<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 3.1

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                 FIRST:   The name of this corporation is Aames Financial
Corporation (the "Corporation").

                 SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation
in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of
New Castle. The name of its registered agent at that address is The Corporation
Trust Company.

                 THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any
lawful act or activity for which a corporation may now or hereafter be organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as set forth in Title
8 to the Delaware Code (the "GCL").

                 FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall
have authority to issue is 8,000,000 consisting of 7,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), and 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Preferred Stock").

                 Shares of the Preferred Stock of the Corporation may be issued
from time to time in one or more classes or series, each of which class or
series shall have such distinctive designation or title as shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") prior to the
issuance of any shares thereof. Each such class or series of Preferred Stock
shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in
such resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such class or series
of Preferred Stock as may be adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors
prior to the issuance of any shares thereof pursuant to the authority hereby
expressly vested in it, all in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware.

                 FIFTH: All rights to vote and all voting power shall be vested
in the Common Stock and the holders thereof shall be entitled at all elections
of directors to one (1) vote per share. Special meetings of the stockholders for
any purpose or purposes may be called at any time only by the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer or
President of the Corporation.

                 SIXTH: The directors of the Corporation shall be divided into
three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The term of the
initial Class I directors shall terminate on the date of the 1994 annual meeting
of stockholders; the term of the initial Class II directors shall terminate on
the date of the 1993 annual meeting of stockholders and the term of the initial
Class III directors shall terminate on the date of the 1992 annual meeting of
stockholders. At each annual


<PAGE>

meeting of stockholders beginning in 1992, successors to the class of directors
whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year
term. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be
apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each
class as nearly equal as reasonably possible, and any additional directors of
any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class
shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that
class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the
term of any incumbent directors. A director shall hold office until the annual
meeting for the year in which his term expires and until his successor shall be
elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Any vacancy on the Board of
Directors, howsoever resulting, shall be filled only by a majority of the
directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining
director and not by the stockholders. Any director elected to fill a vacancy
shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the terms of the class to
which such director shall have been elected.

                 Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of shares of
Preferred Stock then outstanding, any or all of the directors of the Corporation
may be removed from office at any time, for cause only, by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation then
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, considered for purposes
of this Article SIXTH as one class.

                 Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one
or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall
have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, filling
of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the
terms of this Certificate of Incorporation or the resolution or resolutions
adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to the second paragraph of Article
FOURTH applicable thereto, and such directors so elected shall not be divided
into classes pursuant to this Article SIXTH unless expressly provided by such
terms.

                 SEVENTH: Elections of directors at an annual or special meeting
of stockholders need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the
Corporation shall otherwise provide.

                 Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or
special meeting of stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of the
stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly noticed and called, as
provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation, and may not be taken by written
consent of the stockholders pursuant to the GCL.

                 EIGHTH: The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen in such
a manner, shall hold their offices for such terms and shall carry out such
duties as are determined solely by the Board of Directors, subject to the right
of the Board of Directors to remove any officer or officers at any time with or
without cause.


                                        2
<PAGE>

                 NINTH: (A) The Corporation shall indemnify to the full extent
authorized or permitted by law (as now or hereafter in effect) any person made,
or threatened to be made, a defendant or witness to any action, suit or
proceeding (whether civil or criminal or otherwise) by reason of the fact that
he, his testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of the
Corporation or by reason of the fact that such director or officer, at the
request of the Corporation, is or was serving any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or enterprise, in any
capacity. Nothing contained herein shall affect any rights to indemnification to
which employees other than directors and officers may be entitled by law. No
amendment or repeal of this Section A of Article NINTH shall apply to or have
any effect on any right to indemnification provided hereunder with respect to
any acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

                                  (B)      No director of the  Corporation
shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such a director as a director.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, a director shall be liable to the extent
provided by applicable law (i) for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty
to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which
such director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of
this Section B of Article NINTH shall apply to or have any effect on the
liability or alleged liability of any director of the Corporation for or with
respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal.

                                  (C)      In furtherance and not in limitation
of the powers conferred by statute:

                                        (i)   the Corporation may purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation, or is serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise
against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such
capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power to indemnify against such liability under the provisions of
law; and

                                        (ii)   the Corporation may create a
trust fund, grant a security interest and/or use other means (including, without
limitation, letters of credit, surety bonds and/or other similar arrangements),
as well as enter into contracts providing indemnification to the full extent
authorized or permitted by law and including as part thereof provisions with
respect to any or all of the foregoing to ensure the payment of such amounts as
may become necessary to effect indemnification as provided therein, or
elsewhere.


                                        3
<PAGE>

                 TENTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers
conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt,
repeal, alter, amend or rescind the Bylaws of the Corporation.

                 ELEVENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to repeal, alter,
amend or rescind any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation,
in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred
on stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

                 TWELFTH: The name and mailing address for the Incorporator of
the Corporation is as follows: Barbara J. Gillen, 10940 Wilshire Boulevard,
Suite 600, Los Angeles, California 90024-3902.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed the
Certificate of Incorporation this 2nd day of October, 1991.


                                              /s/ Barbara J. Gillen
                                              ---------------------
                                              Barbara J. Gillen
                                              Incorporator


                                        4
<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

         AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,

         DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

         FIRST: That a meeting of the Board of Directors of Aames Financial
Corporation (the "Corporation"), resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a
proposed amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
declaring the amendment to be advisable and calling a meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution
setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:

            RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation
            be amended by changing Article FOURTH to provide that the authorized
            number of shares shall be 11,000,000, consisting of 10,000,000
            shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per shares, and 1,000,000
            shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

         SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of
Directors, the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation was duly
called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number
of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.

         THIRD:  That the amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporate law of the State of
Delaware.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be
signed by Gary K. Judis, its Chief Executive Officer, and Bobbie J. Burroughs,
its Secretary, this 25 day of April, 1994.


                                              By:/s/ Gary K. Judis
                                                 ------------------------------
                                                 Chief Executive Officer


                                              ATTEST: /s/ Bobbie J. Burroughs
                                                     --------------------------
                                                     Secretary

<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                     TO THE

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                            (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)


         The undersigned GARY JUDIS and BOBBIE BURROUGHS, the President and
Secretary, respectively, of Aames Financial Corporation (the "Corporation"), a
corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), do hereby certify
pursuant to Section 103 of the DGCL:

         The text of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in full as follows:

             FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall have
             authority to issue is 51,000,000, consisting of 50,000,000 shares
             of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock")
             and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share
             (the "Preferred Stock").

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as of this 17th
day of January, 1996.


                                     By: /s/ Gary K. Judis
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                         Gary K. Judis, President


                                     Attest: /s/ Bobbie J. Burroughs, Secretary
                                            -----------------------------------
                                                 Bobbie J. Burroughs, Secretary


<PAGE>

                          CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF

                      RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND PRIVILEGES OF

                            SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

         Pursuant to Section 151 of the Delaware General Corporation law:

         The undersigned hereby certifies that the following resolution has been
adopted by the Board of Directors of Aames Financial Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation") as required by Section 151 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law by unanimous written consent on June 21, 1996;

                 RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested
                 in the Board of Directors of this Corporation (hereinafter
                 called the "Board of Directors") in accordance with the
                 provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
                 Corporation, the Board of Directors hereby creates a new series
                 of the previously authorized Preferred Stock, par value $0.001
                 per share (the "Preferred Stock") of the Corporation, and
                 hereby states the designation and number of shares, and fixes
                 the, relative rights, preferences and limitations thereof (in
                 addition to any provision set forth in the Certificate of
                 Incorporation of the Corporation which are applicable to the
                 Preferred Stock of all classes and series) as follows:

         Series A Preferred Stock:

         Section 1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Preferred Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock") and
the number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 500,000
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, having a par value of $0.001 per share. Such
number of shares may be increased or decreased by resolution of the Board of
Directors; provided, that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock to a number less than the number of shares then
outstanding plus the number of shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
outstanding options, rights or warrants or upon the conversion of any
outstanding securities issued by the Corporation convertible into Series A
Preferred Stock.


<PAGE>

         Section 2.       Dividends and Distributions

                 (a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any
series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior to
the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, par
value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Corporation, and of any
other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, (i) cash
dividends in an amount per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to
the Formula Number (as defined below) then in effect, times the aggregate per
share amount of all cash dividends declared or paid on the Common Stock, and
(ii) a preferential cash dividend (a "Preferential Dividend"), if any, on the
first day of July, October, January and April in each year (each such date being
referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the
first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or
fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded
to the nearest cent) equal to $1.00 per share of Series A Preferred Stock less
the per share amount of all cash dividends declared on the Series A Preferred
Stock pursuant to clause (i) of this sentence since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of
Series A Preferred Stock. In addition, if the Corporation shall pay any dividend
or make any distribution on the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or
other forms of noncash consideration (other than dividends or distributions
solely in shares of Common Stock), then, in each such case, the Corporation
shall simultaneously pay or make on each whole outstanding share of Series A
Preferred Stock, a dividend or distribution in like kind equal to the Formula
Number then in effect times such dividend or distribution on each share of the
Common Stock. The dividends and distributions on the Series A Preferred Stock to
which holders thereof are entitled pursuant to clause (i) of the first sentence
of this paragraph and the second sentence of this paragraph are hereinafter
referred to as "Participating Dividends." As used herein, the "Formula Number"
shall be 100; provided, however, that if at any time after June 21, 1996, the
Corporation shall (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on
the Common Stock, payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a stock
split or otherwise), the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number
of shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or
otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of
shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the Formula Number in effect
immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted to a number determined by
multiplying the Formula Number then in effect by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the
nearest whole number); and provided further, that, if at any time after June 21,
1996, the Corporation shall issue any shares of its capital stock in a merger,
reclassification, or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then in
each such event the Formula Number shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect
such merger, reclassification, or change so that each share of Series A
Preferred Stock continues to be the economic equivalent of a Formula Number of
shares of Common Stock prior to such merger, reclassification or change.


<PAGE>

                 (b) The Corporation shall declare each Participating Dividend
immediately prior to or at the same time it declares any cash or non-cash
dividend or distribution on the Common Stock in respect of which a Participating
Dividend is required to be paid. No cash or non-cash dividend or distribution on
the Common Stock in respect of which a Participating Dividend is required shall
be paid or set aside for payment on the Common Stock unless a Participating
Dividend in respect of such dividend shall have been paid.

                 (c) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the date of
issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to
accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the
determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to
receive a quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in
either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative
from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall
not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in
an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and
payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis
among all such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a
record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared
thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date
fixed for the payment thereof.

         Section 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have the following voting rights:

                 (a) Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled
to a number of votes equal to the Formula Number then in effect, for each share
of Series A Preferred Stock held of record on each matter on which holders of
the Common Stock or stockholders generally are entitled to vote, multiplied by
the maximum number of votes per share which any holder of the Common Stock or
stockholders generally then have with respect to such matter (assuming any
holding period or other requirement to vote a greater number of shares is
satisfied).

                 (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any other
Certificate of Amendment creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar
stock, or by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the
holders of shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation
having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.

                 (c) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by
law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and
their consent shall not be required (except


                                        3
<PAGE>

to the extent they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set
forth herein) for taking any corporate action.

         Section 4.       Certain Restrictions.

                 (a) Whenever Preferential Dividends or Participating Dividends
are in arrears or the Corporation shall be in default in payment thereof,
thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid Participating Dividends and
Preferential Dividends, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred
Stock outstanding shall have been paid or set aside for payment in full, the
Corporation shall not:

                            (i)   declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions on or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock;

                           (ii)   declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on the shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock
and all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in
proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled;

                          (iii)   redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking junior or on a parity (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to or with the Series
A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such junior or parity stock in
exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A
Preferred Stock; or

                           (iv)   redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking
on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a
purchase offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of
Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and other
relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes, shall
determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment among the
respective series or classes.

                 (b) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph (a) of
this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in
such manner.


                                        4
<PAGE>

         Section 5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such
shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued shares of
Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Preferred Stock
subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein, in the
Certificate of Incorporation, or in any other Certificate of Amendment or
Certificate of Designation creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar
stock or as otherwise required by law.

         Section 6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any voluntary
or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no
distribution shall be made (a) to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior
(either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the
Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series
A Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of
such payment, plus an amount equal to the greater of (i) $0.01 per whole share,
or (ii) an aggregate amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect
times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common
Stock, or (b) to the holders of shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Preferred Stock, unless simultaneously therewith distributions are made ratably
on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock in proportion to the
total amounts to which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shares are
entitled under clause (a)(i) of this sentence and to which the holders of such
parity shares are entitled in each case upon such liquidation, dissolution or
winding up.

         Section 7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. If the Corporation shall enter
into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the
shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case each share of
Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or
changed into an amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in effect
times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property
(payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or for which each share of
Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event that both this Section 7 and
Section 2 appear to apply to a transaction, this Section 7 shall control.

         Section 8. Effective Time of Adjustments.

                 (a) Adjustments to the Series A Preferred Stock required by the
provisions hereof shall be effective as of the time at which the event requiring
such adjustments occurs.

                 (b) The Corporation shall give prompt written notice to each
holder of a share of Series A Preferred Stock of the effect on any such shares
of any adjustment to the dividend rights or rights upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Corporation required by the provisions hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the failure of the Corporation to give
such notice shall not affect the validity of or the force or effect of or the
requirement for such adjustment.


                                        5
<PAGE>

         Section 9. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall
not be redeemable.

         Section 10. Rank. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation or a Certificate of Designation relating to a subsequent series of
Preferred Stock of the Corporation, the Series A Preferred Stock shall rank,
with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior
to all series of any other class of the Corporation's Preferred Stock.

         Section 11. Fractional Shares. The Series A Preferred Stock shall be
issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement in
whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is one one-hundredth (1/100th)
of a share or any integral multiple of such fraction which shall entitle the
holder, in proportion to such holder's fractional shares, to receive dividends,
exercise voting rights, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of
all other rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional
shares, the Corporation, prior to the first issuance of a share or a fraction of
a share of Series A Preferred Stock, may elect (1) to make a cash payment as
provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share other than one
one-hundredth (1/100th) of a share or any integral multiple thereof, or (2) to
issue depository receipts evidencing such authorized fraction of a share of
Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the
Corporation and a depository selected by the Corporation; provided that such
agreement shall provide that the holders of such depository receipts shall have
the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled as holders of
the Series A Preferred Stock.

         Section 12. Amendment. The Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation shall not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or
change the powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock
so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting
together as a single class.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION has caused this
Certificate to be signed and attested this 21st day of June, 1996.


                                              /s/ Gary K. Judis
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Gary K. Judis,
                                              Chief Executive Officer


Attest:


/s/ Audry Patterson

- --------------------------------
Audry Patterson, Secretary


                                        6
<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION

                    FILED TO CORRECT A CERTAIN ERROR IN THE

                           CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

         Aames Financial Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under
and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does
hereby certify:

         1.      The name of the corporation is Aames Financial Corporation.

         2.      That a Certificate of Amendment was filed by the Secretary of
State of Delaware on January 19, 1996 and that said Certificate requires
correction as permitted by Section 103 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.

