Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.59

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$960,000.00                     Cedar Rapids, Iowa                 July 19, 2000

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, U.S. MANAGERS LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY LTD., a Turks & Caicos Islands corporation (hereinafter referred to as
the "Maker"), promises to pay to the order of MONEY SERVICES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (hereinafter referred to as "Payee"; Payee, and any subsequent
holder hereof, being hereinafter referred to as "Holder"), without grace, at the
office of Payee at 4333 Edgewood Road, N. E., Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499, or at
such other place as Holder may designate to Maker in writing from time to time,
the principal sum of Nine Hundred Sixty Thousand and No/100 ($960,000.00)
Dollars pursuant to the authority set forth in this Note, together with simple
interest on so much thereof as is from time to time outstanding and unpaid, from
the date hereof, at the rate of eleven percent (11%) per annum, in lawful money
of the United States of America, which shall at the time of payment be legal
tender in payment of all debts and dues, public and private. Such principal and
interest to be paid in the following manner, to wit:

         (a) Installments of accrued interest on the outstanding principal
         balance hereof and at the foregoing rate, shall be due and payable
         quarterly, in arrears, commencing on the first (1st) day of October,
         2000, and continuing on the first (1st) day of each calendar quarter
         thereafter, through and including the first (1st) day of August, 2001
         (the "Maturity Date"), all accrued but unpaid interest on the
         outstanding principal balance hereof shall be due and payable in full.
         Interest payments shall be calculated on the basis of actual days
         divided by 360.

         (b) Payments of principal may be made at any time. The entire
         outstanding principal balance hereof, together with all accrued but
         unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and payable in full on August 1,
         2001.

         This Note is issued pursuant to that certain Loan Agreement dated of
even date herewith by and between Maker and Holder (the "Loan Agreement") and is
entitled to the benefits and is subject to the provisions of the Loan Agreement;
provided, however, nothing contained in the Loan Agreement is intended or should
be construed to modify, affect or impair the provisions of this Note. Pursuant
to the terms of the Loan Agreement, Maker shall have the right to borrow Nine
Hundred Sixty Thousand and No/100 ($960,000.00) Dollars.

         This Note may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty or
prepayment premium. Payments, if any, of the Note shall be applied to
installments thereof in the inverse order of their maturity.

         It is hereby expressly agreed that should any Event of Default be made
in the payment of principal or interest as stipulated above, that interest shall
accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note and for so long as such
Event of Default continues at the Default Interest Rate, as defined in the Loan
Agreement. Time is of the essence of this Note.

         This Note may not be changed orally, but only by an agreement in
writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of any waiver, change,
modification, or discharge is sought.

         If for any circumstances whatsoever, fulfillment of any provision of
this Note or of any other instrument evidencing or securing the indebtedness
evidenced hereby, at the time performance of such provision shall be

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due, shall involve transcending the limit of validity presently prescribed by
any applicable usury statute or any other applicable law, with regard to
obligations of like character and amount, then, ipso facto, the obligation to be
fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of such validity, so that in no event
shall any exaction be possible under this Note or under any other instrument
evidencing or securing the indebtedness evidenced hereby, that is in excess of
the current limit of such validity, but such obligation shall be fulfilled to
the limit of such validity.

         This Note is intended as a contract under and shall be construed and
enforceable in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa. Borrower hereby
submits to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the State of Iowa with respect to
any legal action which may be brought to Lender hereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has caused this Note to be executed under
Seal on the date first above written.

                                     MAKER:

                                     U.S. MANAGERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
                                     a Turks & Caicos Islands corporation

                                     By: /s/ ROBERT B. VLACH
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                     Name: Robert B. Vlach
                                     Title:  V.P.

                                                                          PAGE 2
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                                 LOAN AGREEMENT

         THIS LOAN AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into as of
the 19th day of July, 2000, by and between U.S. MANAGERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
LTD., a Turks & Caicos Islands corporation (hereinafter referred to as
"Borrower"), and MONEY SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter
referred to as "Lender").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set
forth, Lender agrees to make and Borrower agrees to accept a loan in accordance
with and subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

                                    ARTICLE 1

                              TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

         In addition to the other terms hereinafter defined, the following terms
shall, for purposes of this Agreement, have the meanings set forth in this
Article 1.

1.1      ACCOUNTING TERMS. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein
         shall have the meanings attributed to such terms under generally
         accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

1.2      ADDRESS. The executive offices of the Borrower are located at U.S.
         Managers Life Insurance Company Ltd. c/o UICI, 4001 McEwen Drive,
         Dallas, Texas 75244.

1.3      AGREEMENT. This Loan Agreement, as amended or supplemented from time to
         time.

1.4      BANKRUPTCY CODE. The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, as amended from
         time to time.

1.5      CLOSING DATE. Within 10 days following the issuance by the Office of
         the Comptroller of the Currency of a definitive Consent Order against
         United Credit National Bank validating the terms of a Capital Plan
         submitted by United Credit National Bank.

1.6      COLLATERAL. All personal property pledged or assigned by Borrower to
         Lender under any of the Credit Documents, including Exhibit A of the
         Security Agreement, as security for the Obligations including all
         accessions to, substitutions for, and all replacements, proceeds,
         products, rents or profits of any and all of the foregoing.

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1.7      CREDIT DOCUMENTS. Collectively, this Agreement, the Security Agreement,
         the Guaranty and the Note, together with any and all other documents
         and instruments now or hereafter evidencing, securing or otherwise
         relating to the Obligations.

1.8      CUSTODY AGREEMENT. The Custody Agreement effective as of March 29,
         2000 (the "Custody Agreement") between the Borrower, PFL Life Insurance
         Company, a company organized under the laws of Iowa, Life Investors
         Insurance Company of America, a company organized under the laws of the
         Iowa, Bankers United Life Assurance Company, a company organized under
         the laws of Iowa, and Monumental Life Insurance Company, a company
         organized under the laws of Maryland (collectively, the "Custody
         Agreement Beneficiary"), and Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., a national
         association organized under the laws of the United States, as
         custodian, as amended.

1.9      DEBT. As to any Person at any time (without duplication): (a) all
         obligations of such Person for borrowed money; (b) all obligations of
         such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures, or other similar
         instruments; (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred
         purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable
         of such Person arising in the ordinary course of business that are not
         past due by more than ninety (90) days; (d) all capital lease
         obligations of such Person; (e) all debt or other obligations of others
         guaranteed by such Person; (f) all obligations secured by a Lien
         existing on property owned by such Person, whether or not the
         obligations secured thereby have been assumed by such Person or are
         non-recourse to the credit of such Person; (g) all reimbursement
         obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect
         of letters of credit, bankers' acceptances, surety or other bonds and
         similar instruments; (h) all obligations of such Person to redeem or
         retire shares of capital stock of such Person except any obligations to
         repurchase common capital stock of the Borrower issued to officers,
         employees and agents of the Borrower or the subsidiaries pursuant to a
         stock option plan, stock purchase plan, other compensation plan or
         other compensation arrangement authorized by the board of directors of
         Borrower; (I) all obligations and liabilities of such Person under
         interest rate protection agreements; (j) all liabilities of such Person
         in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any plan; (k) all
         obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, for the payment of
         money under any noncompete, consulting or similar agreement or any
         other similar arrangements providing for the deferred payment of the
         purchase price for an acquisition; and (l) all other amounts required
         to be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such
         Person in accordance with GAAP other than accruals, taxes, time
         deposits and policy liabilities.

1.10     DEFAULT INTEREST RATE. The interest rate per annum equal to thirteen
         percent (13%).

1.11     EVENT OF DEFAULT. Any of the events or conditions described in Article
         8 of this Agreement.

1.12     GUARANTOR. UICI, a Delaware corporation, from which Lender shall
         require the execution and delivery of a contract of guaranty
         guaranteeing payment of the Note.

