Document:

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                                                                    EXH. 10.5.9
                                                        BUSINESS LOAN AGREEMENT

This Agreement dated as of October 29, 1999, is between Bank of America, N.A.
(the "Bank") and The Wet Seal, Inc. (the "Borrower").

1.   FACILITY NO. 1 : LINE OF CREDIT AMOUNT AND TERMS

1.1  LINE OF CREDIT AMOUNT.

(a)  During the availability period described below, the Bank will provide a
     line of credit("Facility No. 1") to the Borrower.  The amount of the line
     of credit (the "Facility No. 1 Commitment") is Fifty Million and 00/100
     Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(b)  This is a revolving line of credit providing for cash advances, letters
     of credit, acceptances, shipside bonds and air releases.  During the
     availability period, the Borrower may repay principal amounts and reborrow
     them.

(c)  Each advance must be for at least Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100
     Dollars ($500,000.00), or for the amount of the remaining available line
     of credit, if less.

(d)  The Borrower agrees not to permit the sum of (i) the outstanding
     principal balance of advances under the line of credit, (ii) the
     outstanding amounts of any letters of credit, including amounts drawn on
     letters of credit and not yet reimbursed and including any outstanding
     deferred payment obligation of the Bank under any letter  of credit that
     is not yet reimbursed (collectively, "L/C Outstandings"), and (iii) the
     amount of all outstanding acceptances, shipside bonds and air releases, to
     exceed the Facility No. 1 Commitment.

1.2  AVAILABILITY PERIOD.  The line of credit is available between the date
of this Agreement and July 1, 2001 (the "Facility No. 1 Expiration Date")
unless the Borrower is in default.

1.3  INTEREST RATE.

(a)  Unless the Borrower elects an optional interest rate as described below,
     the interest rate is the Bank's Reference Rate.

(b)  The Reference Rate is the rate of interest publicly announced from time
     to time by the Bank in San Francisco, California, as its Reference Rate.
     The Reference Rate is set by the Bank based on various factors, including
     the Bank's costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other
     factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans.  The Bank
     may price loans to its customers at, above, or below the Reference Rate.
     Any change in the Reference Rate shall take effect at the opening of
     business on the day specified in the public announcement of a change in
     the Bank's Reference Rate.

1.4  REPAYMENT TERMS.

(a)  The Borrower will pay interest on September 1, 1999, and then monthly
     thereafter until payment in full of any principal outstanding under this
     line of credit.

(b)  Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 12.12, the Borrower will repay in
     full all principal and any unpaid interest or other charges outstanding
     under this line of credit no later than the Facility No. 1 Expiration
     Date. Any interest period for an optional interest rate (as described
     below) shall expire no later than the Facility No. 1 Expiration Date.

1.5  OPTIONAL INTEREST RATES.  Instead of the interest rate based on the
Bank's Reference Rate, the Borrower may elect the optional interest rates
listed below during interest periods agreed to by the Bank and the Borrower.
The optional interest rates shall be subject to the terms and conditions
described later in this Agreement.  Any principal amount bearing interest at
an optional rate under this Agreement is referred to as a "Portion".  The
following optional interest rates are available:

(a)  the LIBOR Rate plus 1.5 percentage points.

1.6  LETTERS OF CREDIT.

(a)  This line of credit may be used for financing:

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     (i)    commercial letters of credit in the name of the Borrower, WSCC
            Buying Group, Inc.  ("WSCC") or Wet Seal Catalog, Inc.  ("WSCI")
            with a maximum maturity of 180 days.  Each commercial letter of
            credit will require drafts payable at sight or up to 90 days
            after sight, or which may be deferred payment letters of credit,
            with payment thereunder due up to 90 days after presentation of
            conforming documents; provided, however, that (A) no commercial
            letter of credit may expire, and no deferred payment obligation
            of the Bank under any such letter of credit may mature, later
            than 120 days after the Facility No. 1 Expiration Date, and (B)
            the combined tenor of each commercial letter of credit and any
            payment obligation of the Bank thereunder may not exceed 270 days.

     (ii)  standby letters of credit with a maximum maturity of 360
           days but not to extend more than 120 days beyond the Facility No. 1
           Expiration Date.  The standby letters of credit may include a
           provision providing that the maturity date will be automatically
           extended each year for an additional year unless the Bank gives
           written notice to the contrary; provided, however, that each letter
           of credit shall include a final maturity date which shall not be
           subject to automatic extension.

     (iii) The Borrower agrees not to permit the aggregate amount of all
           acceptances, shipside bonds, air releases and L/C Outstandings with
           respect to commercial letters of credit to exceed at any one time
           the sum of Fifty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

     (iv)  The Borrower agrees not permit the aggregate amount of L/C
           Outstandings with respect to standby letters of credit to exceed
           Twenty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($20,000,000.00).

     (v)   All letters of credit outstanding from the Bank for the account of
           the  Borrower, WSCC or WSCI as of the date of this Agreement shall
           be  deemed to the outstanding under this Agreement, and shall not be
           subject to all the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

(b)  THE BORROWER AGREES:

     (i)   any sum drawn under a letter of credit may, at the option of the
           Bank, be added to the principal amount outstanding under this
           Agreement.  The amount will bear interest and be due as described
           elsewhere in this Agreement.

     (ii)  if there is a default under this Agreement, to immediately prepay
           and make the Bank whole for any outstanding letters of credit.

     (iii) the issuance of any letter of credit and any amendment to a letter
           of credit is subject to the Bank's written approval and must be in
           form and content satisfactory to the Bank and in favor of a
           beneficiary acceptable to the Bank.  Without limiting the foregoing,
           no letter of credit may be issued to support the Borrower's
           obligations under workers' compensation laws or regulation.

     (iv)  to sign the Bank's form Application and Agreement for Commercial
           Letter of Credit or Application and Agreement for Standby Letter of
           Credit.

     (v)   to pay any issuance and/or other fees that the Bank notifies the
           Borrower will be charged for issuing and processing letters of credit
           for the Borrower.

     (vi)  to allow the Bank to automatically charge its checking account for
           applicable fees, discounts, and other charges,

     (vii) to pay the Bank a non-refundable fee equal to one of the following
           percentages of the outstanding undrawn amount of each standby letter
           of credit, as applicable: 1.5% per annum if the face amount of the
           letter of credit is less than One Million and 00/100 Dollars
           ($1,000,000.00); 1.25% per annum if the face amount of the letter of
           credit is equal to or greater than One Million and 00/100 Dollars
           ($1,000,000.00) but less than Ten Million and 00/100 Dollars
           ($10,000,000.00); and .875% per annum if the face amount of the
           letter of credit is equal to or greater than Ten Million and 00/100
           Dollars ($10,000,000.00).  Each fee will be payable annually in
           advance, calculated on the basis of the face amount outstanding on
           the day the fee is calculated, provided, that in no event shall the
           fee payable with respect to any standby letter of credit be less
           than $400 per annum.  If there is a default under this Agreement,
           at the Bank's option, the amount of the fee shall be increased to
           2% per annum over the fee that would otherwise be applicable,
           effective starting on the day the Bank provides notice of the
           increase to the Borrower.

1.7  ACCEPTANCES.  This line of credit may be used for financing acceptance
transactions in the name of the Borrower, WSCC or WSCI, subject to Paragraph
1.6(a)(iii) and the following conditions:

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     (i)   Acceptances shall have a maximum tenor of 90 days but not to extend
           more than 90 days beyond the Facility No.1 Expiration Date.

     (ii)  The combined tenor of each commercial letter of credit and any
           acceptance created thereunder may not exceed 270 days.

The Borrower agrees:

(a)  any sum owed to the Bank under an acceptance may, at the option of the
     Bank, be added to the principal amount outstanding under this Agreement.
     The amount will bear interest and be due as described elsewhere in this
     Agreement.

(b)  if there is a default under this Agreement, to immediately prepay and
     make the Bank whole for any outstanding acceptances.

(c)  the issuance of any acceptance is subject to the Bank's express approval
     and must be in form and content satisfactory to the Bank.

(d)  to sign the Bank's standard form of agreement for acceptances, and to
     pay any issuance and/or other fees that the Bank notifies the Borrower
     will be charged for issuing and processing acceptances for the Borrower.

(e)  to allow the bank to automatically charge its checking amount for
     applicable fees, discounts, and other charges.

1.8  SHIPSIDE BONDS AND AIR RELEASES.  Subject to Paragraph 1.6(a)(iii) of
the Agreement, this line of credit up to a maximum face value outstanding of
Fifty Million and 00/100 Dollars ($50,000,000.00) may be used for financing
shipside bonds and air releases in the name of the Borrower, WSCC or WSCI.
The Borrower agrees:

(a)  any sum owed to the Bank under a shipside bond or an air release may, at
     the option of the Bank, be added to the principal amount outstanding
     under this Agreement.  The amount will bear interest and be due as
     described elsewhere in this Agreement.

