Amount of Letters of Credit issued hereunder
not to exceed $45,000,000, as the same may be reduced pursuant to (S)2.2 or
(S)4.2 hereof. 

     (S)1.2. Rules of Interpretation. 
             -----------------------

     (a) A reference to any document or agreement shall include such document
     or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in
     accordance with its terms and the terms of this Agreement. 

     (b) The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular. 

     (c) A reference to any law includes any amendment or modification to such
     law. 

     (d) A reference to any Person includes its permitted successors and
     permitted assigns. 

     (e) Accounting terms capitalized but not otherwise defined herein have the
     meanings assigned to them by GAAP applied on a consistent basis by the
     accounting entity to which they refer. 

     (f) The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not limiting. 

     (g) All terms not specifically defined herein or by GAAP, which terms are
     defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in The Commonwealth of
     Massachusetts, have the meanings assigned to them therein. 

     (h) Reference to a particular "(S)" refers to that section of this
     Agreement unless otherwise indicated. 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     (i) The words "herein", "herein", "hereunder" and words of like import
     shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section
     or subdivision of this Agreement. 

     (S)2. REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS. 
           ----------------------

     (S)2.1. Commitment to Lend. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
             ------------------
in this Agreement, each of the Lenders severally agrees to lend to the Borrowers
and the Borrowers may borrow and reborrow from time to time from the Effective
Date until the Maturity Date upon notice to the Agent given in accordance with
(S)2.4 hereof, such sums as requested by the Borrowers up to a maximum
aggregate principal amount outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts
requested) at any one time equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the
Revolving Credit Commitment, provided that the sum of the outstanding amount
                             --------
of the Loans (after giving effect to all amounts requested) plus the Maximum
                                                            ----
Drawing Amount shall not at any time exceed the Total Commitment. The Revolving
Credit Loans shall be made pro rata in accordance with each Lender's Commitment
                           --------
Percentage. 

     (S)2.2. Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitment. The Borrowers shall have
             ----------------------------------------
the right at any time and from time to time upon five (5) Business Days' written
notice to the Agent to reduce by $500,000 or an integral multiple thereof or
terminate entirely the amount of the unborrowed portion of the Revolving 
Credit Commitment. Upon the effective date of any such reduction or
termination, the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the respective accounts
of the Lenders the full amount of any Commitment Fee then accrued on the amount
of the reduction. No reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder
shall be subject to reinstatement. 

     (S)2.3. Requests for Revolving Credit Loans. The Parent, on behalf of
             -----------------------------------
itself and the other Borrowers as their agent, shall give to the Agent written
notice in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto (or telephonic notice confirmed by
                      -----------
telecopy the same day in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto) of each Revolving
                                     -----------
Credit Loan requested hereunder (a "Revolving Credit Loan Request") not later
than 12:00 noon (Boston time) (a) on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Base
Rate Loan, or (b) two Business Days prior to the Drawdown Date of any
Eurocurrency Loan. Each request for a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder shall be
made in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a greater integral multiple of
$100,000, and shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrowers and shall
obligate the Borrowers to accept the Revolving Credit Loan requested on the
proposed Drawdown Date.

     (S)2.4. Making the Revolving Credit Loans. 
             ---------------------------------

     (a) Not later than 2:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the proposed Drawdown Date
     of any Revolving Credit Loan, each of the Lenders will make available to
     the Agent, at its Head Office, in immediately available funds, 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     the amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the amount of the
     requested Revolving Credit Loan. Upon receipt from each Lender of such
     amount, and upon receipt of the documents required by (S)(S)10 and 11 and
     the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth therein, to the extent
     applicable, the Agent will make available to the Borrowers the aggregate
     amount of such Revolving Credit Loan made available to the Agent by the
     Lenders. The failure or refusal of any Lender to make available to the
     Agent at the aforesaid time and place on any Drawdown Date the amount of
     its Commitment Percentage of the requested Revolving Credit Loan shall not
     relieve any other Lender from its several obligation hereunder to make
     available to the Agent the amount of such other Lender's Commitment
     Percentage of any requested Revolving Credit Loan. 

          (b) The Agent may, unless notified to the contrary by any Lender
     prior to a Drawdown Date, assume that such Lender has made available to
     the Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount of such Lender's Commitment
     Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loan to be made on such Drawdown Date,
     and the Agent may (but it shall not be required to), in reliance upon
     such assumption, make available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. 

     (S)2.5. Election of Eurocurrency Rate; Notice of Election; Interest
             -----------------------------------------------------------
Periods; Minimum Amounts. 
------------------------

          (a) At the Borrowers' option, so long as no Default or Event of
     Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Borrowers may (i) elect
     to convert any Base Rate Loan or a portion thereof to a Eurocurrency
     Revolving Credit Loan, (ii) at the time of any request for a Loan, specify
     that such requested Loan shall be a Eurocurrency Loan, or (iii) upon
     expiration of the applicable Interest Period, elect to maintain an
     existing Eurocurrency Revolving Credit Loan as such, provided that the
                                                          --------
     Borrowers give notice to the Agent pursuant to (S)2.5(b) hereof. Upon
     determining any Eurocurrency Rate, the Agent shall forthwith provide
     notice thereof to the Borrowers and the Lenders, and each such notice to
     the Borrowers and the Lenders shall be considered prima facie correct and
                                                       ----- -----
     binding, absent manifest error. 

          (b) Three (3) Business Days prior to the making of any Eurocurrency
     Revolving Credit Loan or the conversion of any Base Rate Loan to a
     Eurocurrency Revolving Credit Loan, or, in the case of an outstanding
     Eurocurrency Revolving Credit Loan, the expiration date of the applicable
     Interest Period, the Borrowers shall give written, telex or telecopy
     notice received by the Agent not later than 12:00 noon (Boston time) of
     its election pursuant to (S)2.5(a). Each such notice delivered to the
     Agent shall specify the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit
     Loans to be borrowed or maintained as or converted to Eurocurrency
     Revolving Credit Loans and the requested duration of the 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     Interest Period that will be applicable to such Eurocurrency Revolving
     Credit Loan, and shall be irrevocable and binding upon the Borrowers. If
     the Borrowers shall fail to give the Agent notice of their election
     hereunder together with all of the other information required by this
     (S)2.5(b) with respect to any Revolving Credit Loan, whether at the end of
     an Interest Period or otherwise, such Loan shall be deemed to be a Base
     Rate Loan. 

          (c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borrowers
     may not specify an Interest Period that would extend beyond the Maturity
     Date. 

     (S)2.6. Initial Multicurrency Period. Notwithstanding anything herein to
             ----------------------------
the contrary, First Interstate agrees that its share of the Revolving Credit
Loans shall be equal to twenty-two and two-tenths percent (22.2%) of the total
outstanding amount of all Loans at all times during the Initial Multicurrency
Period. 

     (S)3. LETTERS OF CREDIT. 
           -----------------

     (S)3.1. Letter of Credit Issuance. Subject to the terms and conditions
             -------------------------
hereof and the execution and receipt of a Letter of Credit Application from the
Parent, on behalf of itself and other Borrowers as their agent, at least four
(4) Business Days prior to issuance, the Agent on behalf of the Lenders and in
reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Borrowers contained
herein and upon the agreement of the Lenders set forth in (S)3.7 hereof, will
issue standby letters of credit (the "Letters of Credit") in such form as may
be requested from time to time by the Borrowers and agreed to by the Agent;
provided, however, that after giving effect to such request, the aggregate
-----------------
Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit issued at any time under this
(S)3.1 shall not exceed $25,000,000, and the aggregate Maximum Drawing Amount
of all Letters of Credit plus the outstanding principal amount of all Loans
shall not exceed the Total Commitment. No Letter of Credit shall have an
expiration date later than the earlier of (i) one year after the date of
issuance of the Letter of Credit, or (ii) thirty (30) days prior to the
Maturity Date. The Borrowers shall not be required to make requests for Letters
of Credit in a minimum amount. All letters of credit issued pursuant to the
Original Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, those listed on
Schedule 3.1 hereto) shall be Letters of Credit under this Agreement.
------------

     (S)3.2. Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers. In order to induce the
             -----------------------------------------
Agent to issue, extend and renew the Letters of Credit, the Borrowers hereby
agree to reimburse or pay to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders with
respect to each Letter of Credit issued, extended or renewed by the Agent
hereunder as follows: 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     (a) On each date that any draft presented under any Letter of Credit is
     honored by the Agent or the Agent otherwise makes payment with respect
     thereto, (i) the amount paid by the Agent under or with respect to such
     Letter of Credit, and (ii) the amount of any taxes (other than income
     taxes), fees, charges or other costs and expenses whatsoever incurred by
     the Agent in connection with any payment made by the Agent under, or with
     respect to, such Letter of Credit. 

     (b) Each such payment shall be made to the Agent in accordance with (S)3.2
     hereof. Interest on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the Borrowers
     under this (S)3.2 at any time from the date such amounts become due and
     payable (whether as stated in this (S)3.2, by acceleration or otherwise)
     until payment in full (whether before or after judgment) shall be payable
     to the Agent on demand at the rate specified in (S)5.5 for overdue
     amounts. 

     (S)3.3. Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented or other
             -------------------------
demand for payment shall be made under any Letter of Credit, the Agent shall
notify the Borrowers of the date and amount of the draft presented or demand
for payment and of the date and time when it expects to pay such draft or 
honor such demand for payment. On the date that such draft is paid or other
payment is made by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers of
the amount of any unpaid Reimbursement Obligation. Any unpaid Reimbursement
Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Revolving
Credit Loans. 

     (S)3.4. Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers' obligations under this (S)3
             --------------------
shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and
irrespective of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any
condition precedent whatsoever or any setoff, counterclaim or defense to
payment which the Borrowers may have or have had against the Agent, the Lenders
or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit. The Borrowers further agree with the
Agent and the Lenders that the Agent and the Lenders shall not be responsible
for, and the Borrowers' Reimbursement Obligations under (S)3.2 shall not be
affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of
any endorsements thereon, even if such documents should in fact prove to be in
any or all respects invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or
among the Borrowers, the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any financing
institution or other party to which any Letter of Credit may be transferred or
any claims or defenses whatsoever of the Borrowers, or against the beneficiary
of any Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Agent and the Lenders shall
not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission,
dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in
connection with any Letter of Credit. The Borrowers agree that any action taken
or omitted by the Agent or any Lender under or in connection with each Letter
of Credit and the related drafts and documents, if done in good faith,

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
shall be binding upon the Borrowers and shall not result in any liability on
the part of the Agent or any Lender to the Borrowers. 

     (S)3.5. Reliance by Agent. To the extent not inconsistent with (S)3.4, the
             -----------------
Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying upon,
any Letter of Credit, draft, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate,
affidavit, letter, cablegram, telegram, telecopy, telex or teletype message,
statement, order or other document believed by it to be genuine and correct and
to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon
advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other
experts selected by the Agent. The Agent shall be fully justified in failing
or refusing to take any action under this Agreement unless it shall first have
received such advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders as it reasonably
deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable
satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may 
be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.
The Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining
from acting, under this Agreement in accordance with a request of the Majority
Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant
thereto shall be binding upon the Lenders and all future holders of the 
Revolving Credit Notes or of a Letter of Credit Participation. 

     (S)3.6. Letter of Credit Fee. The Borrowers shall (a) pay to the Agent in
             --------------------
advance on the date of issuance of the applicable Letter of Credit, the Agent's
customary issuance fee, and (b) pay a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") to the
Agent equal to (i) one and one-quarter percent (1 1/4%) per annum of the 
Maximum Drawing Amount of each Letter of Credit backing performance bonds of
the Borrowers, and (ii) one and three-quarters percent (1 3/4%) per annum of
the Maximum Drawing Amount of all other Letters of Credit (including, but not
limited to, Letters of Credit backing hazardous waste treatment, storage, and
disposal facility closure bonds), but in no case less than $350.00. Such Letter
of Credit Fee is for the accounts of the Lenders in accordance with their
respective Commitment Percentages and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on
the first day of each calendar quarter for the quarter just ended, and on the
Maturity Date. 

     (S)3.7. Reimbursement Obligations of Lenders. Each Lender severally agrees
             ------------------------------------
that it shall be absolutely liable, without regard to the occurrence of any
Default or Event of Default or any other condition precedent whatsoever, to the
extent of such Lender's Commitment Percentage, to reimburse the Agent on demand
for the amount of each draft paid by the Agent under each Letter of Credit to
the extent that such amount is not reimbursed by the Borrowers pursuant to
(S)3.2 (such agreement for a Lender being called herein the "Letter of Credit 
Participation" of such Lender). Each such payment made by a Lender shall be
treated as the purchase by the Lender of a participating interest in the
Borrowers' Reimbursement Obligation under (S)3.2 in an amount equal to such 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
payment. Each Lender shall share in accordance with its participating interest
in any interest which accrues pursuant to (S)3.2. 

     (S)4. THE MULTICURRENCY LOANS. 
           -----------------------

     (S)4.1. Commitment to Lend. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and
             ------------------
conditions hereinafter set forth, to make Multicurrency Loans to the Borrowers
from time to time on any Eurocurrency Business Day during the period from the
Effective Date until the Maturity Date in an aggregate amount requested by the
Borrowers not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender's
Commitment Percentage of the Multicurrency Commitment or Dollar Equivalent
thereof in one or more Optional Currencies. in no event shall (i) the aggregate 
principal outstanding balance of all Multicurrency Loans plus the aggregate
                                                         ----
amount of all Foreign Guaranties exceed at any one time $30,000,000 Dollar
Equivalent, (ii) any Lender be obligated to fund or maintain Multicurrency
Loans in excess of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of Multicurrency
Commitment or (iii) the aggregate principal outstanding balance of all Loans
plus the Maximum Drawing Amount exceed at any one time the Total Commitment
(calculating the Multicurrency Loans at their Dollar Equivalent). The Borrowers
may borrow, prepay pursuant to (S)5.20 and reborrow under this (S)4.1. The
failure of any Lender to make the Multicurrency Loan to be made by it on any
Drawdown Date shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any,
hereunder to make its Multicurrency Loan, but no Lender shall be responsible
for the failure of any other Lender to make the Multicurrency Loans to be made
by such other Lender on such Drawdown Date. 