         3.      The inaccuracy or defect of said Certificate to be corrected
is as follows:  the second paragraph of Article FOURTH was inadvertently
deleted.

         4.      Article FOURTH of said Certificate is corrected to read in its
entirety as follows:


                 FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall
                 have authority to issue is 51,000,000, consisting of 50,000,000
                 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "Common
                 Stock") and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
                 $0.001 per share (the "Preferred Stock").

                 Shares of the Preferred Stock of the Corporation may be issued
                 from time to time in one or more classes or series, each of
                 which class or series shall have such distinctive designation
                 or title as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the
                 Corporation (the "Board of Directors") prior to the issuance of
                 any shares thereof. Each such class or series of Preferred
                 Stock shall have such voting powers, full or limited, or no
                 voting powers, and such preferences and relative,
                 participating, optional or other special rights and such
                 qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall
                 be stated in such resolution or resolutions providing for the
                 issue of such class or series of Preferred Stock as may be
                 adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors prior to
                 the issuance of any shares thereof pursuant to the authority
                 hereby expressly vested in it, all in accordance with the laws
                 of the State of Delaware.


                                        7
<PAGE>

         Aames Financial Corporation has caused this Certificate of Correction
to be signed by Barbara S. Polsky, its authorized officer, this 26th day of
August, 1997.

                                          By: /s/ Barbara S. Polsky
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                  Barbara S. Polsky
                                                  Executive Vice President,
                                                  General Counsel and Secretary


<PAGE>

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

                 CERTIFICATE OF THE VOTING POWERS, DESIGNATIONS,
                PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL
                  OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS, AND QUALIFICATIONS,
                     LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS THEREOF, OF
                     SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

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


               AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"),
hereby certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") pursuant to authority of
the Board of Directors as required by Section 151 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law:

               RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in
the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended (the "Certificate of
Incorporation"), the Board of Directors hereby creates a series of the
Corporation's previously authorized preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"), and hereby states the designation and number thereof,
and fixes the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional
and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof, as follows:

                      SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK:

                            I. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT

               The designation of this series of shares shall be "Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock" (the "Series B Preferred Stock") par value $0.001
per share; the initial stated value per share shall be $1,000.00 (the "Initial
Stated Value"); and the number of shares constituting such series shall be
100,000. The number of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock may be decreased
from time to time by a resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors;
provided, however, that such number shall not be decreased below the aggregate
number of shares of the Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding.

                                    II. RANK

               A. With respect to dividends, the Series B Preferred Stock shall
rank (i) senior to each other class or series of Preferred Stock, except for the
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the
Corporation (the "Series C Preferred Stock"); (ii) on a parity with the Series
C Preferred Stock; and (iii) senior to the Corporation's Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), and, except as specified above, all other
classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation hereafter issued by the
Corporation. With respect to dividends, all equity securities of the Corporation
to which the Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior, including the Common Stock,
are collectively referred to herein as the


<PAGE>

"Junior Dividend Securities"; all equity securities of the Corporation with
which the Series B Preferred Stock ranks on a parity, including the Series C
Preferred Stock, are collectively referred to herein as the "Parity Dividend
Securities"; and all equity securities of the Corporation (other than
convertible debt securities) to which the Series B Preferred Stock ranks junior,
with respect to dividends, are collectively referred to herein as the "Senior
Dividend Securities."

               B. With respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
the Series B Preferred Stock shall rank (i) senior to each other class or series
of Preferred Stock of the Corporation, except for the Series C Preferred Stock;
(ii) on a parity with the Series C Preferred Stock; and (iii) senior to the
Common Stock, and, except as specified above, all other classes and series of
capital stock of the Corporation hereafter issued by the Corporation. With
respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, all equity securities
of the Corporation to which the Series B Preferred Stock ranks senior, including
the Common Stock, are collectively referred to herein as "Junior Liquidation
Securities"; all equity securities of the Corporation (other than convertible
debt securities) to which the Series B Preferred Stock ranks on parity,
including the Series C Preferred Stock, are collectively referred to herein as
"Parity Liquidation Securities"; and all equity securities of the Corporation to
which the Series B Preferred Stock ranks junior are collectively referred to
herein as "Senior Liquidation Securities."

               C. The Series B Preferred Stock shall be subject to the creation
of Junior Dividend Securities and Junior Liquidation Securities (collectively,
"Junior Securities"), but no Parity Dividend Securities or Parity Liquidation
Securities (collectively, "Parity Securities") (other than the Series C
Preferred Stock) or Senior Dividend Securities or Senior Liquidation Securities
(collectively, "Senior Securities") shall be created except in accordance with
the terms hereof.

                                 III. DIVIDENDS

               A. DIVIDENDS. Subject to the terms of paragraph D below, shares
of Series B Preferred Stock shall accumulate dividends at a rate of 6.5% per
annum (the "Dividend Rate"), which dividends shall be paid quarterly in cash, in
four equal quarterly installments on the last day of March, June, September and
December of each year, or if any such date is not a Business Day, the Business
Day next preceding such day (each such date, regardless of whether any dividends
have been paid or declared and set aside for payment on such date, a "Dividend
Payment Date"), to holders of record (the "Registered Holders") as they appear
on the stock record books of the Corporation on the fifteenth day prior to the
relevant Dividend Payment Date; provided, however, that during the Accrual
Period (as defined in Article IX hereof) the Corporation shall have the option
to accrue such dividends, which dividends, to the extent so accrued, shall
compound quarterly. Prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, dividends
shall accrue and accumulate on the Initial Stated Value of each share of Series
B Preferred Stock. Following the consummation of the Recapitalization, dividends
shall accrue and accumulate on the Post-Recapitalization Stated Value of each
share of Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends shall be paid only when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds at the time


                                        2
<PAGE>

legally available for the payment of dividends. Dividends shall begin to
accumulate on outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock from the date of
issuance and shall be deemed to accumulate from day to day whether or not earned
or declared until paid. Dividends shall accumulate on the basis of a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months (four 90-day quarters) and the actual
number of days elapsed in the period for which payable.

               B. ACCUMULATION. Dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock shall
be cumulative, and from and after (i) any Dividend Payment Date on which any
dividend that has accumulated or been deemed to have accumulated through such
date has not been paid in full (other than by reason of the election of the
Corporation to accrue dividends during the Accrual Period); or (ii) any payment
date set for a redemption on which such redemption payment has not been paid in
full, additional dividends shall accumulate in respect of the amount of such
unpaid dividends or unpaid redemption payment (the "Arrearage") at 125% of the
stated dividend rate (or such lesser rate as may be the maximum rate that is
then permitted by applicable law). Such additional dividends in respect of any
Arrearage shall be deemed to accumulate from day to day whether or not earned or
declared until the Arrearage is paid, shall be calculated as of such successive
Dividend Payment Date, and shall constitute an additional Arrearage from and
after any Dividend Payment Date to the extent not paid on such Dividend Payment
Date. References in any Article herein to dividends that have accumulated or
that have been deemed to have accumulated with respect to the Series B Preferred
Stock shall include the amount, if any, of any Arrearage together with any
dividends accumulated or deemed to have accumulated on such Arrearage pursuant
to the immediately preceding two sentences. Additional dividends in respect of
any Arrearage may be declared and paid at any time, in whole or in part, without
reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to Registered Holders as they
appear on the stock record books of the Corporation on such record date as may
be fixed by the Board of Directors (which record date shall be no less than 10
days prior to the corresponding payment date). Dividends in respect of any
Arrearage shall be paid in cash.

               C. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Dividends paid on the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the
time accumulated and payable on all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
Stock shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares then outstanding. After the Second Anniversary Date, dividends that are
declared and paid in an amount less than the full amount of dividends
accumulated on the Series B Preferred Stock (and on any Arrearage) shall be
applied first to the earliest dividend which has not theretofore been paid. All
cash payments of dividends on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be
made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

               D. SPECIAL DIVIDEND RIGHTS.

               1. In addition to the dividend rights set forth in paragraph A
above, prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such
purpose, cash dividends in an amount per whole share (rounded to the nearest
cent) equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate per share
amount of all


                                        3
<PAGE>

cash dividends declared or paid on the Common Stock. If, prior to the
consummation of the Recapitalization, the Corporation shall pay any dividend or
make any distribution on the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or other
forms of non-cash consideration, then, in each such case, the Corporation shall
simultaneously pay or make on each whole outstanding share of the Series B
Preferred Stock a dividend or distribution in like kind equal to the Formula
Number then in effect times such dividend or distribution on each share of the
Common Stock. The dividends and distributions on the Series B Preferred Stock
pursuant to this paragraph are hereinafter referred to as "Participating
Dividends." The Corporation shall declare each Participating Dividend
immediately prior to or at the same time it declares any cash or non-cash
dividend or distribution on the Common Stock in respect of which a Participating
Dividend is required to be paid. No cash or non-cash dividend or distribution on
the Common Stock in respect of which a Participating Dividend is required shall
be paid or set aside for payment on the Common Stock unless a Participation
Dividend in respect of such dividend shall be have been paid. Nothing contained
in this paragraph D shall obligate the Company to declare or pay any dividend or
other distribution on the Common Stock or (except pursuant to paragraph A of
this Article III or in connection with a dividend or distribution on the Common
Stock as provided in this paragraph D) the Series B Preferred Stock.

               2. If the Recapitalization is not consummated prior to June 30,
1999, the Dividend Rate shall be deemed to be 15% per annum during the period
commencing on such date and ending on the date the Recapitalization is
consummated.

                           IV. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

               A. PRIOR TO THE RECAPITALIZATION. In the event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
occurring prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of
then-outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive
out of the assets of the Corporation, whether such assets are capital or surplus
of any nature, an amount per share equal to the sum of (i) the dividends, if
any, accumulated or deemed to have accumulated thereon, to the date of final
distribution to such holders, whether or not such dividends are declared; and
(ii) the Initial Stated Value thereof, before any payment shall be made or any
assets distributed to the holders of any Junior Liquidation Securities (the
"Initial Preferred Distribution"). After the Initial Preferred Distribution has
been made, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to share
pro rata with the holders of Common Stock in the distribution of any remaining
assets of the Corporation on the basis of each whole outstanding share of the
Series B Preferred Stock receiving an amount equal to the Formula Number then in
effect times such distribution on each share of the Common Stock. The
distributions on the Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the immediately
preceding sentence of this paragraph A are hereinafter referred to as
"Participating Liquidation Distributions." No distribution on the Common Stock
in respect of which a Participating Liquidation Distribution is required shall
be paid or set aside for payment on the Common Stock unless a Participating
Liquidation Distribution in respect of such distribution is concurrently paid.


                                        4
<PAGE>

               B. AFTER THE RECAPITALIZATION. Subsequent to the consummation of
the Recapitalization, the holders of the outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation, whether such assets are capital or surplus of any nature, an amount
per share equal to the sum of (i) the dividends, if any, accumulated or deemed
to have accumulated thereon to the date of final distribution to such holders,
whether or not such dividends are declared; and (ii) the Post-Recapitalization
Stated Value thereof, before any payment shall be made or any assets distributed
to the holders of any Junior Liquidation Securities. After any such payment in
full after the consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of Series B
Preferred Stock shall not, as such, be entitled to any further participation in
any distribution of assets of the Corporation.

               C. PARITY SECURITIES. All the assets of the Corporation available
for distribution to stockholders after the liquidation preferences of any Senior
Liquidation Securities shall be distributed ratably (in proportion to the full
distributable amounts to which holders of Series B Preferred Stock and Parity
Liquidation Securities, if any, are respectively entitled upon such dissolution,
liquidation or winding up) among the holders of the then-outstanding shares of
Series B Preferred Stock and Parity Liquidation Securities, if any, when such
assets are not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate amounts payable thereon.

               D. MERGER NOT A LIQUIDATION. Neither a consolidation or merger of
the Corporation with or into any other Person or Persons, nor a sale,
conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer of all or part of the Corporation's
assets for cash, securities or other property to a Person or Persons shall be
deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation for
purposes of this Article IV, but the holders of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock shall nevertheless be entitled from and after any such consolidation,
merger or sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer of all or part of the
Corporation's assets to the rights provided by this Article IV following any
such transaction. Notice of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates
when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable to each holder of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock in such circumstances shall be payable, shall
be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 days
prior to any payment date stated therein, to holders of record as they appear on
the stock record books of the Corporation as of the date such notices are first
mailed.

                                  V. REDEMPTION

               A. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

               B. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. Commencing on the earlier to occur of (x)
the tenth anniversary of the Issue Date and (y) the date on which fewer than 25%
of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued on the Issue Date remain
outstanding, and at all times thereafter, the Corporation may, at its option,
redeem all (but not less than all) outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
Stock on a date specified by the Corporation (the "Optional Redemption Date") by
paying the Redemption Price therefor in cash out of funds legally available for
such purpose.

               C. NOTICE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES. Notice of the redemption of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph B of this Article V (a
"Notice of Redemption")


                                        5
<PAGE>

shall be sent to the holders of record of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
to be redeemed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at each such holder's
address as it appears on the stock record books of the Corporation not more than
120 nor fewer than 90 days prior to the Optional Redemption Date, which date
shall be set forth in such notice (the "Redemption Date"); provided that failure
to give such Notice of Redemption to any holder, or any defect in such Notice of
Redemption to any holder shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for
the redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by any other
holder. In order to facilitate the redemption of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock, the Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of the
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed not more than 30
days prior to the date the Notice of Redemption is mailed. On or after the
Optional Redemption Date, each holder of the shares called for redemption shall
surrender the certificate evidencing such shares to the Corporation at the place
designated in such notice and shall thereupon be entitled to receive payment of
the Redemption Price for such shares. From and after the Optional Redemption
Date, all dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall cease to
accumulate and all rights of the holders thereof as holders of Series B
Preferred Stock shall cease and terminate, except to the extent the Corporation
shall default in payment thereof on the Optional Redemption Date.

               D. DEPOSIT OF FUNDS. The Corporation shall, on or prior to the
Optional Redemption Date, pursuant to paragraph C of this Article V, deposit
with its transfer agent or other redemption agent in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York having a capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000
selected by the Board of Directors, as a trust fund for the benefit of the
holders of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be redeemed, cash that is
sufficient in amount to redeem the shares to be redeemed in accordance with the
Notice of Redemption, with irrevocable instructions and authority to such
transfer agent or other redemption agent to pay to the respective holders of
such shares, as evidenced by a list of such holders certified by an officer of
the Corporation, the Redemption Price for such shares upon surrender of their
respective share certificates. Such deposit shall be deemed to constitute full
payment of the Redemption Price for such shares to the holders, and from and
after the date of such deposit, all rights of the holders of the shares of
Series B Preferred Stock that are to be redeemed as stockholders of the
Corporation with respect to such shares, except the right to receive the
Redemption Price upon the surrender of their respective certificates, shall
cease and terminate. No dividends shall accumulate on any shares of Series B
Preferred Stock after the Optional Redemption Date for such shares (unless the
Corporation shall fail to deposit cash sufficient to redeem all such shares). In
case holders of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock called for redemption
shall not, within two years after such deposit, claim the cash deposited for
redemption thereof, such transfer agent or other redemption agent shall, upon
demand, pay over to the Corporation the balance so deposited. Thereupon, such
transfer agent or other redemption agent shall be relieved of all responsibility
to the holders thereof and the sole right of such holders, with respect to
shares to be redeemed, shall be to receive the Redemption Price as general
creditors of the Corporation. Any interest accrued on any funds so deposited
shall belong to the Corporation, and shall be paid to it from time to time on
demand.