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1.13     GUARANTY. Any agreement or other writing executed by Guarantor
         guaranteeing payment of the Note. The Guaranty shall be substantially
         in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto and by this reference made a
         part hereof.

1.14     LAWS. Such term is defined in Section 3.4 hereof.

1.15     LIEN. Any lien, mortgage, security interest, tax lien, financing
         statement, pledge, charge, hypothecation, assignment, preference,
         priority, or other encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever.

1.16     LOAN. The Loan described in Article 3 of this Agreement.

1.17     NOTE. The Promissory Note evidencing all or any portion of the
         indebtedness of Borrower to Lender (hereinafter singularly and/or
         collectively referred to as the "Note"), together with all
         modifications, renewals and extensions thereof.

1.18     OBLIGATIONS. The indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of Borrower
         to Lender arising hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents
         or as a result hereof or thereof, whether evidenced by the Note or
         otherwise, and any and all extensions or renewals thereof in whole or
         in part; any indebtedness, liability or obligation of Borrower to
         Lender under any later or future advances or loans by Lender to
         Borrower, and any and all extensions or renewals thereof in whole or in
         part; and any and all future or additional indebtedness, liabilities or
         obligations of Borrower to Lender whatsoever, including without
         limitation the enforcement by the Lender of its rights and remedies
         under any or all of the foregoing (including all costs, expenses and
         reasonable attorneys' and paralegals' fees and expenses incurred by
         Lender), whether existing as of the date hereof or hereafter arising,
         whether arising under a loan, lease, line of credit, letter of credit
         or other type of financing, and whether direct, indirect, absolute or
         contingent, primary or secondary, and however incurred, created or
         arising or whether evidenced by, arising out of, or relating to, a
         promissory note, check draft, bond, letter of credit, lease, guaranty
         agreement or otherwise.

1.19     PERSON. Any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint
         venture, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company,
         association, corporation, institution, entity, party, or government
         (whether national, federal, state, county, city, municipal or
         otherwise, including without limitation, any instrumentality, division,
         agency, body or department thereof).

1.20     REQUIREMENT. Any law, statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation, or
         judicial or administrative order, award, judgment or writ, injunction
         or decree, relating in any way to Borrower, its properties or assets,
         or its business, issued by the United States, the jurisdiction(s) in
         which Borrower conducts business, or in which it leases, owns or
         operates properties or assets or any political subdivision thereof, or
         any agency, department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality of
         any of them.

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1.21     RESPONSIBLE OFFICER. The Borrower's General Counsel or, if none, the
         Borrower's Secretary.

1.22     SECURITY AGREEMENT. The security agreement pursuant to which the
         Borrower grants a security interest in and to all of the property
         described therein as security for all liabilities of the Borrower to
         Lender. The Security Agreement shall be substantially in the form of
         Exhibit B attached hereto and by this reference made a part hereof.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         Lender's obligation under this Agreement to make the Loan described
herein on the Closing Date shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the following conditions precedent:

2.1      RESOLUTIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, FEES AND EXPENSES. The Lender shall have
         received on or before the Closing Date all of the following, each dated
         (unless otherwise indicated) the Closing Date hereof, in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Lender:

         (i) Resolutions. Resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower
         certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary which authorize
         the execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of this
         Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower is or is
         to be a party;

         (ii) Incumbency Certificate. A certificate of incumbency certified by
         the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Borrower certifying the
         name of each officer of the Borrower (A) who is authorized to sign this
         Agreement and each of the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower
         is or is to be a party (including the certificates contemplated herein)
         together with specimen signatures of each such officer and (B) who
         will, until replaced by other officers duly authorized for that
         purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing
         documents and giving notices and other communications in connection
         with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

         (iii) Certificate of Incorporation. The certificate of incorporation of
         Borrower certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
         Borrower certifying its state of organization and dated a current date;

         (iv) Bylaws. The bylaws of the Borrower certified by the Secretary or
         an Assistant Secretary of Borrower;

         (v) Good Standing Certificates. Certificate as to the good standing of
         the Borrower under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or
         formation and certificates of good standing as a foreign entity
         authorized to transact business in each other jurisdiction where the
         failure to so

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         qualify would have a material adverse effect on the results of
         operations or financial condition of Borrower.

         (vi) Guarantor Financial Statement. Financial statements consisting of
         a consolidated balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash
         flows of the Guarantor dated as of March 31, 2000.

         (vii) Note. The Note executed by the Borrower;

         (viii) Attorneys' Fees and Expenses. Evidence that the costs and
         expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) referred to in Section
         10.22, to the extent incurred, shall have been paid in full by the
         Borrower;

         (ix) Opinion of Counsel. A favorable opinion of legal counsel to the
         Borrower as to the matters set forth in Exhibit "B" hereto, and such
         other matters as the Lender may reasonably request.

         (x) Custody Agreement Amendment. An amendment to the Custody Agreement
         to provide that the premium for the Policies reinsured under the
         Reinsurance Agreement dated January 1, 1995, as amended, between
         Borrower and Custody Agreement Beneficiary (collectively, the
         "Reinsurance Agreement"), have been transferred to the Custodian for
         the purpose of securing and paying Policy Liabilities (as defined in
         the Reinsurance Agreement) and for securing and paying the Obligations
         in the Loan Agreement.

2.2      NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. No Event of Default hereunder or any other
         indebtedness of Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing or would
         result from the execution of this Agreement or any other Credit
         Document.

2.3      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All of the representations and
         warranties contained in Article 4 hereof and in the other Credit
         Documents shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects.

2.4      SECURITY DOCUMENTS. Any documents (including without limitation
         financing statements) required to be filed under the Security Agreement
         in order to create, in favor of Lender, a perfected security interest
         in the Collateral shall have been delivered or are in the process of
         being delivered to the appropriate officers in the required
         jurisdictions.

2.5      OCC APPROVAL. The Lender shall have received satisfactory evidence that
         the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has approved the Capital
         Plan of United Credit National Bank.

2.6      ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION. The Lender shall have received such
         additional approvals, opinions, or documents as the Lender or its legal
         counsel may reasonably request.

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                                    ARTICLE 3

                                      LOAN

              Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Lender agrees to make
the Loan on the Closing Date to Borrower, upon the following terms:

3.1      LOAN. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Borrower
         shall have the right to borrow in one borrowing the sum of Nine Hundred
         Sixty Thousand and No/100 ($960,000.00) Dollars. Principal amounts of
         the Loan paid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

3.2      NOTE, INTEREST AND REPAYMENT TERMS. In order to evidence the Loan, the
         Borrower shall execute and deliver the Note, substantially in the form
         of Exhibit C hereto. The principal amount of the Loan shall be payable
         in accordance with, and interest on said principal amount shall accrue
         at the rate specified in and shall be payable in accordance with, the
         provisions of the Note.

3.3      USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loan for (a)
         working capital needs of the Borrower and (b) a loan to its parent
         company.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BORROWER

              To induce the Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make the
Loan hereunder on the Closing Date, the Borrower represents and warrants to the
Lender as of the date hereof, the following, which shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, the Note and the other Credit Documents to which
the Borrower is or may become a party and until all of the Obligations and
indebtedness of the Borrower have been paid, satisfied or discharged in full,
regardless of any investigation by the Lender of the Borrower's financial
condition or assets:

4.1      CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Borrower (a) is a corporation duly organized,
         validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the Turks &
         Caicos Islands; (b) has all requisite power and corporate authority to
         own its assets and carry on its business as now being or as proposed to
         be conducted; and (c) is qualified to do business in all jurisdictions
         in which the failure to be so qualified would have a material adverse
         effect upon the financial condition or results of operations of
         Borrower. The Borrower has the corporate power and authority and legal
         right to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this
         Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is or may become a
         party. The Borrower has authorized share capital of $5,000 divided into
         5,000 ordinary shares of $1.00 each, of which 100 ordinary shares have
         been issued and are outstanding. The remaining 4,900 ordinary shares
         have not been issued and are not outstanding.