     (S)4.2. Reduction of Multicurrency Commitment. The Borrowers shall have the
             -------------------------------------
right at any time and from time to time upon five (5) Business Days' written
notice to the Agent to reduce by $500,000 or an integral multiple thereof or
terminate entirely the amount of the unborrowed portion of the Multicurrency
Commitment, whereupon the Multicurrency Commitments of the Lenders shall be
reduced pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages of
        --------
the amount specified in such notice or terminated, as the case may be. Upon
the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the Borrowers shall
pay to the Agent for the respective accounts of the Lenders the full amount of
any Commitment Fee then accrued on the amount of the reduction. No reduction
of the Multicurrency Commitment hereunder shall be subject to reinstatement. 

     (S)4.3. Requests for Multicurrency Loans. Any Borrower shall give to the
             --------------------------------
Paris Affiliate written notice in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto (or telephonic
                                              -----------
notice confirmed by telecopy the same day in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto) of
                                                         -----------
each Multicurrency Loan requested hereunder (a "Multicurrency Loan Request")
not later than 11:00 a.m. (Paris time) four (4) Eurocurrency Business Days
prior to the Drawdown Date (which must be a Eurocurrency Business Day). The
Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders of such notice.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     (S)4.4. Making the Multicurrency Loans.
             ------------------------------

     (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrowers
     may obtain Multicurrency Loans in the principal amount of $500,000 or a
     greater integral multiple of $100,000 or the equivalent thereof in an
     Optional Currency from the Lenders from time to time from and after the
     date hereof until the Maturity Date. 

     (b) If, on or prior to the Drawdown Date of any requested Borrowing, the
     Multicurrency Commitment has not been terminated in the full and the
     applicable conditions of (S)(S)10 and 11 hereof are satisfied, subject to
     the other provisions of this Agreement, each of the Lenders shall make
     available to the  Paris Affiliate its Commitment Percentage of the
     requested Multicurrency Loan in immediately available funds not later than
     close of business on such Drawdown Date. 

     (S)4.5. Optional Currencies. 
             -------------------

     (a) The Borrowers may elect, prior to the Maturity Date, to draw down or
     convert a portion of the funds available under this Agreement in, or to,
     an Optional Currency, provided that the aggregate principal amount of
                           --------
     Multicurrency Loans outstanding under this Agreement immediately following
     any such drawdown of conversion shall not exceed the Dollar amount of the
     Multicurrency Commitment, that the aggregate principal amount of Loans
     outstanding under this Agreement immediately following any such drawdown
     or conversion shall not exceed the Dollar amount of the Total Commitment,
     and that any funds proposed to be converted at any one time under this
     (S)4.5 shall be in amounts of not less than U.S. $500,000 and shall be an
     integral multiple thereof, or the equivalent in any Optional Currency. In
     order to exercise the foregoing option the Borrowers must deliver to the
     Paris Affiliate, which shall promptly give to the Lenders notice thereof,
     a written notice, subject to any other notice requirements under this
     Agreement, designating the currency into which the designated portion of
     the Loan is to be drawn down or, as the case may be converted, at least
     four (4) Eurocurrency Business Days prior to the  commencement of the
     subsequent Interest Period relating to such portion of the Loan and any
     such conversion shall be effected on such date. If any such notice is not
     delivered to the Paris Affiliate by the Borrowers within the required
     time, the Borrowers shall be deemed to have amount of the Loan continue to
     be denominated in the currency in which it then currently stands
     denominated. No Interest Period shall have an interest payment date which
     occurs after the Maturity Date. 

     (b) If the Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive), on
     or prior to the second Business Day preceding the first day of any
     Interest Period during which a portion of the principal of the Loan is to

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
     be denominated in any Optional Currency, that the currency is not freely
     transferable and convertible into Dollars or that it will be impracticable
     for any Lender to fund the Multicurrency Loan in such currency, then the
     Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Multicurrency Loans shall,
     notwithstanding any contrary election by the Borrowers or any other
     provisions hereof, be denominated in Dollars. 

     (c) For all purposes of this Agreement, except as provided in (S)5.16, the
     amount in one currency which shall be equivalent on any particular date to
     a specified amount in another currency shall be that amount (as
     conclusively ascertained by the Agent absent manifest error) in the first
     currency which is or could be purchased by the Agent (in accordance with
     its normal banking practices) with such specified amount in the second
     currency in the Paris foreign currency deposits market for delivery on
     such date at the spot rate of exchange prevailing at or about 11:00 a.m.,
     Paris time on such date. 

     (d) In the event that any portion of the funds available under the terms
     of this Agreement is denominated in one or more Optional Currencies the
     Dollar Equivalent of such portion of the funds shall be calculated
     pursuant to paragraph (c) above. The amount so determined shall then be
     added to the amount already outstanding in Dollars for the purpose of
     determining the remaining availability of funds under (S)(S)2.1 and 4.5
     (a) hereof and any required repayments under (S)(S)4.5 and 5.18 hereof.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time prior to the Maturity Date
     the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount outstanding
     hereunder shall exceed the Multicurrency  Commitment as a result of
     fluctuations in respective conversion rates, the Borrowers shall pay
     immediately, upon demand made by the Agent, all amounts required in order
     to reduce the principal amount outstanding to the Dollar Equivalent of the
     Multicurrency Commitment. 

     (S)4.6. Provisions Relating to the Initial Multicurrency Period. 
             -------------------------------------------------------

          (a) During the initial Multicurrency Period, the Commitment
     Percentage of each Lender referred to in (S)4.1 hereof shall be equal to
     such Lender's initial Multicurrency Commitment Percentage. 

          (b) The total outstanding amount of the Multicurrency Loans shall not
     exceed 77.8% of the sum of all outstanding Loans at any time during the
     Initial Multicurrency Period. 

          (c) During the Initial Multicurrency Period, the Borrowers may not
     elect an Interest Period with respect to any Multicurrency Loan which
     Interest Period would expire after September 30, 1995. 
 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          (d) If First interstate is unable or unwilling to make Multicurrency
     Loans in accordance with (S)4.1 upon expiration of the Initial
     Multicurrency Period, FNBB, at its option, may terminate the Multicurrency
     Commitment by written notice to First Interstate and the Borrowers, and
     the Lenders shall not be obligated to make any Multicurrency Loans on and
     after the date of such written notice. 

     (S)5. PROVISIONS RELATING TO ALL LOANS. 
           --------------------------------

     (S)5.1. The Notes. The Loans shall be evidenced by separate promissory
             ---------
notes of the Borrowers in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (each a
                                                    ---------
"Note"), dated as of the Effective Date and completed with appropriate
insertions. One Note shall be payable to the order of each Lender in a
principal amount equal to such Lender's Commitment Percentage of the Total
Commitment or, if less, the outstanding amount of all Loans made by such
Lender, plus interest accrued thereon, as set forth below. The Borrowers
irrevocably authorize each Lender to make or cause to be made, at or about the
time of the Drawdown Date of any Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment
of principal on such Lender's Note, an appropriate notation on such Lender's
Note record reflecting the making of such Loan or (as the case may be) the
receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the Loans set forth on such
Lender's Note record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal amount
                              ----- -----
thereof owing and unpaid to such Lender, but the failure to record, or any
error in so recording, any such amount on such Lender's Note Record shall not
limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder or under
any Note to make payments of principal of or interest on any Note when due. 

     (S)5.2. Maturity of the Loans. The Loans shall be due and payable on the
             ---------------------
Maturity Date. The Borrowers promise to pay on the Maturity Date all Loans
outstanding on such date, together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest
thereon. 

     (S)5.3. Interest on Loans. 
             -----------------

     The outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans shall bear
interest at the rate per annum equal to (a) the Base Rate, or (b) at the
Borrowers' option as provided herein, at the Eurocurrency Rate plus one and
three quarters percent (1 3/4%). The outstanding principal amount of the
Multicurrency Loans shall bear interest at the rate per annum equal to the 
Eurocurrency Rate plus one and three-quarters percent (1 3/4%). Interest with
respect to the Loans shall be payable (i) monthly in arrears on the first
Business Day of each calendar month of each year, on Base Rate Loans, and (ii)
on the last day of the applicable interest Period, and if such Interest Period
is longer than one month, also monthly during such Interest Period on
Eurocurrency Loans, and (iii) on the Maturity Date. 

     (S)5.4. Intentionally omitted.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     (S)5.5. Payments. 
             --------

          (a) All payments of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, and any
     other amounts due hereunder (i) denominated in Dollars shall be made by the
     Borrowers to the Agent in immediately available funds at the Agent's Head
     Office at 100 Federal  Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 or (ii)
     denominated in any Optional Currency shall be made in immediately
     available funds, for the account of the Lender at the Paris Affiliate's
     office. The Agent shall be entitled to debit the Borrowers' accounts with
     the Agent or the Paris Affiliate in the amount of each such payment when
     due in order to effect timely payment thereof. The Agent will, promptly
     after its receipt thereof, distribute like funds relating to the payment
     of principal, interest, or Commitment Fees ratably to the Lenders. 

          (b) All payments by the Borrowers hereunder and under any of the other
     Loan Documents shall be made without set-off or counterclaim and free and
     clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
     charges, fees, deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or
     conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any
     jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other
     authority therein unless the Borrowers are compelled by law to make such
     deduction or withholding. If any such  obligation is imposed upon the
     Borrowers with respect to any amount payable by them hereunder or under
     any of the other Loan Documents, the Borrowers will pay to the Agent, on
     the date on which such amount is due and payable hereunder or under such
     other Loan Document, such additional amount in Dollars as shall be
     necessary to enable the Lenders to receive the same net amount which the
     Lenders would have received on such due date had no such obligation been
     imposed upon the Borrowers. The Borrowers will deliver promptly to the
     Agent certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other charges
     deducted  from or paid with respect to payments made by the Borrowers
     hereunder or under such other Loan Document. 

     (S)5.6. Computations. All computations of interest with respect to
             ------------
Eurocurrency Loans shall be based on a 360-day year and paid for the actual
number of days elapsed. All other computations of interest, Letter of Credit
Fees, or other fees shall be based on a 365-day year and paid for the actual
number of days elapsed. Whenever a payment hereunder or under any of the other
Loan Documents becomes due on a day that is not a Business Day, the due date
for such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and
interest shall accrue during such extension; provided that any Interest Period
                                             -------- ----
for any Eurocurrency Loan which ends on a day that is not a Eurocurrency
Business Day shall be deemed to end on the next succeeding Eurocurrency
Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such
Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Eurocurrency Business
Day. 

     (S)5.7. Interest on Overdue Amounts. Except as otherwise limited by (S)5.6
             ---------------------------
hereof, overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by applicable law)
interest on the Loans and all other overdue amounts payable hereunder or under
any of the other Loan Documents shall bear interest compounded monthly and
payable on demand at a rate per annum equal to the rate of four percent (4%)
above the Base Rate until such amount shall be paid in full (after as well as
before judgment. 

     (S)5.8. Interest Limitation. Notwithstanding any other term of this
             -------------------
Agreement or any Note or any other document referred to herein or therein, the
maximum amount of interest which may be charged to or collected from any Person
liable hereunder or under any Note by the Lenders shall be absolutely limited
to, and shall in no event exceed, the maximum amount of interest which could
lawfully be charged or collected under applicable law (including, to the extent
applicable, the provisions of Section 5197 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States of America, as amended, 12 U.S.C. Section 85, as amended), so
that the maximum of all amounts constituting interest under applicable law,
howsoever computed, shall never exceed as to any Person liable therefor such
lawful maximum, and any term of this Agreement, any Note, or any other document
referred to herein or therein which could be construed as providing for 
interest in excess of such lawful maximum shall be and hereby is made expressly
subject to and modified by the provisions of this paragraph. 

     (S)5.9. Additional Costs, Etc. If any present or future applicable law,
             ---------------------
which expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations
thereunder and interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any
governmental or other regulatory body or official charged with the
administration or the interpretation thereof and requests, directives,
instructions and notices at any time or from time to time hereafter made upon
or otherwise issued to the any Lender or the Agent by any central bank or other
fiscal, monetary or other authority (whether or not having the force of law),
shall:

     (a) subject any Lender or the Agent to any tax, levy, impost, duty,
     charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature with respect to this
     Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Total Commitment, the
     Multicurrency Commitment, the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Loans
     (other than taxes based upon or measured  by the income or profits of any
     Lender or the Agent), or 

     (b) materially change the basis of taxation (except for changes in taxes
     on income or profits) of payments to any Lender of the principal or of the
     interest on any Loans or any other amounts payable to any Lender or the
     Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or 
 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     (c) impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the extent
     specifically provided for elsewhere in this Agreement) any special
     deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital adequacy or other similar
     requirements (whether or not having the force of law) against assets held
     by, or deposits in or for the account of, or loans by, or commitments of,
     an office of any Lender or 

     (d) impose on any Lender or the Agent any other conditions or requirements
     with respect to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Loans, the
     Total Commitment, the Multicurrency Commitment, the Revolving Credit
     Commitment, or any class of loans or commitments of which any of the
     Loans, the Multicurrency Commitment, the Revolving Credit Commitment, or
     the Total Commitment forms a part, and the result of any of the foregoing
     is 

          (i) to increase the cost to any Lender of making, funding, issuing,
          renewing, extending or maintaining the Loans, the Multicurrency
          Commitment, the Revolving Credit Commitment, or the Total Commitment; 

          (ii) to reduce the amount of principal, interest or other amount
          payable to any Lender hereunder on account of the Total Commitment,
          the Multicurrency Commitment, the Revolving Credit Commitment, or the
          Loans; 

          (iii) to require any Lender or the Agent to make any payment or to
          forego any interest or other sum payable hereunder, the amount of
          which payment or foregone interest or other sum is calculated by
          reference to the gross amount of any sum receivable or deemed
          received by the any Lender or the Agent from the Borrowers hereunder, 

then, and in each such case, the Borrowers will, upon demand made by such
Lender or the Agent at any time and from time to time and as often as the
occasion there for may arise, pay to such Lender or the Agent such additional
amounts as will be sufficient to compensate such Lender or the Agent for such 
additional cost, reduction, payment or foregone interest or other sum (after
such Lender or the Agent shall have allocated the same fairly and equitably
among all customers of any class generally affected thereby). 