                                        6
<PAGE>

                         VI. RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS

               So long as any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Board of Directors shall not declare, and the Corporation shall
not pay or set apart for payment any dividend on any Junior Securities or make
any payment on account of, or set apart for payment money for a sinking or other
similar fund for, the repurchase, redemption or other retirement of, any Junior
Securities or Parity Securities or any warrants, rights or options exercisable
for or convertible into any Junior Securities or Parity Securities (other than
the repurchase, redemption or other retirement of debentures or other debt
securities that are convertible or exchangeable into any Junior Securities or
Parity Securities), or make any distribution in respect of the Junior
Securities, either directly or indirectly, and whether in cash, obligations or
shares of the Corporation or other property (other than distributions or
dividends in Junior Securities to the holders of Junior Securities), and shall
not permit any corporation or other entity directly or indirectly controlled by
the Corporation to purchase or redeem any Junior Securities or Parity Securities
or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into
any Junior Securities or Parity Securities (other than the repurchase,
redemption or other retirement of debentures or other debt securities that are
convertible or exchangeable into any Junior Securities or Parity Securities or
the repurchase, redemption or other retirement of Junior Securities or Parity
Securities in exchange for Junior Securities or Parity Securities) unless prior
to or concurrently with such declaration, payment, setting apart for payment,
repurchase, redemption or other retirement or distribution, as the case may be,
all accumulated and unpaid dividends on shares of the Series B Preferred Stock
not paid on the dates provided for in paragraph A of Article III hereof
(including Arrearages and accumulated dividends thereon) shall have been paid,
except that when dividends are not paid in full as aforesaid upon the shares of
Series B Preferred Stock, all dividends declared on the Series B Preferred Stock
and any series of Parity Dividend Securities shall be declared and paid pro rata
so that the amount of dividends so declared and paid on Series B Preferred Stock
and such series of Parity Dividend Securities shall in all cases bear to each
other the same ratio that accumulated dividends (including interest accrued on
or additional dividends accumulated in respect of such accumulated dividends) on
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and such Parity Dividend Securities bear
to each other.

                               VII. VOTING RIGHTS

               A. On or prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one thousand (1,000)
votes per share of Series B Preferred Stock at each meeting of stockholders of
the Corporation with respect to any and all matters presented to the
stockholders of the Corporation for their action and consideration. After the
consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to the number of votes per share of Series B Preferred Stock
equal to the number of shares of Common Stock for which such share of Series B
Preferred Stock is then convertible pursuant to Article VIII at each meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation with respect to any and all matters presented to
the stockholders of the Corporation for their action and consideration.


                                        7
<PAGE>

               B. So long as any shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are
outstanding, (i) each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to vote on all matters voted on by holders of Common Stock; and (ii) the
shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall vote together with shares of Common
Stock (and any shares of Series C Preferred Stock entitled to vote) as a single
class.

               C. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation,
the holders of Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall have
the right to elect, by the written consent (if action by written consent is
permitted) or affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock, four members of a separate class of
directors, each of whom shall serve until the next annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation or until his or her successor is elected and
qualified. Such vote or consent shall be taken in accordance with the procedures
specified in paragraph F below. The initial directors shall be Steven M.
Gluckstern, Adam M. Mizel, Mani Sadeghi and David Spuria.

               D. Without the written consent (if action by written consent is
permitted) or affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, voting together
as a single class, the Corporation shall not (i) authorize, create or issue, or
increase the authorized amount of, (x) any Senior Securities or Parity
Securities or (y) any class or series of capital stock or any security
convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock,
redeemable mandatorily or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof or (ii)
enter into any Transaction (as defined in paragraph H of Article VIII). Such
vote or consent shall be taken in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph F below.

               E. Without the written consent (if action by written consent is
permitted) or affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock,
voting together as a single class, the Corporation shall not (i) amend, alter or
repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, if the
amendment, alteration or repeal alters or changes the powers, preferences or
special rights of the Series B Preferred Stock so as to affect them materially
and adversely or (ii) authorize or take any other action if such action alters
or changes any of the rights of the Series B Preferred Stock in any respect or
otherwise would be inconsistent with the provisions of this Certificate of
Designations and the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of the
Corporation is entitled to vote thereon. Such vote or consent shall be taken in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph F below.

               F. The foregoing rights of holders of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock to take any actions as provided in this Article VII may be
exercised at any annual meeting of stockholders or at a special meeting of
stockholders held for such purpose as hereinafter provided or at any adjournment
thereof, or by the written consent, delivered to the Secretary of the
Corporation, of the holders of the minimum number of shares required to take
such action, if action by written consent of stockholders of the Corporation is
then permitted.


                                        8
<PAGE>

               The Chairman of the Board of the Corporation may call, and upon
written request of holders of record of 35% of the outstanding shares of Series
B Preferred Stock, if the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are to vote
separately as a single class, or the holders of record of 35% of the outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, if the holders
of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to vote as a class with the holders of
shares of any Series C Preferred Stock, addressed to the Secretary of the
Corporation at the principal office of the Corporation shall call, a special
meeting of the holders of shares entitled to vote as provided herein. Such
meeting shall be held within 30 days after delivery of such request to the
Secretary, at the place and upon the notice provided by law and in the By-laws
of the Corporation for the holding of meetings of stockholders.

               At each meeting of stockholders at which the holders of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a single
class or as a class with the holders of shares of any Series C Preferred Stock,
to elect directors of the Corporation as provided in paragraph C above or to
take any action, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of
one-third of the total number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, if the
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock are to vote separately as a single
class, or the holders of record of one-third of the total number of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, if the holder of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock are to vote as a class with the holders of shares of
Series C Preferred Stock, then outstanding and entitled to vote on the matter
shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. At any such meeting or
at any adjournment thereof:

               (A) the absence of a quorum of the holders of shares of Series B
        Preferred Stock, if the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are to vote
        separately as a single class, shall not prevent the election of
        directors other than those to be elected by the holders of shares of
        Series B Preferred Stock, and the absence of a quorum of the holders of
        shares of any other class or series of capital stock shall not prevent
        the election of directors to be elected by the holders of shares of
        Series B Preferred Stock or the taking of any action as provided in this
        Article VII; and

               (B) in the absence of a quorum of the holders of shares of Series
        B Preferred Stock, if the holders of Series B Preferred Stock are to
        vote separately as a single class, or the holders of shares of Series B
        Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, if the holders of Series B
        Preferred Stock are to vote as a class with the holders of shares of
        Series C Preferred Stock, a majority of the holders of such shares
        present in person or by proxy shall have the power to adjourn the
        meeting as to the actions to be taken by the holders of shares of Series
        B Preferred Stock or the holders of Series B Preferred Stock and Series
        C Preferred Stock, as the case may be, from time to time and place to
        place without notice other than announcement at the meeting until a
        quorum shall be present.

               For taking of any action as provided in this Article VII by the
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock voting separately as a single
class or together with the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and
Series C Preferred Stock as a single class, as the case may be, each such holder
shall have one vote for each share of such stock standing in his name on the


                                        9
<PAGE>

transfer books of the Corporation as of any record dated fixed for such purpose
or, if no such date be fixed, at the close of business on the Business Day next
preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice if waived, at the close
of business on the Business Day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held.

               In case any vacancy shall occur among the directors elected by
the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, as provided in paragraph C
above, such vacancy may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by vote
of the remaining directors theretofore elected by such holders (if there is a
remaining director), or the last remaining director's successor in office. If
any such vacancy is not so filled within 20 days after the creation thereof or
if all directors so elected by the holders of Series B Preferred Stock shall
cease to serve as directors before their terms shall expire, the holders of the
Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote for such
directors may, by written consent as herein provided (if action by written
consent is permitted), or at a special meeting of such holders called as
provided herein, elect successors to hold office for the unexpired terms of the
directors whose places shall be vacant.

               Any director elected by the holders of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock voting separately as a single class may be removed from office
with or without cause by the vote or written consent (if action by written
consent is permitted) of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding
shares of Series B Preferred Stock. A special meeting of the holders of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock may be called in accordance with the procedures set
forth in this paragraph F.

               G. The Corporation shall not enter into any agreement or issue
any security that prohibits, conflicts or is inconsistent with, or would be
breached by, the Corporation's performance of its obligations hereunder.

                                VIII. CONVERSION

               The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall have conversion
rights as follows:

        A.     Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible at
               the direction of, and by notice to the Corporation from, the
               holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B
               Preferred Stock, at any time, at the office of the Corporation or
               any transfer agent for such Series, into one thousand (1,000)
               fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock subject (x)
               to adjustment from time to time as provided below (as so
               adjusted, the "conversion ratio") and (y) (prior to the
               consummation of the Recapitalization) to limitations resulting
               from the available number of shares of Common Stock which may be
               reserved for issuance upon such conversion, provided, that any
               conversion pursuant to this paragraph A of less than all of the
               outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be on a pro
               rata basis amongst all holders of Series B Preferred Stock. After
               consummation of the Recapitalization, the number "1,000" in this
               paragraph shall be "1", subject to adjustment as provided in
               paragraph VIII.G.


                                       10
<PAGE>

        B.     If the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series
               B Preferred Stock give notice of conversion under paragraph A
               above, the Corporation shall notify all other record holders of
               Series B Preferred Stock (a "Conversion Notice"). Following
               receipt of a Conversion Notice, the holders of Series B Preferred
               Stock shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor
               duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any
               transfer agent for such Series, and shall state therein the name
               or names in which the certificate or certificates for shares of
               Common Stock are to be issued. The Corporation shall, as soon as
               practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such
               holder, or to the nominee or nominees of such holder, a
               certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common
               Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such
               conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to
               the close of business on the date of such Conversion Notice and
               the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common
               Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all
               purposes as the recordholder or holders of such shares of Common
               Stock as of such date. The issuance of certificates or shares of
               Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred
               Stock shall be made without charge for any issue, stamp or other
               similar tax in respect of such issuance.

        C.     No fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of any
               shares of Series B Preferred Stock and the number of shares of
               Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest
               whole share, and the holder of Series B Preferred Stock shall be
               paid in cash for any fractional share.

        D.     In case at any time or from time to time the Corporation shall
               pay any dividend or make any other distribution to the holder of
               its Common Stock or other class of securities, or shall offer for
               subscription pro rata to the holders of its Common Stock or other
               class of securities any additional shares of stock of any class
               or any other right, or there shall be any capital reorganization
               or reclassification of the Common Stock of the Corporation or
               consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another
               corporation, or any sale or conveyance to another corporation of
               the property of the Corporation as an entirety or substantially
               as an entirety, or there shall be a voluntary or involuntary
               dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, then,
               in any one or more of said cases the Corporation shall give at
               least 20 days' prior written notice (the time of mailing of such
               notice shall be deemed to be the time of giving thereof) to the
               registered holders of the Series B Preferred Stock at the
               addresses of each as shown on the books of the Corporation
               maintained by the Transfer Agent thereof of the date on which (i)
               the books of the Corporation shall close or a record shall be
               taken for such stock dividend,


                                       11
<PAGE>

               distribution or subscription rights or (ii) such reorganization,
               reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance,
               dissolution, liquidation or winding up shall take place, as the
               case may be, provided that in the case of any Transaction to
               which paragraph H applies the Corporation shall give at least 30
               days' prior written notice as aforesaid. Such notice shall also
               specify the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of
               record shall participate in said dividend, distribution or
               subscription rights or shall be entitled to exchange their Common
               Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such
               reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or
               conveyance or participate in such dissolution, liquidation or
               winding up, as the case may be. Failure to give such notice shall
               not invalidate any action so taken.

        E.     From and after the Recapitalization, the Corporation shall at all
               times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but
               unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of
               effecting the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred
               Stock, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from
               time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
               outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, and if at any
               time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock
               shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then
               outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock, then in addition
               to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of
               Series B Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take such
               corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
               necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of
               Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for
               such purposes.

        F.     Any notice required by the provisions of paragraph D to be given
               the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be deemed
               given if sent by facsimile transmission, by telex, or if
               deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and
               addressed to each holder of record at his, her or its address
               appearing on the books of the Corporation.

        G.     The conversion ratio shall be subject to adjustment from time to
               time as follows:

                     (i) In case the Corporation shall at any time or from time
               to time after the Issue Date (A) pay a dividend or make a
               distribution, on the outstanding shares of Common Stock in shares
               of Common Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common
               Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock, (C) combine
               the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of
               shares or (D) issue by reclassification of the shares of Common
               Stock any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, then, and
               in each such case, the conversion ratio in effect immediately
               prior to such event or the record date therefor, whichever is
               earlier, shall be adjusted so that the holder of any shares of
               Series B Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion
               shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock
               or other securities of the Corporation which such holder would
               have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening
               of any of the events described above, had such shares of Series B
               Preferred Stock been surrendered for conversion immediately prior
               to the happening of such event or the record date therefor,
               whichever is earlier. An adjustment made pursuant to this clause
               (i) shall become effective (x) in the case of any such dividend
               or distribution, immediately after the close of business on the
               record date for the determination of holders of shares of Common
               Stock


                                       12
<PAGE>

               entitled to receive such dividend or distribution, or (y) in the
               case of any such subdivision, reclassification or combination, at
               the close of business on the day upon which such corporate action
               becomes effective.

                     (ii) In the case the Corporation shall, after the Issue
               Date, issue shares of Common Stock at a price per share, or
               securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common
               Stock ("Convertible Securities") having a "Conversion Price" (as
               defined below) less than the Current Market Price (for a period
               of 15 consecutive trading days prior to such date), then, and in
               each such case, the conversion ratio shall be adjusted so that
               the holder of each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be
               entitled to receive, upon the conversion thereof, the number of
               shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying (A) the
               applicable conversion ratio on the day immediately prior to such
               date by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the sum
               of (1) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the
               date on which such shares or Convertible Securities are issued
               and (2) the number of additional shares of Common Stock issued,
               or into which the Convertible Securities may convert, and the
               denominator of which shall be the sum of (x) the number of shares
               of Common Stock outstanding on such date and (y) the number of
               shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration
               receivable by the Corporation for the total number of shares of
               Common Stock so issued, or the number of shares of Common Stock
               which the aggregate of the Conversion Price of such Convertible
               Securities so issued, would purchase at such Current Market price
               on such date. An adjustment made pursuant to this clause (ii)
               shall be made on the next Business Day following the date on
               which any such issuance is made and shall be effective
               retroactively immediately after the close of business on such
               date. For purposes of this clause (ii), the aggregate
               consideration receivable by the Corporation in connection with
               the issuance of any securities shall be deemed to be the sum of
               the aggregate offering price to the public (before deduction of
               underwriting discounts or commissions and expenses payable to
               third parties), and the "Conversion Price" of any Convertible
               Securities is the total amount received or receivable by the
               Corporation as consideration for the issue or sale of such
               Convertible Securities (before deduction of underwriting
               discounts or commissions and expenses payable to third parties)
               plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if
               any, payable to the Corporation upon the conversion, exchange or
               exercise of any such Convertible Securities. Neither (A) the
               issuance of any shares of Common Stock (whether treasury shares
               or newly issued shares) pursuant to a dividend or distribution
               on, or subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
               outstanding shares of Common Stock requiring an adjustment in the
               conversion ratio pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph G, or
               pursuant to any employee benefit plan or program of the
               Corporation or pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or
               Convertible Security outstanding as of the date hereof
               (including, but not limited to, the Rights, the Series B
               Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and the Warrants)
               nor (B) the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto
               shall be deemed to


                                       13
<PAGE>

               constitute an issuance of Common Stock or Convertible Securities
               by the Corporation to which this clause (ii) applies. Upon
               expiration of any Convertible Securities which shall not have
               been exercised or converted and for which an adjustment shall
               have been made pursuant to this clause (ii), the Conversion Price
               computed upon the original issue thereof shall upon expiration be
               recomputed as if the only additional shares of Common Stock
               issued were such shares of Common Stock (if any) actually issued
               upon exercise or conversion of such Convertible Securities and
               the consideration received therefor was the consideration
               actually received by the Corporation for the issue of such
               Convertible Securities (whether or not exercised or converted)
               plus the consideration actually received by the Corporation upon
               such exercise of conversion.

