REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                            Dated as of March 2, 2000
                                  by and among

                               LaBranche & Co Inc.

                                       and

               Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
                            Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
                              ABN AMRO Incorporated
<PAGE>

      This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of March 2, 2000, by and among LaBranche & Co Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
Corporation, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and ABN AMRO Incorporated (each an
"Initial Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Initial Purchasers"), each of whom
has agreed to purchase the Company's 12% Series A Senior Subordinated Notes due
2007 (the "Series A Notes") pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined
below).

      This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated February
24, 2000, (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Series A
Notes, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in
this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 3 of the Purchase
Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the meaning assigned to them in the Indenture, dated March 2, 2000, between the
Company and Firstar Bank, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the Series A Notes and
the Series B Notes (the "Indenture").

      The parties hereby agree as follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

      As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:

      Act: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

      Affiliate: As defined in Rule 144 of the Act.

      Broker-Dealer: Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

      Business Day: Any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday, a
federally-recognized holiday or a day on which banking institutions are not
required to be open in the State of New York or the state in which the Corporate
Trust Office (as defined in the Indenture) is located.

      Certificated Securities: Certificated Notes, as defined in the Indenture.

      Closing Date: The date hereof.

      Commission: The Securities and Exchange Commission.

      Consummate: An Exchange Offer shall be deemed "Consummated" for purposes
of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (a) the filing and effectiveness under
the Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Series B
Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (b) the maintenance of such Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the
Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the period required pursuant to
Section 3(b) hereof and (c) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under
the Indenture of Series B Notes in the same aggregate principal amount as the
aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes tendered by Holders thereof
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.


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<PAGE>

      Consummation Deadline: As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.

      Effectiveness Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.

      Exchange Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

      Exchange Offer: The exchange and issuance by the Company of a principal
amount of Series B Notes (which shall be registered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) equal to the outstanding principal amount of
Series A Notes that are tendered by such Holders in connection with such
exchange and issuance.

      Exchange Offer Registration Statement: The Registration Statement relating
to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

      Exempt Resales: The transactions in which the Initial Purchasers propose
to sell the Series A Notes to certain "qualified institutional buyers," as such
term is defined in Rule 144A under the Act, and pursuant to Regulation S under
the Act.

      Filing Deadline: As defined in Sections 3(a) and 4(a) hereof.

      Holders: As defined in Section 2 hereof.

      Liquidated Damages: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

      Prospectus: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.

      Recommencement Date: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.

      Registration Default: As defined in Section 5 hereof.

      Registration Statement: Any registration statement of the Company relating
to (a) an offering of Series B Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (b) the
registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement, in each case, (i) that is filed pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement and (ii) including the Prospectus included therein,
all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and
all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

      Regulation S: Regulation S promulgated under the Act.

      Rule 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

      Series B Notes: The Company's 12% Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due
2007 to be issued pursuant to the Indenture: (i) in the Exchange Offer or (ii)
as contemplated by Section 4 hereof.

      Shelf Registration Statement: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.


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<PAGE>

      Suspension Notice: As defined in Section 6(d) hereof.

      TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the date of the Indenture.

      Transfer Restricted Securities: Each Series A Note, until the earliest to
occur of (a) the date on which such Series A Note is exchanged in the Exchange
Offer for a Series B Note which is entitled to be resold to the public by the
Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of
the Act, (b) the date on which such Series A Note has been disposed of in
accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement (and the purchasers thereof have
been issued Series B Notes), or (c) the date on which such Series A Note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act (and purchasers
thereof have been issued Series B Notes), and each Series B Note until the date
on which such Series B Note is disposed of by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the
"Plan of Distribution" contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
(including the delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).