     (S)5.10. Capital Adequacy. If any present or future applicable law,
              ----------------
governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) or the interpretation thereof by a court or
governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction affects the amount of
capital required or expected to be maintained by any Lender or the Agent, or
any corporation controlling such Lender or the Agent and such Lender or the
Agent determines 
 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
that the amount of capital required to be maintained by it is increased by or
based upon the Lender's commitment to make, or maintenance of, Loans hereunder,
then such Lender or the Agent may notify the Borrowers of such fact. To the
extent that the costs of such increased capital requirements are not reflected 
in the Base Rate, the Borrowers and such Lender or the Agent shall thereafter
attempt to negotiate in good faith, within thirty (30) days of the day on which
the Borrowers receive such notice, an adjustment payable hereunder that will
adequately compensate such Lender or the Agent in light of these circumstances.
If the Borrowers and such Lender or the Agent are unable to agree to such
adjustment within thirty (30) days of the date on which the Borrowers receive
such notice, then commencing on the date of such notice (but not earlier than
the effective date of any such increased capital requirement), the fees payable
hereunder shall increase by an amount that will, in the Lender's or the Agent's
reasonable determination, provide adequate compensation to such Lender or the
Agent, such amount to be considered prima facie correct and binding, absent
                                    -----------
manifest error. Such Lender or the Agent shall allocate such cost increases
among its customers in good faith and on an equitable basis. 

     (S)5.11. Eurocurrency Indemnity. The Borrowers agree to indemnify each
              ----------------------
Lender and the Agent and to hold them harmless from and against any 1089, cost
or expenses (including loss of anticipated profits) that such Lender or the
Agent may sustain or incur as a consequence of default by the Borrowers in
making a borrowing or conversion after the Borrowers have given (or are deemed
to have given) notice pursuant to (S)2.3, (S)4.3 or (S)5.4, the making of any
payment of a Eurocurrency Loan or the making of any conversion of any such
Eurocurrency Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the
applicable Interest Period with respect thereto, including interest or fees
payable by the Lenders to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain
any such Loans.

     (S)5.12. Illegality; Inability to Determine Eurocurrency Rate.
              ----------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if (a) the introduction
of, any change in, or any change in the interpretation of, any law or
regulation applicable to the Lenders or the Agent shall make it unlawful, or
any central bank or other governmental authority having jurisdiction thereof
shall assert that it is unlawful, for the Lenders or the Agent to perform their
obligations in respect of any Eurocurrency Loans, or (b) if the Lenders or the
Agent shall reasonably determine with respect to Eurocurrency Loans that (i) by
reason of circumstances affecting any Eurocurrency interbank market, adequate
and reasonable methods do not exist for ascertaining the Eurocurrency Rate
which would otherwise be applicable during any Interest Period, or (ii)
deposits of Dollars in the relevant amount for the relevant Interest Period are
not available to the Lenders or the Agent in any Eurocurrency interbank market,
or (iii) the Eurocurrency Rate does not or will not accurately reflect the cost
to the Lenders or the Agent of obtaining or maintaining the applicable
Eurocurrency Loans during any Interest Period, then the Agent shall promptly
give 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
telephonic, telex or cable notice of such determination to the Borrowers (which
notice shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrowers). Upon such
notification by the Agent, the obligation of the Lenders to make Eurocurrency
Loans shall be suspended until the Lenders determine that such circumstances 
no longer exist, and the outstanding Eurocurrency Loans shall continue to bear
interest at the applicable rate based on the Eurocurrency Rate until the end of
the applicable Interest Period, and thereafter shall be deemed converted to
Base Rate Loans in equal principal amounts. 

     (S)5.13. Concerning Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers. 
              -------------------------------------------------------

     (a) Each of the Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability
     hereunder and under the other Loan Documents in consideration of the
     financial accommodations to be provided by the Agent and the Lenders under
     this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each
     of the Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of each other
     Borrower to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations. 

     (b) Each of the Borrowers, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and
     unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor,
     joint and several liability with the other Borrowers, with respect to the
     payment and performance of all of the Obligations (including, without
     limitation, any  Obligations arising under this (S)5.11), it being the
     intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations shall be the
     joint and several Obligations of each of the Borrowers without preferences
     or distinction among them. 

     (c) If and to the extent that any of the Borrowers shall fail to make any
     payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to
     perform any of the Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then
     in each such event the other Borrowers will make such payment with respect
     to, or perform, such Obligation. 

     (d) The Obligations of each of the Borrowers under the provisions of this
     (S)5.11 constitute full recourse Obligations of each of the Borrowers
     enforceable against each such corporation to the full extent of its
     properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or
     enforceability of this Agreement or any other circumstance whatsoever. 

     (e) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each of the
     Borrowers hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several
     liability, notice of any Loans made under this Agreement, notice of any
     action at any time taken or omitted by the Agent or the Lenders under or
     in respect of any of the Obligations, and, generally, to the extent
     permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and other formalities of
     every kind in connection with this Agreement. Except as otherwise
     expressly provided in this Agreement, each of the Borrowers hereby

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the
     time for the payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any
     payment of any of the Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment
     thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by the Agent
     or the Lenders at any time or times in respect of any default by any of
     the Borrowers in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant,
     condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences
     whatsoever by the Agent or the Lenders in respect of any of the
     Obligations, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole
     or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of the
     Obligations or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part,
     of any of the Borrowers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
     each of the Borrowers assents to any other action or delay in acting or
     failure to act on the part of the Agent or the Lenders with respect to the
     failure by any of the Borrowers to comply with any of its respective
     Obligations, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or
     diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully
     with applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the
     provisions of this (S)5.11, afford grounds for terminating, discharging or
     relieving any of the Borrowers, in whole or in part, from any of its
     Obligations under this (S)5.11, it being the intention of each of the
     Borrowers that, so long as any of the Obligations hereunder remain
     unsatisfied, the Obligations of such Borrowers under this (S)5.11 shall
     not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of
     such performance. The Obligations of each of the Borrowers under this
     (S)5.11 shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding
     up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar
     proceeding with respect to any of the Borrowers, the Agent or the Lenders.
     The joint and several liability of the Borrowers hereunder shall continue
     in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger,
     amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership,
     constitution or place of formation of any of the Borrowers, the Agent or
     the Lenders.

     (f) The provisions of this (S)5.11 are made for the benefit of the Agent
     and the Lenders and their successors and assigns, and may be enforced in
     good faith by them from time to time against any or all of the Borrowers
     as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on the
     part of the Agent or the Lenders first to marshal any claims or to
     exercise any rights against any other Borrower or to exhaust any remedies
     available against any other Borrower or to resort to any other source or
     means of obtaining payment of any of the obligations hereunder or to elect
     any other remedy. The provisions of this (S)5.11 shall remain in effect
     until all of the Obligations shall have been paid in full or otherwise
     fully satisfied. If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in
     respect of any of the Obligations, is rescinded or must otherwise be
     restored or returned by the Agent or the Lenders upon the insolvency,
     bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Borrowers, or otherwise, the

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     provisions of this (S)5.11 will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as
     though such payment had not been made. 

     (S)5.14. Representations and Warranties upon Loan Request. Each request for
              ------------------------------------------------
Loans or for the issuance, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit hereunder
shall constitute a representation by the Borrowers that the conditions set
forth in (S)(S)10 and 11 hereof, as the case may be, have been satisfied on the
date of such request and will continue to be satisfied on the Drawdown Date of
such Loan or the date of issuance, extension or renewal of the Letter of
Credit. Each of the representations and warranties made by or on behalf of the
Borrowers to the Agent and the Lenders in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall be true and correct in all material respects when made and
shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to be repeated on and as
of the date of the submission of any Loan and Letter of Credit Request and on
and as of the Drawdown Date of such Loan or the date of issuance of such Letter
of Credit (except to the extent of changes resulting from transactions 
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and
changes occurring in the ordinary course of business that singly or in the
aggregate are not materially adverse and to the extent that such
representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date). 

     (S)5.15. New Borrowers. Any newly-created Subsidiaries of the Parent (other
              -------------
than Excluded Subsidiaries) shall become Borrowers hereunder by signing a Note,
entering into an amendment to this Agreement with the other parties hereto 
providing that such Subsidiary shall become a Borrower hereunder, and providing
such other documentation as the Agent and the Lenders may reasonably request.
In such event, the Agent is hereby authorized by the parties to amend Schedule
                                                                      --------
I hereto to include such Subsidiary as a Borrower hereunder. The Borrowers
-
hereby agree to pledge all of the stock of their Subsidiaries (other than
Excluded Subsidiaries) to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. 

     (S)5.16. Commitment Fees. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent for the
              ---------------
accounts of the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment
Percentages a commitment fee at the rate of three-eighths percent (3/8%) per
annum on the unused portion of the Total Commitment during each calendar month
or portion thereof from the Effective Date to the Maturity Date (or to the 
date of termination in full of the Total Commitment, if earlier) (the
"Commitment Fee"). For purposes of computing the Commitment Fee, the Maximum
Drawing Amount shall be considered usage with respect to the Total Commitment.
The Commitment Fee shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each
calendar month for the immediately preceding month with a final payment on the
Maturity Date. For purposes of determining the unused portion of the Total
Commitment, the equivalent in Dollars of each Multicurrency Loan as determined
on the Drawdown Date, and on the date of subsequent monthly adjustments shall
be the amount used in connection with the Multicurrency Loan. 

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
     (S)5.17. Termination of Credit. If any Event of Default shall occur, the
              ---------------------
Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Borrowers, terminate the unused portion
of the Total Commitment hereunder, and upon such notice being given such unused
portion of the Total Commitment hereunder shall terminate immediately and the 
Lenders shall be relieved of all further obligations to make Loans to the
Borrowers hereunder. No termination of any portion of the Total Commitment
hereunder shall relieve the Borrowers of any of their existing Obligations to
the Lenders hereunder or elsewhere. Upon termination of the Total Commitment
under this (S)5.17, all Loans shall become immediately due and payable. 

     (S)5.18. Mandatory Repayment. If at any time the aggregate principal
              -------------------
amount of the outstanding Loans and the Maximum Drawing Amount, or the Dollar
Equivalent thereof, shall exceed, prior to the Maturity Date, the Total
Commitment, the Borrowers shall pay immediately upon demand made by the Agent
all amounts required in order to reduce the principal amount outstanding to the
Total Commitment, or the equivalent thereof in one or more Optional Currencies. 

     (S)5.19. Setup Fee. The Borrowers agree to pay to the Agent for the
              ---------
respective accounts of the Lenders on the Effective Date a fee in the amount of
$112,500. 

     (S)5.20. Optional Repayments of Loans. The Borrowers shall have the right,
              ----------------------------
at their election, to repay the outstanding amount of the Loans, as a whole or
in part, at any time without penalty or premium, provided that any full or
                                                 --------
partial prepayment of the outstanding amount of any Eurocurrency Loans
pursuant to this (S)5.16 may be made only on the last day of the interest
Period relating thereto. The Borrowers shall give the Agent, no later than
12:00 noon, Boston time, three (3) Business Days prior written notice of any
proposed prepayment of Base Rate Loans and at least four (4) Eurocurrency
Business Days prior written notice of any proposed prepayment of Eurocurrency
Loans, in each case specifying the proposed date of prepayment of Loans and the
principal amount to be prepaid. Each such partial prepayment of the Loans shall
be $500,000 or a greater integral multiple of $100,000, shall be accompanied by
the payment of accrued interest on the principal prepaid to the date of
prepayment and shall be applied, in the absence of instruction by the
Borrowers, first to the principal of Base Rate Loans and then to the principal
of Eurocurrency Rate Loans. Each partial prepayment shall be allocated among
the Lenders, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid
aggregate principal amount of each Lender's Loans, with adjustments to the
extent practicable to equalize any prior repayments not exactly in proportion. 

     (S)5.21. Funds for Loans. The Agent may assume that each of the Lenders has
              ---------------
made available its ratable portion of the Loans in accordance with (S) 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
2.1 and (S)(S)4.1 or 4.6, as applicable, and the Agent may, in reliance upon
such assumption make available on the Drawdown Date a corresponding amount to
the Borrowers. If any Lender makes available to the Agent its Commitment
Percentage of the Loans on a date after such Drawdown Date, such Lender shall
pay to the Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the average
computed for the period referred to in clause (iii) below, of the weighted
average interest rate paid by the Agent for federal funds acquired by the Agent
during each day included in such period, times (ii) the amount of such Lender's 
                                         -----
Commitment Percentage of such Loans, times (iii) a fraction, the numerator of
                                     -----
which is the number of days that elapse from and including such Drawdown Date
to the date on which the amount of such Lender's Commitment Percentage of such
Loans shall become immediately available to the Agent, and the denominator of
which is 365. A statement of the Agent submitted to such Lender with respect to
any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be prima facie evidence of the
                                                ----- -----
amount due and owing to the Agent by such Lender. If the amount of such 
Lender's Commitment Percentage of such Loans is not made available to the Agent
by such Lender within three (3) Business Days following such Drawdown Date, the
Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount from the Borrowers on demand
(but only after demand for payment has first been made to such Lender), with
interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to the Loans made on such
Drawdown Date, for each day from the date the Agent shall make such amount
available to the Borrowers until the date such amount is paid or prepaid to the
Agent. 

     (S)6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the Borrowers represents and
           ------------------------------
warrants to the Lenders and the Agent that on and as of the date of this
Agreement: 

     (S)6.1. Corporate Authority. 
             -------------------

          (a) Incorporation; Good Standing. Each of the Borrowers (i) is a
              ----------------------------
     corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
     the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation, (ii) has all
     requisite corporate power to own its property and conduct its business as
     now conducted and as  presently contemplated, and (iii) is in good
     standing as a foreign corporation and is duly authorized to do business in
     each jurisdiction in which its property or business as presently conducted
     or contemplated makes such qualification necessary except where a failure
     to be so qualified would not  have a material adverse effect on the
     business, assets or financial condition of such Borrower. 

          (b) Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
              -------------
     Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (i) are
     within the corporate authority of each Borrower, (ii) have been duly
     authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings, (iii) do not conflict
     with or result in any material breach or contravention of any provision of
     law, statute, rule or regulation to which any Borrower is 

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
     subject or any judgment. order, writ, injunction, license or permit
     applicable to any Borrower so as to materially adversely affect the
     assets, business or any activity of such Borrower, and (iv) do not
     conflict with any provision of the corporate charter or bylaws of any
     Borrower or any agreement or other  instrument binding upon any Borrower. 

          (c) Enforceability. The execution, delivery and performance of the
              --------------
     Loan Documents will result in valid and legally binding obligations of each
     Borrower, enforceable against each of them in accordance with the
     respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof, except as limited by
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating
     to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditors' rights and except
     to the extent that availability of the remedy of specific performance or
     injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which
     any proceeding therefor  may be brought. 

     (S)6.2. Governmental Approvals. The execution, delivery and performance by
             ----------------------
each Borrower of the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby do not require any approval or consent of, or filing with, any
governmental agency or authority other than those already obtained. 