                     (iii) In case the Corporation shall at any time or from
               time to time after the Issue Date declare, order, pay or make a
               dividend or other distribution (including, without limitation,
               any distribution of stock or other securities or property or
               rights or warrants to subscribe for securities of the Corporation
               or any of its Subsidiaries by way of dividend or spin-off), on
               its Common Stock, other than (A) regular quarterly dividends
               payable in cash in an aggregate amount not to exceed 15% of net
               income from continuing operations before extraordinary items of
               the Corporation, determined in accordance with generally accepted
               accounting principles, during the period (treated as one
               accounting period) commencing on July 1, 1998, and ending on the
               date such dividend is paid or (B) dividends or distributions of
               shares of Common Stock which are referred to in clause (i) of
               this paragraph G, then, and in each such case, the conversion
               ratio shall be adjusted so that the holder of each share of
               Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, upon the
               conversion thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock
               determined by multiplying (1) the applicable conversion ratio on
               the day immediately prior to the record date fixed for the
               determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend
               or distribution by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which shall
               be the then Current Market Price per share of Common Stock for
               the period of 20 Trading Days preceding such record date, and the
               denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price per share
               of Common Stock for the period of 20 Trading Days preceding such
               record date, less the Fair Market Value (as defined in Article
               IX) per share of Common Stock (as determined in good faith by the
               Board of Directors of the Corporation, a certified resolution
               with respect to which shall be mailed to each holder of shares of
               Series B Preferred Stock) of such dividend or distribution;
               provided, however, that in the event of a distribution of shares
               of capital stock of a Subsidiary of the Corporation (a
               "Spin-Off") made to holders of shares of Common Stock, the
               numerator of such fraction shall be the sum of the Current Market
               Price per share of Common Stock for the period of 20 Trading Days
               preceding the 35th Trading Day after the effective date of such
               Spin-Off and the Current Market Price of the number of shares (or
               the fraction of a share) of capital stock of the Subsidiary which
               is


                                       14
<PAGE>

               distributed in such Spin-Off in respect of one share of Common
               Stock for the period of 20 Trading Days preceding such 35th
               Trading Day and the denominator of which shall be the current
               market price per share of the Common Stock for the period of 20
               Trading Days proceeding such 35th Trading Day. An adjustment made
               pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be made upon the opening of
               business on the next Business Day following the date on which any
               such dividend or distribution is made and shall be effective
               retroactively immediately after the close of business on the
               record date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled
               to receive such dividend or distribution; provided, however, if
               the proviso to the preceding sentence applies, then such
               adjustment shall be made and be effective as of such 35th Trading
               Day after the effective date of such Spin-Off.

                     (iv) For purposes of this paragraph G, the number of shares
               of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include any
               shares of Common Stock then owned or held by or for the account
               of the Corporation.

                     (v) The term "dividend", as used in this paragraph G shall
               mean a dividend or other distribution upon stock of the
               Corporation except pursuant to the Rights Agreement (as defined
               in Article IX). Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to
               the contrary, the conversion ratio shall not be adjusted as a
               result of any dividend, distribution or issuance of securities of
               the Corporation pursuant to the Rights Agreement.

                     (vi) Anything in this paragraph G to the contrary
               notwithstanding, the Corporation shall not be required to give
               effect to any adjustment in the conversion ratio unless and until
               the net effect of one or more adjustments (each of which shall be
               carried forward), determined as above provided, shall have
               resulted in a change of the conversion ratio by at least
               one-hundredth of one share of Common Stock, and when the
               cumulative net effect of more than one adjustment so determined
               shall be to change the conversion ratio by at least one-hundredth
               of one share of Common Stock, such change in conversion ratio
               shall thereupon be given effect.

                     (vii) The certificate of any firm of independent public
               accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of
               Directors of the Corporation (which may be the firm of
               independent public accountants regularly employed by the
               Corporation) shall be presumptively correct for any computation
               made under this paragraph G.

                     (viii) If the Corporation shall take a record of the
               holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to
               receive a dividend or other distribution, and shall thereafter
               and before the distribution to stockholders thereof legally
               abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution,
               then thereafter no adjustment in the number of shares of Common
               Stock issuable upon exercise of


                                       15
<PAGE>

               the right of conversion granted by this paragraph G or in the
               conversion ratio then in effect shall be required by reason of
               the taking of such record.

                     (ix) There shall be no adjustment of the conversion ratio
               in case of the issuance of any stock of the Corporation in a
               merger, reorganization, acquisition or other similar transaction
               except as set forth in paragraph G(i), G(ii) and H of this
               Article VIII.

        H.     In case of any reorganization or reclassification of outstanding
               shares of Common Stock (other than a reclassification covered by
               paragraph G(i) of this Article VIII, or in case of any
               consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another
               corporation, or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another
               corporation of the property of the Corporation as an entirety or
               substantially as an entirety (each of the foregoing being
               referred to as a "Transaction"), each share of Series B Preferred
               Stock then outstanding shall thereafter be convertible into, in
               lieu of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion prior to
               consummation of such Transaction, the kind and amount of shares
               of stock and other securities and property receivable (including
               cash) upon the consummation of such Transaction by a holder of
               that number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of
               Series B Preferred Stock was convertible immediately prior to
               such Transaction (including, on a pro rata basis, the cash,
               securities or property received by holders of Common Stock in any
               tender or exchange offer that is a step in such Transaction). In
               case securities or property other than Common Stock shall be
               issuable or deliverable upon conversion as aforesaid, then all
               reference in this paragraph H shall be deemed to apply, so far as
               appropriate and as nearly as may be, to such other securities or
               property.

        I.     Upon any adjustment of the conversion ratio then in effect and
               any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock
               issuable upon the operation of the conversion set forth in
               Article VIII, then, and in each such case, the Corporation shall
               promptly deliver to the registered holders of the Series B
               Preferred and Common Stock, a certificate signed by the President
               or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
               Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
               Corporation setting forth in reasonable detail the event
               requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment
               was calculated and specifying the conversion ratio then in effect
               following such adjustment and the increased or decreased number
               of shares issuable upon the conversion set forth in this Article
               VIII.

                           IX. ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

               For the purposes of this Certificate of Designations of Series B
Preferred Stock, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

               "Accrual Period" means the end of the first quarterly period
following the Second Anniversary Date.


                                       16
<PAGE>

               "Beneficially Own" with respect to any securities means having
"beneficial ownership" of such securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof, except that a Person
shall be deemed to Beneficially Own all such securities that such Person has the
right to acquire whether such right is exercisable immediately or after the
passage of time). The terms "Beneficial Ownership" and "Beneficial Owner" have
correlative meanings.

               "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.

               "Bylaws" means the Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended.

               "Current Market Price", when used with reference to shares of
Common Stock or other securities on any date, shall mean the closing price per
share of Common Stock or such other securities on such date and, when used with
reference to shares of Common Stock or other securities for any period shall
mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of Common Stock or such
other securities for such period. The closing price for each day shall be the
last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the Common Stock or such other securities are not listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock or such
other securities are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common Stock is
not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last
quoted sale price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. National Market System or such other
securities are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market
in the Common Stock or such other securities selected by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation. If the Common Stock or such other securities are not
publicly held or so listed or publicly traded, "Current Market Price" shall mean
the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock or of such other securities as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation based on
an opinion of an independent investment banking firm with an established
national reputation as a valuer of securities, which opinion may be based on
such assumption as such firm shall deem to be necessary and appropriate.

               "Equity Securities" of any Person means any and all common stock,
preferred stock and any other class of capital stock of, and any partnership or
limited liability company interests of such Person or any other similar
interests of any Person that is not a corporation, partnership or limited
liability company.

               "Exchange Act" means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, from time to
time.


                                       17
<PAGE>

               "Fair Market Value" shall mean the amount which a willing buyer
would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction.

               "Formula Number" shall mean one thousand (1,000) prior to
consummation of the Recapitalization, provided, however, that if at any time
prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the Corporation shall (i)
declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Common Stock,
payable in shares of Common Stock; (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or
otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares
of Common Stock; or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common
Stock, then in each such case the Formula Number in effect immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted to a number determined by multiplying the Formula
Number then in effect by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the
nearest whole number); and provided further, that, if prior to the consummation
of the Recapitalization the Corporation shall issue any shares of its capital
stock in a merger, reclassification, or change of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect such merger, reclassification, or change so that each share
of Series B Preferred Stock continues to be the economic equivalent of a Formula
Number of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to such merger,
reclassification, or change.

               "Group" has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act.

               "Issue Date" shall mean the first date on which shares of Series
B Preferred Stock are issued.

               "Person" means any individual, corporation, company, association,
partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization, or a
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

               "Post-Recapitalization Stated Value" shall be equal to $1.00.

               "Recapitalization" means the amendment of the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock
from 50,000,000 to 400,000,000, and the authorized shares of Preferred Stock
from 1,000,000 to 200,000,000, and the subsequent one thousand-for-one split of
Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock.

               "Redemption Price" of a share of Class B Preferred Stock shall
mean the sum of (a) the dividends, if any, accumulated or deemed to have
accumulated thereon to the Optional Redemption Date, whether or not such
dividends are declared plus (b) either (i) the Initial Stated Value thereof (if
the Recapitalization has not been consummated prior to June 30, 1999) or (ii)
the Post-Recapitalization Stated Value thereof (if the Recapitalization has been
consummated prior to June 30, 1999), in each case subject to adjustment for
splits, reclassifications, recombinations or other similar events.


                                       18
<PAGE>

               "Rights" shall mean any rights to purchase securities of the
Corporation issued pursuant to any Rights Agreement.

               "Rights Agreement" shall mean the Rights Agreement, dated as of
June 21, 1996, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank as rights agent, and all
amendments, supplements and replacements thereof.

               "Second Anniversary Date" means the second anniversary of the
Issue Date.

               "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, any other Person of which
more than 50% of the shares of the Voting Securities or other voting interests
are owned or controlled, or the ability to select or elect 50% or more of the
directors or similar managers is held, directly or indirectly, by such first
Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

               "Trading Day" means a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading
is open for the transaction of business or, if the Common Stock is not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange a Business Day.

               "Voting Securities" means, (i) with respect to the Company, the
Equity Securities of the Company entitled to vote generally for the election of
directors of the Company, and (ii) with respect to any other Person, any
securities of or interests in such Person entitled to vote generally for the
election of directors or any similar managing person of such Person.

                                X. MISCELLANEOUS

               A. NOTICES. Any notice referred to herein shall be in writing
and, unless first-class mail shall be specifically permitted for such notices
under the terms hereof, shall be deemed to have been given upon personal
delivery thereof, upon transmittal of such notice by telecopy (with confirmation
of receipt by telecopy or telex) or five days after transmittal by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

                  (i)    if to the Corporation, to its office at 2 California
                         Plaza, 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California
                         90071 (Attention: General Counsel) or to the transfer
                         agent for the Series B Preferred Stock;

                  (ii)   if to a holder of the Series B Preferred Stock, to such
                         holder at the address of such holder as listed in the
                         stock record books of the Corporation (which may
                         include the records of any transfer agent for the
                         Series B Preferred Stock); or

                  (iii)  to such other address as the Corporation or such
                         holder, as the case may be, shall have designated by
                         notice similarly given.


                                       19
<PAGE>

               B. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series B Preferred Stock
redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation, directly or
indirectly, in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly
after the acquisition thereof (and shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any
purpose) and, if necessary to provide for the lawful redemption or purchase of
such shares, the capital represented by such shares shall be reduced in
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. All such shares of Series
B Preferred Stock shall upon their cancellation and upon the filing of an
appropriate certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of the Corporation and may be reissued as part of another series of
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation subject to the
conditions or restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

               C. ENFORCEMENT. Any registered holder of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock may proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of
such holders by any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
provision in this Certificate of Designations or in aid of the exercise of any
power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

               D. TRANSFER TAXES. Except as otherwise agreed upon pursuant to
the terms of this Certificate of Designations, the Corporation shall pay any and
all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes and other governmental
charges that may be imposed under the laws of the United States of America or
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in respect of
any issue or delivery of Common Stock on conversion of, or other securities or
property issued on account of, shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant
hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Corporation
shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax or other charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue or transfer and
delivery of any certificate for Common Stock or other securities or property in
a name other than that in which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock so
exchanged, or on account of which such securities were issued, were registered
and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person
requesting such issue has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or
has established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been
paid or is not payable.

               E. TRANSFER AGENT. The Corporation may appoint, and from time to
time discharge and change, a transfer agent for the Series B Preferred Stock.
Upon any such appointment or discharge of a transfer agent, the Corporation
shall send notice thereof by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder
of record of shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

               F. RECORD DATES. In the event that the Series B Preferred Stock
shall be registered under either the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Exchange Act, the Corporation shall establish appropriate record dates with
respect to payments and other actions to be made with respect to the Series B
Preferred Stock.


                                       20
<PAGE>

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Designations is executed
on behalf of the Corporation by its Executive vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary and attested by its Assistant Secretary, this 10th day of February
, 1999.

                                     AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                     By:     /s/  Barbara S. Polsky
                                             ---------------------------------
                                     Name:   Barbara S. Polsky
                                     Title:  Executive Vice President, General

                                             Counsel and Secretary

[Corporate Seal]

ATTEST:


/s/  John F. Madden, Jr.
---------------------------------
John F. Madden Jr.
Assistant Secretary


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                 CERTIFICATE OF THE VOTING POWERS, DESIGNATIONS,
                PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL
                  OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS, AND QUALIFICATIONS,
                     LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS THEREOF, OF
                     SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

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               AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"),
hereby certifies that the following resolutions were adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") pursuant to authority of
the Board of Directors as required by Section 151 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law:

               RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority granted to and vested in
the Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended (the "Certificate of
Incorporation"), the Board of Directors hereby creates a series of the
Corporation's previously authorized preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"), and hereby states the designation and number thereof,
and fixes the voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional
and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions
thereof, as follows:

                      SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK:

                            I. DESIGNATION AND AMOUNT

               The designation of this series of shares shall be "Series C
Convertible Preferred Stock" (the "Series C Preferred Stock") par value $0.001
per share; the initial stated value per share shall be $1,000.00 (the "Initial
Stated Value"); and the number of shares constituting such series shall be
100,000. The number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock may be decreased
from time to time by a resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors;
provided, however, that such number shall not be decreased below the aggregate
number of shares of the Series C Preferred Stock then outstanding.