(b)  if there is a default under this Agreement, to immediately prepay and
     make the Bank whole for any outstanding shipside bonds and air releases.

(c)  the issuance of any shipside bond is subject to the Bank's express
     approval and must be in form and content satisfactory to the Bank.

(d)  to sign the Bank's application, security agreement and other standard
     forms for shipside bonds and/or air releases, and to pay any issuance
     and/or other fees that the Bank notifies the Borrower will be charged
     for issuing and processing shipside bonds or air releases for the
     Borrower.

(e)  to allow the Bank to automatically charge its checking account for
     applicable fees, discounts, and other charges.

2.   FACILITY NO. 2 : TERM LOAN AMOUNT AND TERMS

2.1  OUTSTANDING TERM LOAN.  There is outstanding from the Bank to the
Borrower a term loan in the original principal amount of Ten Million and
00/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00). This term loan is currently subject to the
terms and conditions of Facility No. 2 of the Business Loan Agreement dated
March 9, 1998. As of the date of this Agreement, the term loan shall be
deemed to be outstanding as Facility No. 2 under this Agreement, and shall be
subject to all the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.

2.2  INTEREST RATE.  Unless the Borrower elects an optional interest rate as
described below, the interest rate is the Bank's Reference Rate.

2.3  REPAYMENT TERMS.

(a)  The Borrower will pay all accrued but unpaid interest on the last day of
     each calendar month and upon payment in full of the principal of the
     loan.

(b)  Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 12.12, the Borrower will
     repay principal in successive quarterly installments of Five Hundred
     Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($500,000.00) on the last day of each
     January, April, July, and October of each year commencing October 31,
     1999. On October 31, 2000, the Borrower will repay the remaining
     principal balance plus any interest then due.

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(c)  Subject to the provisions of Article 3 of this Agreement, the
     Borrower may repay the loan in full or in part at any time in an
     amount not less than Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars
     ($500,000.00). The repayment will be applied to the most remote
     payment of principal due Facility No. 2.

2.4  OPTIONAL INTEREST RATES.  Instead of the interest rate based on the
Bank's Reference Rate, the Borrower may elect the optional interest rates
listed below during interest periods agreed to by the Bank and the Borrower.
The optional interest rates shall be subject to the terms and conditions
described later in this Agreement. Any principal amount bearing interest at
an optional rate under this Agreement is referred to as a "Portion." The
following optional interest rates are available.

(a)  the LIBOR Rate plus 1.5 percentage points.

3.   OPTIONAL INTEREST RATES

3.1  OPTIONAL RATES.  Each optional interest rate is a rate per year.
Interest will be paid on the last day of each interest period, and on (i) the
first day of each month for Facility No. 1; and (ii) the last day of each
month for Facility No. 2 during the interest period. At the end of any
interest period, the interest rate will revert to the rate based on the
Reference Rate, unless the Borrower has designated another optional interest
rate for the Portion. No Portion will be converted to a different interest
rate during the applicable interest period. Upon the occurrence of an event
of default under this Agreement, the Bank may terminate the availability of
optional interest rates for interest periods commencing after the default
occurs.

3.2  LIBOR RATE.  The election of LIBOR Rates shall be subject to the
following terms and requirements:

(a)  The interest period during which the LIBOR Rate will be in effect will
     be one, two, three, four, five, or six months. The first day of the
     interest period must be a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on
     which the Bank is open for business in California, New York and London
     and dealing in offshore dollars (a "LIBOR Banking Day"). The last day
     of the interest period and the actual number of days during the
     interest period will be determined by the Bank using the practices of
     the London inter-bank market.

(b)  Each LIBOR Rate Portion will be for an amount not less than the
     following:

     (i)   for interest periods of four months or longer, Five Hundred Thousand
           Dollars ($500,000).

     (ii)  for interest periods of one, two or three months, One Million
           Dollars ($1,000,000).

(c)  The "LIBOR Rate" means the interest rate determined by the following
     formula, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of one percent. (All amounts
     in the calculation will be determined by the Bank as of the first day of
     the interest period.)

                 LIBOR RATE = London Inter-Bank Offered Rate
                              ------------------------------
                                (1.00 - Reserve Percentage)

     Where:

     (i)   "London Inter-Bank Offered Rate" means the interest rate at which
           the Bank's London Branch, London, Great Britain, would offer U.S.
           dollar deposits for the applicable interest period to other major
           banks in the London inter-bank market at approximately 11:00 a.m.
           London time (2) London Banking Days before the commencement of the
           interest period. A "London Banking Day" is a day on which the Bank's
           London Branch is open for business and dealing in offshore dollars.

     (ii)  "Reserve Percentage" means the total of the maximum reserve
           percentages for determining the reserves to be maintained
           by member banks of the Federal Reserve System for Eurocurrency
           Liabilities, as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation D,
           rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of one percent. The percentage
           will be expressed as a decimal, and will include, but not be
           limited to, marginal, emergency, supplemental, special, and other
           reserve percentages.

(d)  The Borrower shall irrevocably request a LIBOR Rate Portion no later than
     12:00 noon San Francisco time on the LIBOR Banking Day preceding the day
     on which the London inter-Bank Offered Rate will be set, as specified
     above. For example, if there are no intervening holidays or weekend days
     in any of the relevant locations, the request must be made at least three
     days before the LIBOR Rate takes effect.

(e)  The Borrower may not elect a LIBOR Rate with respect to any principal
     amount which is scheduled to be repaid before the last day of the
     application interest period.

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(f)  Each prepayment of a LIBOR Rate Portion, whether voluntary, by reason of
     acceleration or otherwise, will be accompanied by the amount of accrued
     interest on the amount prepaid and a prepayment fee as described below.
     A "prepayment" is a payment of an amount on a date earlier than the
     scheduled payment date for such amount as required by this Agreement.
     The prepayment fee shall be equal to the amount (if any) by which:

     (i)   the additional interest which would have been payable during the
           interest period on the amount prepaid had it not been prepaid,
           exceeds

     (ii)  the interest which would have been recoverable by the Bank by
           placing the amount prepaid on deposit in the domestic certificate of
           deposit market, the eurodollar deposit market, or other appropriate
           money market selected by the Bank, for a period starting on the date
           on which it was prepaid and ending on the last day of the interest
           period for such Portion (or the scheduled payment date for the
           amount prepaid, if earlier).

(g)  The Bank will have no obligation to accept an election for a LIBOR Rate
     Portion if any of the following described events has occurred and is
     continuing:

     (i)   Dollar deposits in the principal amount, and for periods equal to
           the interest period, of a LIBOR Rate Portion are not available in
           the London inter-bank market; or

     (ii)  the LIBOR Rate does not accurately reflect the cost of a LIBOR Rate
           Portion.

4.   FEES AND EXPENSES

4.1  FEES

(a)  UNUSED COMMITMENT FEE.  The Borrower agrees to pay a fee on any unused
     portion of Facility No. 1 Commitment less than or equal to Twenty Million
     Dollars ($20,000,000), determined by the weighted average credit
     outstanding during the specified period. The fee will be calculated at
     .20% per year. The calculation of credit outstanding shall include the
     undrawn amount of letters of credit. This fee is due on September 30, 1999
     and thereafter quarterly in arrears.

(b)  WAIVER FEE.  If the Bank, at its discretion, agrees to waive or amend
     any terms of this Agreement, the Borrower will, at the Bank's option,
     pay the Bank a fee for each waiver or amendment in an amount advised by
     the Bank at the time the Borrower requests the waiver or amendment.
     Nothing in this paragraph shall imply that the Bank is obligated to agree
     to any waiver or amendment requested by the Borrower. The Bank may impose
     additional requirements as a condition to any waiver or amendment.

4.2  EXPENSES.  The Borrower agrees to immediately repay the Bank for
reasonable expenses that include, but are not limited to, filing, recording
and search fees, appraisal fees, title report fees and documentation fees.

4.3  REIMBURSEMENT COSTS.

(a)  The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Bank for any expenses it incurs in
     the preparation of this Agreement and any agreement or instrument required
     by this Agreement. Expenses include, but are not limited to, reasonable
     attorney's fees, including any allocated costs of the Bank's in-house
     counsel.

(b)  The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Bank for the cost of periodic
     audits of the collateral securing this Agreement, at such intervals as the
     Bank may reasonably require. The audits may be performed by employees of
     the Bank or by independent auditors.