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4.2      SOLVENCY. Borrower now has and will continue to maintain during the
         term of this Agreement capital sufficient to conduct the business
         transactions in which it is currently engaged or as contemplated
         hereunder to be engaged, and is and will continue to be during the term
         of this Agreement solvent and able to pay its debts as they mature, and
         Borrower now owns and will maintain during the term of this Agreement
         property whose fair saleable value is greater than the amount required
         to pay the indebtedness evidenced by the Note, or such amounts as are
         advanced therewith.

4.3      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has delivered to the Lender
         unaudited financial statements for Borrower as at and for the fiscal
         year ended December 31, 1999. Such financial statements are complete
         and correct, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and fairly and
         accurately present the financial condition of Borrower as of the date
         indicated therein and the results of operations for the period
         indicated therein, subject to normal year end audit adjustments. Since
         December 31, 1999 and March 31, 2000, no material adverse change in the
         Borrower's financial condition or affairs has occurred and no dividends
         on or redemptions of the Borrower's capital stock have been made.
         Except as disclosed on the financial statements for the period ended
         December 31, 1999 and March 31, 2000: (i) the Borrower has no
         indebtedness, except as permitted hereunder, or liabilities, contingent
         or otherwise; and (ii) no proceedings, suits, orders, claims,
         investigations, or other actions are pending before any court or
         governmental authority or threatened against the Borrower not covered
         by insurance.

4.4      CORPORATE ACTION; NO BREACH. The execution, delivery, and performance
         by the Borrower of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to
         which the Borrower is or may become a party and compliance with the
         terms and provisions hereof and thereof have been duly authorized by
         all requisite corporate action on the part of the Borrower and do not
         and will not (a) violate or conflict with, or result in a breach of, or
         require any consent under (i) the certificate or articles of
         incorporation or bylaws of the Borrower, or (ii) any Requirement or
         applicable law, rule, or regulation or any order, writ, injunction, or
         decree of any governmental authority or arbitrator, or (iii) any
         agreement or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which
         any of it or any of its property is bound or subject, or (b) constitute
         a default under any such agreement or instrument, or result in the
         creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the property of the
         Borrower or Guarantor.

4.5      OPERATION OF BUSINESS. Borrower possesses all licenses, permits,
         franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and tradenames, or rights
         thereto, necessary to conduct its business substantially as now
         conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted, and Borrower is
         not in violation in any material respect of any valid rights of others
         with respect to any of the foregoing.

4.6      LITIGATION AND JUDGMENTS. As of the date hereof, there is no action,
         suit, investigation, or proceeding before or by any governmental
         authority or arbitrator pending, or to the knowledge of the Borrower,
         threatened against or affecting Borrower which, if adversely
         determined, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
         effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the
         Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to timely and fully perform any
         of its

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         payment or other obligations under this Agreement, the Note or any
         other Credit Documents to which it is or may become a party. There are
         no unstayed or undischarged judgments against Borrower which would
         constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.7.

4.7      RIGHTS IN PROPERTIES AND COLLATERAL; LIENS. Borrower has good and
         indefeasible title to or valid leasehold interests in the Collateral
         and its properties, real and personal, including the properties and
         leasehold interests reflected in the financial statements described in
         Sections 4.3 and 5.3, and none of the Collateral, the properties or
         leasehold interests of Borrower is subject to any Lien, except as
         permitted by Section 6.2.

4.8      ENFORCEABILITY. This Agreement constitutes, and the other Credit
         Documents to which the Borrower is party, when executed and delivered,
         shall constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of the
         Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their
         respective terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other
         laws of general application relating to the enforcement of creditors'
         rights and general principles of equity.

4.9      APPROVALS. No authorization, approval, or consent of, and no filing or
         registration with, any governmental authority or third party (including
         any insurance regulatory authority) is or will be necessary for the
         execution, delivery, or performance by the Borrower of this Agreement
         and the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower is or may become a
         party or for the validity or enforceability thereof. Without limiting
         the generality of the forgoing, no authorization, approval, or consent
         of, and no filing or registration with, any insurance regulatory
         authority is required for the pledge of the Borrower Capital Stock by
         Borrower.

4.10     DEBT. Borrower has no Debt, except as permitted by Section 6.1.

4.11     TAXES. Borrower has filed all tax returns (federal, state, and local)
         required to be filed, including all income, franchise, employment,
         property, and sales tax returns, and has paid all of its liabilities
         for taxes, assessments, governmental charges, and other levies that are
         due and payable except for those liabilities whose amount,
         applicability, or validity is being contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings being diligently pursued, and for which
         adequate reserves have been established. The Borrower knows of no
         pending investigation of Borrower by any taxing authority or of any
         pending but unassessed material tax liability of Borrower.

4.12     ERISA. Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all
         applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations and published
         interpretations thereunder.

4.13     DISCLOSURE. No statement, information, report, representation, or
         warranty made by the Borrower in respect of Borrower contains any
         untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact
         necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
         circumstances under which such statement, information, report,
         representation or warranty was provided. There is no fact known to the
         Borrower which has had or which could reasonably be

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         expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the properties,
         prospects, business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise),
         liabilities, or capitalization of Borrower, or (b) the value of the
         Collateral or the validity, priority or perfection of the Lien on the
         Collateral, or (c) the validity or enforceability of any of the Credit
         Documents or the rights and remedies of the Lender thereunder.

4.14     SUBSIDIARIES; CAPITALIZATION. The Borrower owns no subsidiaries.

4.15     AGREEMENTS. Borrower is not a party to any indenture, loan, or credit
         agreement, or to any lease or other agreement or instrument, or subject
         to any charter or corporate restriction that could reasonably be
         expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition
         or results of operations of the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower
         to timely and fully perform any of its payment or other obligations
         under this Agreement, the Note or any other Credit Documents to which
         it is or may become a party in absence of a default thereunder.
         Borrower is not in default in any material respect in the performance,
         observance, or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants, or
         conditions contained in any agreement or instrument material to its
         business to which it is a party.

4.16     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Borrower is not in violation in any material
         respect of any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, or decree of
         any governmental authority or arbitrator, including, without
         limitation, any environmental law.

4.17     INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. The Borrower is not an "investment company"
         within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

4.18     LABOR DISPUTES AND ACTS OF GOD. Neither the business nor the properties
         of Borrower are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike,
         lockout, or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake,
         embargo, act of God or of the public enemy, or other casualty (whether
         or not covered by insurance) that is having or could have a material
         adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
         the Borrower or the ability of the Borrower to timely and fully perform
         any of its payment or other obligations under this Agreement, the Note
         or any other Credit Documents to which it is or may become a party.

4.19     COLLATERAL. Borrower owns, and with respect to Collateral acquired
         after the date hereof, Borrower will own, legally and beneficially, the
         Collateral free and clear of any Lien, security interest, pledge,
         claim, or other encumbrance or any right or option on the part of any
         third Person to purchase or otherwise acquire the Collateral or any
         part thereof. Borrower has the unrestricted right to pledge the
         Collateral as contemplated by the Security Agreement (except for the
         Liens created in favor of the Custody Agreement Beneficiary under the
         Custody Agreement). Except as otherwise provided herein and so long as
         this Agreement shall remain in effect, Borrower shall not further
         transfer, assign, pledge, sell, convey, encumber, release, amend, or
         surrender all or any portion of the Collateral without prior written
         consent of Lender. The principal place of business and chief executive
         office of Borrower, and the office where

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<PAGE>   12
         Borrower keeps its books and records, is located at the address for
         notices of Borrower set forth in this Agreement.

4.20     BORROWER'S ACTS. Borrower has done no act or omitted to do any act
         which might prevent Lender from or limit Lender in, acting under any of
         the provisions hereof.