     (S)6.3. Title to Properties; Leases. Each of the Borrowers owns all of its
             ---------------------------
respective assets reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrowers
as at the Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (except property and
assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since 
that date), subject to no mortgages, capitalized leases, conditional sales
agreements, title retention agreements, liens or other encumbrances except
those permitted by (S)8.2 hereof. 

     (S)6.4. Financial Statements; Solvency. 
             ------------------------------

     (a) There has been furnished to each of the Lenders a consolidated balance
     sheet of the Borrowers dated the Balance Sheet Date, and a consolidated
     statement of operations for the fiscal year then ended, certified by the
     Borrowers' independent certified public accountants. There has also been
     furnished to each of the Lenders a consolidated unaudited balance sheet of
     the Borrowers dated December 31, 1994. Such balance sheets and statements
     of operations have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly
     present the financial condition of the Borrowers as at the close of
     business on the date thereof and the results of operations for the period
     then ended. There are no contingent liabilities of the Borrowers as of
     such dates involving material amounts, known to the officers of the
     Borrowers not disclosed in said financial statements and the related notes
     thereto. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the  Borrowers have not incurred
     any liabilities other than in the ordinary

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
     course of business or as permitted by (S)8.1 hereof or otherwise disclosed
     in writing to each of the Lenders. 

     (b) The Borrowers (both before and after giving effect to the transactions
     contemplated by this Agreement) are solvent, have assets having a fair
     value in excess of the amount required to pay their probable liabilities
     on their existing debts as they become absolute and matured, and have, and
     will have at the time of any borrowing hereunder, access to adequate
     capital for the conduct of their business and the ability to pay their
     debts from time to time incurred in connection therewith as such debts
     mature. 

     (S)6.5. No Material Changes, Etc. Since the Balance Sheet Date, there have
             ------------------------
occurred no material adverse changes in the financial condition or business of
the Borrowers as shown on or reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrowers as at the Balance Sheet Date, or the consolidated statement of 
operations for the fiscal year then ended, other than changes in the ordinary
course of business which have not had any material adverse effect either
individually or in the aggregate on the business or financial condition of the
Borrowers. Since the Balance Sheet Date, there has not been any Distribution by 
the Borrowers except as permitted by (S)8.6 hereof. 

     (S)6.6. Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, Etc. Each of the Borrowers
             ------------------------------------
possesses all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade names,
licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate for the
conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without known conflict
with any rights of others, except as would not have a material adverse effect
on the business, operations, or financial condition of any Borrower.

     (S)6.7. Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings or
             ----------
investigations of any kind pending or threatened against any Borrower before
any court, tribunal or administrative agency or board which, if adversely
determined, might, either in any case or in the aggregate, materially adversely
affect the properties or business of such Borrower, or materially impair the
right of such Borrower to carry on business substantially as now conducted, or
result in any liability in excess of $5,000,000 not adequately covered by
insurance or for which adequate reserves are not maintained on the consolidated
balance sheets of the Borrowers, or which question the validity of any of the
Loan Documents, or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or thereto.

     (S)6.8. No Materially Adverse Contracts, Etc. No Borrower is subject to any
             ------------------------------------
charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, decree, order,
rule or regulation which in the judgment of such Borrower's officers has or is
expected in the future to have a materially adverse effect on the business, 
assets or financial condition of such Borrower. No Borrower is a party to any
contract or agreement which in the judgment of such Borrower's officers has or

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
is expected to have any materially adverse effect on the business of such
Borrower, except as otherwise reflected in adequate reserves. 

     (S)6.9. Compliance With Other Instruments, Laws, Etc. None of the
             --------------------------------------------
Borrowers is violating any provision of their charter documents or bylaws or
any agreement or instrument by which any of them may be subject or by which any
of them or any of their properties may be bound or any decree, order, judgment,
or any statute, license, rule or regulation, in a manner which could result in
the imposition of substantial penalties or materially and adversely affect the
financial condition, properties or business of such Borrower. 

     (S)6.10. Tax Status. Each of the Borrowers has made or filed all federal
              ----------
and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by
any jurisdiction to which any of them is subject (unless and only to the extent
that such Borrower has set aside on its books provisions reasonably adequate
for the payment of all unpaid and unreported taxes); and have paid all taxes
and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount,
shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except
those being contested in good faith; and have set aside on its books provisions 
reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the
periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no
unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority
of any jurisdiction. 

     (S)6.11. No Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred
              -------------------
and is continuing as of the date of this Agreement. 

     (S)6.12. Holding Company and Investment Company Acts. None of the
              -------------------------------------------
Borrowers is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company", as such terms are defined
in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; nor are any of them a
"registered investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal
underwriter" of a "registered investment company", as such terms are defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 

     (S)6.13. Absence of Financing Statements, Etc. Except as contemplated by
              ------------------------------------
(S)8.2 of this Agreement, there is no financing statement, security agreement,
chattel mortgage, real estate mortgage or other document filed or recorded with
any filing records, registry, or other public office, which purports to cover,
affect or give notice of any present or possible future lien on, or security
interest in, any assets or property of the Borrowers or rights thereunder. 

     (S)6.14. Certain Transactions. Except as set forth in Schedule 6.14, none
              --------------------                         -------- ----
of the officers, directors, or employees of any Borrower is presently a party to
any transaction with such Borrower (other than for services as employees,
officers and directors or for services described in the Borrower's proxy

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
statement), including, without limitation, any contract, agreement or other
arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for
rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments
to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the
Borrowers any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any
officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an
officer, director, trustee or partner.

     (S)6.15. Employee Benefit Plans.
              ----------------------

     (a) In General. Each Employee Benefit Plan has been maintained and
         ----------
     operated in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of
     ERISA and, to the extent applicable, the Code, including but not limited
     to the provisions thereunder respecting prohibited transactions. 

     (b) Terminability of Welfare Plans. Under each Employee Benefit Plan which
         ------------------------------
     is an employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of (S)3(1) or
     (S)3(2)(B) of ERISA, no benefits are due unless the event giving rise to
     the benefit entitlement occurs prior to plan termination (except as
     required by Title I, part 6 of ERISA.) Each Borrower or any ERISA
     Affiliate, as appropriate, may terminate each such Plan at any time (or at
     any time subsequent to the expiration of any applicable bargaining
     agreement) in the discretion of such Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
     without liability to any Person by reason of such termination. 

     (c) Guaranteed Pension Plans. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.15, none
         ------------------------                         -------------
     of the Borrowers is a sponsor of, or contributor to, a Guaranteed Pension
     Plan. 

     (d) Multiemployer Plans. None of the Borrowers nor any ERISA Affiliate has
         -------------------
     incurred any material liability (including secondary liability) to any
     Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from
     such Multiemployer Plan under (S)4201 of ERISA or as a result of a sale of
     assets  described in (S)4204 of ERISA. None of the Borrowers nor any ERISA
     Affiliate has been notified that any Multiemployer Plan is in
     reorganization or is insolvent under and within the meaning of (S)4241 or
     (S)4245 of ERISA or that any Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or
     has been terminated under (S)4041A of ERISA. 

     (S)6.16. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans shall
              ---------------
be used solely by Domestic Borrowers for working capital, letters of credit,
and acquisitions permitted hereunder. The proceeds of the Multicurrency Loans
shall be used solely by Foreign Borrowers and solely for working capital,
capital expenditures, and acquisitions, including, without limitation,
multicurrency overdrafts, multicurrency advances, multicurrency guaranties and
discounts of trade bills. No proceeds of the Loans shall be used in any way
that will violate

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
Regulations Go, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System. 

     (S)6.17. Environmental Compliance. Except as set forth in Schedule 6.17 or
              ------------------------
in documents delivered pursuant to (S)7.4(d): 

     (a) None of the Borrowers nor any operator of their properties is in
     violation, or alleged violation, of any judgment, decree, order, law,
     license, rule or regulation pertaining to environmental matters, including
     without limitation, those arising under Environmental Laws, which
     violation would have a material adverse effect on the environment or the
     business, assets or financial condition of such Borrower. 

     (b) None of the Borrowers has received notice from any third party
     including, without limitation: any federal, state or local governmental
     authority, (i) that any one of them has been identified by the United
     States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") as a potentially
     responsible party under CERCLA with  respect to a site listed on the
     National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R. Part 300 Appendix B; (ii) that any
     Hazardous Substances which any one of them has generated, transported or
     disposed of has been found at any site at which a federal, state or local
     agency or other third party has conducted or has ordered that any Borrower
     conduct a remedial investigation, removal or other  response action
     pursuant to any Environmental Law; or (iii) that it is or shall be a named
     party to any claim, action, cause of action, complaint, legal or
     administrative proceeding arising out of any third party's incurrence of
     costs, expenses, losses or damages of any kind whatsoever in connection
     with the  release of Hazardous Substances. 

     (c) (i) No portion of any Borrower's Real Properties has been used for the
     handling, processing, storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances except
     in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws; and no
     underground tank or other underground storage receptacle for Hazardous
     Substances is located on such Real Property; (ii) in the course of any
     activities conducted by the Borrowers or operators of their Real Property,
     no Hazardous Substances have been generated or are being used on such Real
     Properties except in material compliance with applicable Environmental
     Laws; (iii) there have been no unpermitted Releases (i.e. any past or
     present releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
     emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, disposing or dumping) or
     threatened Releases of Hazardous Substances on, upon, into or from the
     properties of the Borrowers, which releases would have a material adverse
     effect on the value of such Real Properties or adjacent properties or the
     environment; (iv) to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge, there have been
     no Releases on, upon, from or into any real property in the vicinity of
     the Real Properties of the Borrowers which, through soil or groundwater
     contamination, may have come to be located

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
     on, and which would have a material adverse effect on the value of, any
     Real Properties of the Borrowers; and (v) in addition, any Hazardous
     Substances that have been generated on the Real Properties of the
     Borrowers have been transported offsite and have been treated or disposed
     of only by treatment or disposal facilities maintaining valid permits as
     required under applicable Environmental Laws, which transporters and
     facilities have been and are, to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge,
     operating in material compliance with such permits and applicable
     Environmental Laws. 

     (d) None of the Real Properties of the Borrowers are or shall be subject
     to any applicable environmental clean up responsibility law or
     environmental restrictive transfer law or regulation by virtue of the
     transactions set forth herein and contemplated hereby. 

     (S)6.18. Perfection of Security Interests. The Collateral and the Bank's
              --------------------------------
rights with respect to the Collateral are not subject to any setoff, claims,
withholdings or other defenses. The Borrowers are the owners of the Collateral
free from any lien, security interest, encumbrance and any other claim or
demand. 

     (S)6.19. True Copies of Charter and Other Documents. The Borrowers have
              ------------------------------------------
furnished each of the Lenders with copies, in each case true and complete as of
the Effective Date, of (a) all charter and other incorporation documents
(together with any amendments thereto) and (b) by-laws (together with any 
amendments thereto). 

     (S)6.20. Subsidiaries. Schedule 1 sets forth a complete and accurate list
              ------------  -------- -
of the Subsidiaries, including the name of each Subsidiary and its jurisdiction
of incorporation, together with the number of authorized and outstanding shares
of each Subsidiary. Each such Subsidiary is wholly owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Parent. Except as described in Schedule 1 hereto, the Parent
                                                  -------- -
has good and marketable title to all of the shares it purports to own of the
stock of each Subsidiary, free and clear in each case of any lien. All such
shares have been duly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and, other
than those of the Excluded Subsidiaries, have been pledged and delivered to the
Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. 

     (S)7. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWERS. The Borrowers covenant and
           --------------------------------------
agree that, so long as any Loan, any Letter of Credit or any Note is
outstanding or any Lender has any obligation to make Loans or the Agent has any
obligation the Agent has any obligation to issue, extend, or renew any Letters
of Credit hereunder: 

     (S)7.1. Punctual Payment. The Borrowers will duly and punctually pay or
             ----------------
cause to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans, and all fees and other
amounts provided for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such other Loan
Documents.

     (S)7.2. Maintenance of Office. The domestic Borrowers will maintain their
             ---------------------
chief executive offices at 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 222, Palm Desert,
California 92260 or at such other place in the United States of America as the
Borrowers shall designate upon 30 days prior written notice to Agent.

     (S)7.3. Records and Accounts. The Borrowers will keep true and accurate
             --------------------
records and books of account in which full, true and correct entries will be
made in accordance with GAAP and with the requirements of all regulatory
authorities and maintain adequate accounts and reserves for all taxes
(including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and
amortization of their properties, all other contingencies, and all other proper
reserves in accordance with GAAP or as required by applicable regulatory
authorities.

     (S)7.4. Financial Statements, Certificates and Information. The Borrowers
             --------------------------------------------------
will deliver to each of the Lenders:

          (a) as soon as practicable, but, in any event not later than 90 days
     after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrowers, the consolidated
     balance sheet of the Borrowers as at the end of such year, statements of
     cash flows, and the related consolidated statement of operations, each
     setting forth in comparative form the amounts for the previous fiscal
     year, all such consolidated statements to be in reasonable detail,
     prepared in accordance with GAAP, and certified without qualification by
     KPMG Peat Marwick, L.L.P. or by other independent certified public
     accountants satisfactory to the Agent (the "Accountants");

          (b) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than (i) 45
     days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each
     fiscal year of the Borrowers, and (ii) 90 days after the end of the last
     fiscal quarter of each fiscal year, copies of the unaudited consolidated
     and consolidating balance sheet and statement of operations of the
     Borrowers as at the end of such quarter, and [information in the form of
     Exhibit E], subject to year end audit adjustments, and consolidated
     ------- -
     statement of cash flows, all in reasonable detail and prepared in
     accordance with GAAP, together with a certification by the principal
     financial or accounting officer of the Parent ("CFO") that such financial
     statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly present
     the financial condition of the Borrowers as at the close of business on
     the date thereof and the results of operations for the period then ended,
     subject to normal year-end audit adjustments;

          (c) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements
     referred to in (a) and (b) above, a statement in the form of Exhibit C
                                                                  ------- -
     hereto (the "Compliance Certificate") certified by the CFO of the Parent

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     that the Borrowers are in compliance with the covenants contained in
     (S)(S)7, 8, and 9 hereof as of the end of the applicable period and
     setting forth in reasonable detail computations evidencing such
     compliance, provided that if the  Borrowers shall at the time of issuance
                 --------
     of such certificate or at any other time obtain knowledge of any Default
     or Event of Default, the Borrowers shall include in such certificate or
     otherwise deliver forthwith to the Agent a certificate specifying the
     nature and period of existence thereof and what  action the Borrowers
     propose to take with respect thereto; 

          (d) promptly with the filing or mailing thereof, copies of all
     material of a financial nature filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission or sent to the stockholders of the Parent; and 

          (e) from time to time such other financial data and information
     (including pro forma financial projections) as the Agent or any Lender may
     reasonably request. 