5.   COLLATERAL

5.1  PERSONAL PROPERTY.  The Borrower's obligations to the Bank under this
Agreement will be secured by personal property the Borrower now owns or will
own in the future as listed below. The collateral is further defined in
security agreement(s) executed by the Borrower. In addition, all personal
property collateral securing this Agreement shall also secure all other
present and future obligations of the Borrower to the Bank (excluding any
consumer credit covered by the federal Truth in Lending law, unless the
Borrower has otherwise agreed in writing). All personal property collateral
securing any other present or future obligations of the Borrower to the Bank
shall also secure this Agreement.

(a)  Stock and other securities as follows: 50 shares of the capital stock of
     WSCC.

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     Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
     System places certain restrictions on loans secured by margin stock
     (as defined in the Regulation). The Bank and the Borrower shall comply
     with Regulation U. If any of the collateral is margin stock, the
     Borrower shall provide to the Bank a Form U-1 Purpose Statement,
     confirming that none of the proceeds of the loan will be used by buy
     or carry any margin stock. If the Borrower has any other loan made for
     the purpose of buying or carrying margin stock (purpose loan), then
     the collateral securing this loan shall not secure the purpose loan,
     and the collateral securing the purpose loan shall not secure this
     loan.

     For regulatory reasons, the Bank will not accept as collateral
     Ineligible Securities while they are being underwritten by Banc of
     America Securities LLC, or for thirty days thereafter. Banc of America
     Securities LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America
     Corporation, and is a registered broker-dealer which is permitted to
     underwrite and deal in certain ineligible Securities. "Ineligible
     Securities" means securities which may not be underwritten or dealt in
     by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the
     Banking Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C Section 24, Seventh) as amended.

6.   DISBURSEMENTS, PAYMENTS AND COSTS

6.1  REQUESTS FOR CREDIT. Each request for an extension of credit will be
made in writing in a manner acceptable to the Bank, or by another means
acceptable to the Bank.

6.2  DISBURSEMENTS AND PAYMENTS.  Each disbursement by the Bank and each
payment by the Borrower will be:

(a)  made at the Bank's branch (or other location) selected by the Bank from
     time to time;

(b)  made for the account of the Bank's branch selected by the Bank from time
     to time;

(c)  made in immediately available funds, or such other type of funds selected
     by the Bank;

(d)  evidenced by records kept by the Bank. In addition, the Bank may, at its
     discretion, require the Borrower to sign one or more promissory notes.

6.3  TELEPHONE AND TELEFAX AUTHORIZATION.

(a)  The Bank may honor telephone or telefax instructions for advances or
     repayments or for the designation of optional interest rates and telefax
     requests for the issuance of letters of credit given by any one of the
     individuals authorized to sign loan agreements on behalf of the Borrower,
     or any other individual designated by any one of such authorized signers.

(b)  Advances will be deposited in and repayments will be withdrawn from the
     Borrower's account number 14580-50086, or such other of the Borrower's
     accounts with the Bank as designated in writing by the Borrower.

(c)  The Borrower indemnifies and excuses the Bank (including its officers,
     employees, and agents) from all liability, loss, and costs in connection
     with any act resulting from telephone or telefax instructions the Bank
     reasonably believes are made by any individual authorized by the Borrower
     to give such instructions. This indemnity and excuse will survive this
     Agreement's termination.

6.4  DIRECT DEBIT (PRE-BILLING).

(a)  The Borrower agrees that the Bank will debit the Borrower's deposit
     account number 14580-50086, or such other of the Borrower's accounts with
     the Bank as designated in writing by the Borrower (the "Designated
     Account") on the date each payment of interest and any fees from the
     Borrower becomes due (the "Due Date"). If the Due Date is not a banking
     day, the Designated Account will be debited on the next banking day.

(b)  Approximately 3 days prior to each Due Date, the Bank will mail to the
     Borrower a statement of the amounts that will be due on that Due Date (the
     "Billed Amount"). The calculation will be made on the assumption that no
     new extensions of credit or payments will be made between the date of the
     billing statement and the Due Date, and that there will be no changes in
     the applicable interest rate.

(c)  The Bank will debit the Designated Account for the Billed Amount,
     regardless of the actual amount due on that date (the "Accrued Amount").
     If the Billed Amount debited to the Designated Account differs from the
     Accrued Amount, the discrepancy will be treated as follows:

     (i)   If the Billed Amount is less than the Accrued Amount, the Billed
           Amount for the following Due Date will be increased by the amount of
           the discrepancy. The Borrower will not be in default by reason of
           any such discrepancy.

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     (ii)  If the Billed Amount is more than the Accrued Amount, the Billed
           Amount for the following Due Date will be decreased by the amount
           of the discrepancy.

           Regardless of any such discrepancy, interest will continue to
           accrue based on the actual amount of principal outstanding without
           compounding. The Bank will not pay the Borrower interest on any
           overpayment.

(d)  The Borrower will maintain sufficient funds in the Designated Account to
     cover each debit. If there are insufficient funds in the Designated
     Account on the date the Bank enters any debit authorized by this
     Agreement, the debit will be reversed.

6.5  BANKING DAYS. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, a banking day
is a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which the Bank is open for
business in California. For amounts bearing interest at an offshore rate (if
any), a banking day is a day other than a Saturday or a Sunday on which the
Bank is open for business in California and dealing in offshore dollars. All
payments and disbursements which would be due on a day which is not a banking
day will be due on the next banking day. All payments received on a day which
is not a banking day will be applied to the credit on the next banking day.

6.6  TAXES.  If any payments to the Bank under this Agreement are made from
outside the United States, the Borrower will not deduct any foreign taxes
from any payments it makes to the Bank. If any such taxes are imposed on any
payments made by the Borrower (including payments under this paragraph), the
Borrower will pay the taxes and will also pay to the Bank, at the time
interest is paid, any additional amount which the Bank specifies as necessary
to preserve the after-tax yield the Bank would have received if such taxes
had not been imposed. The Borrower will confirm that it has paid the taxes by
giving the Bank official tax receipts (or notarized copies) within 30 days
after the due date.

6.7  ADDITIONAL COSTS.  The Borrower will pay the Bank, on demand, for the
Bank's costs or losses arising from any statute or regulation, or any request
or requirement of a regulatory agency which is applicable to all national
banks or a class of all national banks. The costs and losses will be
allocated to the loan in a manner determined by the Bank, using any
reasonable method. The costs include the following:

(a)  any reserve or deposit requirements; and

(b)  any capital requirements relating to the Bank's assets and commitments
     for credit.

6.8  INTEREST CALCULATION.  Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all
interest and fees, if any, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
and the actual number of days elapsed. This results in more interest or a
higher fee than if a 365-day year is used. Installments of principal which
are not paid when due under this Agreement shall continue to bear interest
until paid.

6.9  DEFAULT RATE.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
default under this Agreement, principal amounts outstanding under this
Agreement will at the option of the Bank bear interest at a rate which is 2
percentage point(s) higher than the rate of interest otherwise provided under
this Agreement. This will not constitute a waiver of any default.

7.   CONDITIONS

The Bank must receive the following items, in form and content acceptable to
the Bank, before it is required to extend any credit to the Borrower under
this Agreement:

7.1  AUTHORIZATIONS.  Evidence that the execution, delivery and performance
by the Borrower of this Agreement and any instrument or agreement required
under this Agreement have been duly authorized.

7.2  GOVERNING DOCUMENTS.  A copy of the Borrower's articles of incorporation.

7.3  SECURITY AGREEMENTS.  Signed original security agreements, assignments,
financing statements and fixture filings (together with collateral in which
the Bank requires a possessory security interest), which the Bank requires.

7.4  EVIDENCE OF PRIORITY.  Evidence that security interests and liens in
favor of the Bank are valid, enforceable, and prior to all others' rights and
interests, except those the Bank consents to in writing.

7.5  INSURANCE.  Evidence of insurance coverage, as required in the
"Covenants" section of this Agreement.

7.6  PAYMENT OF FEES.  Payment of all accrued and unpaid expenses incurred by
the Bank as required by Paragraph 4.3 entitled "Reimbursement Costs."

                                      -7-

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7.7  GUARANTIES.  Guaranties signed by WSCC and WSCI, each in the amount of
Fifty Five Million Dollars ($55,000,000).

7.8  OTHER ITEMS.  Any other items that the Bank reasonably requires.

8.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

When the Borrower signs this Agreement, and until the Bank is repaid in full,
the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties. Each request
for an extension of credit constitutes a renewed representation:

8.1  ORGANIZATION OF BORROWER.  The Borrower is a corporation duly formed and
existing under the laws of the state where organized.