Section 2. HOLDERS

      A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each,
a "Holder") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

Section 3. REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER

            (a) Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permitted by applicable
federal law (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below have been
complied with), the Company shall (i) cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be filed with the Commission as soon as practicable after the
Closing Date, but in no event later than 60 days after the Closing Date (such
60th day being the "Filing Deadline") and notice thereof to be sent to
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto, (ii) use its best efforts to cause such Exchange Offer
Registration Statement to become effective at the earliest possible time, but in
no event later than 120 days after the Closing Date (such 120th day being the
"Effectiveness Deadline"), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all
pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be
necessary in order to cause it to become effective, (B) file, if applicable, a
post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant
to Rule 430A under the Act and (C) cause all necessary filings, if any, in
connection with the registration and qualification of the Series B Notes to be
made under the Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit
Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence and Consummate the Exchange
Offer. The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting (i)
registration of the Series B Notes to be offered in exchange for the Series A
Notes that are Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) resales of Series B Notes
by Broker-Dealers that tendered into the Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such
Broker-Dealer acquired for its own account as a result of market making
activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes acquired
directly from the Company or any of its Affiliates) as contemplated by Section
3(c) below.


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<PAGE>

            (b) The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously, and shall keep the
Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required
under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange
Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20
Business Days. The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all
applicable federal and state securities laws. No securities other than the
Series B Notes shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be
Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 30
Business Days thereafter (such 30th day being the "Consummation Deadline").

            (c) The Company shall include a "Plan of Distribution" section in
the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and
indicate therein that any Broker-Dealer who holds Transfer Restricted Securities
that were acquired for the account of such Broker-Dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Series A Notes
acquired directly from the Company or any Affiliate of the Company), may
exchange such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Such "Plan of Distribution" section shall also contain all other information
with respect to such sales by such Broker-Dealers that the Commission may
require in order to permit such sales pursuant thereto, but such "Plan of
Distribution" shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer, except to the
extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in policy, rules or
regulations after the date of this Agreement. See the Shearman & Sterling
no-action letter (available July 2, 1993).

      Because such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the
requirements of the Act in connection with its initial sale of any Series B
Notes received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
permit the use of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement by such Broker-Dealer to satisfy such prospectus delivery requirement.
To the extent necessary to ensure that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement is available for sales of Series B Notes by
Broker-Dealers, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented, amended and
current as required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(a) and (c)
hereof and in conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and
the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to
time, for a period of one year from the Consummation Deadline or such shorter
period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such
Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto. The Company shall
provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to such
Broker-Dealers, promptly upon request, and in no event later than one day after
such request, at any time during such period.

Section 4. SHELF REGISTRATION

            (a) Shelf Registration. If (i) the Exchange Offer is not permitted
by applicable law or Commission policy (after the Company has complied with the
procedures set forth in Section 6(a)(i) below) or (ii) if any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall notify the Company within 20 Business Days following
the Consummation Deadline that (A) such


                                       4
<PAGE>

Holder was prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the
Exchange Offer, (B) such Holder may not resell the Series B Notes acquired by it
in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder or (C) such Holder is a
Broker-Dealer and holds Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any
of its Affiliates, then the Company shall:

      (x) cause to be filed, on or prior to 60 days after the earlier of (i) the
date on which the Company determines that the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement cannot be filed as a result of clause (a)(i) above and (ii) the date
on which the Company receives the notice specified in clause (a)(ii) above,
(such earlier date, the "Filing Deadline"), a shelf registration statement
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act (which may be an amendment to the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement")), relating to
all Transfer Restricted Securities, and

      (y) use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to
become effective on or prior to 120 days after the Filing Deadline for the Shelf
Registration Statement (such 120th day the "Effectiveness Deadline").

      If, after the Company has filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement
that satisfies the requirements of Section 3(a) above, the Company is required
to file and make effective a Shelf Registration Statement solely because the
Exchange Offer is not permitted under applicable federal law (i.e., clause
(a)(i) above), then the filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of clause (x) above; provided that,
in such event, the Company shall remain obligated to meet the Effectiveness
Deadline set forth in clause (y).