                                    II. RANK

               A. With respect to dividends, the Series C Preferred Stock shall
rank (i) senior to each other class or series of Preferred Stock, except for the
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the
Corporation (the "Series B Preferred Stock"); (ii) on a parity with the Series B
Preferred Stock; and (iii) senior to the Corporation's Common Stock, par value
$.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), and, except as specified above, all other
classes and series of capital stock of the Corporation hereafter issued by the
Corporation. With respect to dividends, all equity securities of the Corporation
to which the Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior, including the Common Stock,
are collectively referred to herein as the

<PAGE>

"Junior Dividend Securities"; all equity securities of the Corporation with
which the Series C Preferred Stock ranks on a parity, including the Series B
Preferred Stock, are collectively referred to herein as the "Parity Dividend
Securities"; and all equity securities of the Corporation (other than
convertible debt securities) to which the Series C Preferred Stock ranks junior,
with respect to dividends, are collectively referred to herein as the "Senior
Dividend Securities."

               B. With respect to the distribution of assets upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
the Series C Preferred Stock shall rank (i) senior to each other class or series
of Preferred Stock, except for the Series B Preferred Stock; (ii) on a parity
with the Series B Preferred Stock; and (iii) senior to the Common Stock, and,
except as specified above, all other classes and series of capital stock of the
Corporation hereafter issued by the Corporation. With respect to the
distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, all equity securities of the
Corporation to which the Series C Preferred Stock ranks senior, including the
Common Stock, are collectively referred to herein as "Junior Liquidation
Securities"; all equity securities of the Corporation (other than convertible
debt securities) to which the Series C Preferred Stock ranks on parity,
including the Series B Preferred Stock, are collectively referred to herein as
"Parity Liquidation Securities"; and all equity securities of the Corporation to
which the Series C Preferred Stock ranks junior are collectively referred to
herein as "Senior Liquidation Securities."

               C. The Series C Preferred Stock shall be subject to the creation
of Junior Dividend Securities and Junior Liquidation Securities (collectively,
"Junior Securities"), but no Parity Dividend Securities or Parity Liquidation
Securities (collectively, "Parity Securities") (other than the Series B
Preferred Stock) or Senior Dividend Securities or Senior Liquidation Securities
(collectively, "Senior Securities") shall be created except in accordance with
the terms hereof.

                                 III. DIVIDENDS

               A. DIVIDENDS. Subject to the terms of paragraph D below, shares
of Series C Preferred Stock shall accumulate dividends at a rate of 6.5% per
annum (the "Dividend Rate"), which dividends shall be paid quarterly in cash, in
four equal quarterly installments on the last day of March, June, September and
December of each year, or if any such date is not a Business Day, the Business
Day next preceding such day (each such date, regardless of whether any dividends
have been paid or declared and set aside for payment on such date, a "Dividend
Payment Date"), to holders of record (the "Registered Holders") as they appear
on the stock record books of the Corporation on the fifteenth day prior to the
relevant Dividend Payment Date; provided, however, that during the Accrual
Period (as defined in Article IX hereof) the Corporation shall have the option
to accrue such dividends, which dividends, to the extent so accrued, shall
compound quarterly. Prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, dividends
shall accrue and accumulate on the Initial Stated Value of each share of Series
B Preferred Stock. Following the consummation of the Recapitalization, dividends
shall accrue and accumulate on the Post-Recapitalization Stated Value of each
share of Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends shall be paid only when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds at the time


                                        2
<PAGE>

legally available for the payment of dividends. Dividends shall begin to
accumulate on outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock from the date of
issuance and shall be deemed to accumulate from day to day whether or not earned
or declared until paid. Dividends shall accumulate on the basis of a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months (four 90-day quarters) and the actual
number of days elapsed in the period for which payable.

               B. ACCUMULATION. Dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock shall
be cumulative, and from and after (i) any Dividend Payment Date on which any
dividend that has accumulated or been deemed to have accumulated through such
date has not been paid in full (other than by reason of the election of the
Corporation to accrue dividends during the Accrual Period); or (ii) any payment
date set for a redemption on which such redemption payment has not been paid in
full, additional dividends shall accumulate in respect of the amount of such
unpaid dividends or unpaid redemption payment (the "Arrearage") at 125% of the
stated dividend rate (or such lesser rate as may be the maximum rate that is
then permitted by applicable law). Such additional dividends in respect of any
Arrearage shall be deemed to accumulate from day to day whether or not earned or
declared until the Arrearage is paid, shall be calculated as of such successive
Dividend Payment Date, and shall constitute an additional Arrearage from and
after any Dividend Payment Date to the extent not paid on such Dividend Payment
Date. References in any Article herein to dividends that have accumulated or
that have been deemed to have accumulated with respect to the Series C Preferred
Stock shall include the amount, if any, of any Arrearage together with any
dividends accumulated or deemed to have accumulated on such Arrearage pursuant
to the immediately preceding two sentences. Additional dividends in respect of
any Arrearage may be declared and paid at any time, in whole or in part, without
reference to any regular Dividend Payment Date, to Registered Holders as they
appear on the stock record books of the Corporation on such record date as may
be fixed by the Board of Directors (which record date shall be no less than 10
days prior to the corresponding payment date). Dividends in respect of any
Arrearage shall be paid in cash.

               C. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Dividends paid on the shares of Series C
Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such dividends at the
time accumulated and payable on all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred
Stock shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares then outstanding. After the Second Anniversary Date, dividends that are
declared and paid in an amount less than the full amount of dividends
accumulated on the Series C Preferred Stock (and on any Arrearage) shall be
applied first to the earliest dividend which has not theretofore been paid. All
cash payments of dividends on the shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be
made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

               D. SPECIAL DIVIDEND RIGHTS.

               1. In addition to the dividend rights set forth in paragraph A
above, prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of shares
of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for such
purpose, cash dividends in an amount per whole share (rounded to the nearest
cent) equal to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate per share
amount of all


                                        3
<PAGE>

cash dividends declared or paid on the Common Stock. If, prior to the
consummation of the Recapitalization, the Corporation shall pay any dividend or
make any distribution on the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or other
forms of non-cash consideration, then, in each such case, the Corporation shall
simultaneously pay or make on each whole outstanding share of the Series C
Preferred Stock a dividend or distribution in like kind equal to the Formula
Number then in effect times such dividend or distribution on each share of the
Common Stock. The dividends and distributions on the Series C Preferred Stock
pursuant to this paragraph D are hereinafter referred to as "Participating
Dividends." The Corporation shall declare each Participating Dividend
immediately prior to or at the same time it declares any cash or non-cash
dividend or distribution on the Common Stock in respect of which a Participating
Dividend is required to be paid. No cash or non-cash dividend or distribution on
the Common Stock in respect of which a Participating Dividend is required shall
be paid or set aside for payment on the Common Stock unless a Participation
Dividend in respect of such dividend shall be have been paid. Nothing contained
in this paragraph D shall obligate the Company to declare or pay any dividend or
other distribution on the Common Stock or (except pursuant to paragraph A of
this Article III or in connection with a dividend or distribution on the Common
Stock as provided in this paragraph D) the Series B Preferred Stock.

               2. If the Recapitalization is not consummated prior to June 30,
1999, the Dividend Rate shall be deemed to be 15% per annum during the period
commencing on such date and ending on the date the Recapitalization is
consummated.

                           IV. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE

               A. PRIOR TO THE RECAPITALIZATION. In the event of a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary,
occurring prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of
then-outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive
out of the assets of the Corporation, whether such assets are capital or surplus
of any nature, an amount per share equal to the sum of (i) the dividends, if
any, accumulated or deemed to have accumulated thereon, to the date of final
distribution to such holders, whether or not such dividends are declared; and
(ii) the Initial Stated Value thereof, before any payment shall be made or any
assets distributed to the holders of any Junior Liquidation Securities (the
"Initial Preferred Distribution"). After the Initial Preferred Distribution has
been made, the holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to share
pro rata with the holders of Common Stock in the distribution of any remaining
assets of the Corporation on the basis of each whole outstanding share of the
Series C Preferred Stock receiving an amount equal to the Formula Number then in
effect times such distribution on each share of the Common Stock. The
distributions on the Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to the immediately
preceding sentence of this paragraph A are hereinafter referred to as
"Participating Liquidation Distributions." No distribution on the Common Stock
in respect of which a Participating Liquidation Distribution is required shall
be paid or set aside for payment on the Common Stock unless a Participating
Liquidation Distribution in respect of such distribution is concurrently paid.


                                        4
<PAGE>

               B. AFTER THE RECAPITALIZATION. Subsequent to the consummation of
the Recapitalization, the holders of the outstanding shares of Series C
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation, whether such assets are capital or surplus of any nature, an amount
per share equal to the sum of (i) the dividends, if any, accumulated or deemed
to have accumulated thereon to the date of final distribution to such holders,
whether or not such dividends are declared; and (ii) the Post-Recapitalization
Stated Value thereof, before any payment shall be made or any assets distributed
to the holders of any Junior Liquidation Securities. After any such payment in
full after the consummation of the Recapitalization, the holders of Series C
Preferred Stock shall not, as such, be entitled to any further participation in
any distribution of assets of the Corporation.

               C. PARITY SECURITIES. All the assets of the Corporation available
for distribution to stockholders after the liquidation preferences of any Senior
Liquidation Securities shall be distributed ratably (in proportion to the full
distributable amounts to which holders of Series C Preferred Stock and Parity
Liquidation Securities, if any, are respectively entitled upon such dissolution,
liquidation or winding up) among the holders of the then-outstanding shares of
Series C Preferred Stock and Parity Liquidation Securities, if any, when such
assets are not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate amounts payable thereon.

               D. MERGER NOT A LIQUIDATION. Neither a consolidation or merger of
the Corporation with or into any other Person or Persons, nor a sale,
conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer of all or part of the Corporation's
assets for cash, securities or other property to a Person or Persons shall be
deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation for
purposes of this Article IV, but the holders of shares of Series C Preferred
Stock shall nevertheless be entitled from and after any such consolidation,
merger or sale, conveyance, lease, exchange or transfer of all or part of the
Corporation's assets to the rights provided by this Article IV following any
such transaction. Notice of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, stating the payment date or dates
when, and the place or places where, the amounts distributable to each holder of
shares of Series C Preferred Stock in such circumstances shall be payable, shall
be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 days
prior to any payment date stated therein, to holders of record as they appear on
the stock record books of the Corporation as of the date such notices are first
mailed.

                                  V. REDEMPTION

               A. INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

               B. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. Commencing on the earlier to occur of (x)
the tenth anniversary of the Issue Date and (y) the date on which fewer than 25%
of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued on the Issue Date remain
outstanding, and at all times thereafter, the Corporation may, at its option,
redeem all (but not less than all) outstanding shares of Series C Preferred
Stock on a date specified by the Corporation (the "Optional Redemption Date") by
paying the Redemption Price therefor in cash out funds legally available for
such purpose.

               C. NOTICE AND REDEMPTION PROCEDURES. Notice of the redemption of
shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to paragraph B of this Article V (a
"Notice of Redemption")


                                        5
<PAGE>

shall be sent to the holders of record of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock
to be redeemed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at each such holder's
address as it appears on the stock record books of the Corporation not more than
120 nor fewer than 90 days prior to the Optional Redemption Date, which date
shall be set forth in such notice (the "Redemption Date"); provided that failure
to give such Notice of Redemption to any holder, or any defect in such Notice of
Redemption to any holder shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for
the redemption of any shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by any other
holder. In order to facilitate the redemption of shares of Series C Preferred
Stock, the Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of the
holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed not more than 30
days prior to the date the Notice of Redemption is mailed. On or after the
Optional Redemption Date, each holder of the shares called for redemption shall
surrender the certificate evidencing such shares to the Corporation at the place
designated in such notice and shall thereupon be entitled to receive payment of
the Redemption Price for such shares. From and after the Optional Redemption
Date, all dividends on shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall cease to
accumulate and all rights of the holders thereof as holders of Series C
Preferred Stock shall cease and terminate, except to the extent the Corporation
shall default in payment thereof on the Optional Redemption Date.

               D. DEPOSIT OF FUNDS. The Corporation shall, on or prior to the
Optional Redemption Date, pursuant to paragraph C of this Article V, deposit
with its transfer agent or other redemption agent in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York having a capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000
selected by the Board of Directors, as a trust fund for the benefit of the
holders of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock to be redeemed, cash that is
sufficient in amount to redeem the shares to be redeemed in accordance with the
Notice of Redemption, with irrevocable instructions and authority to such
transfer agent or other redemption agent to pay to the respective holders of
such shares, as evidenced by a list of such holders certified by an officer of
the Corporation, the Redemption Price upon surrender of their respective share
certificates. Such deposit shall be deemed to constitute full payment of the
Redemption Price for such shares to the holders, and from and after the date of
such deposit, all rights of the holders of the shares of Series C Preferred
Stock that are to be redeemed as stockholders of the Corporation with respect to
such shares, except the right to receive the Redemption Price upon the surrender
of their respective certificates, shall cease and terminate. No dividends shall
accumulate on any shares of Series C Preferred Stock after the Optional
Redemption Date, for such shares (unless the Corporation shall fail to deposit
cash sufficient to redeem all such shares). In case holders of any shares of
Series C Preferred Stock called for redemption shall not, within two years after
such deposit, claim the cash deposited for redemption thereof, such transfer
agent or other redemption agent shall, upon demand, pay over to the Corporation
the balance so deposited. Thereupon, such transfer agent or other redemption
agent shall be relieved of all responsibility to the holders thereof and the
sole right of such holders, with respect to shares to be redeemed, shall be to
receive the Redemption Price as general creditors of the Corporation. Any
interest accrued on any funds so deposited shall belong to the Corporation, and
shall be paid to it from time to time on demand.


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<PAGE>

                          VI. RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS

               So long as any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Board of Directors shall not declare, and the Corporation shall
not pay or set apart for payment any dividend on any Junior Securities or make
any payment on account of, or set apart for payment money for a sinking or other
similar fund for, the repurchase, redemption or other retirement of, any Junior
Securities or Parity Securities or any warrants, rights or options exercisable
for or convertible into any Junior Securities or Parity Securities (other than
the repurchase, redemption or other retirement of debentures or other debt
securities that are convertible or exchangeable into any Junior Securities or
Parity Securities), or make any distribution in respect of the Junior
Securities, either directly or indirectly, and whether in cash, obligations or
shares of the Corporation or other property (other than distributions or
dividends in Junior Securities to the holders of Junior Securities), and shall
not permit any corporation or other entity directly or indirectly controlled by
the Corporation to purchase or redeem any Junior Securities or Parity Securities
or any warrants, rights, calls or options exercisable for or convertible into
any Junior Securities or Parity Securities (other than the repurchase,
redemption or other retirement of debentures or other debt securities that are
convertible or exchangeable into any Junior Securities or Parity Securities or
the repurchase, redemption or other retirement of Junior Securities or Parity
Securities in exchange for Junior Securities or Parity Securities) unless prior
to or concurrently with such declaration, payment, setting apart for payment,
repurchase, redemption or other retirement or distribution, as the case may be,
all accumulated and unpaid dividends on shares of the Series C Preferred Stock
not paid on the dates provided for in paragraph A of Article III hereof
(including Arrearages and accumulated dividends thereon) shall have been paid,
except that when dividends are not paid in full as aforesaid upon the shares of
Series C Preferred Stock, all dividends declared on the Series C Preferred Stock
and any series of Parity Dividend Securities shall be declared and paid pro rata
so that the amount of dividends so declared and paid on Series C Preferred Stock
and such series of Parity Dividend Securities shall in all cases bear to each
other the same ratio that accumulated dividends (including interest accrued on
or additional dividends accumulated in respect of such accumulated dividends) on
the shares of Series C Preferred Stock and such Parity Dividend Securities bear
to each other.