4.21     REGULATION U. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending
         credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within
         the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
         Reserve System), and no part of the proceeds of the Loan made hereunder
         will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit
         to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin
         stock.

4.22     DIRECTORS. No director of the Borrower has a financial interest in or
         other relationship to a party to the transactions contemplated by the
         Loan Agreement, the Note, the Security Agreement, the Custody
         Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Guaranty.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                    GENERAL AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER

          The Borrower (and with respect to Section 5.14, the Guarantor) hereby
covenants and agrees that, as long as the Obligations or any part thereof are
outstanding, the Borrower and its subsidiaries, if any (and with respect to
Section 5.14, the Guarantor), will jointly and severally perform and observe the
following affirmative covenants:

5.1      PAYMENT OF NOTE. Borrower and its subsidiaries shall punctually pay the
         principal and interest on the Note and all of the other Obligations in
         accordance with the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents.

5.2      CHANGE OF ADDRESS. If at any time hereafter, Borrower or its
         subsidiaries elects to move or changes the location of any Collateral
         from the address provided herein, Borrower or its subsidiaries shall,
         prior to such move or change in location of Collateral, give Lender
         thirty (30) days' prior written notice.

5.3      REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will furnish
         to the Lender:

                  (a) Financial Statements of Borrower. Borrower and its
                  subsidiaries shall furnish to Lender unaudited quarterly
                  financial statements within forty five (45) days after the end
                  of a calendar quarter, unaudited annual financial statements
                  within ninety (90) days after the end of a calendar year and
                  such further information pertaining to the

                                                                         PAGE 10
<PAGE>   13

                  financial condition of the Borrower and its subsidiaries and
                  the Collateral as Lender may reasonably request; all of the
                  foregoing to be accompanied by a certificate, in a form
                  acceptable to Lender, from Borrower's President or Chief
                  Financial Officer to the effect that the financial statements
                  fairly and accurately present in conformity with GAAP, the
                  financial position of the Borrower as of the end of the
                  reporting period and the results of operations for the period
                  then ended. All financial statements of Borrower and its
                  subsidiaries, copies of which have heretofore been furnished
                  to Lender, or which shall hereinafter be furnished by Borrower
                  and its subsidiaries to Lender, are and shall be complete and
                  are and shall fairly and accurately represent the financial
                  condition of Borrower and its subsidiaries, as of the dates
                  and for the periods referred to therein, and have been or
                  shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted
                  accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout
                  the period involved.

                  (b) Notice of Litigation. Borrower shall furnish to Lender in
                  writing, promptly after the commencement thereof, and in no
                  event more than three (3) business days after commencement,
                  written notice of all actions, suits, and proceedings by or
                  before any governmental authority or arbitrator affecting the
                  Borrower or its subsidiaries.

                  (c) Notice of Default. The Responsible Officer shall promptly
                  give notice in writing to Lender, of (a) the occurrence of any
                  Event of Default under this Agreement or any of the other
                  Credit Documents or of any event of default under any material
                  instrument or other agreement of Borrower or its subsidiaries,
                  (b) any litigation, proceeding, investigation or dispute which
                  may exist at any time between Borrower or its subsidiaries and
                  any governmental or regulatory body which might substantially
                  interfere with the normal business operations of Borrower or
                  its subsidiaries, and (c) all litigation and proceedings
                  brought against Borrower or its subsidiaries which, if
                  adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect
                  on Borrower's or its subsidiaries' operations or financial
                  condition; and.

                  (d) General Information. Borrower shall furnish to Lender in
                  writing, promptly, such other information concerning the
                  Borrower or its subsidiaries (including financial statements
                  of and other reports regarding Borrower or its subsidiaries)
                  as the Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

                  (e) Financial Statements of Guarantor. Borrower and its
                  subsidiaries shall cause the Guarantor to furnish to Lender
                  unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements within
                  forty five (45) days after the end of a calendar quarter,
                  audited consolidated annual financial statements with an
                  unqualified opinion of an independent certified public
                  accounting firm acceptable to Lender within ninety (90) days
                  after the end of a calendar year and such further information
                  pertaining to the financial condition of the Guarantor and its
                  subsidiaries as Lender may reasonably request. All financial
                  statements of Guarantor and its subsidiaries, copies of which
                  have heretofore been

                                                                         PAGE 11

<PAGE>   14

                  furnished to Lender, or which shall hereinafter be furnished
                  by Guarantor and its subsidiaries to Lender, are and shall be
                  complete and are and shall fairly and accurately represent the
                  financial condition of Guarantor and its subsidiaries, as of
                  the dates and for the periods referred to therein, and have
                  been or shall be prepared in accordance with generally
                  accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
                  throughout the period involved, subject, in the case of
                  unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements, to
                  normal and recurring year end audit adjustments and the
                  absence of full and complete financial footnotes and other
                  matters as permitted by generally accepted accounting
                  principles for the presentation of unaudited condensed interim
                  financial information.

5.4      MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE; CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. The Borrower and its
         subsidiaries will preserve and maintain its corporate existence and all
         of its leases, privileges, licenses, permits, franchises,
         qualifications, and rights that are necessary or desirable in the
         ordinary conduct of its business. The Borrower and its subsidiaries
         will conduct its business in an orderly and efficient manner in
         accordance with good business practices.

5.5      MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND COLLATERAL. The Borrower and its
         subsidiaries will maintain, keep, and preserve all of its properties
         necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business and the
         Collateral in good repair, working order, and condition and make all
         necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments, and
         improvements thereof.

5.6      TAXES AND CLAIMS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will pay or
         discharge at or before maturity or before becoming delinquent (a) all
         taxes, levies, assessments, and governmental charges imposed on it or
         its income or profits or any of its property, and (b) all lawful claims
         for labor, material, and supplies, which, if unpaid, might become a
         Lien upon any of its property; provided, however, that the Borrower and
         its subsidiaries shall not be required to pay or discharge any tax,
         levy, assessment, or governmental charge or claim for labor, material,
         or supplies whose amount, applicability, or validity is being contested
         in good faith by appropriate proceedings being diligently pursued and
         for which adequate reserves have been established.

5.7      INSURANCE. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will keep insured by
         financially sound and reputable insurers all property of a character
         usually insured by entities engaged in the same or similar business
         similarly situated and the Collateral against loss or damage of the
         kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by such entities
         and carry such other insurance as is usually carried by such entities.

5.8      INSPECTION RIGHTS. When no Event of Default exists and subject to all
         confidentiality agreements entered into by the Borrower in the ordinary
         course of its business (including those entered into in connection with
         equity and asset acquisitions and the acquisition and use of
         intellectual property) and the limitations on disclosure imposed
         therein, the Borrower and its subsidiaries will permit representatives
         of the Lender, during normal business hours and upon no less than two
         (2) business days prior notice, to examine, copy, and make extracts
         from its books

                                                                         PAGE 12
<PAGE>   15

         and records, to visit and inspect its properties and the Collateral,
         and to discuss its business, operations, and financial condition and
         the Collateral with its officers, employees, and independent certified
         public accountants. If an Event of Default exists, the Borrower and its
         subsidiaries will permit representatives of the Lender, during normal
         business hours but without prior notice, to examine, copy, and make
         extracts from its books and records, to visit and inspect its
         properties and the Collateral, and to discuss its business, operations,
         and financial condition and the Collateral with its officers,
         employees, and independent certified public accountants, at the expense
         of Borrower.

5.9      KEEPING BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will
         maintain proper books of record and account in which full, true, and
         correct entries in conformity with GAAP shall be made of all dealings
         and transactions in relation to its business and activities.

5.10     COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will comply in
         all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations,
         orders, and decrees of any governmental authority or arbitrator.

5.11     COMPLIANCE WITH AGREEMENTS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will
         comply in all material respects with all agreements, contracts, and
         instruments binding on it or affecting its properties or business.