      To the extent necessary to ensure that the Shelf Registration Statement is
available for sales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders thereof
entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a) and the other securities required
to be registered therein pursuant to Section 6(b)(ii) hereof, the Company shall
use its best efforts to keep any Shelf Registration Statement required by this
Section 4(a) continuously effective, supplemented, amended and current as
required by and subject to the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof and in
conformity with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act and the policies,
rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a
period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section 6(d)) following
the Closing Date, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been
sold pursuant thereto.

            (b) Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with
the Shelf Registration Statement. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, the
information specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of
the Act for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities shall be entitled to liquidated damages pursuant to
Section 5 hereof unless and until such Holder shall


                                       5
<PAGE>

have provided all such information and then only after such date. Each selling
Holder agrees to promptly furnish additional information required to be
disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Company
by such Holder not materially misleading.

Section 5. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES

      If (i) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not filed
with the Commission on or prior to the applicable Filing Deadline, (ii) any such
Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or
prior to the applicable Effectiveness Deadline, (iii) the Exchange Offer has not
been Consummated on or prior to the Consummation Deadline or (iv) any
Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be,
required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter
cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without
being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration
Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared effective
immediately (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a
"Registration Default"), then the Company hereby agrees to pay to each Holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities affected thereby liquidated damages in an amount
equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of Transfer Restricted
Securities held by such Holder for each week or portion thereof that the
Registration Default continues for the first 90-day period immediately following
the occurrence of such Registration Default. The amount of the liquidated
damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 in principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each subsequent 90-day
period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount
of liquidated damages of $.50 per week per $1,000 in principal amount of
Transfer Restricted Securities; provided that the Company shall in no event be
required to pay liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any
given time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (1) upon
filing of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if applicable, the
Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (i) above, (2) upon the
effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (and/or, if
applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement), in the case of (ii) above, (3)
upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer, in the case of (iii) above, or (4) upon
the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or an
additional Registration Statement that causes the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement (and/or, if applicable, the Shelf Registration Statement) to again be
declared effective or made usable in the case of (iv) above, the liquidated
damages payable with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities as a result
of such clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv), as applicable, shall cease.

      All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Holders entitled
thereto, in the manner provided for the payment of interest in the Indenture, on
each Interest Payment Date, as more fully set forth in the Indenture and the
Notes. Notwithstanding the fact that any securities for which liquidated damages
are due cease to be Transfer Restricted Securities, all obligations of the
Company to pay liquidated damages with respect to securities shall survive until
such time as such obligations with respect to such securities shall have been
paid in full. The additional amounts to be paid pursuant to this Section 5 shall
be referred to as "Liquidated Damages".


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<PAGE>

Section 6. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

            (a) Exchange Offer Registration Statement. In connection with the
Exchange Offer, the Company shall (x) comply with all applicable provisions of
Section 6(c) below, (y) use its best efforts to effect such exchange and to
permit the resale of Series B Notes by Broker-Dealers that tendered in the
Exchange Offer Series A Notes that such Broker-Dealer acquired for its own
account as a result of its market making activities or other trading activities
(other than Series A Notes acquired directly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates) being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof, and (z) comply with all of the following provisions:

            (i) As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, each
      Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation,
      any Holder who is a Broker Dealer) shall furnish, upon the request of the
      Company, prior to the Consummation of the Exchange Offer, a written
      representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of
      transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to
      the effect that (A) it is not an Affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not
      engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or
      understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the
      Series B Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring
      the Series B Notes in its ordinary course of business. As a condition to
      its participation in the Exchange Offer, each Holder using the Exchange
      Offer to participate in a distribution of the Series B Notes shall
      acknowledge and agree that, if the resales are of Series B Notes obtained
      by such Holder in exchange for Series A Notes acquired directly from the
      Company or an Affiliate thereof, it (1) could not, under Commission policy
      as in effect on the date of this Agreement, rely on the position of the
      Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5,
      1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as
      interpreted in the Commission's letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July
      2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (including, if applicable, any
      no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must
      comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
      Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a
      secondary resale transaction must be covered by an effective registration
      statement containing the selling security holder information required by
      Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K.