                               VII. VOTING RIGHTS

               A. On or prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the
holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one thousand (1,000)
votes per share of Series C Preferred Stock at each meeting of stockholders of
the Corporation with respect to any and all matters presented to the
stockholders of the Corporation for their action and consideration, other than
the election of directors. After the consummation of the Recapitalization, the
holders of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to the number of votes per
share of Series C Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Common Stock
for which such share of Series C Preferred Stock is then convertible pursuant to
Article VIII at each meeting of stockholders of the Corporation with respect to
any and all matters presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their
action and consideration, other than the election of directors.


                                        7
<PAGE>

               B. So long as any shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are
outstanding, (i) each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to vote on all matters voted on by holders of Common Stock, other than
the election of directors; and (ii) the shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall
vote together with shares of Common Stock and shares of Series B Preferred Stock
as a single class.

               C. Without the written consent (if action by written consent is
permitted) or affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, voting together
as a single class, the Corporation shall not (i) authorize, create or issue, or
increase the authorized amount of, (x) any Senior Securities or Parity
Securities or (y) any class or series of capital stock or any security
convertible into or exercisable for any class or series of capital stock,
redeemable mandatorily or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof or (ii)
enter into any Transaction (as defined in paragraph H of Article VIII). Such
vote or consent shall be taken in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph E below.

               D. Without the written consent (if action by written consent is
permitted) or affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the
outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock,
voting together as a single class, the Corporation shall not (i) amend, alter or
repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws, if the
amendment, alteration or repeal alters or changes the powers, preferences or
special rights of the Series C Preferred Stock so as to affect them materially
and adversely or (ii) authorize or take any other action if such action alters
or changes any of the rights of the Series C Preferred Stock in any respect or
otherwise would be inconsistent with the provisions of this Certificate of
Designations and the holders of any class or series of the capital stock of the
Corporation is entitled to vote thereon. Such vote or consent shall be taken in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph E below.

               E. The foregoing rights of holders of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock to take any actions as provided in this Article VII may be
exercised at any annual meeting of stockholders or at a special meeting of
stockholders held for such purpose as hereinafter provided or at any adjournment
thereof, or by the written consent, delivered to the Secretary of the
Corporation, of the holders of the minimum number of shares required to take
such action, if action by written consent of stockholders of the Corporation is
then permitted.

               The Chairman of the Board of the Corporation may call, and upon
written request of holders of record of 35% of the outstanding shares of Series
C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, addressed to the Secretary of
the Corporation at the principal office of the Corporation shall call, a special
meeting of the holders of shares entitled to vote as provided herein. Such
meeting shall be held within 30 days after delivery of such request to the
Secretary, at the place and upon the notice provided by law and in the By-laws
of the Corporation for the holding of meetings of stockholders.

               At each meeting of stockholders at which the holders of shares of
Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right to take any action, the presence
in person or by proxy of the


                                        8
<PAGE>

holders of record of one-third of the total number of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding and entitled to
vote on the matter shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum. At
any such meeting or at any adjournment thereof:

               (A) the absence of a quorum of the holders of shares of Series C
        Preferred Stock shall not prevent the election of directors to be
        elected by the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock or the
        taking of any action as provided in this Article VII; and

               (B) in the absence of a quorum of the holders of shares of Series
        C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, a majority of the
        holders of such shares present in person or by proxy shall have the
        power to adjourn the meeting as to the actions to be taken by the
        holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred
        Stock, from time to time and place to place without notice other than
        announcement at the meeting until a quorum shall be present.

               For taking of any action as provided in this Article VII by the
holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, each
such holder shall have one vote for each share of such stock standing in his
name on the transfer books of the Corporation as of any record dated fixed for
such purpose or, if no such date be fixed, at the close of business on the
Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice if
waived, at the close of business on the Business Day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held.

               F. The Corporation shall not enter into any agreement or issue
any security that prohibits, conflicts or is inconsistent with, or would be
breached by, the Corporation's performance of its obligations hereunder.

                                VIII. CONVERSION

               The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall have conversion
rights as follows:

        A.     Each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be convertible at
               the direction of, and by notice to the Corporation from, (i) the
               holder thereof or (ii) the holders of a majority of the
               outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, at any time, at
               the office of the Corporation or any transfer agent for such
               Series, into one thousand (1,000) fully paid and nonassessable
               shares of Common Stock subject (x) to adjustment from time to
               time as provided below (as so adjusted, the "conversion ratio")
               and (y) (prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization) to
               limitations resulting from the available number of shares of
               Common Stock which may be reserved for issuance upon such
               conversion, provided, that any conversion pursuant to clause

               (ii) above of less than all of the outstanding shares of Series C
               Preferred Stock shall be on a pro rata basis amongst all holders
               of Series C Preferred Stock. After consummation of the
               Recapitalization, the number "1,000" in this paragraph shall be
               "1", subject to adjustment as provided in paragraph VIII.G.


                                        9
<PAGE>

        B.     If a holder of Series C Preferred Stock gives notice (an
               "Optional Conversion Notice") of conversion under paragraph A
               above, such holder shall surrender with such Optional Conversion
               Notice the duly endorsed certificate or certificates for the
               Series C Preferred Stock being converted, at the office of the
               Corporation or of any transfer agent for such Series, and shall
               state therein the name or names in which the certificate or
               certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued. If the
               holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series C
               Preferred Stock give notice of conversion under paragraph A
               above, the Corporation shall notify all other record holders of
               Series C Preferred Stock (a "Mandatory Conversion Notice").
               Following receipt of a Mandatory Conversion Notice, the holders
               of Series C Preferred Stock shall surrender the certificate or
               certificates therefor duly endorsed, at the office of the
               Corporation or of any transfer agent for such Series, and shall
               state therein the name or names in which the certificate or
               certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued. The
               Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the surrender of
               a Series C Preferred Stock certificate or certificates pursuant
               to an Optional Conversion Notice or Mandatory Conversion Notice,
               issue and deliver at such office to such holder, or to the
               nominee or nominees of such holder, a certificate or certificates
               for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder
               shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed
               to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on
               the date of such Optional Conversion Notice or Mandatory
               Conversion Notice, as applicable, and the person or persons
               entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such
               conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the recordholder
               or holders of such shares of Common Stock as of such date. The
               issuance of certificates or shares of Common Stock upon
               conversion of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be made
               without charge for any issue, stamp or other similar tax in
               respect of such issuance.

        C.     No fractional shares shall be issued upon conversion of any
               shares of Series C Preferred Stock and the number of shares of
               Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest
               whole share, and the holder of Series C Preferred Stock shall be
               paid in cash for any fractional share.

        D.     In case at any time or from time to time the Corporation shall
               pay any dividend or make any other distribution to the holders of
               its Common Stock or other class of securities, or shall offer for
               subscription pro rata to the holders of its Common Stock or other
               class of securities any additional shares of stock of any class
               or any other right, or there shall be any capital reorganization
               or reclassification of the Common Stock of the Corporation or
               consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another
               corporation, or any sale or conveyance to another corporation of
               the property of the Corporation as an entirety or substantially
               as an entirety, or there shall be a voluntary or involuntary
               dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, then,
               in any one or more of said cases the Corporation shall give at
               least 20 days' prior written notice (the time of mailing of such
               notice shall be deemed to be the time of giving thereof) to the
               registered holders of the Series C


                                       10
<PAGE>

               Preferred Stock at the addresses of each as shown on the books of
               the Corporation maintained by the Transfer Agent thereof of the
               date on which (i) the books of the Corporation shall close or a
               record shall be taken for such stock dividend, distribution or
               subscription rights or (ii) such reorganization,
               reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance,
               dissolution, liquidation or winding up shall take place, as the
               case may be, provided that in the case of any Transaction to
               which paragraph H applies the Corporation shall give at least 30
               days' prior written notice as aforesaid. Such notice shall also
               specify the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of
               record shall participate in said dividend, distribution or
               subscription rights or shall be entitled to exchange their Common
               Stock for securities or other property deliverable upon such
               reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale or
               conveyance or participate in such dissolution, liquidation or
               winding up, as the case may be. Failure to give such notice shall
               not invalidate any action so taken.

        E.     From and after the Recapitalization, the Corporation shall at all
               times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but
               unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of
               effecting the conversion of the shares of Series C Preferred
               Stock, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from
               time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
               outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and if at any
               time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock
               shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then
               outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock, then in addition
               to such other remedies as shall be available to the holder of
               Series C Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take such
               corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
               necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of
               Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for
               such purposes.

        F.     Any notice required by the provisions of paragraph D to be given
               the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be deemed
               given if sent by facsimile transmission, by telex, or if
               deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and
               addressed to each holder of record at his, her or its address
               appearing on the books of the Corporation.

        G.     The conversion ratio shall be subject to adjustment from time to
               time as follows:

                     (i) In case the Corporation shall at any time or from time
               to time after the Issue Date (A) pay a dividend or make a
               distribution, on the outstanding shares of Common Stock in shares
               of Common Stock, (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common
               Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock, (C) combine
               the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of
               shares or (D) issue by reclassification of the shares of Common
               Stock any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, then, and
               in each such case, the conversion ratio in effect immediately
               prior to such event or the record date therefor, whichever is
               earlier, shall be adjusted so that the holder of any shares of


                                       11
<PAGE>

               Series C Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion
               shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock
               or other securities of the Corporation which such holder would
               have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening
               of any of the events described above, had such shares of Series C
               Preferred Stock been surrendered for conversion immediately prior
               to the happening of such event or the record date therefor,
               whichever is earlier. An adjustment made pursuant to this clause
               (i) shall become effective (x) in the case of any such dividend
               or distribution, immediately after the close of business on the
               record date for the determination of holders of shares of Common
               Stock entitled to receive such dividend or distribution, or (y)
               in the case of any such subdivision, reclassification or
               combination, at the close of business on the day upon which such
               corporate action becomes effective.

                     (ii) In the case the Corporation shall, after the Issue
               Date, issue shares of Common Stock at a price per share, or
               securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common
               Stock ("Convertible Securities") having a "Conversion Price" (as
               defined below) less than the Current Market Price (for a period
               of 15 consecutive trading days prior to such date), then, and in
               each such case, the conversion ratio shall be adjusted so that
               the holder of each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be
               entitled to receive, upon the conversion thereof, the number of
               shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying (A) the
               applicable conversion ratio on the day immediately prior to such
               date by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the sum
               of (1) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the
               date on which such shares or Convertible Securities are issued
               and (2) the number of additional shares of Common Stock issued,
               or into which the Convertible Securities may convert, and the
               denominator of which shall be the sum of (x) the number of shares
               of Common Stock outstanding on such date and (y) the number of
               shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration
               receivable by the Corporation for the total number of shares of
               Common Stock so issued, or the number of shares of Common Stock
               which the aggregate of the Conversion Price of such Convertible
               Securities so issued, would purchase at such Current Market price
               on such date. An adjustment made pursuant to this clause (ii)
               shall be made on the next Business Day following the date on
               which any such issuance is made and shall be effective
               retroactively immediately after the close of business on such
               date. For purposes of this clause (ii), the aggregate
               consideration receivable by the Corporation in connection with
               the issuance of any securities shall be deemed to be the sum of
               the aggregate offering price to the public (before deduction of
               underwriting discounts or commissions and expenses payable to
               third parties), and the "Conversion Price" of any Convertible
               Securities is the total amount received or receivable by the
               Corporation as consideration for the issue or sale of such
               Convertible Securities (before deduction of underwriting
               discounts or commissions and expenses payable to third parties)
               plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration, if
               any, payable to the Corporation upon the conversion, exchange or
               exercise of any such Convertible Securities. Neither (A)


                                       12
<PAGE>

               the issuance of any shares of Common Stock (whether treasury
               shares or newly issued shares) pursuant to a dividend or
               distribution on, or subdivision, combination or reclassification
               of, the outstanding shares of Common Stock requiring an
               adjustment in the conversion ratio pursuant to clause (i) of this
               paragraph G, or pursuant to any employee benefit plan or program
               of the Corporation or pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or
               Convertible Security outstanding as of the date hereof
               (including, but not limited to, the Rights, the Series B
               Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and the Warrants)
               nor (B) the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant thereto
               shall be deemed to constitute an issuance of Common Stock or
               Convertible Securities by the Corporation to which this clause
               (ii) applies. Upon expiration of any Convertible Securities which
               shall not have been exercised or converted and for which an
               adjustment shall have been made pursuant to this clause (ii), the
               Conversion Price computed upon the original issue thereof shall
               upon such expiration be recomputed as if the only additional
               shares of Common Stock issued were such shares of Common Stock
               (if any) actually issued upon exercise of such Convertible
               Securities and the consideration received therefor was the
               consideration actually received by the Corporation for the issue
               of such Convertible Securities (whether or not exercised or
               converted) plus the consideration actually received by the
               Corporation upon such exercise of conversion.

                     (iii) In case the Corporation shall at any time or from
               time to time after the Issue Date declare, order, pay or make a
               dividend or other distribution (including, without limitation,
               any distribution of stock or other securities or property or
               rights or warrants to subscribe for securities of the Corporation
               or any of its Subsidiaries by way of dividend or spin-off), on
               its Common Stock, other than (A) regular quarterly dividends
               payable in cash in an aggregate amount not to exceed 15% of net
               income from continuing operations before extraordinary items of
               the Corporation, determined in accordance with generally accepted
               accounting principles, during the period (treated as one
               accounting period) commencing on July 1, 1998, and ending on the
               date such dividend is paid or (B) dividends or distributions of
               shares of Common Stock which are referred to in clause (i) of
               this paragraph G, then, and in each such case, the conversion
               ratio shall be adjusted so that the holder of each share of
               Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, upon the
               conversion thereof, the number of shares of Common Stock
               determined by multiplying (1) the applicable conversion ratio on
               the day immediately prior to the record date fixed for the
               determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend
               or distribution by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which shall
               be the then Current Market Price per share of Common Stock for
               the period of 20 Trading Days preceding such record date, and the
               denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price per share
               of Common Stock for the period of 20 Trading Days preceding such
               record date less the Fair Market Value (as defined in Article IX)
               per share of Common Stock (as determined in good faith by the
               Board of Directors of the Corporation, a certified resolution
               with


                                       13
<PAGE>

               respect to which shall be mailed to each holder of shares of
               Series C Preferred Stock) of such dividend or distribution;
               provided, however, that in the event of a distribution of shares
               of capital stock of a Subsidiary of the Corporation (a
               "Spin-Off") made to holders of shares of Common Stock, the
               numerator of such fraction shall be the sum of the Current Market
               Price per share of Common Stock for the period of 20 Trading Days
               preceding the 35th Trading Day after the effective date of such
               Spin-Off and the Current Market Price of the number of shares (or
               the fraction of a share) of capital stock of the Subsidiary which
               is distributed in such Spin-Off in respect of one share of Common
               Stock for the period of 20 Trading Days preceding such 35th
               Trading Day and the denominator of which shall be the current
               market price per share of the Common Stock for the period of 20
               Trading Days proceeding such 35th Trading Day. An adjustment made
               pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be made upon the opening of
               business on the next Business Day following the date on which any
               such dividend or distribution is made and shall be effective
               retroactively immediately after the close of business on the
               record date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled
               to receive such dividend or distribution; provided, however, if
               the proviso to the preceding sentence applies, then such
               adjustment shall be made and be effective as of such 35th Trading
               Day after the effective date of such Spin-Off.