8.2  AUTHORIZATION.  This Agreement, any any instrument or agreement required
hereunder, are within the Borrower's powers, have been duly authorized, and
do not conflict with any of its organizational papers.

8.3  ENFORCEABLE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement is a legal, valid and binding
agreement of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance
with its terms, and any instrument or agreement required hereunder, when
executed and delivered, will be similarly legal, valid, binding and
enforceable.

8.4  GOOD STANDING.  In each state in which the Borrower does business, it is
properly licensed, in good standing, and, where required, in compliance with
fictitious name statutes.

8.5  NO CONFLICTS.  This Agreement does not conflict with any law, agreement,
or obligation by which the Borrower is bound.

8.6  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  All financial and other information that has
been or will be supplied to the Bank, including the Borrower's financial
statement dated as of July 31, 1999, is:

(a)  sufficiently complete to give the Bank accurate knowledge of the
     Borrower's (and any guarantor's) financial condition, including all
     material contingent liabilities.

(b)  in compliance with all government regulations that apply.

Since the date of the financial statement specified above, there has been no
material adverse change in the business condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, properties or prospects of the Borrower (or any guarantor).

8.7  LAWSUITS.  There is no lawsuit, tax claim or other dispute pending or
threatened against the Borrower which, if lost, would impair the Borrower's
financial condition or ability to repay the loan, except as have been
disclosed in writing to the Bank.

8.8  COLLATERAL.  All of the collateral pledged by the Borrower to the Bank
pursuant to that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of June 30, 1995 ("Pledge
Agreement") is owned by the Borrower free of any title defects or any liens
or interest of others.

8.9  PERMITS, FRANCHISES.  The Borrower possesses all permits, memberships,
franchises, contracts and licenses required and all trademark rights, trade
name rights, patent rights and fictitious name rights necessary to enable it
to conduct the business in which it is now engaged.

8.10 OTHER OBLIGATIONS.  The Borrower is not in default on any obligation for
borrowed money, any purchase money obligation or any other material lease,
commitment, contract, instrument or obligation.

8.11  INCOME TAX MATTERS.  The Borrower has no knowledge of any pending
assessments or adjustments of its income tax for any year.

8.12  NO TAX AVOIDANCE PLAN.  The Borrower's obtaining of credit from the
Bank under this Agreement does not have as a principal purpose the avoidance
of U.S. withholding taxes.

8.13  NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.  There is no event which is, or with notice or
lapse of time or both would be, a default under this Agreement.

8.14  INSURANCE.  The Borrower has obtained, and maintained in effect, the
insurance coverage required in the "Covenants" section of this Agreement.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

8.15  ERISA PLANS.

(a)  Each Plan (other than a multiemployer plan) is in compliance in all
     material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and
     other federal or state law. Each Plan has received a favorable
     determination letter from the IRS and to the best knowledge of the
     Borrower, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of such
     qualification. The Borrower has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under
     the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each
     Plan, and has not incurred any liability with respect to any Plan under
     Title IV of ERISA.

(b)  There are no claims, lawsuits or actions (including by any governmental
     authority), and there has been no prohibited transaction or violation of
     the fiduciary responsibility rules, with respect to any Plan which has
     resulted or could reasonable be expected to result in a material adverse
     effect.

(c)  Wish respect to any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA:

     (i)   No reportable event has occurred under Section 4043(c) of ERISA
           for which the PBGC requires 30 day notice.

     (ii)  No action by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to terminate or
           withdraw from any Plan has been taken and no notice of intent to
           terminate a Plan has been filed under Section 4041 of ERISA.

     (iii) No termination proceeding has been commenced with respect to a
           Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA, and no event has occurred or
           condition exists which might constitute grounds for the commencement
           of such a proceeding.

(d)  The following terms have the meanings indicated for purposes of this
     Agreement:

     (i)  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
          time to time.

     (ii)  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
           as amended from time to time.

     (iii) "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
           incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the
           meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

     (iv)  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

     (v)   "Plan" means a pension, profit-sharing, or stock bonus plan
           intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, maintained
           or contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, including
           any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of
           ERISA.

8.16  LOCATION OF BORROWER.  The Borrower's place of business (or, if the
Borrower has more than one place of business, its chief executive office) is
located at the address listed under Borrower's signature on this Agreement.

8.17  YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE.  The Borrower has conducted a comprehensive
review and assessment of the Borrower's systems and equipment applications
with respect to the "year 2000 problem" (that is, the inability of computers,
as well as embedded microchips in non-computing devices, to properly perform
date-sensitive functions with respect to certain dates prior to and after
December 31, 1999). Based on that review, the Borrower does not believe the
year 2000 problem, including costs of remediation, will result in a material
adverse change in the Borrower's business condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, properties or prospects, or ability to repay the credit. The
Borrower has developed adequate contingency plans to ensure uninterrupted and
unimpaired business operation in the event of a failure of its own or a third
party's systems or equipment due to the year 2000 problem, including those of
vendors, customers, and suppliers, as well as a general failure of or
interruption in its communications and delivery infrastructure.

9.   COVENANTS

The Borrower agrees, so long as credit is available under this Agreement and
until the Bank is repaid in full:

9.1  USE OF PROCEEDS.  To use the proceeds of Facility No. 1 only for working
capital, general corporate purposes (excluding acquisition funding), issuance
of letters of credit and other trade finance products including but not
limited to deferred payment letters of credit, air releases and/or shipside
bonds, and funded or unfunded bankers acceptance.

9.2  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.  To provide the following financial information
and statements in form and content acceptable to the Bank, and such
additional information as requested by the Bank from time to time:

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

(a)  Within 100 days of the Borrower's fiscal year end, the Borrower's annual
     financial statements. These financial statements must be audited (with an
     opinion not qualified in any manner, including not qualified due to
     possible errors generated by financial reporting and related systems due
     to the year 2000 problem) by a Certified Public Accountant ("CPA")
     acceptable to the Bank. The statements shall be prepared on a
     consolidated basis.

(b)  Within 45 days of the last day of the first three fiscal quarters, the
     Borrower's quarterly financial statements. These financial statements may
     be Borrower prepared. The statements shall be prepared on a consolidated
     basis (may be contained in 10-Q).

(c)  Copies of the Borrower's Form 10-K Annual Report and annual proxy
     statement, Form 10-Q Quarterly Report and Form 8-K Current Report, and
     each other report the Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission ("SEC"), within 10 days after the date of filing thereof.

(d)  Within the period(s) provided in (a) and (b) above, a compliance
     certificate of the Borrower signed by an authorized financial officer of
     the Borrower setting forth (i) the information and computations (in
     sufficient detail) to establish that the Borrower is in compliance with
     all financial covenants at the end of the period covered by the financial
     statements then being furnished and (ii) whether there existed as of the
     date of such financial statements and whether there exists as of the date
     of the certificate, any default under this Agreement and, if any such
     default exists, specifying the nature thereof and the action the Borrower
     is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto.

(e)  Within 80 days of the Borrower's fiscal year end, updated annual
     consolidation projections in at least quarterly detail for that fiscal
     year and updated annual projections for the then remaining term of
     Facility No. 2, in SEC format and in any event in form and detail
     acceptable to the Bank.

9.3  LIMITATION ON LOSSES.  Not to incur on a consolidated basis a net loss
before taxes and extraordinary items in excess of Three Million Dollars
($3,000,000) for each first and second fiscal quarters of the Borrower.

9.4  MINIMUM NET INCOME.  To earn on a consolidated basis net income before
taxes and extraordinary items of at least Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000)
for each third and fourth fiscal quarters of the Borrower.

9.5  OTHER DEBTS.  Not to have outstanding or incur or permit WSCC to have
outstanding or incur, any direct or contingent liabilities (other than those
to the Bank), or become liable for the liabilities of others, without the
Bank's written consent. This does not prohibit:

(a)  Acquiring goods, supplies, or merchandise on normal trade credit.

(b)  Endorsing negotiable instruments received in the usual course of
     business.

(c)  Obtaining surety bonds in the usual course of business.

(d)  Operating leases related to retail store locations, whether now existing
     or hereafter entered into.

(e)  Operating lease obligations not described in subparagraph (9d) that do
     not exceed a total amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) in any
     fiscal year for the Borrower and its subsidiaries.

(f)  Purchase money indebtedness in an aggregate amount not in excess of
     Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) in each fiscal year for the Borrower
     and its subsidiaries.

(g)  Guaranties of obligations of WSCC to vendors for merchandise purchased
     for the accounts of Borrower and WSCI, so long as such guaranties are
     unsupported by a lien, security interest or negative pledge in or on any
     asset of Borrower of WSCC.