            (ii) Prior to effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
      Statement, the Company shall provide a supplemental letter to the
      Commission (A) stating that the Company is registering the Exchange Offer
      in reliance on the position of the Commission enunciated in Exxon Capital
      Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co.,
      Inc. (available June 5, 1991) as interpreted in the Commission's letter to
      Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and, if applicable, any no-action
      letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above, (B) including a
      representation that the Company has not entered into any arrangement or
      understanding with any Person to distribute the Series B Notes to be
      received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Company's
      information and belief, each Holder participating in the Exchange Offer is
      acquiring the Series B Notes


                                       7
<PAGE>

in its ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with
any Person to participate in the distribution of the Series B Notes received in
the Exchange Offer and (C) any other undertaking or representation required by
the Commission as set forth in any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause
(i) above, if applicable.

            (b) Shelf Registration Statement. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company shall:

            (i) comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) below and use its
      best efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the
      Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended
      method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the information
      furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof), and pursuant
      thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a
      Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate
      form under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the
      Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or
      methods of distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in
      accordance with the provisions hereof.

            (ii) issue, upon the request of any Holder or purchaser of Series A
      Notes covered by any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this
      Agreement, Series B Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to
      the aggregate principal amount of Series A Notes sold pursuant to the
      Shelf Registration Statement and surrendered to the Company for
      cancellation; the Company shall register Series B Notes on the Shelf
      Registration Statement for this purpose and issue the Series B Notes to
      the purchaser(s) of securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement
      in the names as such purchaser(s) shall designate.

            (c) General Provisions. In connection with any Registration
Statement and any related Prospectus required by this Agreement, the Company
shall:

            (i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
      continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for
      the period specified in Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement, as applicable.
      Upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration
      Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain an untrue
      statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
      make the statements therein not misleading or (B) not to be effective and
      usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period
      required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate
      amendment to such Registration Statement curing such defect, and, if
      Commission review is required, use its best efforts to cause such
      amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable.

            (ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
      post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may
      be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the
      applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as the case may be;
      cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus
      supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under
      the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as applicable,
      under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the
      Act with respect to the


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<PAGE>

      disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement
      during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or
      methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such
      Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

            (iii) advise each Holder promptly and, if requested by such Holder,
      confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus
      supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect
      to any applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
      thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the
      Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or
      supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating
      thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
      suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Act
      or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the
      qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale
      in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the
      preceding purposes, and (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening
      of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the
      Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement
      thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that
      requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration
      Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or that
      requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Prospectus in
      order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
      under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time the Commission
      shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
      Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other
      regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or
      exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
      state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company shall use its best efforts
      to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible
      time;

            (iv) subject to Section 6(c)(i), if any fact or event contemplated
      by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred, prepare a
      supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or
      related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or
      file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
      purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not
      contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
      material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
      the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

            (v) at the request of any Holder, furnish to such Holder in
      connection with such exchange or sale, if any, before filing with the
      Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus
      included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration
      Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference
      after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents
      will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders in connection
      with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and
      the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or
      any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or
      Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to
      which such Holders shall reasonably object within five


                                       9
<PAGE>

Business Days after the receipt thereof. A Holder shall be deemed to have
reasonably objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment,
Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading or fails to comply with the
applicable requirements of the Act;

      (vi) at the request of any Holder, promptly prior to the filing of any
document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement
or Prospectus, provide copies of such document to such Holder in connection with
such exchange or sale, if any, make the Company's representatives available for
discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, and
include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such
Holders may reasonably request;

      (vii) make available, at reasonable times, for inspection by each Holder
and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders, all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents of the Company and cause the Company's
officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested
by any such Holder, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration
Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing
thereof and prior to its effectiveness;

      (viii) if requested by any Holders in connection with such exchange or
sale, promptly include in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to
a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such
Holders may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without
limitation, information relating to the "Plan of Distribution" of the Transfer
Restricted Securities; and make all required filings of such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company
is notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;