The Borrowers hereby authorize the Agent or any Lender to disclose any
information obtained pursuant to this Agreement to all appropriate governmental
regulatory authorities where required by law; provided, however, that the Agent
                                              -----------------
or any Lender shall, to the extent allowable under law, notify the Borrowers
at the time any such disclosure is made; and provided further, this
                                             ----------------
authorization shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights to object to the
disclosure by the Agent or any Lender of any such information which the
Borrowers have or may have under the federal Right to Financial Privacy Act of
1978, as in effect from time to time. 

     (S)7.5. Corporate Existence and Conduct of Business. The Borrowers will do
             -------------------------------------------
or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect their corporate existence, corporate rights and franchises; effect and
maintain their foreign qualifications, licensing, domestication or 
authorization except as otherwise determined by their authorized officers or
Boards of Directors in the exercise of their reasonable judgment; use their
best efforts to comply with all Applicable Laws; and shall not become obligated
under any contract or binding arrangement which, at the time it was entered
into would materially adversely impair the financial condition of the
Borrowers, on a consolidated basis. The Borrowers will continue to engage
primarily in the businesses now conducted by them and in related businesses. 

     (S)7.6. Maintenance of Properties. The Borrowers will cause all of their
             -------------------------
properties used or useful in the conduct of their business to be maintained and
kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all
necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, 
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Borrowers may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided,
                                                                     --------

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
however, that nothing in this section shall prevent any Borrower from taking
-------
any action different from that described in this (S)7.6 if, in the judgment of
such Borrower, such action is desirable in the conduct of its business and
which does not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the business of 
the Borrowers on a consolidated basis. 

     (S)7.7. Insurance. The Borrowers will maintain with financially sound and
             ---------
reputable insurance companies, funds or underwriters satisfactory to the Agent
the kinds of insurance usually carried by reasonable and prudent companies
conducting businesses similar to that of the Borrowers, covering the risks and
in the relative proportionate amounts usually carried by such companies,
including, to the extent it is commercially available to the Borrowers at a
reasonable cost, environmental impairment insurance. 

     (S)7.8. Taxes. Each Borrower will duly pay and discharge, or cause to be
             -----
paid and discharged, before the same shall become overdue, all taxes,
assessments and other governmental charges (other than taxes, assessments and
other governmental charges imposed by foreign jurisdictions which in the
aggregate are not material to the business or assets of each Borrower on an
individual basis or of the Borrowers on a consolidated basis) imposed upon it
and its Real Properties, sales and activities, or any part thereof, or upon the
income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims for labor, materials, or
supplies, which if unpaid might by law become a lien or charge upon any of its
property; provided, however, that any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or
          -----------------
claim need not be paid if the validity or amount thereof shall currently be
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if the Borrower shall
have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto; and
provided, further, that such Borrower will pay all such taxes, assessments,
-----------------
charges, levies or claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to
foreclose any lien which may have attached as security therefor. 

     (S)7.9. Inspection of Properties, Books, and Contracts. The Borrowers shall
             ----------------------------------------------
permit the Agent and the Lender or any of their designated representatives, to
visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrowers to examine the books
of account of the Borrowers (and to make copies thereof and extracts 
therefrom), and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrowers
with, and to be advised as to the same by, their officers, all at such
reasonable times and intervals as the Agent or the Lender may reasonably
request. 

     (S)7.10. Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses and Permits. Each of the
              -----------------------------------------------------
Borrowers will comply with (i) the provisions of its charter documents and
by-laws and all agreements and instruments by which it or any of its properties
may be bound; and (ii) all material applicable laws and regulations (including
Environmental Laws), and material decrees, orders and judgments ("Applicable
Laws") except where noncompliance with such agreements, instruments or
Applicable Laws would not have a material adverse

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
effect in the aggregate on the financial condition, properties or business of
such Borrower. If at any time while any Note or any Loan is outstanding or the
Lenders have any obligation to make Loans or the Agent has any obligation to
issue, extend, or renew Letters of Credit hereunder, any authorization,
consent, approval, permit or license from any officer, agency or 
instrumentality of any government shall become necessary or required in order
that any Borrower may fulfill any of its obligations hereunder, such Borrower
will immediately take or cause to be taken all reasonable steps within the
power of such Borrower to obtain such authorization, consent, approval, permit
or license and furnish the Agent and the Lenders with evidence thereof. 

     (S)7.11. Further Assurances. The Borrowers will cooperate with the Agent
              ------------------
and the Lenders and execute such further instruments and documents as the Agent
or any Lender shall reasonably request to carry out to the satisfaction of the
Agent and the Lenders the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. 

     (S)7.12. Notice of Potential Claims or Litigation. The Borrowers shall
              ----------------------------------------
deliver to the Agent and the Lenders, within 30 days of receipt thereof,
written notice of any pending action, claim, complaint, or any other notice of
dispute or potential litigation (including without limitation any alleged
violation of any Environmental Law), wherein the potential liability is (i)
unspecified and which might result in a liability in excess of $1,000,000 or
(ii) specified and in excess of $5,000,000, together with a copy of each such
notice received by any Borrower. 

     (S)7.13. Environmental Indemnification. The Borrowers covenant and agree
              -----------------------------
that they will indemnify and hold the Agent and the Lenders harmless from and
against any and all claims, expense, damage, loss or liability incurred by the
Agent or the Lenders (including all costs of legal representation incurred by
the Agent or the Lenders) relating to (a) any Release or threatened Release of
Hazardous Substances on the Real Property; (b) any violation of any
Environmental Laws with respect to conditions at the Real Property or the
operations conducted thereon; or (c) the investigation or remediation of
offsite locations at which any Borrower or its predecessors are alleged to have 
directly or indirectly Disposed of Hazardous Substances. It is expressly
acknowledged by the Borrowers that this covenant of indemnification shall
survive any foreclosure or any modification, release or discharge of any or all
of the Loan Documents or the payment of the Loans and the Notes and shall 
inure to the benefit of the Agent, the Lenders and their successors and
assigns. 

     (S)7.14. Notice of Certain Events Concerning Insurance and Environmental
              ---------------------------------------------------------------
Claims. 
------

     (a) The Borrowers will provide the Agent and the Lenders with written
     notice as to any cancellation or material change in any insurance of any
     Borrower within ten (10) Business Days after the Borrowers' receipt of any
     notice (whether formal or informal) of such cancellation or change by any
     of its insurers.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
     (b) The Borrowers will promptly notify the Agent and the Lenders in
     writing of any of the following events: 

          (i) upon the Borrowers' obtaining knowledge of any violation of any
     Environmental Law regarding the Real Property or the Borrowers' operations
     which violation could have a material adverse effect on the Borrowers'
     consolidated operations; (ii) upon the Borrowers' obtaining knowledge of
     any potential or known Release, or threat of Release, of any Hazardous
     Substance at, from, or into the Real Property which could result in a
     liability in excess of $5,000,000; (iii) upon the Borrowers' receipt of
     any notice of violation of any Environmental Laws or of any Release or
     threatened Release off Hazardous Substances, including a notice or claim
     of liability or potential responsibility from any third party (including
     without limitation any federal, state or local governmental officials)
     representing a claim which the Borrowers reasonably believe will result in
     liability of at least $100,000; or (iv) any setoff, claims (including,
     with respect to the Real Property, environmental claims), withholdings or
     other defenses to which any of the Collateral, or the Agent's rights with
     respect to the Collateral, are subject. 

     (S)7.15. Response Actions. The Borrowers covenant and agree that if any
              ----------------
Release or Disposal of Hazardous Substances shall occur or shall have occurred
on the Real Property, the Borrowers will undertake the appropriate containment
and removal of such Hazardous Substances and remediation of the Real Property
as necessary to comply with all Environmental Laws. 

     (S)7.16. Notice of Default. The Borrowers will promptly notify the Agent
              -----------------
and the Lenders in writing of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default. If any Person shall give any notice or take any other action in
respect of a claimed default (whether or not constituting an Event of Default)
under this  Agreement or any other note, evidence of indebtedness, indenture or
other obligation evidencing indebtedness in excess off $100,000 as to which any
Borrower is a party or obligor, whether as principal or surety, the Borrowers
shall forthwith give written notice thereof to the Agent and the Lenders, 
describing the notice of action and the nature of the claimed default. 

     (S)7.17. Additional Undertakings. The Borrowers shall deliver to the Agent
              -----------------------
not later than April 15, 1995 all items set forth in the letter agreement
between the Borrowers and the Agent dated March 31, 1995, including, but not
limited to, opinions of local counsel to those Borrowers that are non-U.S.
Subsidiaries of the Parent doing business in France, the United Kingdom, Italy
and Germany. All such opinions shall be in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agent. Not later than April 15, 1995, the Borrowers shall remedy any and
all deficiencies in the authorization, execution and delivery by, or
enforceability against any Borrower of any Loan Documents or in the granting of
security

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
interests to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks or the perfection of such
security interests to the satisfaction of the Agent's counsel. 

     (S)8. CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWERS. The Borrowers agree
           -------------------------------------------
that, so long as any Note or Letter of Credit is outstanding or any Lender has
any obligation to make Loans or the Agent has any obligation to issue, extend,
or renew Letters of Credit hereunder: 

     (S)8.1. Restrictions on Indebtedness. The Borrowers will not create, incur,
             ----------------------------
assume, guarantee or be or remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with
respect to any Indebtedness other than: 

     (a) Indebtedness to the Agent and the Lenders arising under this Agreement
     or the other Loan Documents; 

     (b) Additional existing Indebtedness as listed on Schedule 8.1(b), in the
                                                       -------- ------
     amounts and on the terms and conditions in effect as of the date hereof; 

     (c) Current liabilities of the Borrowers incurred in the ordinary course
     of business not incurred through (i) the borrowing of money, or (ii) the
     obtaining of credit except for credit on an open account basis customarily
     extended and in fact extended in connection with normal purchases of goods
     and services; 

     (d) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, governmental charges or
     levies and claims for labor, materials and supplies to the extent that
     payment therefor shall not at the time be required to be made in
     accordance with the provisions of (S)7.8 and Indebtedness secured by liens
     of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen permitted by
     (S)8.2(e); 

     (e) Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards which have been in
     force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as
     execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which the Borrowers
     shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings
     for review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been
     obtained pending such appeal or review and in respect of which the
     Borrowers have maintained reserves in an amount satisfactory to the
     Majority Lenders; 

     (f) Incurrence by the Borrowers of guaranty, suretyship or indemnification
     obligations in connection with the Borrowers' performance of services for
     its respective customers in the ordinary course of its business;

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     (g) Purchase money Indebtedness of the Borrowers secured by Liens
     permitted by (S)8.2(h) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at
     any one time; 

     (h) Indebtedness of the Parent with respect to the Subordinated Debentures
     and the Subordinated Notes, subject to (S)8.8 hereof; and 

     (i) Unsecured Indebtedness not to exceed S3,000,000 of Smogless Milan
     (a) under its Italian credit facility and (b) to Banco Commerciale, for
     performance and bid bonds and letters of credit.

     (S)8.2. Restrictions on Liens. None of the Borrowers will create or incur
             ---------------------
or suffer to be created or incurred or to exist any lien, encumbrance, mortgage,
pledge, charge, restriction or other security interest of any kind upon any of
its property or assets of any character whether now owned or hereafter 
acquired, or upon the income or profits therefrom; or transfer any of such
property or assets or the income or profits therefrom for the purpose of
subjecting the same to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other
obligation in priority to payment of its general creditors; or acquire, or 
agree or have an option to acquire, any property or assets upon conditional
sale or other title retention or purchase money security agreement, device or
arrangement; or suffer to exist for a period of more than 30 days after the
same shall have been incurred any Indebtedness or claim or demand against it 
which if unpaid might by law or upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be
given any priority whatsoever over its general creditors; or sell, assign,
pledge or otherwise transfer any accounts, contract rights, general intangibles
or chattel paper, with or without recourse, except the following (the 
                                            ------
"Permitted Liens"): 

     (a) Liens granted to the Agent under the Security and Pledge Agreement; 

     (b) Liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges or
     claims for labor, material or supplies in respect of obligations not
     overdue; 

     (c) Deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment of,
     workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other
     social security obligations; 

     (d) Liens in respect of judgments or awards, the Indebtedness with respect
     to which is permitted by (S)8.1(e); 

     (e) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, and other
     like liens, in existence less than 120 days from the date of creation
     thereof in respect of obligations not overdue;

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
     (f) Encumbrances consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning
     restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and
     irregularities in the title thereto, landlord's or lessor's liens under
     leases to which any Borrower is a parts, and other minor liens or
     encumbrances none of which in the opinion of such Borrower interferes
     materially with the use of the property affected in the ordinary conduct
     of the business of such Borrower which defects do not individually or in
     the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the business of such
     Borrower individually or of the Borrowers on a consolidated basis; 

     (g) Existing liens set forth in Schedule 8.1(b);
                                     -------- ------

     (h) Liens securing purchase money obligations permitted by (S)8.1(g)
     hereof provided that any such Lien shall not encumber any property other
            -------------
     than the property so acquired and shall not exceed the fair market value
     thereof. 

     (S)8.3. Restrictions on Investments. None of the Borrowers will make or
             ---------------------------
permit to exist or to remain outstanding any Investment except the following: 

     (a) Marketable direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States of
     America which mature within one year from the date of purchase; 

     (b) Certificates of deposit, time deposits or repurchase agreements which
     are fully insured or are issued by commercial banks organized under the
     laws of the United States of America or any state thereof and having a
     combined capital, surplus, and undivided profits of not less than
     $100,000,000; 

     (c) Commercial paper issued by a corporation organized and existing under
     the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof which at the
     time of purchase have been rated and the ratings for which are not less
     than "P-1" if rated by Moody's Investors Services, Inc., and not less than
     "A-1" if rated by Standard and Poor's; and 

     (d) Investments by the Parent in a Borrower permitted under (S)8.4. 