5.12     FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will execute and
         deliver such further documents and take such further action as may be
         requested by the Lender to carry out the provisions and purposes of
         this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

5.13     USE OF PROCEEDS OF LOAN. The Borrower will use the Loan proceeds as set
         forth in Section 3.3.

5.14     REINSURANCE OBLIGATIONS. The Borrower, its subsidiaries and the
         Guarantor will cause MEGA (as defined in the Reinsurance Agreement) to
         either (a) assume all liabilities and obligations of Borrower under
         this Agreement and the Credit Documents to which Borrower is or may
         become a party and all related documents and furnish Lender with
         satisfactory evidence that UICI has guaranteed the liabilities and
         obligations assumed by MEGA or (b) reinsure with Borrower the same
         percentage of the UGA Business (as defined in the Reinsurance
         Agreement) as reinsured pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreement
         immediately prior to the assumption and novation by MEGA and maintain
         such reinsurance in force at all times during which there is an
         outstanding balance under this Agreement or the Credit Documents. The
         Borrower, its subsidiaries and the Guarantor will cause MEGA to execute
         all documents and take all actions necessary to evidence the assumption
         of liability in the case of (a) or the reinsurance and Lender's first
         priority security interest in all right, title and interest of Borrower
         in such reinsurance in the case of (b) to the reasonable satisfaction
         of Lender.

                                                                         PAGE 13

<PAGE>   16

                                    ARTICLE 6

                     GENERAL NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF BORROWER

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, as long as the obligations or
any part thereof are outstanding, the Borrower and its subsidiaries, if any,
will jointly and severally perform and observe the following negative covenants:

6.1      DEBT. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will not incur, create, assume,
         or permit to exist any Debt, except:

                  (a) Debt in the amount disclosed in Schedule X hereto and any
                  extensions, renewals or refinancings of such existing Debt so
                  long as (i) the principal amount of such Debt after such
                  renewal, extension or refinancing shall not exceed the
                  principal amount of such Debt which was outstanding
                  immediately prior to such renewal, extension or refinancing,
                  and (ii) such Debt shall not be secured by any assets other
                  than assets securing such Debt, if any, prior to such renewal,
                  extension or refinancing;

6.2      LIMITATION ON LIENS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will not incur,
         create, assume, or permit to exist any Lien upon the Collateral or any
         of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except the
         following:

                  (a) Liens disclosed on Schedule Y hereto, and Liens created
                  and existing in connection with any extensions, renewals or
                  refinancings of the Debt secured by such Liens as permitted
                  under Section 6.1(a), provided that (i) no such Lien is
                  expanded to cover any additional property (other than after
                  acquired title in or on such Property and proceeds of the
                  existing collateral and other than property having no greater
                  fair market value than the existing collateral for which such
                  property is being substituted as new collateral) after the
                  date hereof; and (ii) no such Lien is spread to secure any
                  additional Debt after the date hereof;

                  (b) Encumbrances consisting of easements, zoning restrictions,
                  or other restrictions on the use of real property that do not
                  (individually or in the aggregate) materially affect the value
                  of the property encumbered thereby or materially impair the
                  ability of Borrower or its subsidiaries to use such property
                  in its business, and none of which is violated in any material
                  respect by existing or proposed structures or land use;

                  (c) Liens (other than Liens relating to liabilities resulting
                  from the violation of Environmental Laws or ERISA) for taxes,
                  assessments, or other governmental charges that are not
                  delinquent or which are being contested in good faith and for
                  which adequate reserves have been established;

                                                                         PAGE 14

<PAGE>   17
                  (d) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, carriers,
                  or other similar statutory Liens securing obligations that are
                  not yet due and are incurred in the ordinary course of
                  business or which are being contested in good faith and for
                  which adequate reserves have been established; and

                  (e) Liens created pursuant to the Custody Agreement.

6.3      MERGERS, ETC. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will not become a party
         to a merger or consolidation, or purchase or otherwise acquire all of
         the properties of any Person or purchase or acquire properties of an
         Person with a book value in excess of ten percent (10%) of the book
         value of all properties of the Borrower (as determined as of the date
         of acquisition) or any shares or other evidence of beneficial ownership
         of any Person, or wind-up, dissolve, or liquidate itself.

6.4      TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower and it subsidiaries will not
         enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, the
         purchase, sale, loan, or exchange of property or the rendering of any
         service, with any affiliate of the Borrower and its subsidiaries,
         except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable
         requirements of Borrower's and its subsidiaries' business and upon fair
         and reasonable terms no less favorable to Borrower and its subsidiaries
         than would be obtained in a comparable arms-length transaction with an
         entity not an affiliate of the Borrower or such subsidiary.

6.5      DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will not
         sell, lease, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of its
         property (including the Collateral), except (a) dispositions of
         inventory, in the ordinary course of business; (b) dispositions of
         assets reasonably and in good faith determined by Borrower and its
         subsidiaries to be obsolete or no longer necessary to its business if
         no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom; (c) licenses,
         sublicenses, leases and subleases of intellectual property, general
         intangibles, or other property (other than capital stock), in each case
         in the ordinary course of business, that do not materially interfere
         with the business of Borrower and its subsidiaries; (d) the sale of
         overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business,
         but only in connection with the compromise or settlement thereof; (e)
         the disposition of property by Borrower and its subsidiaries in
         connection with reinsurance treaties or agreements entered into in the
         ordinary course of business; and (f) the disposition of investments in
         the ordinary course of business in connection with the management of
         its investment portfolio provided the proceeds thereof are utilized to
         satisfy liabilities and expenses incurred in the ordinary course of
         business. The Borrower and its subsidiaries shall not sell or otherwise
         dispose of any of its assets for any consideration that is less than a
         fair market value.

6.6      LINES OF BUSINESS. The Borrower and its subsidiaries will not engage in
         any line or lines of business activity other than the insurance
         business, other businesses in which it is engaged on the date hereof,
         any businesses reasonably related thereto and the sale of products or
         services utilizing the existing channels of distribution currently
         utilized by Borrower and its subsidiaries.

                                                                         PAGE 15

<PAGE>   18

6.7      RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARIES. Borrower will not permit any subsidiary
         to make any investment in, provide any guarantee for the benefit of, or
         make any type of deposit with any subsidiary engaged in the credit card
         business (including, without limitation, United Credit National Bank)
         or any subsidiary owning such a subsidiary.

6.8      SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK. The Borrower will not issue, or allow to be
         issued, any capital stock of the Borrower in addition to the 100 shares
         of capital stock currently issued and outstanding and described in
         Section 4.1 hereof.

                                    ARTICLE 7

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         The Borrower covenants and agrees that, as long as the Obligations or
any part thereof are outstanding, the Borrower and its subsidiaries, if any,
will jointly and severally perform and observe the following financial
covenants:

7.1      BORROWER CAPITAL. The Borrower and its subsidiaries shall cause the
         statutory capital and surplus of Borrower, as determined in accordance
         with GAAP, at all times to be no less than One Million Dollars
         ($1,000,000).

                                    ARTICLE 8

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         The occurrence of any events or conditions described in Sections 8.1
through 8.11 shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder, provided that any
requirement for the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, has been
satisfied.

8.1      NOTE. Borrower shall fail to pay (a) when due any payment of principal
         and (b) within 3 business days of the date due any interest on the
         Note.

8.2      OBLIGATIONS. Borrower shall fail to make any payments of any of the
         other Obligations, within 5 business days after the date Borrower
         receives written notice of the failure to pay when due such other
         Obligations.

8.3      MISREPRESENTATIONS. Any representation, warranty or statement made by
         Borrower herein, in the Note or in the Security Agreement which is or
         proves to have been incorrect, untrue or misleading in any material
         respect when made, or becomes incorrect, untrue or misleading in any
         material respect at any time any amount remains unpaid on account of
         any of the Obligations.