      (ix) upon the request of any Holder, furnish to each Holder in connection
with such exchange or sale, without charge, at least one copy of the
Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each
amendment thereto, including all documents incorporated by reference therein and
all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);

      (x) deliver to each Holder without charge, as many copies of the
Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or
supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby
consents to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment
or supplement thereto by each selling Holder in connection with the offering and
the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto;

      (xi) upon the request of any Holder, enter into such agreements and make
such representations and warranties and take all such other actions in
connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement
contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably requested by any Holder in
connection with any sale or resale


                                       10
<PAGE>

pursuant to any applicable Registration Statement. In such connection, the
Company shall:

            (A) upon request of any Holder, furnish (or in the case of
      paragraphs (2) and (3), use its best efforts to cause to be furnished) to
      each Holder, upon Consummation of the Exchange Offer or upon the
      effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be:

                  (1) a certificate, dated such date, signed on behalf of the
            Company by (x) the President or any Vice President and (y) a
            principal financial or accounting officer of the Company,
            confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in
            Sections 6(w), 9(a) and 9(b) of the Purchase Agreement and such
            other similar matters as such Holders may reasonably request;

                  (2) an opinion, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange
            Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration
            Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company covering
            matters similar to those set forth in Section 9(e) of the Purchase
            Agreement and such other matter as such Holder may reasonably
            request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that
            such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other
            representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent
            public accountants for the Company and have considered the matters
            required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein,
            although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy,
            completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel
            advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such
            counsel's attention that caused such counsel to believe that the
            applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration
            Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective
            and, in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as of
            the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, contained an untrue
            statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
            required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
            therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such
            Registration Statement as of its date and, in the case of the
            opinion dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer, as of
            the date of Consummation, contained an untrue statement of a
            material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order
            to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
            under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the
            foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes
            no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the
            accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements,
            notes and schedules and other financial data included in any
            Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related
            Prospectus; and


                                       11
<PAGE>

                  (3) a customary comfort letter, dated the date of Consummation
            of the Exchange Offer, or as of the date of effectiveness of the
            Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, from the Company's
            independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters
            of the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters
            in connection with underwritten offerings, and affirming the matters
            set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 9(g)
            of the Purchase Agreement; and

            (B) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
      reasonably requested by the selling Holders to evidence compliance with
      the matters covered in clause (A) above and with any customary conditions
      contained in any agreement entered into by the Company pursuant to this
      clause (xi);

      (xii) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities,
cooperate with the selling Holders and their counsel in connection with the
registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders may
request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable
the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by the applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation
where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to
the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and
transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where
it is not now so subject;

      (xiii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities that
will result in such securities no longer being Transfer Restricted Securities,
cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends; and to register such Transfer Restricted
Securities in such denominations and such names as the selling Holders may
request at least two Business Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities;

      (xiv) use its best efforts to cause the disposition of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered
with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be
necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition
of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in
clause (xii) above;

      (xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted Securities not
later than the effective date of a Registration Statement covering such Transfer
Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed
certificates for the Transfer Restricted Securities which are in a form eligible
for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;


                                       12
<PAGE>

            (xvi) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
      rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to
      its security holders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement,
      as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the
      requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) covering a
      twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the Registration
      Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the
      Act);

            (xvii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
      than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
      this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee
      and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required
      for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the
      TIA; and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute,
      all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other
      forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable
      such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and

            (xviii) provide promptly to each Holder, upon request, each document
      filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
      Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

            (d) Restrictions on Holders. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 6(c)(iii)(C) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact
of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof (in each case, a
"Suspension Notice"), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement
until (i) such Holder has received copies of the supplemented or amended
Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(iv) hereof, or (ii) such Holder is
advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed,
and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "Recommencement
Date"). Each Holder receiving a Suspension Notice hereby agrees that it will
either (i) destroy any Prospectuses, other than permanent file copies, then in
such Holder's possession which have been replaced by the Company with more
recently dated Prospectuses or (ii) deliver to the Company (at the Company's
expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's
possession of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that
was current at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The time period
regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section
3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by a number of days equal to the
number of days in the period from and including the date of delivery of the
Suspension Notice to the date of delivery of the Recommencement Date.