     (S)8.4. Mergers, Consolidations, Sales. None of the Borrowers shall be a
             ------------------------------
party to any merger, consolidation or exchange of stock, or purchase or
otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets or stock of any class
of, or any partnership or joint venture interest in, any other Person except as
otherwise provided in this (S)8.4, or sell, transfer, convey or lease any
assets or group of assets (except (i) sales of equipment in the ordinary course
of business or (ii) other sales of assets by the Borrowers not to exceed an
aggregate book value of $1,000,000 in any consecutive 12 month period) or sell
or assign, with or without recourse, any receivables. The Parent or IP Holding
Company may purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the
assets or stock of, or

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
joint venture interest in, or may merge with any Person provided that (a) the
                                                        -------------
Agent and the Lenders shall have been provided with a Compliance Certificate
demonstrating that the Borrowers are in current compliance with and, after
giving effect to the proposed transaction (including any borrowings made or to
be made in connection therewith), will continue to be in compliance with, all
of the covenants in (S)9 hereof as of the date of consummation of the
transaction; (b) the proposed transaction will not otherwise create an Event of
Default hereunder; (c) the business to be acquired involves the design, 
manufacture, marketing, or distribution of water filtration products; (d) all
of the assets to be acquired shall be placed in an existing or newly created
Subsidiary of the Parent, 100% of the stock of which has been or will be
pledged to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and which is a Borrower or,
in the case of a stock acquisition, the acquired stock shall be pledged to the
Agent for the benefit of the Lenders; (e) in the case of a merger, the Parent
shall be the surviving entity; (f) a copy of the purchase agreement, together
with all financial statements received by the Borrowers for any Subsidiary to
be acquired or created shall have been furnished to the Agent and the Lenders;
and (g) the aggregate cash consideration to be paid by the Parent in connection
with such transaction (including the amount of all Indebtedness assumed by the
Parent in connection therewith) does not exceed $10,000,000 

     (S)8.5. Sale and Leaseback. None of the Borrowers will enter into any
             ------------------
arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby any Borrower shall sell or
transfer any property owned by it in order then or thereafter to lease such
property or lease other property which any Borrower intends to use for
substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or transferred. 

     (S)8.6. Restricted Distributions and Redemptions. None of the Borrowers
             ----------------------------------------
will declare or pay any Distributions (other than (a) Distributions payable
solely in common stock, and (b) Distributions with respect to the existing
preferred shares of the Parent); provided that each of the Borrowers that is a 
Subsidiary of the Parent may pay distributions to its shareholder so long as no
Default or Event of Default exists or would be created by the making of such
Distribution. In addition, the Borrowers shall not redeem, convert, retire or 
otherwise acquire shares of any class of their capital stock provided, however,
                                                             --------
the Parent may make all post-closing adjustments in the number of shares
exchanged for the stock of another Person permitted under (S)8.4. The Borrowers
shall not effect or permit any change in or amendment to any document or 
instrument pertaining to the terms of the Borrowers' capital stock (other than
the capital stock of the Parent). Nothing in this (S)8.6 shall prevent
conversion of the existing preferred shares of the Parent to common stock of
the Parent. 

     (S)8.7. Employee Benefit Plans. None of the Borrowers nor any ERISA
             ----------------------
Affiliate will:

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
     (a) engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning of (S)406 of
     ERISA or (S)4975 of the Code which could result in a material liability
     for any Borrower; or 

     (b) permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an "accumulated funding
     deficiency", as such term is defined in (S)302 of ERISA, whether or not
     such deficiency is or may be waived; or 

     (c) fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an extent which,
     or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner which, could result
     in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of any Borrower
     pursuant to (S)302(f) or (S)4068 of ERISA: or

     (d) permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate benefit
     liabilities (within the meaning of (S)4001 of ERISA) of all Guaranteed
     Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of such Plans,
     disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and assets of any
     such Plan with assets in excess of benefit liabilities. 

     The Borrowers will (i) promptly upon filing the same with the Department of
Labor or Internal Revenue Service, furnish to the Agent and the Lenders a copy
of the most recent actuarial statement required to be submitted under (S)103(d)
of ERISA and Annual Report, Form 5500, with all required attachments, in respect
of each Guaranteed Pension Plan and (ii) promptly upon receipt or dispatch,
furnish to the Agent and the Lenders any notice, report or demand sent or
received in respect of a Guaranteed Pension Plan under (S)(S)302, 4041, 4042,
4043, 4063, 4065, 4066 and 4068 of ERISA, or in respect of a Multiemployer Plan,
under (S)(S)4041A, 4202, 4219, or 4245 of ERISA.

     (S)8.8. Subordinated Debt. The Borrowers will not (a) amend, supplement or
otherwise modify the terms of (i) the Subordinated Debentures without ten (10)
days prior written notice to the Agent and the Lenders of such change, and will 
not make any change in any way adverse to the Agent and the Lenders without the
prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld, and such determination as to whether the change is
adverse to the Agent and the Lenders shall be made by the Majority Lenders in
their reasonable judgment or (ii) the Subordinated Notes; (b) make any payment
of principal or other amounts owing with respect thereto (other than interest)
or prepay, redeem or repurchase any of the Subordinated Debentures or the
Subordinated Notes, except that the Parent may (i) repay the principal of the 
Subordinated Debentures on or after October 15, 2000; (ii) prepay all or any
portion of the Subordinated Debentures with the proceeds of an equity offering
or a substitute subordinated debt offering, the form and substance of which
shall have previously been consented to by the Majority Lenders in writing;
and (iii) repurchase all or any portion of the Subordinated Debentures in
connection with the exercise by holders of the Subordinated Debentures of their
Repurchase Rights upon the occurrence of the Ionpure

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
Event or a Change in Control, as such terms are defined in the Indenture, and
(c) except as permitted under the terms thereof. pay any interest on the
Subordinated Debentures or the Subordinated Notes. In no case may the Borrowers
make any payment of principal, interest, or other amounts owing with respect
to the Subordinated Debentures or the Subordinated Notes if an Event of Default
exists or would be created by the making of such payment. 

     (S)9. FINANCIAL COVENANTS. 
           -------------------

     The Borrowers agree that, so long as any Loan, the Notes, or any Letter of
Credit is outstanding or any Lender has any obligation to make Loans or the
Agent has any obligation to issue, extend, or renew Letters of Credit
hereunder: 

     (S)9.1. Current Ratio. The ratio of Consolidated Current Assets to
             -------------
Consolidated Current Liabilities shall not at any time be less than 1.50:1. 

     (S)9.2. Leverage Ratio. The ratio of (a) Funded Debt to (b) Consolidated
             --------------
Tangible Net Worth shall not at any time exceed the ratio set forth below:

        Period                       Ratio
        ------                       -----

1/1/95 through 3/31/95               4.25:1
4/1/95 through 3/31/96               4.00:1
4/1/96 through 3/31/97               3.00:1
4/1/97 through 3/31/98               2.50:1
     Thereafter                      2.00:1

     (S)9.3. Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the end of any quarter commencing
             -----------------------
with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1995 the ratio of (a) EBITA for the
four quarters ending on that date to (b) (i) Consolidated Total Interest
Expense plus (ii) Preferred Dividends for such period shall not be less than
the stated ratio for the periods set forth below:

        Period                       Ratio
        ------                       -----

1/1/95 through 3/31/95               2:25:1
4/1/95 through 3/31/96               2.75:1
4/1/96 through 3/31/97               3.00:1
     Thereafter                      4.00:1

     (S)9.4. Profitable Operations. Consolidated Net income shall not 
             ---------------------
be less than $0 for any fiscal quarter.

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
     (S)9.5. Debt Service. As at the end of any fiscal quarter commencing with
             ------------
the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1995 the ratio of (a) EBITDA minus Capital
                                                                 -----
Expenditures and cash taxes for the four fiscal quarters ended on such date to
(b) Consolidated Total Interest Expense plus Preferred Dividends and the
current maturity of long-term debt for such period shall not be less than the
stated ratio for the periods set forth below:

       Period                        Ratio
       ------                        -----

1/1/95 through 3/31/97               1.30:1
4/1/97 through 3/31/98               1.50:1
     Thereafter                      3.00:1

     (S)10. CLOSING CONDITIONS. 
            ------------------

     Upon the Effective Date, all of the obligations of the Borrowers under or
in respect of the Original Credit Agreement shall be evidenced solely by the
terms of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents. FNBB's
obligation to convert its claims against the Borrowers with respect to the
Original Credit Agreement and the Lenders' obligations to make the Loans
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to be bound by the terms provided
for in this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, prior to the
Effective Date, of each of the following conditions: 

     (S)10.1. Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties
              ------------------------------
contained in (S)6 hereof and otherwise made by the Borrowers in writing in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
correct as of the date on which made and shall also be correct at and as of 
the date of the first Loan with the same effect as if made at and as of such
time, except to the extent that the facts upon which such representations and
warranties are based may in the ordinary course be changed by the transactions
permitted or contemplated hereby. 

     (S)10.2. Performance; No Default. The Borrowers shall have performed and
              -----------------------
complied with all terms and conditions herein required to be performed or
complied with by them prior to or at the time of the first Loan, and at the
time of the first Loan, as certified by the chief financial officer of the 
Borrower, there shall exist no Default or Event of Default or condition which
would, with either or both the giving of notice or the lapse of time, result in
a Default or Event of Default upon consummation of the first Loan. 

     (S)10.3. Corporate Action. All corporate action necessary for the valid
              ----------------
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrowers of the Loan Documents
shall have been duly and effectively taken, and evidence thereof satisfactory
to the Lenders shall have been provided to each of the Lenders.

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
     (S)10.4. Loan Documents, Etc. Each of the Loan Documents shall have been
              -------------------
duly and properly authorized, executed and delivered by the respective parties
thereto and shall be in full force and effect in a form satisfactory to the
Lenders. 

     (S)10.5. Certified Copies of Charter Documents. Each of the Lenders shall
              -------------------------------------
have received from each of the Borrowers a copy, certified by a duly authorized
officer of such Person to be true and complete on the Effective Date, of each
of (a) its charter or other incorporation documents as in effect on such date
of certification, and (b) its by-laws as in effect on such date. 

     (S)10.6. Incumbency Certificate. Each of the Lenders shall have received an
              ----------------------
incumbency certificate, dated as of the Effective Date, signed by duly
authorized officers giving the name and bearing a specimen signature of each
individual who shall be authorized: (a) to sign the Loan Documents on behalf of
each Borrower; (b) to make Loan requests; and (c) to give notices and to take
other action on such Borrower's behalf under the Loan Documents. 

     (S)10.7. Validity of Liens. The Security and Pledge Agreement shall be
              -----------------
effective to create in favor of the Agent a legal, valid and enforceable
security interest in and lien upon the Collateral, subject only to the
Permitted Liens. All filings, recordings, deliveries of instruments and other
actions necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Agent to protect and
preserve such security interests shall have been duly effected. The Lenders
shall have received evidence thereof in form and substance satisfactory to the
Lenders. 

     (S)10.8. Intentionally omitted. 

     (S)10.9. Intentionally omitted. 

     (S)10.10. Payment of Fees and Interest. The Borrowers shall have paid to
               ----------------------------
FNBB all interest, fees and other amounts which are due pursuant to the Original
Credit Agreement. 

     (S)10.11. Financial Statements. The Borrowers shall have delivered to each
               --------------------
of the Lenders audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended the
Balance Sheet Date and unaudited consolidated financial statements for the
period ended on December 31, 1994 which shall fairly represent the business
and financial condition of the Borrowers on a consolidated basis in accordance
with GAAP. 

     (S)10.12. Opinions of Counsel. Each of the Lenders shall have received a
               -------------------
favorable opinion from the General Counsel and foreign counsel of the Parent,
dated the Effective Date in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders. 

     (S)(S)10.13. Conversion of Outstanding Multicurrency Loans. The Agent shall
                  ---------------------------------------------
have received from the Borrowers a Multicurrency Loan Request

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to (S)4.3 requesting that the Agent convert the outstanding Loans under
the multicurrency facility to Multicurrency Loans hereunder. 

     (S)11. CONDITIONS OF ALL LOANS. 
            -----------------------

     The obligation of Lenders to make the first Loan and any Loan subsequent
to the first Loan and the obligation of the Agent to issue, extend or renew any
Letter of Credit are subject to the following conditions precedent: 

     (S)11.1. Representations True; No Event of Default. Each of the
              -----------------------------------------
representations and warranties of the Borrowers contained in this Agreement or
in any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this
Agreement shall be true as of the date as of which they were made and shall
also be true at and as of the time of the making of the Loan or the issuance,
extension or renewal of Letter of Credit with the same effect as if made at and
as of that time (except to the extent of changes resulting from transactions
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement and changes occurring in the
ordinary course of business which singly or in the aggregate are not materially
adverse, and to the extent that such representations and warranties relate
expressly to an earlier date) and no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing. 

     (S)11.2. Performance: No Event of Default. The Borrowers shall have
              --------------------------------
performed and complied with all terms and conditions herein required to be
performed or complied with by them prior to or at the time of the Loan or the
issuance, extension or renewal of Letter of Credit, and at the time of the Loan
or the issuance, extension or renewal of Letter of Credit, there shall exist no
Event of Default or condition which would result in an Event of Default upon
consummation of the Loan or the issuance, extension or renewal of Letter of
Credit. 

     (S)11.3. No Legal Impediment. No change shall have occurred in any law or
              -------------------
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof which in the reasonable
opinion of the Lenders would make it illegal for the Lenders to make Loans
hereunder or for the Agent to issue, extended or renew a Letter of Credit. 

     (S)11.4. Governmental Regulation. The Lenders shall have received such
              -----------------------
statements in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders as they
shall require for the purpose of compliance with any applicable regulations of
the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System. 

     (S)11.5. Proceedings and Documents. All proceedings in connection with the
              -------------------------
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents incident thereto
shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and the Lenders, and
the Lenders and the Agent shall have received all information and

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as
the Lenders and the Agent may reasonably request. 