9.6  OTHER LIENS.  Not to create, assume, or allow any security interest or
lien (including judicial liens) on all assets and trademarks the Borrower or
WSCC now or later owns except:

(a)  Deeds of trust and security agreements in favor of the Bank.

(b)  Liens for taxes not yet due.

(c)  Liens outstanding on the date of this Agreement disclosed in writing to
     the Bank.

(d)  Purchase money security interest in equipment securing indebtedness
     permitted under Paragraph 9.5.

(e)  Mechanics liens and other inchoate statutory liens incurred in connection
     with the construction of tenant improvements for new retail stores
     locations, which are released within 90 days following the completion of
     such

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

     tenant improvements (but in no event later than 120 days following the
     attachment thereof), provided that the consolidated obligations of the
     Borrower and all of its subsidiaries secured thereby do not exceed Two
     Million Dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate at any one time, and that no
     property of the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries is at any material
     risk of loss or forfeiture.

9.7  CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.  Not to make capital expenditures to acquire fixed
or capital assets (on a consolidated basis) in an aggregate amount in excess
of Fifty Five Dollars ($55,000,000) for the fiscal year ending on or about
January 31, 2000, and Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000) for the fiscal year
ending on or about January 31, 2001 and for any of fiscal year thereafter.

9.8  DIVIDENDS.  Not to declare or pay any dividends on any of its shares
except dividends payable in capital stock of the Borrower, and not to
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its shares, or create
any sinking fund in relation thereto.

9.9  LOANS TO OFFICERS OR AFFILIATES.  Not to make any loans, advances or
other extensions of credit to any of the Borrower's executives, officers,
directors, shareholders, employees or Affiliates (or any relatives of any of
the foregoing), provided that Borrower may enter into transactions (other
than loans) with its Affiliates on any arm's length basis, and may make loans
and advances to executives and officers in the ordinary course of its
business provided that the aggregate outstanding amount thereof is not in
excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) at any time.
"Affiliate" means, as to any person or entity, any other person or entity
which directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control with, or is
controlled by, such person or entity. As used in this definition, "control"
shall mean possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause
the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of
securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or
otherwise), provided that, in any event, any person or entity that owns,
directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors or other governing body of a corporation
or partnership or other entity, will be deemed to control such corporation,
partnership or other entity.

9.10 OUT OF DEBT PERIOD.  To repay any advances in full, and not to draw any
additional advances on Facility No. 1 revolving line of credit, for a period
of at least 60 consecutive days in each fiscal year. For the purposes of this
paragraph "advances" does not include undrawn amounts of outstanding letters
of credit.

9.11 NOTICES TO BANK.  To promptly notify the Bank in writing of:

(a)  any lawsuit over One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) against the Borrower
     (or any guarantor).

(b)  any substantial dispute between the Borrower (or any guarantor) and any
     government authority.

(c)  any failure to comply with this Agreement.

(d)  any material adverse change in the Borrower's (or any guarantor's )
     business condition (financial or otherwise), operations, properties or
     prospects, or ability to repay the credit.

(e)  any change in the Borrower's or WSCC's name, legal structure, place of
     business, or chief executive office if the Borrower or WSCC has more than
     one place of business.

9.12 BOOKS AND RECORDS.  To maintain adequate books and records.

9.13 AUDITS.  To allow the Bank and its agents to examine, audit, and make
copies of any physical certificates and books and records concerning the
collateral securing this Agreement at any reasonable time. If any of the
collateral, books or records are in the possession of a third party, the
Borrower authorizes that third party to permit the Bank or its agents to have
access to perform examinations or audits.

9.14 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  To comply with the laws (including any fictitious
name statute), regulations, and orders of any government body with authority
over the Borrower's business.

9.15 PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS.  To maintain and preserve all rights,
privileges, and franchises the Borrower now has.

9.16 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  To make any repairs, renewals, or
replacements to keep the Borrower's properties in good working condition.

9.17 PERFECTION OF LIENS.  To help the Bank perfect and protect its security
interests and liens, and reimburse it for related costs it incurs to protect
its security interests and liens.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

9.18 COOPERATION.  To take any action reasonably requested by the Bank to
carry out the intent of this Agreement.

9.19 GENERAL BUSINESS INSURANCE.  To maintain insurance satisfactory to the
Bank as to amount, nature and carrier covering property damage (including
loss of use and occupancy) to any of the Borrower's properties, public
liability insurance including coverage for contractual liability, product
liability and workers' compensation, and any other insurance which is usual
for the Borrower's business.

9.20 ADDITIONAL NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  Not to. without the Bank's written
consent:

(a)  engage in, or permit WSCC to engage in, any business activities
     substantially different from the Borrower's present business.

(b)  liquidate or dissolve the Borrower's business.

(c)  enter, or permit WSCC to enter, into any consolidation, merger, or other
     combination, or become or permit WSCC to become a partner in a
     partnership, a member of a joint venture, or a member of a limited
     liability company.

(d)  lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial part of the
     Borrower's business, or in any event, lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of
     any of the Borrower's assets with a fair market value of more than Two
     Million Dollars ($2,000,000) outside of the ordinary course of business at
     any one time, provided that this clause (d) shall not prohibit the sale of
     merchandise at retail on a "discount" or "sale" basis in a manner
     consistent with industry practices.

(e)  acquire or purchase a business or its assets for an aggregate
     consideration (including assumption of debt), on a consolidated basis,
     which exceeds Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) in any of the Borrower's
     fiscal years.

(f)  sell or otherwise dispose of or permit WSCC to sell or otherwise dispose
     of any assets for less than fair market value or enter or permit WSCC to
     enter into any sale or leaseback agreement covering any of its fixed or
     capital assets.

(g)  voluntarily suspend or permit WSCC to suspend its business for more than
     10 days in any 365 day period.

9.21 ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARIES

(a)  To cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower, concurrently with the
     formation or acquisition thereof, to enter into a continuing guaranty of
     the obligations and indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement in
     form and substance acceptable to the Bank.

(b)  Concurrently with the formation or acquisition of any Subsidiary, the
     Borrower shall cause the delivery of certificates representing 100% of the
     equity securities thereof to be delivered to the Bank in pledge to secure
     the obligations of the Borrower to the Bank.

(c)  Nothing in this Section shall be construed as a consent to the formation
     or acquisition of any Subsidiary. As used in this Agreement, the term
     "Subsidiary" means any corporation, partnership or business entity, the
     majority of the equity securities of which are owned, directly or
     indirectly, by the Borrower.

9.22 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF SUBSIDIARIES.  Not to permit WSCC or any other
present or future Subsidiary of Borrower to have assets in excess of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000), in the aggregate, or liabilities in excess of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000), in the aggregate, at any time, provided that WSCC
may:

(a)  incur obligations to the Bank pursuant to continuing guaranties of the
obligations of the Borrower; and

(b)  purchase inventory for the account of the Borrower, provided that each
such purchase transaction is immediately liquidated by means of a
corresponding sale to the Borrower for the same price paid for such inventory
by WSCC.

9.23 BANK AS PRINCIPAL DEPOSITORY.  To maintain the Bank as its principal
depository bank, including for the maintenance of business, cash management,
operating and administrative deposit accounts.

9.24 ERISA PLANS.  With respect to a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, to
give prompt written notice to the Bank of:

(a)  the occurrence of any reportable event under Section 4043(c) of ERISA
     for which the PBGC requires 30 day notice.

(b)  Any action by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to terminate or
     withdraw from a Plan or the filing of any notice of intent to terminate
     under Section 4041 of ERISA.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

(c)  The commencement of any proceeding with respect to a Plan under Section
     4042 of ERISA.

10.   HAZARDOUS WASTE INDEMNIFICATION

The Borrower will indemnify and hold harmless the Bank from any loss or
liability directly or indirectly arising out of the use, generation,
manufacture, production, storage, release, threatened release, discharge,
disposal or presence of a hazardous substance.  This indemnity will apply
whether the hazardous substance is on, under or about the Borrower's property
or operations or property leased to the Borrower.  The indemnity includes but
is not limited to attorneys' fees (including the reasonable estimate of the
allocated cost of in-house counsel and staff).  The indemnity extends to the
Bank, its parent, subsidiaries and all of their directors, officers,
employees, agents, successors, attorneys and assigns.  "Hazardous substances"
means any substance, material or waste that is or becomes designated or
regulated as "toxic," "hazardous," "pollutant," or "contaminant" or a similar
designation or regulation under any federal, state or local law (whether
under common law, statute, regulation or otherwise) or judicial or
administrative interpretation of such, including without limitation petroleum
or natural gas.  This indemnity will survive repayment of the Borrower's
obligations to the Bank.