Section 7. REGISTRATION EXPENSES

            (a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or
compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of
whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including without
limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses; (ii) all fees and
expenses of compliance with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities
laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the
Series B


                                       13
<PAGE>

Notes to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses, messenger
and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel
for the Company and, subject to paragraph (b) of this Section 7, the Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in
connection with listing the Series B Notes on a national securities exchange or
automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all
fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the
Company (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters
required by or incident to such performance).

      The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.

            (b) In connection with any Registration Statement required by this
Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company will reimburse the
Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities who are
tendering Series A Notes in the Exchange Offer and/or selling or reselling
Series A Notes or Series B Notes pursuant to the "Plan of Distribution"
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration
Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more
than one counsel, who shall be Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, unless
another firm shall be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement
is being prepared.

Section 8. INDEMNIFICATION

            (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder,
its directors, officers and each Person, if any, who controls such Holder
(within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act),
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments,
(including without limitation, any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred
in connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action
that could give rise to any such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus or
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) provided by the Company to
any Holder or any prospective purchaser of Series B Notes or registered Series A
Notes, or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
judgments are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission that is based upon information relating to any of the
Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders.

            (b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally
and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and its directors
and officers, and each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, to the
same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company set forth in Section
8(a) above, but only with reference to information relating to such Holder
furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder


                                       14
<PAGE>

expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In no event shall any Holder,
its directors, officers or any Person who controls such Holder be liable or
responsible for any amount in excess of the amount by which the total amount
received by such Holder with respect to its sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by
such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any
damages that such Holder, its directors, officers or any Person who controls
such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

            (c) In case any action shall be commenced involving any person in
respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) (the
"indemnified party"), the indemnified party shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying person") in writing
and the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of such action, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and
the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, as incurred
(except that in the case of any action in respect of which indemnity may be
sought pursuant to both Sections 8(a) and 8(b), a Holder shall not be required
to assume the defense of such action pursuant to this Section 8(c), but may
employ separate counsel and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel, except as provided below, shall be at the expense of
the Holder). Any indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate
counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees
and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnified party
unless (i) the employment of such counsel shall have been specifically
authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party
shall have failed to assume the defense of such action or employ counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (iii) the named parties to
any such action (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party, and the indemnified party shall have been
advised by such counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available
to it which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the
right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party).
In any such case, the indemnifying party shall not, in connection with any one
action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in
addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties and all such
reasonable fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Such firm
shall be designated in writing by a majority of the Holders, in the case of the
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(a), and by the Company, in the case of
parties indemnified pursuant to Section 8(b). The indemnifying party shall
indemnify and hold harmless the indemnified party from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments by reason of any settlement
of any action (i) effected with its written consent or (ii) effected without its
written consent if the settlement is entered into more than twenty business days
after the indemnifying party shall have received a request from the indemnified
party for reimbursement for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (in any
case where such fees and expenses are at the expense of the indemnifying party)
and, prior to the date of such settlement, the indemnifying party shall have
failed to comply with such reimbursement request. No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of judgment with respect
to, any pending or threatened action in respect of which the indemnified party
is or


                                       15
<PAGE>

could have been a party and indemnity or contribution may be or could have been
sought hereunder by the indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or
judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability on claims that are or could have been the subject matter of such
action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the indemnified party.

            (d) To the extent that the indemnification provided for in this
Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or judgments referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments (i) in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on
the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from their sale of Transfer
Restricted Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause 8(d)(i) is
not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
not only the relative benefits referred to in clause 8(d)(i) above but also the
relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Holder, on the other
hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand,
and of the Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or by the Holder, on the
other hand, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

      The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or
by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or judgments referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any matter, including any action that
could have given rise to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, no Holder, its directors, its
officers or any Person, if any, who controls such Holder shall be required to
contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total received by such Holder with respect to the sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by
such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any
damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to the respective
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities held by each Holder hereunder
and not joint.