     (S)12. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION. If any of the following events
            -------------------------------
("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both is
required, then, prior to such notice and/or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall
occur: 

     (a) if the Borrowers shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans when the
     same shall become due and payable, whether at the stated date of maturity
     or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for
     payment: 

     (b) if the Borrowers shall fail to pay any interest, Commitment Fees,
     Letter of Credit Fees, or any other fees within five (5) Business Days
     after the same shall become due and payable whether at the stated date of
     maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed
     for payment; 

     (c) if the Borrowers shall fail to comply with its covenants contained in
     (S)(S)7, 8, or 9 hereof; 

     (d) if the Borrowers shall fail to perform any term, covenant or agreement
     herein contained or contained in any of the other Loan Documents (other
     than those specified in subsections (a), (b), and (c) above) within thirty
     (30) Business Days after written notice of such failure has been given to
     Borrowers by the Agent; 

     (e) if any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement or in
     any document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with
     this Agreement shall prove to have been false in any material respect upon
     the date when made or repeated; 

     (f) if any Borrower shall (i) fail to pay at maturity, or within any
     applicable period of grace, any obLigation for borrowed money or (ii) fail
     to observe or perform any material term, covenant or agreement contained
     in any agreement by which it is bound evidencing or securing borrowed
     money in an amount in excess of $250,000 for such period of time as would,
     or would have permitted (assuming the giving of appropriate notice if
     required) the holder or holders thereof or of any obligations issued
     thereunder to accelerate the maturity thereof; 

     (g) if any Borrower makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
     admits in writing its inability to pay or generally fails to pay its debts
     as they mature or become due or petitions or applies for the appointment
     of a trustee or other custodian, liquidator or receiver of such Borrower
     or of any substantial part of the assets of such Borrower or commences any 

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
     case or other proceeding relating to such Borrower under any bankruptcy,
     reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution
     or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction, now or hereafter in
     effect, or takes any action to authorize or in furtherance of any of the
     foregoing, or if any such petition or application is filed or any such
     case or other proceeding is commenced against such Borrower and such
     Borrower indicates its approval thereof, consent thereto or acquiescence
     therein;

     (h) a decree or order is entered appointing any such trustee, custodian,
     liquidator or receiver or adjudicating any Borrower bankrupt or insolvent,
     or approving a petition in any such case or other proceeding, or a decree
     or order for relief is entered in respect of such Borrower in an
     involuntary case under Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter
     constituted, and such decree or order remains in effect for more than 30
     days, whether or not consecutive; 

     (i) if there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and
     unstayed, for more than thirty days, whether or not consecutive, any final
     judgment against any Borrower which, with other outstanding final
     judgments, undischarged, against the Borrower and any Subsidiary exceeds
     in the aggregate $100,000 after taking into account any insurance
     coverage; 

     (j) with respect to any Guaranteed Pension Plan, an ERISA Reportable Event
     shall have occurred and the Majority Lenders shall have determined in
     their reasonable discretion that such event reasonably could be expected
     to result in liability of any Borrower to the PBGC or the Plan in an
     aggregate amount exceeding $500,000 and such event in the circumstances
     occurring reasonably could constitute grounds for the termination of such
     Plan by the PBGC or for the appointment by the appropriate United States
     District Court of a trustee to administer such Plan; or a trustee shall
     have been appointed by the United States District Court to administer such
     Plan; or the PBGC shall have instituted proceedings to terminate such
     Plan; or 

     (k) if any of the Loan Documents shall be canceled, terminated, revoked or
     rescinded otherwise than in accordance with the terms thereof or with the
     express prior written agreement, consent or approval of the Lenders, or
     any action at law, or suit in equity or other legal proceeding to cancel,
     revoke or rescind any of the Loan Documents shall be commenced by or on
     behalf of any Borrower, or any of its stockholders, or any court or any
     other governmental or regulatory authority or agency of competent
     jurisdiction shall make a determination that, or issue a judgment, order,
     decree or ruling to the effect that, any one or more of the Loan Documents
     is illegal, invalid or unenforceable in accordance with the terms thereof; 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
then, the Agent may, and upon the request of the Majority Lenders shall, by
notice in writing to the Borrowers declare all amounts owing with respect to
this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents, and all Reimbursement
Obligations to be, and they shall thereupon forthwith mature and become,
immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers;
provided, that in the event of any Event of Default specified in (S)(S)12(g) or
12(h) hereof, all such amounts shall become immediately due and payable
automatically and without any requirement of notice from the Agent. Upon demand
by the Agent after the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Borrowers shall
immediately provide to the Agent cash in an amount equal to the aggregate
Maximum Drawing Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding to be held by the
Agent as collateral security for the Obligations. In case any one or more of
the Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and whether or not
the Agent shall have accelerated the maturity of the Loans pursuant to the
foregoing, the Lenders, if owed any amount with respect to the Loans may
proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity, action at law
and/or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of
any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any instrument
pursuant to which the Obligations to the Lenders and the Agent hereunder are
evidenced, including as permitted by applicable law the obtaining of the ex
                                                                         --
parte appointment of a receiver, and, if such amount shall have become due, by
-----
declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other
legal or equitable right of the Lenders. No remedy herein conferred upon the
Agent, the Lenders or the holder of the Notes is intended to be exclusive of
any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in
addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at
law or in equity or by statute or any other provision of law.

     (S)13. COLLATERAL SECURITY. The Obligations shall be secured by a perfected
            -------------------
security interest (having, with respect to each category of Collateral, the
respective rights and priorities set forth in the Security Documents) in all of
the Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, pursuant to the terms
of the Security Documents.

     (S)14. SETOFF. Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral, during the
            ------
continuance of an Event of Default, any deposits or other sums credited by or
due from the Lenders to the Borrowers and any securities or other property of
the Borrowers in the possession of the Lenders may be applied to or set off
against the payment of the Obligations hereunder and under any Note and any and
all other liabilities, direct, or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to
become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of the Borrowers to the Lenders
and the Agent. Each of the Lenders agrees with each other Lender that (i) if an
amount to be set off is to be applied to Indebtedness of the Borrowers to such
Lender, other than indebtedness evidenced by the Notes held by such Lender or
constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to such Lender, such amount

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
shall be applied ratably to such other Indebtedness and to the Indebtedness
evidenced by all such Notes held by such Lender or constituting Reimbursement
Obligations owed to such Lender, and (ii) if such Lender shall receive from the
Borrowers, whether by voluntary payment, exercise of the right of setoff,
counterclaim, cross action, enforcement of the claim evidenced by the Notes
held by, or constituting Reimbursement Obligations owed to, such Lender by
proceedings against the Borrowers at law or in equity or by proof thereof in
bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings,
or otherwise, and shall retain and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes
held by, or Reimbursement Obligations owed to, such Lender any amount in excess
of its ratable portion of the payments received by all of the Lenders with
respect to the Notes held by, and Reimbursement Obligations owed to, all of the
Lenders, such Lender will make such disposition and arrangements with the other
Lenders with respect to such excess, either by way of distribution, pro tanto
                                                                    ---------
assignment of claims, subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Lender
receiving in respect of the Notes held by it or Reimbursement Obligations owed
it, its proportionate payment as contemplated by this Agreement; provided that
                                                                 --------
if all or any part of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such
Lender, such disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount
restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

     (S)15. EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated herein shall
            --------
be consummated, the Borrowers hereby promise to reimburse the Agent and the
Lenders for all reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys' fees and disbursements
incurred or expended in connection with the preparation, syndication or
interpretation of this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit or any other
Loan Document or any amendment hereof or thereof, or with the enforcement of
any Obligations or the satisfaction of any indebtedness of the Borrowers
hereunder or thereunder, or in connection with any litigation, proceeding or
dispute hereunder in any way related to the credit hereunder, including without
limitation the so-called "work-out" thereof after the occurrence of a Default
or Event of Default. The Borrowers will pay any taxes (including any interest
and penalties in respect thereof), other than the federal and state income
taxes of the Agent and the Lenders, payable on or with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the Borrowers hereby agreeing to
indemnify the Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto). The Borrowers
further promise to reimburse the Agent and the Lenders for all such fees and
disbursements incurred or expended in connection with the enforcement of any
Obligations or the satisfaction of any indebtedness of the Borrowers hereunder
or thereunder, or in connection with any litigation, proceeding or dispute in
any way related to the credit hereunder.

     (S)16. THE AGENT.
            ---------

     (S)16.1. Authorization. The Agent is authorized to take such action on
              -------------
behalf of each of the Lenders and to exercise all such powers as are hereunder
and under any of the other Loan Documents and any related documents

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
delegated to the Agent, together with such powers as are reasonably incident
thereto, provided that no duties or responsibilities not expressly assumed
         --------
herein or therein shall be implied to have been assumed by the Agent. The
relationship between the Agent and the Lenders is and shall be that of agent
and principal only, and nothing contained in this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents shall be construed to constitute the Agent as a trustee for any
Lenders.

     (S)16.2. Employees and Agents. The Agent may exercise its powers and
              --------------------
execute its duties by or through employees or agents and shall be entitled to
take, and to rely on, advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to
its rights and duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The
Agent may utilize the services of such Persons as the Agent in its sole
discretion may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and expenses of
any such Persons shall be paid by the Borrowers.

     (S)16.3. No Liability. Neither the Agent nor any of its shareholders,
              ------------
directors, officers or employees nor any other Person assisting them in their
duties nor any agent or employee thereof, shall be liable for any waiver,
consent or approval given or any action taken, or omitted to be taken, in good
faith by it or them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, or in
connection herewith or therewith, or be responsible for the consequences of any
oversight or error of judgment whatsoever, except that the Agent or such other
Person, as the case may be, may be liable for losses due to its willful
misconduct or gross negligence.

     (S)16.4. No Representations. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
              ------------------
execution or validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes, the
Letters of Credit, any of the other Loan Documents or any instrument at any
time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral security for the
Notes, or for the value of any such collateral security or for the validity,
enforceability or collectability of any such amounts owing with respect to the
Notes, or for any recitals or statements, warranties or representations made
herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or in any certificate or
instrument hereafter furnished to it by or on behalf of the Borrowers, or be
bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the
terms, conditions, covenants or agreements herein or in any instrument at any
time constituting, or intended to constitute, collateral security for the Notes
or to inspect any of the properties, books or records of the Borrowers. The
Agent shall not be bound to ascertain whether any notice, consent, waiver or
request delivered to it by the Borrowers or any holder of any of the Notes
shall have been duly authorized or is true, accurate and complete. The Agent
has not made nor does it now make any representations or warranties, express or
implied, nor does it assume any liability to the Lenders, with respect to the
credit worthiness or financial conditions of the Borrowers. Each Lender
acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or
any other Lender, and

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
based upon such information and documents as it has deemed appropriate, made
its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. 

     (S)16.5. Payments.
              --------

     (a) A payment by the Borrowers to the Agent hereunder or any of the other
     Loan Documents for the account of any Lender shall constitute a payment to
     such Lender. The Agent agrees promptly to distribute to each Lender such
     Lender's pro rata share of payments received by the Agent for the account
              --- ----
     of the Lenders except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any of
     the other Loan Documents. 

     (b) If in the opinion of the Agent the distribution of any amount received
     by it in such capacity hereunder, under the Notes or under any of the
     other Loan Documents might involve it in liability, it may refrain from
     making distribution until its right to make distribution shall have been
     adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. If a court of competent
     jurisdiction shall adjudge that any amount received and distributed by the
     Agent is to be repaid, each Person to whom any such distribution shall
     have been made shall either repay to the Agent its proportionate share of
     the amount so adjudged to be repaid or shall pay over the same in such
     manner and to such Persons as shall be determined by such court.

     (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement
     or any of the other Loan Documents, any Lender that fails (i) to make
     available to the Agent its pro rata share of any Loan or to purchase any
                                --------
     Letter of Credit Participation or (ii) to comply with the provisions of
     (S)14 with respect to making dispositions and arrangements with the other
     Lenders, where such Lender's share of any payment received, whether by
     setoff or otherwise, is in excess of its pro rata share of such payments
                                              --------
     due and payable to all of the Lenders, in each case as, when and to the
     full extent required by the provisions of this Agreement, shall be deemed
     delinquent (a "Delinquent Lender") and shall be deemed a Delinquent Lender
     until such time as such delinquency is satisfied. A Delinquent Lender
     shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments due to it from the
     Borrowers, whether on account of outstanding Loans, unpaid Reimbursement
     Obligations, interest, fees or otherwise, to the remaining nondelinquent
     Lenders for application to, and reduction of, their respective pro rata
                                                                    --------
     shares of all outstanding Loans and unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. The
     Delinquent Lender hereby authorizes the Agent to distribute such payments
     to the nondelinquent Lenders in proportion to their respective pro rata
                                                                    --- ----
     shares of all outstanding Loans and unpaid Reimbursement Obligations. A
     Delinquent Lender shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a delinquency
     when and if, as a result of application of the assigned payments to all
     outstanding Loans and unpaid Reimbursement Obligations of the
     nondelinquent Lenders, the Lenders' respective pro rata shares of all
                                                    --------

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
     outstanding Loans and unpaid Reimbursement Obligations have returned to
     those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and without giving
     effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency.

     (S)16.6. Holders of Notes. The Agent may deem and treat the payee of any
              ----------------
Note or the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participation as the absolute
owner or purchaser thereof for all purposes hereof until it shall have been
furnished in writing with a different name by such payee or by a subsequent
holder, assignee or transferee. 

     (S)16.7. Indemnity. The Lenders ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold
              ---------
harmless the Agent from and against any and all claims, actions and suits
(whether groundless or otherwise), losses, damages, costs, expenses (including
any expenses for which the Agent has not been reimbursed by the Borrowers as
required by (S)15), and liabilities of every nature and character arising out of
or related to this Agreement, the Notes, or any of the other Loan Documents or
the transactions contemplated or evidenced hereby or thereby, or the Agent's
actions taken hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent that any of the
same shall be directly caused by the Agent's willful misconduct or gross
negligence.

     (S)16.8. Agent as Lender. In its individual capacity, FNBB shall have the
              ---------------
same obligations and the same rights, powers and privileges in respect to its
Commitment and the Loans made by it, and as the holder of any of the Notes and
as the purchaser of any Letter of Credit Participations, as it would have were
it not also the Agent.

     (S)16.9. Resignation. The Agent may resign at any time by giving sixty
              -----------
(60) days prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrowers. Upon
any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a
successor Agent. Unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, such successor Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Borrowers. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority
Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after
the retiring Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent
may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a
financial institution having a rating of not less than A or its equivalent by
Standard & Poor's Corporation. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent
hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to
and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent's resignation, the provisions
of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in effect for its
benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it
was acting as Agent.