                     (iv) For purposes of this paragraph G, the number of shares
               of Common Stock at any time outstanding shall not include any
               shares of Common Stock then owned or held by or for the account
               of the Corporation.

                     (v) The term "dividend", as used in this paragraph G shall
               mean a dividend or other distribution upon stock of the
               Corporation except pursuant to the Rights Agreement (as defined
               in Article IX). Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to
               the contrary, the conversion ratio shall not be adjusted as a
               result of any dividend, distribution or issuance of securities of
               the Corporation pursuant to the Rights Agreement.

                     (vi) Anything in this paragraph G to the contrary
               notwithstanding, the Corporation shall not be required to give
               effect to any adjustment in the conversion ratio unless and until
               the net effect of one or more adjustments (each of which shall be
               carried forward), determined as above provided, shall have
               resulted in a change of the conversion ratio by at least
               one-hundredth of one share of Common Stock, and when the
               cumulative net effect of more than one adjustment so determined
               shall be to change the conversion ratio by at leas one-hundredth
               of one share of Common Stock, such change in conversion ratio
               shall thereupon be given effect.

                     (vii) The certificate of any firm of independent public
               accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of
               Directors of the Corporation (which may be the firm of
               independent public accountants regularly employed by the


                                       14
<PAGE>

               Corporation) shall be presumptively correct for any computation
               made under this paragraph G.

                     (viii) If the Corporation shall take a record of the
               holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to
               receive a dividend or other distribution, and shall thereafter
               and before the distribution to stockholders thereof legally
               abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution,
               then thereafter no adjustment in the number of shares of Common
               Stock issuable upon exercise of the right of conversion granted
               by this paragraph G or in the conversion ratio then in effect
               shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

                     (ix) There shall be no adjustment of the conversion ratio
               in case of the issuance of any stock of the Corporation in a
               merger, reorganization, acquisition or other similar transaction
               except as set forth in paragraph G(i), G(ii) and H of this
               Article VIII.

        H.     In case of any reorganization or reclassification of outstanding
               shares of Common Stock (other than a reclassification covered by
               paragraph G(i) of this Article VIII), or in case of any
               consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another
               corporation, or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another
               corporation of the property of the Corporation as an entirety or
               substantially as an entirety (each of the foregoing being
               referred to as a "Transaction"), each share of Series C Preferred
               Stock then outstanding shall thereafter be convertible into, in
               lieu of the Common Stock issuable upon such conversion prior to
               consummation of such Transaction, the kind and amount of shares
               of stock and other securities and property receivable (including
               cash) upon the consummation of such Transaction by a holder of
               that number of shares of Common Stock into which one share of
               Series C Preferred Stock was convertible immediately prior to
               such Transaction (including, on a pro rata basis, the cash,
               securities or property received by holders of Common Stock in any
               tender or exchange offer that is a step in such Transaction). In
               case securities or property other than Common Stock shall be
               issuable or deliverable upon conversion as aforesaid, then all
               reference in this paragraph H shall be deemed to apply, so far as
               appropriate and as nearly as may be, to such other securities or
               property.

        I.     Upon any adjustment of the conversion ratio then in effect and
               any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock
               issuable upon the operation of the conversion set forth in
               Article VIII, then, and in each such case, the Corporation shall
               promptly deliver to the registered holders of the Series C
               Preferred and Common Stock, a certificate signed by the President
               or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant
               Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
               Corporation setting forth in reasonable detail the event
               requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment
               was calculated and specifying the conversion ratio then in effect
               following such adjustment and


                                       15
<PAGE>

               the increased or decreased number of shares issuable upon the
               conversion set forth in this Article VIII.

                           IX. ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS

               For the purposes of this Certificate of Designations of Series C
Preferred Stock, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

               "Accrual Period" means the end of the first quarterly period
following the Second Anniversary Date.

               "Beneficially Own" with respect to any securities means having
"beneficial ownership" of such securities (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof, except that a Person
shall be deemed to Beneficially Own all such securities that such Person has the
right to acquire whether such right is exercisable immediately or after the
passage of time). The terms "Beneficial Ownership" and "Beneficial Owner" have
correlative meanings.

               "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to close.

               "Bylaws" means the Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended.

               "Current Market Price", when used with reference to shares of
Common Stock or other securities on any date, shall mean the closing price per
share of Common Stock or such other securities on such date and, when used with
reference to shares of Common Stock or other securities for any period shall
mean the average of the daily closing prices per share of Common Stock or such
other securities for such period. The closing price for each day shall be the
last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day,
the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or,
if the Common Stock or such other securities are not listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock or such
other securities are listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common Stock is
not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last
quoted sale price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. National Market System or such other
securities are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing
bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market
in the Common Stock or such other securities selected by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation. If the Common Stock or such other securities are not
publicly held or so listed or publicly traded, "Current Market Price" shall mean
the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock or of such other securities as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the


                                       16
<PAGE>

Corporation based on an opinion of an independent investment banking firm with
an established national reputation as a valuer of securities, which opinion may
be based on such assumption as such firm shall deem to be necessary and
appropriate.

               "Equity Securities" of any Person means any and all common stock,
preferred stock and any other class of capital stock of, and any partnership or
limited liability company interests of such Person or any other similar
interests of any Person that is not a corporation, partnership or limited
liability company.

               "Exchange Act" means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, from time to
time.

               "Fair Market Value" shall mean the amount which a willing buyer
would pay a willing seller in an arm's-length transaction.

               "Formula Number" shall mean one thousand (1,000) prior to
consummation of the Recapitalization; provided, however, that if at any time
prior to the consummation of the Recapitalization, the Corporation shall (i)
declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on the Common Stock,
payable in shares of Common Stock; (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or
otherwise) the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares
of Common Stock; or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common
Stock, then in each such case the Formula Number in effect immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted to a number determined by multiplying the Formula
Number then in effect by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event (and rounding the result to the
nearest whole number); and provided further, that, if prior to the consummation
of the Recapitalization the Corporation shall issue any shares of its capital
stock in a merger, reclassification, or change of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula Number shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect such merger, reclassification, or change so that each share
of Series C Preferred Stock continues to be the economic equivalent of a Formula
Number of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to such merger,
reclassification, or change.

               "Group" has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act.

               "Issue Date" shall mean the first date on which shares of Series
C Preferred Stock are issued. "Person" means any individual, corporation,
company, association, partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated
organization, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

               "Post-Recapitalization Stated Value" shall be equal to $1.00.


                                       17
<PAGE>

               "Recapitalization" means the amendment of the Corporation's
Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock
from 50,000,000 to 400,000,000, and the authorized shares of Preferred Stock
from 1,000,000 to 200,000,000, and the subsequent one thousand-for-one split of
Series C Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock.

               "Redemption Price" of a share of Series C Preferred Stock shall
mean the sum of (a) the dividends, if any, accumulated or deemed to have
accumulated thereon to the Optional Redemption Date, whether or not such
dividends are declared plus (b) either (i) the Initial Stated Value thereof (if
the Recapitalization has not been consummated prior to June 30, 1999) or (ii)
the Post-Recapitalization Stated Value thereof (if the Recapitalization has been
consummated prior to June 30, 1999), in each case subject to adjustment for
splits, reclassifications, recombinations or similar events.

               "Rights" shall mean any rights to purchase securities of the
Corporation issued pursuant to any Rights Agreement.

               "Rights Agreement" shall mean the Rights Agreement, dated as of
June 21, 1996, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank as rights agent, and all
amendments, supplements and replacements thereof.

               "Second Anniversary Date" means the second anniversary of the
Issue Date.

               "Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, any other Person of which
more than 50% of the shares of the Voting Securities or other voting interests
are owned or controlled, or the ability to select or elect 50% or more of the
directors or similar managers is held, directly or indirectly, by such first
Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

               "Trading Day" means a day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading
is open for the transaction of business or, if the Common Stock is not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange a Business Day.

               "Voting Securities" means, (i) with respect to the Company, the
Equity Securities of the Company entitled to vote generally for the election of
directors of the Company, and (ii) with respect to any other Person, any
securities of or interests in such Person entitled to vote generally for the
election of directors or any similar managing person of such Person.

                                X. MISCELLANEOUS

               A. NOTICES. Any notice referred to herein shall be in writing
and, unless first-class mail shall be specifically permitted for such notices
under the terms hereof, shall be deemed to have been given upon personal
delivery thereof, upon transmittal of such notice by telecopy (with confirmation
of receipt by telecopy or telex) or five days after transmittal by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:


                                       18
<PAGE>

                  (i)    if to the Corporation, to its office at 2 California
                         Plaza, 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California
                         90071 (Attention: General Counsel)

                         or to the transfer agent for the Series C
                         Preferred Stock;

                  (ii)   if to a holder of the Series C Preferred Stock, to such
                         holder at the address of such holder as listed in the
                         stock record books of the Corporation (which may
                         include the records of any transfer agent for the
                         Series C Preferred Stock); or

                  (iii)  to such other address as the Corporation or such
                         holder, as the case may be, shall have designated by
                         notice similarly given.

               B. REACQUIRED SHARES. Any shares of Series C Preferred Stock
redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation, directly or
indirectly, in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly
after the acquisition thereof (and shall not be deemed to be outstanding for any
purpose) and, if necessary to provide for the lawful redemption or purchase of
such shares, the capital represented by such shares shall be reduced in
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law. All such shares of Series
C Preferred Stock shall upon their cancellation and upon the filing of an
appropriate certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware,
become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of the Corporation and may be reissued as part of another series of
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation subject to the
conditions or restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

               C. ENFORCEMENT. Any registered holder of shares of Series C
Preferred Stock may proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of
such holders by any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
provision in this Certificate of Designations or in aid of the exercise of any
power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

               D. TRANSFER TAXES. Except as otherwise agreed upon pursuant to
the terms of this Certificate of Designations, the Corporation shall pay any and
all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes and other governmental
charges that may be imposed under the laws of the United States of America or
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein in respect of
any issue or delivery of Common Stock on conversion of, or other securities or
property issued on account of, shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant
hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities. The Corporation
shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax or other charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue or transfer and
delivery of any certificate for Common Stock or other securities or property in
a name other than that in which the shares of Series C Preferred Stock so
exchanged, or on account of which such securities were issued, were registered
and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the Person
requesting such issue has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or
has established to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been
paid or is not payable.


                                       19
<PAGE>

               E. TRANSFER AGENT. The Corporation may appoint, and from time to
time discharge and change, a transfer agent for the Series C Preferred Stock.
Upon any such appointment or discharge of a transfer agent, the Corporation
shall send notice thereof by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each holder
of record of shares of Series C Preferred Stock.

               F. RECORD DATES. In the event that the Series C Preferred Stock
shall be registered under either the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Exchange Act, the Corporation shall establish appropriate record dates with
respect to payments and other actions to be made with respect to the Series C
Preferred Stock.


                                       20
<PAGE>

               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Certificate of Designations is executed
on behalf of the Corporation by its Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary and attested by its Assistant Secretary, this 10th day of
February    , 1999.

                                      AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                      By:     /s/  Barbara S. Polsky
                                              ---------------------------------
                                      Name:   Barbara S. Polsky
                                      Title:  Executive Vice President, General
                                              Counsel and Secretary

[Corporate Seal]

ATTEST:


/s/  John F. Madden, Jr.
-----------------------------------
John F. Madden Jr.
Assistant Secretary


                                       21
<PAGE>

                             CERTIFICATE OF INCREASE

                                       OF

                           AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES

                                       OF

                      SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                       (Pursuant to Section 151 of the
               General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

            Aames Financial Corporation, a corporation organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"),

            DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

            That a Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designations, Preferences
and Relative, Participating, Optional or Other Special Rights, and
Qualifications, Limitations or Restrictions Thereof, of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock was filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on February
10,1999.

            That the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted a resolution
authorizing and directing an increase in the authorized number of shares of
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of the Corporation, from 100,000 shares to
29,704,000 shares, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of The
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation.

            That the effective date and time of this Certificate of Increase is
September 30, 1999 at 11:59 p.m., eastern time.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Aames Financial Corporation has caused this
certificate to be signed by Barbara S. Polsky, its Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary, this 30th day of September, 1999.

                                    AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                    By:         /s/  Barbara S. Polsky
                                       -------------------------------
                                       Name:    Barbara S. Polsky
                                       Title:   Executive Vice President,
                                                General Counsel and Secretary


<PAGE>

CERTIFICATE OF INCREASE

                                       OF

                           AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES

                                       OF

                      SERIES C CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION

                       (Pursuant to Section 151 of the
               General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

            Aames Financial Corporation, a corporation organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"),

            DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

            That a Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designations, Preferences
and Relative, Participating, Optional or Other Special Rights, and
Qualifications, Limitations or Restrictions Thereof, of Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock was filed in the Office of the Secretary of State on February
10,1999.

            That the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted a resolution
authorizing and directing an increase in the authorized number of shares of
Series C Convertible Preferred Stock of the Corporation, from 100,000 shares to
107,122,664 shares, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 151 of The
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation.

            That the effective date and time of this Certificate of Increase is
September 30, 1999 at 11:59 p.m., eastern time.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Aames Financial Corporation has caused this
certificate to be signed by Barbara S. Polsky, its Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary, this 30th day of September, 1999.

                                    AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                                    By:       /s/  Barbara S. Polsky
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Name:  Barbara S. Polsky
                                       Title: Executive Vice President,
                                       General Counsel and Secretary


<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware corporation)

      The undersigned Barbara S. Polsky the Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary, respectively, of Aames Financial Corporation (the
"Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), do hereby certify
that the following amendments were adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Section 242 of the DGCL:

      The text of the first paragraph of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in full
as follows:

                  FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall
            have the authority to issue is 600,000,000, consisting of
            400,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
            "Common Stock") and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
            $0.001 per share (the "Preferred Stock").