                                       16
<PAGE>

Section 9. RULE 144A and RULE 144

      The Company agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the
Company (i) is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to make
available, upon request of any Holder, to such Holder or beneficial owner of
Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any
prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A, and (ii) is subject to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Exchange Act, to make all filings required thereby in a timely manner in order
to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144.

Section 10. MISCELLANEOUS

            (a) Remedies. The Company acknowledges and agrees that any failure
by the Company to comply with its obligations under Sections 3 and 4 hereof may
result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders
for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to
measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such
failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be
required to specifically enforce the Company's obligations under Sections 3 and
4 hereof. The Company further agrees to waive the defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

            (b) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company will not, on or after
the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its
securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this
Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Neither the Company
has previously entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with
respect to its securities to any Person (excluding the registration rights
agreement dated August 24, 1999 by and among the Company and Salomon Smith
Barney, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and ABN AMRO
Incorporated, as the initial purchasers). The rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any agreement in
effect on the date hereof.

            (c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures
from the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 5
hereof and this Section 10(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer
Restricted Securities (excluding Transfer Restricted Securities held by the
Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent
to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights
of Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are being tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights
of other Holders whose Transfer Restricted Securities are not being tendered
pursuant to such Exchange Offer, may be given by the Holders of a majority of
the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities subject to
such Exchange Offer.


                                       17
<PAGE>

            (d) Third Party Beneficiary. The Holders shall be third party
beneficiaries to the agreements made hereunder between the Company, on the one
hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to
enforce such agreements directly to the extent they may deem such enforcement
necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of Holders hereunder.

            (e) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

            (i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the
      Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the
      Indenture; and

            (ii) if to the Company:

                 LaBranche & Co Inc.
                 One Exchange Plaza
                 New York, New York  10006

                 Telecopier No.  (212) 344-1469
                 Attention: George M.L. LaBranche, IV

                 With a copy to:

                 Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
                 666 Fifth Avenue
                 New York, New York  10103

                 Telecopier No.: (212)  752-5958
                 Attention: Jeffrey M. Marks, Esq.

      All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next business day, if timely delivered
to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

      Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address specified in the Indenture.

            (f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the
parties, including without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Transfer Restricted
Securities in violation of the terms hereof or of the Purchase Agreement or the
Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Transfer Restricted
Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such
Transfer Restricted Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Transfer


                                       18
<PAGE>

Restricted Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to
be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement,
including the restrictions on resale set forth in this Agreement and, if
applicable, the Purchase Agreement, and such Person shall be entitled to receive
the benefits hereof.

            (g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

            (h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

            (i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

            (j) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining
provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

            (k) Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

                     [REST OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


                                       19
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.

                                            LaBRANCHE & CO INC.


                                            By: /s/ G.M.L. LaBranche, IV
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Name: G.M.L. LaBranche, IV
                                                Title: Chairman, Chief Executive
                                                       Officer and President

DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
  SECURITIES CORPORATION
ABN AMRO INCORPORATED
SALOMON SMITH BARNEY INC.

By: Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities
      Corporation


By:  /s/ Clifford Lam
   ----------------------------------------
     Name:  Clifford Lam
     Title: Vice President


                                       20
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                               NOTICE OF FILING OF
                    A/B EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT

To:    Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
       Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
       ABN AMRO Incorporated
       c/o Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
       277 Park Avenue
       New York, New York  10172
       Attention:  Louise Guarneri (Compliance Department)
       Fax:  (212) 892-7272

From:  LaBranche & Co Inc.
       12% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007

Date:  _____________

      For your information only (NO ACTION REQUIRED):

      Today, ______, ____, we filed [an A/B Exchange Registration Statement/a
Shelf Registration Statement] with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We
currently expect this registration statement to be declared effective within __
business days of the date hereof.


                                       21