                                                                         PAGE 16
<PAGE>   19

8.4      COVENANTS. Borrower fails to keep, observe, perform, carry out or
         execute in every particular its respective covenants, agreements,
         obligations or conditions contained in this Agreement, in the Note or
         in the Security Agreement.

8.5      VOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY. Borrower shall file a voluntary petition in
         bankruptcy or a voluntary petition or answer seeking liquidation,
         reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of its debts, or for any
         other relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or under any other act or law
         pertaining to insolvency or debtor relief, whether state, Federal or
         foreign, now or hereafter existing; Borrower shall enter into any
         agreement indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in,
         any such petition or proceeding, Borrower shall apply for or permit the
         appointment by consent or acquiescence of a receiver, custodian or
         trustee of Borrower for all or a substantial part of its property;
         Borrower shall make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
         Borrower shall be unable or shall fail to pay its debts generally as
         such debts become due; Borrower shall commit any act which would
         provide grounds for the entry of an order for relief under any chapter
         of the Bankruptcy Code.

8.6      INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY. There shall have been filed against Borrower an
         involuntary petition in bankruptcy or seeking liquidation,
         reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of its debts or for any
         other relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or under any other act or law
         pertaining to insolvency or debtor relief, whether state, Federal or
         foreign, now or hereafter existing; Borrower shall suffer or permit the
         involuntary appointment of a receiver, custodian or trustee of Borrower
         for all or a substantial part of its property; Borrower shall suffer or
         permit the issuance of a warrant of attachment or garnishment,
         execution or similar process against all or any substantial part of the
         property of Borrower; or Borrower shall commit any act which would
         provide grounds for the entry of an order for relief under any chapter
         of the Bankruptcy Code.

8.7      JUDGEMENTS. If a judgement for the payment of money in excess of
         $50,000 shall have been rendered by any court of competent jurisdiction
         against Borrower and the same shall not have been discharged or varied
         or execution thereunder stayed, whether pursuant to appeal or
         otherwise, within ninety (90) days of the entry thereof, or if any
         order, ruling or direction of any competent authority is issued with
         respect to Borrower which materially adversely affects Borrower or
         which requires a substantial or material adverse change in the business
         or affairs of Borrower or any material disposition of assets of
         Borrower.

8.8      TAX LIENS. If any federal, state or local tax lien is filed of record
         against Borrower and is not bonded or discharged within ninety (90)
         days.

8.9      DEEMED INSECURE. Lender, at any time and in good faith, shall deem
         itself insecure (and for purposes of this Agreement, Lender shall be
         entitled to deem itself insecure when some event occurs, fails to
         occur, or is threatened or some objective condition exists or is
         threatened which

                                                                         PAGE 17
<PAGE>   20

         materially impairs the prospects that any of the Obligations will not
         be paid when due, or which materially affects the financial or business
         condition or results of operations of the Borrower).

8.10     EVIDENCE OF NO DEFAULT. Lender shall reasonably suspect the occurrence
         of one or more of the aforesaid Events of Default and Borrower, upon
         request of Lender, shall fail to provide within three (3) business days
         evidence reasonably satisfactory to Lender that any such Event of
         Default has not in fact occurred.

8.11     GUARANTY NOT EFFECTIVE. Guarantor provides notice or Lender receives
         other information relating to the validity or enforceability of the
         Guaranty or the Guarantor fails to keep, observe, perform, carry out or
         execute in every particular its respective covenants, agreements,
         obligations or conditions contained in Section 5.14 hereof relative to
         certain reinsurance agreements.

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                    REMEDIES

         Upon the occurrence of any one or more Events of Default, Lender's
obligation to extend any financing under this Agreement shall immediately cease
and at its option and in addition to and not in lieu of any remedies provided
for in the Credit Documents, or any other statute or rule of law or equity, all
of which may be exercised successively or concurrently, Lender shall be entitled
to exercise any and all remedies available to it at law or in equity. Upon the
occurrence or existence of any Event of Default, interest on the principal
amount of the Loan shall accrue and be payable at the Default Interest Rate and
the Note and all other Obligations shall be and become forthwith, due and
payable without any presentment, further or other demand, protest, notice of any
of the foregoing or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived notwithstanding anything contained herein or in the Note to the contrary.

         The Lender shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies given to
it under this Agreement, the Note and the Credit Documents, all of the rights
and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in
any jurisdiction in which any of the Collateral of the Borrower or the Guarantor
may be located, and all rights and remedies allowed by all applicable Laws, all
of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative and non-exclusive, to the
extent permitted by said Laws.

         Upon an Event of Default, the Borrower, immediately upon demand by the
Lender, shall assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Lender at a
place or places to be designated by the Lender which is reasonably convenient to
the Lender and the Borrower. Any notice required to be given by the Lender of
sale, lease, other disposition of the Collateral or any other intended action by
the Lender, deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid and duly
addressed to Borrower at the address specified in this Agreement not less than
ten (10) days prior to such proposed action, shall constitute commercially
reasonable and fair notice to the Borrower thereof. Upon an Event of Default,

                                                                         PAGE 18
<PAGE>   21

the Borrower agrees that the Lender may, if the Lender deems it reasonable,
postpone or adjourn any such sale of the Collateral from time to time by an
announcement at the time and place of sale or by announcement at the time and
place of such postponed or adjourned sale, without being required to give a new
notice of sale. The Borrower agrees that the Lender has no obligation to
preserve rights against prior parties to the Collateral. Further, to the extent
permitted by law, the Borrower waives and releases any cause of action and claim
against the Lender as a result of the Lender's possession, collection or sale of
the Collateral, any liability or penalty for failure of the Lender to comply
with any requirement imposed on the Lender relating to notice of sale, holding
of sale or reporting of sale of the Collateral, and any right of redemption from
such sale, except for the Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

                                   ARTICLE 10

                               GENERAL OBLIGATIONS

         The following conditions shall be applicable throughout the term of
this Agreement, to this Agreement and to the other Credit Documents:

10.1     RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES. All conditions of the obligations of Lender
         hereunder and under any of the other Credit Documents are imposed
         solely and exclusively for the benefit of Borrower and its successors
         and assigns and no other person or entity shall have standing to
         require satisfaction of such conditions in accordance with their terms
         in the absence of strict compliance with any or all thereof, and no
         other person or entity shall, under any circumstances be deemed to be a
         beneficiary of such conditions, any and all of which may be freely
         waived in whole or in part by Lender at any time if in its sole
         discretion it deems it desirable to do so. Borrower shall and does
         indemnify Lender from and against any liabilities, claims or losses
         resulting from the disbursement of the proceeds of the Loan. This
         provision shall survive the repayment of the Loan and shall continue in
         full force and effect so long as the possibility of such liabilities,
         claims or losses exists.

10.2     EVIDENCE OF SATISFACTION OF CONDITIONS. Any condition of this Agreement
         or any of the other Credit Documents which requires the submission of
         evidence of the existence or non-existence of a specified fact or facts
         implied as a condition the existence or non-existence, as the case may
         be, of such fact or facts, and Lender shall, at all times, be free
         independently to establish to its satisfaction and in its absolute
         discretion such existence or non-existence.

10.3     NO AGENCY. Lender is not the Lender or representative of Borrower, and
         Borrower is not the Lender or representative of Lender, and nothing in
         this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents shall be construed
         to make Lender liable to anyone for goods delivered to or labor or
         services performed upon any property of Borrower or for debts or claims
         accruing against Borrower.

                                                                         PAGE 19

<PAGE>   22

10.4     NO PARTNERSHIP, JOINT VENTURE OR CONTROL RELATIONSHIP. Neither this
         Agreement nor any of the other Credit Documents shall in any respect be
         interpreted, deemed or construed as making Lender a partner or joint
         venturer with, or providing Lender with any rights to control the
         business or conduct of Borrower (or any entities related to or
         affiliated with Borrower) or to influence decisions relating to the
         Borrower's business operations or the business operations of any
         entities related to or affiliated with Borrower, or creating any
         similar relationship or entity, and Borrower agrees that it will not
         make any contrary assertion, contention, claim or counterclaim in any
         action, suit or other legal proceeding involving Lender and Borrower.