11.   DEFAULT

If any of the following events occurs, the Bank may do one or more of the
following:  declare the Borrower in default, stop making any additional
credit available to the Borrower, and require the Borrower to repay its
entire debt immediately and without prior notice.  If an event of default
occurs under the paragraph entitled "Bankruptcy," below, with respect to the
Borrower, then the entire debt outstanding under this Agreement will
automatically be due immediately.

11.1   FAILURE TO PAY.  The Borrower fails to make a payment under this
Agreement within 5 days after the date when due.

11.2   LIEN PRIORITY.  The Bank fails to have an enforceable first lien
(except for any prior liens to which the Bank has consented in writing) on or
security interest in any property given as security for this Agreement (or
any guaranty).

11.3   FALSE INFORMATION.  The Borrower (or any guarantor) has given the Bank
information or representations that are false or misleading in any material
respect.

11.4   BANKRUPTCY.  The Borrower (or any guarantor) files a bankruptcy
petition, a bankruptcy petition is filed against the Borrower (or any
guarantor) or the Borrower (or any guarantor) makes a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors.  The default will be deemed cured if any bankruptcy
petition filed against the Borrower (or any guarantor) is dismissed within a
period of 30 days after the filing; provided, however, that the Bank will not
be obligated to extend any additional credit to the Borrower during that
period.

11.5   RECEIVERS.  A receiver or similar official is appointed for the
Borrower's (or any guarantor's) business, or the business is terminated.

11.6   LAWSUITS.  Any lawsuit or lawsuits are filed on behalf of one or more
trade creditors against the Borrower (or any guarantor) in an aggregate
amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) or more in excess of any insurance
coverage.

11.7   JUDGMENTS.  Any judgments or arbitration awards are entered against the
Borrower (or any guarantor), or the Borrower (or any guarantor) enters into
any settlement agreements with respect to any litigation or arbitration, in
an aggregate amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) or more in excess of
any insurance coverage.

11.8   GOVERNMENT ACTION.  Any government authority takes action that the Bank
believes materially adversely affects the Borrower's (or any guarantor's)
financial condition or ability to repay.

11.9   MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  A material adverse change occurs, or is
reasonably likely to occur, in the Borrower's (or any guarantor's) business
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, properties or prospects, or
ability to repay the credit.

11.10  CROSS-DEFAULT.  Any default occurs (subject to any appliable grace or
cure period) under any agreement in connection with any credit the Borrower
(or any guarantor) has obtained from anyone else or which the Borrower (or
any guarantor) has guaranteed such agreement or guarantee relates to
indebtedness in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), and
the default consists of ailing to make a payment when due or gives the other
lender the right to accelerate the obligation.

11.11  DEFAULT UNDER RELATED DOCUMENTS.  Any guaranty, subordination
agreement, deed of trust, or other document required by this Agreement is
violated or no longer in effect.

                                       -13-
<PAGE>

11.12  OTHER BANK AGREEMENTS.  The Borrower (or any guarantor) fails to meet
the conditions of, or fails to perform any obligation under any other
agreement the Borrower (or any guarantor) has with the Bank or any affiliate
of the Bank.

11.13  ERISA PLANS.  Any one or more of the following events occurs with
respect to a Plan of the Borrower subject to Title IV of ERISA, provided such
event or events could reasonably be expected, in the judgment of the Bank, to
subject the Borrower to any tax, penalty or liability (or any combination of
the foregoing) which, in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition of the Borrower:

(a)    A reportable event shall occur under Section 4043(c) of ERISA with
       respect to a Plan.

(b)    Any Plan termination (or commencement of proceedings to terminate a
       Plan) or the full or partial withdrawal from a Plan by the Borrower or
       any ERISA Affiliate.

11.14  OTHER BREACH UNDER AGREEMENT.  The Borrower fails to meet the
conditions of, or fails to perform any obligation under, any term of this
Agreement not specifically referred to in this Article.  This includes any
failure or anticipated failure by the Borrower to comply with any financial
covenants set forth in this Agreement, whether such failure is evidenced by
financial statements delivered to the Bank or is otherwise known to the
Borrower or the Bank.  If, in the Bank's opinion, the breach is capable of
being remedied, the breach will not be considered an event of default under
this Agreement for a period of thirty (30) days after the date on which the
Bank gives written notice of the breach to the Borrower; provided, however,
that the Bank will not be obligated to extend any additional credit to the
Borrower during that period.

12.    ENFORCING THIS AGREEMENT; MISCELLANEOUS

12.1   GAAP.  Except as otherwise stated in this Agreement, all financial
information provided to the Bank and all financial covenants will be made
under generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

12.2   CALIFORNIA LAW.  This Agreement is governed by California law.

12.3   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement is binding on the Borrower's
and the Bank's successors and assignees.  The Borrower agrees that it may not
assign this Agreement without the Bank's prior consent.  The Bank may sell
participations in or assign this loan, and may exchange financial information
about the Borrower with actual or potential participants or assignees.  If a
participation is sold or the loan is assigned, the purchaser will have the
right of set-off against the Borrower.

12.4   ARBITRATION.

(a)    This paragraph concerns the resolution of any controversies or claims
       between the Borrower and the Bank, including but not limited to those
       that arise from:

       (i)   This Agreement (including any renewals, extensions or
             modifications of this Agreement);

       (ii)  Any document, agreement or procedure related to or delivered in
             connection with this Agreement;

       (iii) Any violation of this Agreement; or

       (iv)  Any claims for damages resulting from any business conducted
             between the Borrower and the Bank, including claims for injury
             to persons, property or business interests (torts).

(b)    At the request of the Borrower or the Bank, any such controversies or
       claims will be settled by arbitration in accordance with the United
       States Arbitration Act.  The United States Arbitration Act will apply
       even though this Agreement provides that it is governed by California
       law.

(c)    Arbitration proceedings will be administered by the American
       Arbitration Association and will be subject to its commercial rules of
       arbitration.

(d)    For purposes of the application of the statute of limitations, the
       filing of an arbitration pursuant to this paragraph is the equivalent
       of the filing of a lawsuit, and any claim or controversy which may be
       arbitrated under this paragraph is subject to any applicable statute
       of limitations.  The arbitrators will have the authority to decide
       whether any such claim or controversy is barred by the statute of
       limitations and, if so, to dismiss the arbitration on that basis.

(e)    If there is a dispute as to whether an issue is arbitrable, the
       arbitrators will have the authority to resolve any such dispute.

                                       -14-
<PAGE>

(f)    The decision that results from an arbitration proceeding may be
       submitted to any authorized court of law to be confirmed and enforced.

(g)    The procedure described above will not apply if the controversy or
       claim, at the time of the proposed submission to arbitration, arises
       from or relates to an obligation to the Bank secured by real property
       located in California.  In this case, both the Borrower and the Bank
       must consent to submission of the claim or controversy to arbitration.
       If both parties do not consent to arbitration, the controversy or
       claim will be settled as follows:

       (i)   The Borrower and the Bank will designate a referee (or a panel
             of referees) selected under the auspices of the American
             Arbitration Association in the same manner as arbitrators are
             selected in Association-sponsored proceedings;

       (ii)  The designated referee (or the panel of referees) will be
             appointed by a court as provided in California Code of Civil
             Procedure Section 638 and the following related sections;

       (iii) The referee (or the presiding referee of the panel) will be an
             active attorney or retired judge; and

       (iv)  The award that results from the decision of the referee (or the
             panel) will be entered as a judgment in the court that appointed
             the referee, in accordance with the provisions of California
             Code of Civil Procedure Sections 644 and 645.

(h)    This provision does not limit the right of the Borrower or the Bank to:

       (i)   exercise self-help remedies such as setoff;

       (ii)  foreclose against or sell any real or personal property
             collateral; or

       (iii) act in a court of law, before, during or after the arbitration
             proceeding to obtain:

             (A)   an interim remedy; and/or

             (B)   additional or supplementary remedies.

(i)    The pursuit of or a successful action for interim, additional or
       supplementary remedies, or the filing of a court action, does not
       constitute a waiver of the right of the Borrower or the Bank,
       including the suing party, to submit the controversy or claim to
       arbitration if the other party contests the lawsuit.  However, if the
       controversy or claim arises from or relates to an obligation to the
       Bank which is secured by real property located in California at the
       time of the proposed submission to arbitration, this right is limited
       according to the provision above requiring the consent of both the
       Borrower and the Bank to seek resolution through arbitration.

(j)    If the Bank forecloses against any real property securing this
       Agreement, the Bank has the option to exercise the power of sale under
       the deed of trust or mortgage, or to proceed by judicial foreclosure.