     (S)17. INDEMNIFICATION. The Borrowers agree to indemnify and hold harmless
            ---------------
the Agent and the Lenders, as well as their shareholders, directors,

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
agents, officers, subsidiaries and affiliates, from and against all damages,
losses, settlement payments, obligations, liabilities, claims, actions or
causes of action, whether statutorily created or under the common law, and
reasonable costs and expenses incurred, suffered, sustained or required to be
paid by an indemnified party by reason of or resulting from the transactions
contemplated hereby. In any investigation, proceeding or litigation, or the
preparation therefor, the Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to select
their own counsel and, in addition to the foregoing indemnity, the Borrowers
agree to pay promptly the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. In the
event of the commencement of any such proceeding or litigation, the Borrowers
shall be entitled to participate in such proceeding or litigation with counsel
of their choice at their expense. The covenants of this (S)17 shall survive
payment or satisfaction of payment of amounts owing with respect to any Note or
any other Loan Document.

     (S)18. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC. All covenants, agreements,
            --------------------------
representations and warranties made herein, in the other Loan Documents or~in
any documents or other papers delivered by or on behalf of the Borrowers
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Agent and the
Lenders, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by it,
and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans as herein
contemplated, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any amount
due under this Agreement or any Note remains outstanding and unpaid or the
Lenders have any obligation to make any Loans or the Agent has any obligation
to issue, extend, or renew Letters of Credit hereunder. All statements
contained in any certificate or other paper delivered to the Agent or the
Lenders at any time by or on behalf of the Borrowers pursuant hereto or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall constitute
representations and warranties by the Borrowers hereunder. 

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
     (S)19. ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION. 
            ----------------------------

     (S)19.1. Conditions to Assignment by Lenders. Except as provided herein,
              -----------------------------------
each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignee all or a portion of its
interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment Percentage and Commitment and the same portion of the
Loans at the time owing to it, the Notes held by it and its participating
interest in the risk relating to any Letters of Credit); provided that (i)the
                                                         --------
Agent shall have given its prior written consent to such assignment, (ii) each
such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all
the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, (iii) each
assignment shall be in an amount that is a whole multiple of $5,000,000 and
(iv) the parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Agent, for
recording in the Register (as hereinafter defined), an Assignment and
Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto (an "Assignment and
                                         ---------
Acceptance"), together with any Notes subject to such assignment. Upon such
execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the effective
date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which effective date shall be
at least five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, (i) the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent provided in such
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
hereunder, and (ii) the assigning Lender shall, to the extent provided in such
assignment and be released from its obligations under this Agreement.

     (S)19.2. Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants. By
              --------------------------------------------------------------
executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the parties to the
assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other
parties hereto as follows:

     (a) other than the representation and warranty that it is the legal and
     beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of
     any adverse claim, the assigning Lender makes no representation or
     warranty, express or implied, and assumes no responsibility with respect
     to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection
     with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
     genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, the other Loan
     Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or
     the attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest or
     mortgage,

     (b) the assigning Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes
     no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrowers
     or any other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of
     the Obligations, or the performance or observance by the Borrowers or any
     other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the
     Obligations of any of their obligations under this Agreement

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
     or any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
     furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; 

     (c) such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Agreement,
     together with copies of the most recent financial statements referred to
     in (S)7.4 hereof and such other documents and information as it has deemed
     appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into
     such Assignment and Acceptance;

     (d) such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon the
     assigning Lender, the Agent or any other Lender and based on such
     documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time,
     continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action
     under this Agreement;

     (e) such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee;

     (f) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as
     agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and
     the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof
     or thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
     thereto;

     (g) such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with their
     terms all of the obligations that by the terms of this Agreement are
     required to be performed by it as a Lender;

     (h) such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to
     enter into such Assignment and Acceptance; and

     (i) such assignee acknowledges that it has made arrangements with the
     assigning Lender satisfactory to such assignee with respect to its pro
     rata share of Letter of Credit Fees in respect of outstanding Letters of
     Credit.

     (S)19.3. Register. The Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment 
              --------
and Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar list (the "Register")
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the
Commitment Percentage of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to and Letter
of Credit Participations purchased by, the Lenders from time to time. The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error,
and the Borrowers, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name
is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this
Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and
the Lenders at any reasonable time and &om time to time upon reasonable prior
notice.

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
     (S)19.4. New Notes. Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
              ---------
executed by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note subject to
such assignment, the Agent shall (i) record the information contained therein
in the Register, and (ii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrowers and the
Lenders (other than the assigning Lenders). Within five (5) Business Days after
receipt of such notice, the Borrowers, at their own expense, shall execute and
deliver to the Agent, in exchange for each surrendered Note, a new Note to the
order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to the amount assumed by
such Eligible Assignee pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the
assigning Lender has retained some portion of its obligations hereunder, a new
Note to the order of the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the amount
retained by it hereunder. Such new Notes shall provide that they are
replacements for the surrendered Notes, shall be in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the surrendered Notes, shall
be dated the effective date of such in Assignment and Acceptance and shall
otherwise be substantially the form of the assigned Notes. Within five (5) days
of issuance of any new Notes pursuant to this (S)19.4, the Borrowers shall
deliver an opinion of counsel, addressed to the Lenders and the Agent, relating
to the due authorization, execution and delivery of such new Notes and the
legality, validity and binding effect thereof, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Lenders. The surrendered Notes shall be canceled and
returned to the Borrowers.

     (S)19.5. Participations. Each Lender may sell participations to one or
              --------------
more banks or other entities in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that
                                                               --------
(i) each such participation shall be in an amount of not less than $5,000,000,
(ii) any such sale or participation shall not affect the rights and duties of
the selling Lender hereunder to the Borrowers and (iii) the only rights granted
to the participant pursuant to such participation arrangements with respect to
waivers, amendments or modifications of the Loan Documents shall be the rights
to approve waivers, amendments or modifications that would reduce the principal
of or the interest rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the amount of
the Commitment of such Lender as it relates to such participant, reduce the
amount of any Commitment Fees or Letter of Credit Fees to which such
participant is entitled or extend any regularly scheduled payment date for
principal or interest.

     (S)19.6. Disclosure. The Borrowers agree that in addition to disclosures
              ----------
made in accordance with standard and customary banking practices any Lender may
disclose information obtained by such Lender pursuant to this Agreement to
assignees or participants and potential assignees or participants hereunder;
provided that such assignees or participants or potential assignees or
participants shall agree (i) to treat in confidence such information unless
such information otherwise becomes public knowledge (ii) not to disclose such
information to a third party, except as required by law or legal process and
(iii)

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
not to make use of such information for purposes of transactions unrelated to
such contemplated assignment or participation.

     (S)19.7. Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrowers. If any
              -----------------------------------------------------
assignee Lender is an Affiliate of the Borrowers, then any such assignee Lender
shall have no right to vote as a Lender hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of
agreeing to amendments or other modifications to any of the Loan Documents or
for purposes of making requests to the Agent pursuant to (S)16.1 or (S)16.2, and
the determination of the Majority Lenders shall for all purposes of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to such assignee
Lender's interest in any of the Loans. If any Lender sells a participating
interest in any of the Loans or Reimbursement Obligations to a participant, and
such participant is a Borrower or an Affiliate of a Borrower, such transferor
Lender shall promptly notify the Agent of the sale of such participation. A
transferor Lender shall have no right to vote as a Lender hereunder or under
any of the other Loan Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or
for purposes of agreeing to amendments or modifications to any of the Loan
Documents or for purposes of making requests to the Agent pursuant to (S)16.1 or
(S)16.2 to the extent that such participation is beneficially owned by a
Borrower or any Affiliate of a Borrower, and the determination of the Majority
Lenders shall for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
be made without regard to the interest of such transferor Lender in the Loans
to the extent of such participation.

     19.8. Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions. Any assigning Lender shall
           -----------------------------------
retain its rights to be indemnified pursuant to (S)17 with respect to any
claims or actions arising prior to the date of such assignment. If any assignee
Lender is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or
any state thereof, it shall, prior to the date on which any interest or fees
are payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for its account,
deliver to the Borrowers and the Agent certification as to its exemption from
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes. Anything
contained in this (S)19 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Lender may at any
time pledge all or any portion of its interest and rights under this Agreement
(including all or any portion of its Notes) to any of the twelve Federal
Reserve Banks organized under (S)4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C.
(S)341. No such pledge or the enforcement thereof shall release the pledgor
Lender from its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents.

     19.9. Assignment by Borrowers. The Borrowers shall not assign or transfer
           -----------------------
any of their rights or obligations under any of the Loan Documents without the
prior written consent of each of the Lenders. 

     (S)20. PARTIES IN INTEREST. All the terms of this Agreement and the other
            -------------------
Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto and

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
thereto; provided, that the Borrowers shall not assign or transfer their rights
         --------
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Agent and the Lenders.

     (S)21. NOTICES, ETC. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
            ------------
Agreement, all notices and other communications made or required to be given
pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be in writing and
shall be delivered in hand, mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or
sent by telegraph, telex or telecopier and confirmed by letter, addressed as
follows: 

          (a) if to the Borrowers, at: 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 222, Palm
     Desert, California 92260 (telephone: (619) 340-0098; telecopy (619)
     341-9368); 

          (b) if to the Agent, at: 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts
     02110, Attention: Ann E. Howard, Managing Director (telephone:
     (617) 434-8755; telecopy: 617/434-2160); 

          (c) if to the Paris Affiliate, at 104, Avenue de Champs Elysees,
     Paris, France 75008, Attention: Jean-Louis Viala
     (telephone: 33-(1)-40-7675-00; telecopy: 33-(1)-4076-75-94); 

          (d) if to First Interstate, at: 5000 Birch Street, Suite 10,000,
     Newport Beach, California 92660, Attention: Elliot Ichinose (telephone:
     (714) 253-4319; telecopy: (714) 253-4288; 

          (e) if to any Lender at such Lender's address set forth in Schedule 2
                                                                     -------- -
     hereto, or such other address for notice as such Lender shall have last
     furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice; 

     or at such other address for notice as shall last have been furnished in 
     writing to the Person giving the notice. 

     Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
and to have become effective (a) if delivered by hand to a responsible officer
of the party to which it is directed, at the time of the receipt thereof by such
officer, (b) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage
prepaid, five (5) Business Days after the posting thereof, and (c) if sent by
telex, telecopy, or cable, at the time of the dispatch thereof, if in normal
business hours in the country of receipt, or otherwise at the opening of
business on the following Business Day.

     (S)22. MISCELLANEOUS. The rights and remedies herein expressed are
            -------------
cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights which the Agent or the Lenders
would otherwise have. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof. This
Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in several counterparts

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument. In proving this Agreement it shall not be necessary to produce or
account for more than one such counterpart signed by the party against whom
enforcement is sought.

     (S)23. ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC. This Agreement, together with the other Loan
            ---------------------
Documents and any other documents executed in connection herewith or therewith,
express the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof
may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally or in writing, except
as provided in (S)27.

     (S)24. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. Each of the Borrowers hereby waives its right
            -------------------- 
to a jury trial with respect to any action or claim arising out of any dispute
in connection with this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents,
any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder or the performance of such
rights and obligations. Except as prohibited by law, each of the Borrowers
hereby waives any right it may have to claim or recover in any litigation
referred to in the preceding sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or
consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to, actual
damages. Each of the Borrowers (a) certifies that no representative, agent or
attorney of the Agent or the Lenders has represented, expressly or otherwise,
that the Agent and the Lenders would not, in the event of litigation, seek to
enforce the foregoing waivers and (b) acknowledges that the Agent and the
Lenders have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which they are parties because of, among other things, the
Borrowers' waivers and certifications contained herein.

     (S)25. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if
            ------------
any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in
whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability
shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such
jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in
any other jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Agreement in
any jurisdiction.

     (S)26. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
            -------------
ARE CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL BE
DEEMED TO BE DOCUMENTS UNDER SEAL AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID COMMONWEALTH (EXCLUDING THE
LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). EACH OF THE BORROWERS CONSENTS
TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OF THE FEDERAL OR STATE COURTS LOCATED IN THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUIT TO ENFORCE

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
THE RIGHTS OF THE BANK UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

     (S)27. CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC. 
            ----------------------------------

     Any consent or approval required or permitted by this Agreement to be
given by all of the Lenders may be given, and any term of this Agreement, the
other Loan Documents or any other instrument related hereto or mentioned herein
may be amended, and the performance or observance by the Borrowers of any terms
of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or such other instrument or the
continuance of any Default or Event of Default may be waived (either generally
or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with,
but only with, the written consent of the Borrowers and the written consent of
the Majority Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rate of interest on
the Notes, the term of the Notes, the amount of the Commitments of the Lenders,
and the amount of Commitment Fees or Letter of Credit Fees hereunder may not be
changed without the written consent of the Borrowers and the written consent of
each Lenders affected thereby; the definition of Majority Lenders may not be
amended without the written consent of all of the Lenders; and the amount of
any Letter of Credit Fees payable for the Agent's account and (S)16 may not be
amended without the written consent of the Agent. No waiver shall extend to or
affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent
thereon. No course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Agent or
any Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or
otherwise be prejudicial thereto. No notice to or demand upon the Borrowers
shall entitle the Borrowers to other or further notice or demand in similar or
other circumstances.

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers have duly executed this Agreement under 
seal as of the date first set forth above.

                         LIST OF SIGNATORY BORROWERS:
                         ---------------------------

UNITED STATES FILTER CORPORATION       CONTINENTAL PENFIELD CORPORATION

CONTINENTAL WATER CONDITIONING         EDR ACQUISITION CORPORATION
  OF THE BAY AREA

CWC ACQUISITION CORP.                  CROUZAT GROUP

IP HOLDING COMPANY                     ILLINOIS WATER TREATMENT, INC.

U.S. FILTER/IONPURE, INC.              U.S. FILTER LATIN AMERICA, INC.

U.S. FILTER/MARLBORO, INC.             U.S. FILTER/PERMUTIT, INC.

U.S. FILTER RECOVERY SERVICES, INC.    U.S. FILTER, INC. WARRENDALE, PA

U.S. FILTER/WHITTIER, INC.             PERMTEK LIMITED

IONPURE FOREIGN SALES CORP.            IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES SARL

IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES S.r.l.            IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES
                                       WASSERAUFBERSITUNGSSYSTEME GmbH

IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.              IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES (IRELAND)
                                         LIMITED

IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES A.B.              IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES B.V.

IONPURE TECHNOLOGIES S.A.              SADON DIFUSION SARL

SATION, S.L.                           SERAL, GmbH

SMOGLESS, S.p.A.                       SOCIETE DES CERAMIQUES TECHNIQUES

                                 THE LENDERS:
                                 -----------

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
BOSTON, as Agent and individually

FIRST INTERSTATE BANK OF CALIFORNIA