                  Simultaneously with the effective date of this amendment (the
            "EFFECTIVE DATE"), each share of the Corporation's Series B
            Convertible Preferred Stock having a par value of $0.001 per share
            issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date (the
            "PRE-SPLIT SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK") shall automatically and
            without any action on the part of the holder thereof be reclassified
            as and changed into one thousand (1,000) shares of Series B
            Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.001 per share (the
            "POST-SPLIT SERIES B STOCK"). Each holder of a certificate or
            certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Date
            represented outstanding shares of Pre-Split Series B Convertible
            Preferred Stock (the "PRE-SPLIT SERIES B CERTIFICATES," whether one
            or more) shall be entitled to receive upon surrender of such
            Pre-Split Series B Certificates to the Corporation's Secretary for
            cancellation, a certificate or certificates (the "POST-SPLIT SERIES
            B CERTIFICATES," whether one or more) representing the number of
            whole shares of Post-Split Series B Convertible Preferred Stock into
            which and for which the shares of Pre-Split Series B Convertible
            Preferred Stock formerly represented by such Pre-Split Series B
            Certificates so surrendered, are reclassified pursuant to the terms
            hereof. From and after the Effective Date, Pre-Split Series B
            Certificates shall represent only the right to receive Post-Split
            Series B Certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof. If more
            than one Pre-Split Series B Certificate shall be surrendered at one
            time for the account of the same stockholder, the number of full
            shares of Post-Split Series B Convertible Preferred Stock for which
            the Post-Split Series B Certificates shall be issued shall be
            computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares represented
            by the Pre-Split Series B Certificates so surrendered. If any
            Post-Split Series B Certificate is to be issued in a name other than
            that in which the Pre-Split Series B Certificate surrendered for
            exchange are issued, the Pre-Split Series B Certificates so
            surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form
            for transfer, and the person or persons requesting such exchange
            shall affix any requisite stock transfer tax stamps to the Pre-Split
            Series B Certificates surrendered, or provide funds for their
            purchase, or establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation's
            Secretary that such taxes are not payable;

                  Simultaneously with the Effective Date, each share of the
            Corporation's Series C Convertible Preferred Stock having a par
            value of $0.001 per share issued and outstanding immediately prior
            to the Effective Date (the "PRE-SPLIT SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK")
<PAGE>

            shall automatically and without any action on the part of the holder
            thereof be reclassified as and changed into one thousand (1,000)
            shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of $0.001
            per share (the "POST-SPLIT SERIES C STOCK"). Each holder of a
            certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective
            Date represented outstanding shares of Pre-Split Series C
            Convertible Preferred Stock (the "PRE-SPLIT SERIES C CERTIFICATES,"
            whether one or more) shall be entitled to receive upon surrender of
            such Pre-Split Series C Certificates to the Corporation's Secretary
            for cancellation, a certificate or certificates (the "POST-SPLIT
            SERIES C CERTIFICATES," whether one or more) representing the number
            of whole shares of Post-Split Series C Convertible

                  Preferred Stock into which and for which the shares of
            Pre-Split Series C Convertible Preferred Stock formerly represented
            by such Pre-Split Series C Certificates so surrendered, are
            reclassified pursuant to the terms hereof. From and after the
            Effective Date, Pre-Split Series C Certificates shall represent only
            the right to receive Post-Split Series C Certificates pursuant to
            the provisions hereof. If more than one Pre-Split Series C
            Certificate shall be surrendered at one time for the account of the
            same stockholder, the number of full shares of Post-Split Series C
            Convertible Preferred Stock for which the Post-Split Series C
            Certificates shall be issued shall be computed on the basis of the
            aggregate number of shares represented by the Pre-Split Series C
            Certificates so surrendered. If any Post-Split Series C Certificate
            is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Pre-Split
            Series C Certificate surrendered for exchange are issued, the
            Pre-Split Series C Certificates so surrendered shall be properly
            endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer, and the person
            or persons requesting such exchange shall affix any requisite stock
            transfer tax stamps to the Pre-Split Series C Certificates
            surrendered, or provide funds for their purchase, or establish to
            the satisfaction of the Corporation's Secretary that such taxes are
            not payable;

                  The Corporation's Series A Preferred Stock shall not be
            affected by the filing of this Amendment.

      The text of Article III, Subsection D(2) of the Series B Certificate of
Designations of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in full
as follows:

                  2. If the Recapitalization is not consummated prior to the
            earlier to occur of September 30, 1999 and the date of a meeting of
            the stockholders of the Company at which any proposal necessary to
            consummate the Recapitalization is defeated, the Dividend Rate shall
            be deemed to be 15% per annum during the period commencing on such
            date and ending on the date the Recapitalization is consummated.

      The text of Article III, Subsection D(2) of the Series C Certificate of
Designations of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in full
as follows:

                  2. If the Recapitalization is not consummated prior to the
            earlier to occur of September 30, 1999 and the date of a meeting of
            the stockholders of the Company at which any proposal necessary to
            consummate the Recapitalization is defeated, the Dividend Rate shall
            be deemed to be 15% per annum during the period commencing on such
            date and ending on the date the Recapitalization is consummated."

      The Effective Date of this Certificate of Amendment is September 30,
1999 at 11:59 p.m., eastern time.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as of this 30th
of September, 1999.
<PAGE>

                                    By:   /s/  Barbara S. Polsky
                                          ----------------------
                                          Barbara S. Polsky
                                          Executive Vice President, General
                                                  Counsel and Secretary


<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware corporation)

      The undersigned John F. Madden, Jr. the Secretary of Aames Financial
Corporation (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under and
by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL"), does
hereby certify that the following amendments were adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL:

      The text of the second paragraph of Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and restated to read in full
as follows:

            Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or
            special meeting of stockholders may be taken either upon the vote of
            the stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly noticed and
            called, as provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation, or may be
            taken by written consent of the stockholders pursuant to the GCL.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as of this 15th
day of March, 2000.


                                    By:   /s/ John F. Madden, Jr.
                                          -----------------------
                                          John F. Madden, Jr.
                                          Secretary


<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware corporation)

      The undersigned John F. Madden, Jr. the Secretary of Aames Financial
Corporation (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under and
by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL"), does
hereby certify that the following amendments were adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL:

      The Certificate of the Voting Powers, Designations, Preferences and
Relative, Participating, Optional or Other Special Rights, and Qualifications,
Limitations or Restrictions thereof, of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock of
the Corporation is hereby amended as follows:

            (i)   the references to Series B Preferred Stock in the twelfth and
                  fourteenth lines of paragraph A of Section III, each of which
                  was in error, shall be amended to instead refer to Series C
                  Preferred Stock; and

            (ii)  the definition of "Post-Recapitalization Stated Value" shall
                  be amended by inserting immediately after "$1.00" and before
                  the period at the end of the sentence "; provided, however,
                  that from and after the effective date of the Reverse Series C
                  Preferred Stock Split approved by the stockholders of the
                  Company at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
                  "Reverse Series C Preferred Stock Split") the
                  Post-Recapitalization Stated Value shall be equal to $5.00,
                  subject to subsequent adjustments for splits,
                  reclassifications, recombinations or similar events".

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as of this 15th
day of March, 2000.


                                    By:   /s/ John F. Madden, Jr.
                                          -----------------------
                                          John F. Madden, Jr.
                                          Secretary


<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     TO THE
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                           AAMES FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                            (a Delaware corporation)

      The undersigned John F. Madden, Jr. the Secretary of Aames Financial
Corporation (the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under and
by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL"), do
hereby certify that the following amendments were adopted in accordance with the
provisions of Section 242 of the DGCL:

      The first paragraph of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation is amended and restated in its entirety to read in full as
follows:

                  FOURTH: The total number of shares which the Corporation shall
            have the authority to issue is 600,000,000, consisting of
            400,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
            "Common Stock") and 200,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
            $0.001 per share (the "Preferred Stock").

      The following two paragraphs are hereby added to Article FOURTH of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation after the first paragraph but
before the second paragraph:

                  Simultaneously with the effective date of this amendment (the
            "EFFECTIVE DATE"), each share of the Corporation's common stock, par
            value $0.001 per share issued and outstanding immediately prior to
            the Effective Date (the "PRE-SPLIT COMMON STOCK") shall
            automatically and without any action on the part of the holder
            thereof be reclassified as and changed (the "Reverse Common Stock
            Split") into 0.2 of one share of common stock, par value of $0.001
            per share (the "POST-SPLIT COMMON STOCK"). Each holder of a
            certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective
            Date represented outstanding shares of Pre-Split Common Stock (the
            "PRE-SPLIT CERTIFICATES," whether one or more) shall be entitled to
            receive upon surrender of such Pre-Split Certificates to the
            Corporation's Secretary for cancellation, a certificate or
            certificates (the "POST-SPLIT CERTIFICATES," whether one or more)
            representing the number of whole shares of Post-Split Common Stock
            into which and for which the shares of Pre-Split Common Stock
            formerly represented by such Pre-Split Certificates so surrendered,
            are reclassified pursuant to the terms hereof. No script or
            fractional shares certificates will be issued for Pre-Split Common
            Stock in connection with the Reverse Common Stock Split. Each holder
            of shares of Old Common Stock not divisible by five as of the
            effective date of the Reverse Common Stock Split will, in lieu of
            receiving fractional shares, have the option for 60 days after such
            effective date to either (a) purchase from other stockholders
            otherwise entitled to fractional shares a sufficient fractional
            share interest to 'round-up' to a full share of New Common Stock, to
            the extent such fractions of shares are available from other
            stockholders, at a price equal to the product of (x) the fractional
            shares to which a holder would otherwise be entitled, multiplied by
            (y) five times the closing sale price per share of the Old Common
            Stock as listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") on the
            business day prior to the Effective Date, or (b) sell such holder's
            fractional share interest to other stockholders at the same price
            (the "Fractional Share Program"). The period during which
            stockholders will be able to make the aforementioned election will
            expire 60 days after the Effective Date. Any stockholder whose
            transmittal form is not received by the Exchange Agent selected by
            the Corporation within such period will be deemed to have elected to
            sell any fractional share interest held by such stockholder. Any

<PAGE>

            fractional share interests not purchased by other stockholders will
            be aggregated and sold on the open market by the Exchange Agent.
            From and after the Effective Date, Pre-Split Certificates shall
            represent only the right to receive Post-Split Certificates pursuant
            to the provisions hereof. If more than one Pre-Split Certificate
            shall be surrendered at one time for the account of the same
            stockholder, the number of full shares of Post-Split Common Stock
            for which the Post-Split Certificates shall be issued shall be
            computed on the basis of the aggregate number of shares represented
            by the Pre-Split Certificates so surrendered. If any Post-Split
            Certificate is to be issued in a name other than that in which the
            Pre-Split Certificate surrendered for exchange are issued, the
            Pre-Split Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and
            otherwise in proper form for transfer, and the person or persons
            requesting such exchange shall affix any requisite stock transfer
            tax stamps to the Pre-Split Certificates surrendered, or provide
            funds for their purchase, or establish to the satisfaction of the
            Corporation's Secretary that such taxes are not payable. From and
            after the Effective Date the amount of capital represented by the
            shares of Post-Split Common Stock into which and for which the
            shares of the Pre-Split Common Stock are reclassified pursuant to
            the terms hereof shall be the same as the amount of capital
            represented by the shares of Pre-Split Common Stock so reclassified,
            until thereafter reduced or increased in accordance with applicable
            law;

                  Simultaneously with the Effective Date, each share of the
            Corporation's Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value of
            $0.001 per share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
            Effective Date (the "PRE-SPLIT SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK") shall
            automatically and without any action on the part of the holder
            thereof be reclassified as and changed (the "REVERSE SERIES C
            PREFERRED STOCK SPLIT") into 0.2 of one share of Post-Split Series C
            Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share ("POST-SPLIT
            SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK"). Each holder of a certificate or
            certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Date
            represented outstanding shares of Pre-Split Series C Preferred Stock
            (the "PRE-SPLIT SERIES C PREFERRED CERTIFICATES," whether one or
            more) shall be entitled to receive upon surrender of such Pre-Split
            Series C Preferred Certificates to the Corporation's Secretary for
            cancellation, a certificate or certificates (the "POST-SPLIT SERIES
            C CERTIFICATES," whether one or more) representing the number of
            whole shares of Post-Split Series C Preferred Stock into which and
            for which the shares of Pre-Split Series C Preferred Stock formerly
            represented by such Pre-Split Series C Preferred Certificates so
            surrendered, are reclassified pursuant to the terms hereof. No
            script or fractional shares certificates will be issued for
            Pre-Split Series C Preferred Stock in connection with the Reverse
            Series C Preferred Stock Split. Each holder of shares of Old Series
            C Preferred Stock not divisible by five as of the effective date of
            the Reverse Series C Preferred Stock Split will, in lieu of
            receiving fractional shares, have the option for 60 days after such
            effective date to either (a) purchase from other stockholders
            otherwise entitled to fractional shares a sufficient fractional
            share interest to 'round-up' to a full share of New Series C
            Preferred Stock, to the extent such fractions of shares are
            available from other stockholders, at a price equal to the product
            of (x) the fractional shares to which a holder would otherwise be
            entitled, multiplied by (y) five times the closing sale price per
            share of the Old Common Stock as listed on the NYSE on the business
            day prior to the Effective Date, or (b) sell such holder's
            fractional share interest to other stockholders at the same price
            (the "Fractional Share Program"). The period during which
            stockholders will be able to make the aforementioned election will
            expire 60 days after the Effective Date. Any stockholder whose
            transmittal form is not received by the Exchange Agent selected by
            the Corporation within such period will be deemed to have elected to
            sell any fractional share interest held by such stockholder. Any
            fractional share interests not purchased by other stockholders will
            be aggregated and sold on the open market by the Exchange Agent.
            From and after the Effective Date, Pre-Split Series C Certificates
            shall represent only the right to receive Post-Split Series C
            Certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof. If more than one
            Pre-Split Series C Certificate shall be surrendered at one time for
            the account of the same stockholder, the number of full shares of
            Post-Split Series C Preferred Stock for which the Post-Split Series

<PAGE>

            C Certificates shall be issued shall be computed on the basis of the
            aggregate number of shares represented by the Pre-Split Series C
            Certificates so surrendered. If any Post-Split Series C Certificate
            is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Pre-Split
            Series C Certificate surrendered for exchange are issued, the
            Pre-Split Series C Certificates so surrendered shall be properly
            endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer, and the person
            or persons requesting such exchange shall affix any requisite stock
            transfer tax stamps to the Pre-Split Series C Certificates
            surrendered, or provide funds for their purchase, or establish to
            the satisfaction of the Corporation's Secretary that such taxes are
            not payable. From and after the Effective Date the amount of capital
            represented by the shares of Post-Split Series C Preferred Stock
            into which and for which the shares of the Pre-Split Series C
            Preferred Stock are reclassified pursuant to the terms hereof shall
            be the same as the amount of capital represented by the shares of
            Pre-Split Series C Preferred Stock so reclassified, until thereafter
            reduced or increased in accordance with applicable law;

      The following paragraph is hereby added to the end of Article FOURTH of
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation:

                  The Corporation's Series A Preferred Stock and Series B
            Preferred Stock shall not be affected by the filing of this
            Amendment.

      The Effective Date of this Certificate of Amendment is April 14, 2000 at
12:01 a.m. eastern time.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Certificate of
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as of this 13th
day of April, 2000.


                                    By:   John F. Madden, Jr.
                                          -------------------
                                          John F. Madden, Jr.
                                          Secretary