12.5   SEVERABILITY; WAIVERS.  If any part of this Agreement is not
enforceable, the rest of the Agreement may be enforced.  The Bank retains all
rights, even if it makes a loan after default.  If the Bank waives a default,
it may enforce a later default.  Any consent or waiver under this Agreement
must be in writing.

12.6   ADMINISTRATION COSTS.  The Borrower shall pay the Bank for all
reasonable costs incurred by the Bank in connection with administering this
Agreement.

12.7   ATTORNEYS' FEES.  The Borrower shall reimburse the Bank for any
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred by the Bank in connection with
the enforcement or preservation of any rights or remedies under this
Agreement and any other documents executed in connection with this Agreement,
and in connection with any amendment, waiver, "workout" or restructuring
under this Agreement.  In the event of a lawsuit or arbitration proceeding,
the prevailing party is entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees incurred in connection with the lawsuit or arbitration proceeding, as
determined by the court or arbitrator.  In the event that any case is
commenced by or against the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11,
United States Code) or any similar or successor statute, the Bank is entitled
to recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Bank related
to the presentation, protection, or enforcement of any rights of the Bank in
such a case.  As used in this paragraph, "attorneys' fees" includes the
allocated costs of the Bank's in-house counsel.

12.8   ONE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and any related security or other
agreements required by this Agreement collectively:

                                       -15-
<PAGE>

(a)    represent the sum of the understandings and agreements between the
       Bank and the Borrower concerning this credit;

(b)    replace any prior oral or written agreements between the Bank and the
       Borrower concerning this credit; and

(c)    are intended by the Bank and the Borrower as the final, complete and
       exclusive statement of the terms agreed to by them.

In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any other agreements
required by this Agreement, this Agreement will prevail.

12.9   INDEMNIFICATION.  The Borrower will indemnify and hold the Bank
harmless from any loss, liability, damages, judgments, and costs of any kind
relating to or arising directly or indirectly out of (a) this Agreement or
any document required hereunder, (b) any credit extended or committed by the
Bank to the Borrower hereunder, and (c) any litigation or proceeding related
to or arising out of this Agreement, any such document, or any such credit.
This indemnity includes but is not limited to attorneys' fees (including the
allocated cost of in-house counsel).  This indemnity extends to the Bank,
its parent, subsidiaries and all of their directors, officers, employees,
agents, successors, attorneys, and assigns.  This indemnity will survive
repayment of the Borrower's obligations to the Bank.  All sums due to the
Bank hereunder shall be obligations of the Borrower, due and payable
immediately without demand.

12.10  NOTICES.  All notices required under this Agreement shall be
personally delivered or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the
addresses on the signature page of this Agreement, or to such other addresses
as the Bank and the Borrower may specify from time to time in writing.

12.11  HEADINGS.  Article and paragraph headings are for reference only and
shall not affect the interpretation or meaning of any provisions of this
Agreement.

12.12  MANDATORY PREPAYMENT.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, if either of the credit facilities under this
Agreement are terminated for any reason (other than the prepayment of
Facility No. 2 using internally generated cash flow and repayment of loans
under Facility No. 1 (but not using the proceeds of any loans received from
other lenders)), then the entire principal balance of both of the Facilities
provided under this Agreement, together with all accrued interest thereon,
shall be due and payable on the effective date of such termination, provided
that if Facility No. 1 is terminated by reason of the Bank's failure to renew
it, and the Borrower is not then in default under this Agreement, Facility
No. 2 shall be due and payable on the earlier of its maturity date or within
ninety (90) days after the termination of Facility No. 1.

Except for prepayment of Facility No. 2 using internally generated cash flow,
the Borrower's obligations under this Paragraph 12.12 shall arise under every
circumstance in which either of the Facilities is terminated, including
without limitation:

(a)    termination resulting from the failure by the Bank to renew Facility
       No. 1 beyond any availability period applicable thereto:

(b)    prepayment of the principal balance of Facility No. 2; and

(c)    termination as otherwise provided or permitted under this Agreement.

12.13  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in as many counterparts
as necessary or convenient, and by the different parties on separate
counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original but
all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

12.14  PRIOR AGREEMENT SUPERSEDED.  This Agreement supersedes the Business
Loan Agreement entered into as of March 9, 1998 between the Bank and the
Borrower, and any credit outstanding thereunder shall be deemed to be
outstanding under this Agreement.

12.15  PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS.  The Pledge Agreement shall
remain effective in accordance with its terms, except that the Collateral (as
defined therein) shall consist only of the WSCC stock described in Paragraph
2(II) of the Pledge Agreement.

                                       -16-
<PAGE>

This Agreement is executed as of the date stated at the top of the first page.

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.                           The Wet Seal, Inc.

X  /s/ Jan Y. Okinishi                              X  /s/ Ann Cadice Kim
 ---------------------                                --------------------
By:  Jan Y. Okinishi                               By:  Ann Cadice Kim

Address where notices to the Bank are to be sent:

So. Orange County Regional Commercial Banking       X  /s/ Ed Thomas
Office #01458                                          -----------------
675 Anton Boulevard, 2nd Floor                      By: Ed Thomas
Costa Mesa, CA  92626
                                                    Addresses for Notices:

                                                    26972 Burbank
                                                    Foothill Ranch, CA 92610

                                       -17-<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 4(a)(14)

================================================================================

                              UTILICORP UNITED INC.

                                       and

                           BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NA
                  (formerly The First National Bank of Chicago)
                                   as Trustee

                              _____________________

                           7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009

                              _____________________

                        THIRTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                          Dated as of November 16, 1999

                              _____________________

================================================================================

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                PAGE
<S>                                                                                                <C>
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS............................................................................2

ARTICLE TWO TERMS AND ISSUANCE OF THE SENIOR NOTES.................................................3

         Section 201.  Issue of Senior Notes.......................................................3
         Section 202.  Form of Senior Notes; Incorporation of Terms................................3
         Section 203.  Place of Payment............................................................3
         Section 204.  Limitation on Issuance of Mortgage Bonds....................................3

ARTICLE THREE MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................4

         Section 301.  Execution of Supplemental Indenture.........................................4
         Section 302.  Conflict With Trust Indenture Act...........................................4
         Section 303.  Effect of Headings..........................................................4
         Section 304.  Successors and Assigns......................................................4
         Section 305.  Separability Clause.........................................................4
         Section 306.  Benefits of Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture...............................4
         Section 307.  Governing Law...............................................................5
         Section 308.  Execution and Counterparts..................................................5

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                  THIRTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of November
16,1999 (herein called the "Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture"), between
UTILICORP UNITED INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware (hereinafter called the "Company"), party of the first
part, and BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NA (formerly The First National Bank of
Chicago), a national banking association duly organized and existing under the
laws of the United States, as Trustee under the Original Indenture referred to
below (hereinafter called the "Trustee"), party of the second part.

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to
the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1990 (hereinafter called the
"Original Indenture"), to provide for the issuance from time to time of certain
of its unsecured senior notes (hereinafter called the "Securities"), the form
and terms of which are to be established as set forth in Sections 201 and 301 of
the Original Indenture; and

                  WHEREAS, Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides, among
other things, that the Company and the Trustee may enter into indentures
supplemental to the Original Indenture for, among other things, the purpose of
establishing the form or terms of the Securities of any series as permitted in
Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to create a series of the
Securities in an aggregate principal amount of $200,000,000 to be designated
the "7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009" (the "Senior Notes"), and all action on
the part of the Company necessary to authorize the issuance of the Senior
Notes under the Original Indenture and this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture
has been duly taken; and

<PAGE>
                                      -2-

                  WHEREAS, all acts and things necessary to make the Senior
Notes when executed by the Company and completed, authenticated and delivered by
the Trustee as in the Original Indenture and this Thirteenth Supplemental
Indenture provided, the valid and binding obligations of the Company and to
constitute these presents a valid and binding supplemental indenture and
agreement according to its terms, have been done and performed; and

                  WHEREAS, Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides, among
other things, that the Company and the Trustee may enter into indentures
supplemental to the Original Indenture to, among other things, add to the
covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of
Securities; and

                  WHEREAS, the Company desires to limit the issuance of Mortgage
Bonds under its General Mortgage (as hereinafter defined) as set forth in
Section 204 of this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture for the benefit of the
Holders of the Senior Notes;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, THIS THIRTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
WITNESSETH:

                  That in consideration of the premises, the Company covenants
and agrees with the Trustee, for the equal benefit of holders of the Senior
Notes, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE

                                   DEFINITIONS

                  The use of the terms and expressions herein is in accordance
with the definitions, uses and constructions contained in the Original Indenture
and the form of Senior Note attached hereto as Exhibit A.