10.5     NO ASSIGNMENT BY BORROWER. This Agreement and the other Credit
         Documents may not be assigned by Borrower without the written consent
         of Lender. If Lender approves any such assignment by Borrower, Lender
         shall be entitled to make advances to such assignee and such advances
         shall be evidenced by the Note and secured by the Credit Documents.
         Borrower shall remain liable for payment of all sums advanced hereunder
         before and after such assignment.

10.6     ASSIGNMENT BY LENDER. The Note, this Agreement, and any and all of the
         other Credit Documents may be endorsed, assigned, and transferred in
         whole or in part by Lender, and any such holder and assignee of same
         shall succeed to and be possessed of the rights of Lender under all of
         the same to the extent transferred and assigned.

10.7     ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire terms of the
         agreement between Borrower and Lender covering the disbursement of the
         Loan and the use of the Loan by Borrower.

10.8     NOTICES. Any and all notices, elections, demands, requests and
         responses thereto permitted or required to be given under this
         Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents shall be in writing,
         signed by or on behalf of the party giving the same, and shall be
         deemed to have been properly given and shall be effective upon being
         personally delivered, or upon being deposited in the United States Post
         Office, postage prepaid, certified with return receipt requested, to
         the other party at the address of such other party set forth below or
         at such other address within the continental United States as such
         other party may designate by notice specifically designated as a notice
         of change of address and given in accordance herewith; provided,
         however, that the time period in which any response to any such notice,
         election, demand or request must be given shall commence on the date of
         receipt thereof; and provided further that no notice of change of
         address shall be effective until the date of receipt thereof. Personal
         delivery to a party or to any officer, partner, agent or employee of
         such party at such address shall constitute receipt. Rejection or other
         refusal to accept or inability to deliver because of changed address of
         which no notice as been received shall also constitute receipt. Any
         such notice, election, demand, request or response, if given to Lender
         shall be addressed as follows:

                            Money Services, Inc.
                            4333 Edgewood Road, N. E.
                            Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52499

                                                                         Page 20
<PAGE>   23

                           Attention: General Counsel

        and, if given to Borrower, shall be addressed as follows:

                            U.S. MANAGERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
                            c/o UICI
                            4001 McEwen Drive
                            Dallas, TX 75244
                            Attn: Executive Vice President and General Counsel

10.9     SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS INCLUDED IN PARTIES. Whenever in this Agreement
         or in any other Credit Document any party is named or referred to, the
         heirs, executors, legal representatives, successors,
         successors-in-title and assigns of such parties shall be included, and
         all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement or in any
         other Credit Document by or on behalf of Borrower or by or on behalf of
         Lender shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective heirs,
         executors, legal representatives, successors, successors-in-title and
         assigns whether so expressed or not; provided, however, that nothing
         contained in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document shall or
         shall be deemed to limit or act in derogation of any restriction on
         transfer or assignment impressed upon Borrower in any of the Credit
         Documents.

10.10    HEADINGS. The headings of the articles, paragraphs and subparagraphs of
         this Agreement and the other Credit Documents are for the convenience
         of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof or thereof
         and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms hereof or
         thereof.

10.11    INVALID PROVISION TO AFFECT NO OTHERS. In fulfillment of any provision
         hereof or in any of the Credit Documents or any transaction related
         thereto at the time performance of such provision shall be due, shall
         involve transcending the limit of validity presently prescribed by any
         applicable usury statute or any other applicable law, with regard to
         obligations of like character and amount, then ipso facto, the
         obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced to the limit of such
         validity; and if any clause or provision herein or therein contained
         operates or would prospectively operate to invalidate this Agreement or
         any of the other Credit Documents, in whole or in part, then such
         clause or provision only shall be held for naught, as though not herein
         or therein contained, and the remainder of this Agreement or such other
         Credit Document shall remain operative and in full force and effect.

10.12    NUMBER AND GENDER. Whenever the singular or plural number, or the
         masculine, feminine or neuter gender is used herein or in any other
         Credit Document, it shall equally include the other.

10.13    AMENDMENTS. Neither this Agreement nor any of the other Credit
         Documents, nor any provisions hereof or thereof may be changed, waived,
         discharged or terminated orally, but only

                                                                         PAGE 21
<PAGE>   24

         by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom
         enforcement of the change, waiver discharge or termination is sought.

10.14    GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be
         governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
         Iowa, except to the extent otherwise specified in any of the other
         Credit Documents in which event the specification of governing law in
         such other Credit Documents shall control.

10.15    NO WAIVER. No delay or failure on the part of any party hereto or to
         any of the other Credit Documents of the exercise of any right or
         remedy hereunder or thereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, and
         no single or partial exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or
         thereunder shall preclude other or further exercise thereof or the
         exercise of any other right or remedy. No action or forbearance by any
         party contrary to the provisions of this Agreement or of any other
         Credit Document shall be construed to constitute a waiver of any of the
         express provisions hereof or thereof. Specifically, but without
         limiting the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, Lender may waive
         any Event of Default, and, in such event, such Event of Default shall
         be deemed nonexistent ab initio and shall have no effect upon this
         Agreement; provided, however, that no such waiver shall be effective
         whatsoever unless the same is in writing, specifically describes each
         or Event of Default waived and is duly executed by an officer of
         Lender.

10.16    MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE. Anything in the Note, this Agreement or any of
         the other Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, it is
         understood and agreed by the parties that, if by reason of acceleration
         or otherwise, interest paid or contracted to be paid by Borrower on the
         loan shall exceed the maximum amount permitted by applicable law, the
         excess shall be credited on interest accrued or principal, or both, so
         that such interest shall not exceed the maximum amount permitted by
         such law, provided that this paragraph shall not have any effect if
         there is no applicable law regulating the amount of interest which can
         be paid on the Loan or if no usury defense is available to Borrower.

10.17    LENDER'S LIABILITY. No action shall be commenced by Borrower for any
         claim against Lender under the terms of this Agreement or any of the
         other Credit Documents unless notice thereof, specifically setting
         forth the claim of Borrower, shall have been given to Lender within
         fifteen (15) days after the occurrence of the event or omission which
         Borrower alleges gave rise to such claim, and failure to give such
         notice shall constitute a waiver of any such claim.

10.18    SUMS HELD BY LENDER. Lender shall not, except to the extent required by
         law or otherwise provided in any Credit Document, have any obligation
         to pay interest on any sums from time to time deposited by Borrower
         with Lender, or otherwise collected by Lender, pursuant to this
         Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

10.19    CONFLICT WITH CREDIT DOCUMENTS. Except as otherwise specifically set
         forth herein or in the other Credit Documents, in the event of any
         conflict between the provisions hereof and any of the other Credit
         Documents, the provisions hereof shall govern but, in the absence of
         conflict,

                                                                         PAGE 22

<PAGE>   25

         nothing herein shall restrict the rights or remedies of Lender under
         any of the other Credit Documents.

10.20    CONSTRUCTION OF AGREEMENT. No provision of this Agreement or of any
         other Credit Document shall be construed against or interpreted to the
         disadvantage of any party hereto or thereto by any court or other
         governmental or Judicial authority by reason of such party having or
         being deemed to have structured or dictated such provision.

10.21    PLACE AND MANNER OF PAYMENT. Payments of principal and interest
         becoming due and payable on the Note or any other Credit Document are
         to be made in lawful money of the United States of America and shall be
         made in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the office of Lender or at such other
         place as Lender shall designate by written notice to Borrower. All
         payments shall be made by wire transfer for credit to the account of
         Lender, and provide sufficient information with description,
         identification numbers, principal and interest with such wire transfer
         to identify the source and application of the payments.