<PAGE>
                                      -3-

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                     TERMS AND ISSUANCE OF THE SENIOR NOTES

                  Section 201. ISSUE OF SENIOR NOTES. A series of Securities
which shall be designated the "7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2009" shall be
executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of,
and shall in all respects be subject to, the terms, conditions and covenants
of the Original Indenture and this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture
(including the form of Senior Note set forth as Exhibit A hereto). The
aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes of the series created hereby which
may be authenticated and delivered under the Original Indenture shall not,
except as permitted by the provisions of the Original Indenture, exceed
$200,000,000.

                  Section 202. FORM OF SENIOR NOTES; INCORPORATION OF TERMS. The
form of the Senior Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto. The terms of such Senior Notes are herein incorporated by
reference and are part of this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture.

                  Section 203. PLACE OF PAYMENT. The Place of Payment will be
initially the corporate trust offices of the Trustee which, at the date hereof,
are located at Bank One Trust Company, NA, One Bank One Plaza, Suite 0126,
Chicago, Illinois 60670-0126.

                  Section 204. LIMITATION ON ISSUANCE OF MORTGAGE BONDS. The
Company will not issue any Mortgage Bonds under its General Mortgage Indenture
and Deed of Trust, dated September 15, 1988, between the Company and Commerce
Bank of Kansas City, N.A., as Trustee (the "General Mortgage"), without making
effective provision, and the Company covenants that in any such case effective
provisions will be made, whereby the Senior Notes

<PAGE>
                                      -4-

shall be directly secured by the General Mortgage equally and ratably with any
and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured.

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  Section 301. EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE. This
Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall be construed as an
indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture and, as provided in the
Original Indenture, this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture forms a part thereof.

                  Section 302. CONFLICT WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT. If any
provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof
which is required to be included in this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture by
any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall
control.

                  Section 303.  EFFECT OF HEADINGS.The Article and Section
headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction
hereof.

                  Section 304. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All covenants and
agreements in this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture by the Company shall
bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

                  Section 305. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. In case any provision in
this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture or in the Senior Notes shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

<PAGE>
                                      -5-

                  Section 306. BENEFITS OF THIRTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.
Nothing in this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture or in the Senior Notes,
express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties hereto and
their successors hereunder and the holders, any benefit or any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture.

                  Section 307. GOVERNING LAW. This Thirteenth Supplemental
Indenture and each Senior Note shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of said State.

                  Section 308. EXECUTION AND COUNTERPARTS. This Thirteenth
Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>
                                      -6-

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective
corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year
first above written.

                                           UTILICORP UNITED INC.

[Seal]                                     By: /s/ Dale J. Wolf
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Name:  Dale J. Wolf
                                              Title: Vice President, Finance,
                                                     Treasurer and Secretary

Attest:
/s/ Douglas P. Evanson
------------------------------
       Title:  Asst. Treasurer

                                           BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NA
                                            as Trustee

[Seal]                                     By: /s/ Leland Hansen
                                              -------------------------------
                                              Name: Leland Hansen
                                              Title: Asst Vice Pres.

Attest:

/s/ Joan E. Blume
------------------------------
 Title:  Trust Officer

<PAGE>

STATE OF  Missouri)
          --------
                  )  ss.:
COUNTY OF  Jackson)
          --------

                  On the 12th day of November, 1999, before me personally
                         ----        --------     -
came Dale J. Wolf, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say
     ------------
that he is Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary of UtiliCorp United Inc.,
           ---------------------------------------
the corporation described in and which executed the foregoing instrument;
that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said
instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the
Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto
by like authority.

                                                   /s/ Lewisann Rosenberger
                                                   ------------------------
                                                   Notary Public,
                                                   State of Missouri----------

                                                   [Notary Seal]

STATE OF Illinois)
         --------
                 )  ss.:
COUNTY OF    Cook)
          -------

                  On the 16 day of Nov., 1999, before me personally
                         --        ----     -
came Leland Hansen, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say
     -------------
that he is Joan Blume of Bank One Trust Company, NA, the national
           ----------
banking association described in and which executed the foregoing instrument;
that he knows the seal of said association; that the seal affixed to said
instrument is such association seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the
Board of Directors of said association, and that he signed his name thereto by
like authority.

                                                   /s/ Nilda Sierra
                                                   ------------------
                                                   Notary Public,
                                                   State of _________

                                                   [Notary Seal]

<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT A

                          [FORM OF FACE OF SENIOR NOTE]

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY
IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED
EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY
OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR.

REGISTERED                                                            REGISTERED

                              UTILICORP UNITED INC.

                           7 5/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2009

No. 918005 AW9                                       $

                  UTILICORP UNITED INC., a corporation duly organized and
existing under the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company", which term
includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to
__________________________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
_________________________________________ DOLLARS on November 15, 2009, and to
pay interest thereon from November 16, 1999, or from the most recent Interest
Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually
on May 15 and November 15 in each year, commencing May 15, 2000, at the rate per
annum provided in the title hereof, until the principal hereof is paid or made
available for payment, and, subject to the terms of the Indenture, at the rate
per annum provided in the title hereof on any overdue principal and premium, if
any, and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable) on any overdue installment of interest. The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest payment, which shall be the May 1
or November 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next
preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid
or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such
Regular Record Date, and may either be paid to the Holder in whose name this
Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of
business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to
be fixed by the Trustee, in

<PAGE>
                                      -2-

which event notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this
series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid
at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of
any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in said Indenture.

                  Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained
for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, 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. The Company may pay principal by
check payable in such money or by wire transfer to a dollar account maintained
by the holder (if the holder of the Security holds an aggregate principal amount
of Securities in excess of $5,000,000). The Company may pay interest by mailing
a dollar check to a holder's registered address or, upon application by the
holder hereof to the Security Registrar, not later than the applicable record
date, by wire transfer to a dollar account maintained by the holder (if the
holder of the Security holds an aggregate principal amount of Securities in
excess of $5,000,000).

                  Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this
Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all
purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

                  Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been
executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof, or an Authenticating
Agent, by manual signature of one of its authorized officers, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

<PAGE>
                                      -3-

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to
be duly executed under its corporate seal.

                                           UTILICORP UNITED INC.

Dated:                                     By:__________________________________
                                                    Title:

                                           Attest:

                                           _____________________________________
[Seal]                                              Title:

TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
   AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Senior
Notes of the series designated
herein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture

BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NA
   as Trustee

By:________________________________
         Authorized Officer

<PAGE>

                        [FORM OF REVERSE OF SENIOR NOTE]

                              UTILICORP UNITED INC.

                           7 5/8% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2009

                  This Senior Note is one of a duly authorized series of
securities of the Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of November 1, 1990,
as amended and supplemented by the Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of
November 16, 1999 (as amended and supplemented, the "Indenture"), between the
Company and Bank One Trust Company, NA (formerly The First National Bank of
Chicago), as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee", which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective
rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company,
the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one
of the series designated on the face hereof, limited in aggregate principal
amount to $200,000,000.

                  This Security is not subject to any sinking fund, nor may this
Security be redeemed at the option of the Company prior to the Maturity Date.

                  Interest payments for this Security will be computed and paid
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If an Interest Payment
Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date will
be the following day that is a Business Day.

                  The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (a) the
entire indebtedness of this Security and (b) certain restrictive covenants upon
compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth therein.

                  If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this
series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this
series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect
provided in the Indenture.

                  The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of
each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in
principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series to be
affected (voting as a class). The Indenture also contains provisions permitting
the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of
each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities
of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of
the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their
consequences.

<PAGE>
                                      -2-

Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive
and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of
any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange
hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is
made upon this Security.

                  No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on this Security at the times, place and
rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

                  This Security shall be exchangeable for Securities registered
in the names of Persons other than the Depositary with respect to such series or
its nominee only as provided in this paragraph. This Security shall be so
exchangeable if (x) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or
unable to continue as Depositary for such series or at any time ceases to be a
clearing agency registered as such under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
(y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
providing that this Security shall be so exchangeable or (z) there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of
such series. Securities so issued in exchange for this Security shall be of the
same series, having the same interest rate, if any, and maturity and having the
same terms as this Security, in authorized denominations and in the aggregate
having the same principal amount as this Security and registered in such names
as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.

                  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the transfer of a Security of the series of which
this Security is a part is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender
of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the
Company in any place where the principal of and premium, if any, and interest,
if any, on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series,
of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

                  The Securities of the series of which this Security is a part
are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000
and in integral multiples thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to
certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series
and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

                  No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

<PAGE>
                                      -3-

                  Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of
transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee
may treat the Holder in whose name this Security is registered as the owner
hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither
the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.

                  This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

                  All terms used in this Security which are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

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