10.22    PAYMENT ON NON-BUSINESS DAYS. Whenever any payment to be made under the
         Note or any other Credit Document shall be stated to be due on a
         Saturday, Sunday, or a public holiday under the laws of the State of
         Iowa, such payment may be made on the next succeeding business day, and
         such extension of time shall in such case be included in the
         computation of payment of interest under the Note or such other Credit
         Document.

10.23    EXPENSES. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay on demand: (a) all
         reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Lender in connection
         with the preparation, negotiation, execution, and delivery of this
         Agreement and the other Credit Documents and any and all amendments,
         modifications, renewals, extensions, and supplements thereof and
         thereto, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
         expenses of legal counsel for the Lender, (b) all out-of-pocket costs
         and expenses of the Lender in connection with any Event of Default and
         the enforcement of this Agreement or any other Credit Document,
         including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of
         legal counsel for the Lender, (c) all transfer, stamp, documentary, or
         other similar taxes, assessments, or charges levied by any governmental
         authority in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Credit
         Documents, and (d) all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred
         by the Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit
         Document.

10.24    EQUITABLE RELIEF. The Borrower recognizes that in the event the
         Borrower fails to pay, perform, observe, or discharge any or all of the
         Obligations, any remedy at law may prove to be inadequate relief to the
         Lender. The Borrower therefore agrees that the Lender, if the Lender so
         requests, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive
         relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual
         damages.

10.25    COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts,
         each of which shall be regarded as the original and all of which shall
         constitute one and the same Agreement.

                                                                         PAGE 23

<PAGE>   26

10.26 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICE.
BORROWER KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY AND EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND
CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN LINN
COUNTY, IOWA IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED THEREIN IN CONNECTION
WITH OR WITH RESPECT TO OR IN RESPECT OF THE OBLIGATIONS, THIS AGREEMENT, THE
NOTE OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DEFENSES
OR COUNTER CLAIMS THEREIN) AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS OR
PAPERS ISSUED OR SERVED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING AND AGREES THAT SERVICE
OF SUCH PROCESS OR PAPERS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE
PREPAID, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, DIRECTED TO THE BORROWER AS SET FORTH IN
SECTION 10.8 ABOVE. THE LENDER AND THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY DEFENSES OR
COUNTERCLAIMS THEREIN), WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY,
ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE OR ANY OTHER
DOCUMENTS.

(The remainder of this page has been left blank intentionally. Signatures appear
on the following page)

                                                                         PAGE 24

<PAGE>   27

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have executed this Agreement
under seal as of the date first above written.

                                    LENDER:

                                    MONEY SERVICES, INC.
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    BY:
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                    NAME:  Patrick DePalma
                                    TITLE: President

                                    GUARANTOR:

                                    UICI
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    BY: /s/ GLENN W. REED
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                    NAME:  Glenn W. Reed
                                    TITLE: Executive Vice President

                                    BORROWER:

                                    U.S. MANAGERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
                                    a Turks & Caicos Islands Corporation

                                    BY: /s/ ROBERT B. VLACH
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                    NAME: Robert B. Vlach
                                    TITLE: V.P.<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.60

                      ASSET PURCHASE AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT

                                     between

                        SPECIALIZED CARD SERVICES, INC.,
                          UNITED CREDIT NATIONAL BANK,
                      UICI RECEIVABLES FUNDING CORPORATION
                                       and

                                      UICI

                                       and

                            HOUSEHOLD BANK (SB), N.A.

                                       and

                         HOUSEHOLD CREDIT SERVICES, INC.

                           Dated as of August 4, 2000

<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   PAGE
<S>     <C>       <C>                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I             DEFINITIONS ..................................................1

         1.1      Definitions ......................................................1

ARTICLE II            TRANSFER OF UCS BUSINESS ....................................11

         2.1      Consideration ...................................................11

         2.2      Purchase or Credit Card Assets ..................................14

         2.3      Lease of Real Estate ............................................14

         2.4      [Reserved] ......................................................14

         2.5      Purchase of Transferred Assets ..................................14

         2.6      Assignment of Transferred Contracts .............................14

         2.7      Assumed Obligations, Excluded Obligations and Excluded Assets ...14

         2.8      Performance Determination Schedule ..............................15

         2.9      Chargebacks .....................................................16

         2.10     Reimbursement and Proration of Certain Expenses .................17

         2.11     Allocation of Purchase Price ....................................17

ARTICLE III           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER ....................17

         3.1      Organization and Standing .......................................17

         3.2      Authorization ...................................................18

         3.3      Consents and Approvals ..........................................18

         3.4      Actions Pending .................................................18

         3.5      No Conflict or Violation ........................................19

         3.6      Licenses and Permits ............................................19

         3.7      Contracts .......................................................19

         3.8      Books and Records ...............................................19

         3.9      Taxes ...........................................................19

         3.10     Title to Transferred Assets .....................................20

         3.11     Employee Matters ................................................20

         3.12     Transferred Accounts ............................................20

         3.13     No Other Agreement ..............................................22

         3.14     No Brokers ......................................................22

         3.15     Operation of Business ...........................................22
</TABLE>

                                      -i-

<PAGE>   3
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        PAGE
<S>     <C>       <C>                                                                   <C>
         3.16     Accuracy of Information ..............................................22

ARTICLE IV            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER ..........................23

         4.1      Organization and Standing ............................................23

         4.2      Authorization ........................................................23

         4.3      Consents and Approvals ...............................................23

         4.4      No Conflict or Violation .............................................24

         4.5      Actions Pending ......................................................24

         4.6      Licenses and Permits .................................................24

         4.7      No Brokers ...........................................................24

ARTICLE V             PRECLOSING COVENANTS .............................................25

         5.1      Right of Access and Inspection .......................................25

         5.2      Conduct of UCS Business by Seller Group ..............................25

         5.3      Cooperation ..........................................................26

         5.4      Notification of Changes ..............................................27

         5.5      Conduct Pending the Closing ..........................................27

         5.6      Confidentiality of Information .......................................27

         5.7      Employee Matters .....................................................28

         5.8      Books and Records ....................................................30

         5.9      Responsibility for Taxes .............................................30

         5.10     Master Trust .........................................................31

         5.11     ECS Agreement ........................................................31

         5.12     [Reserved] ...........................................................31

         5.13     No Shop ..............................................................31

         5.14     Consent of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency .............32

         5.15     Certain Credit Balances ..............................................32

ARTICLE VI            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF BUYER GROUP TO CLOSE ...32

         6.1      Representations and Covenants ........................................32

         6.2      Related Agreements ...................................................32

         6.3      Approvals and Consents................................................32
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   4
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          PAGE
<S>     <C>       <C>                                                                     <C>
         6.4      Injunction and Litigation...............................................33

         6.5      ECS Agreement...........................................................33

ARTICLE VII           CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF SELLER GROUP TO CLOSE.....33

         7.1      Representations, Warranties and Covenants...............................33

         7.2      Related Agreements......................................................34

         7.3      Approvals and Consents..................................................34

         7.4      Injunction and Litigation...............................................34

ARTICLE VIII          CLOSING.............................................................34

         8.1      Place and Date of Closing...............................................34

         8.2      Seller Deliveries.......................................................34

         8.3      Buyer Deliveries........................................................35

ARTICLE IX            POST CLOSING COVENANTS..............................................35

         9.1      Cooperation.............................................................35

         9.2      Post Closing Obligation to Obtain Permits...............................35

         9.3      Regulatory Compliance...................................................35

         9.4      Transaction of Accounts.................................................36

         9.5      Access to Books and Records.............................................36

         9.6      Cooperation in Litigation...............................................37

         9.7      Transition Agreement....................................................37

         9.8      Compliance with Governing Organizations.................................38

         9.9      Servicing of Richland State Bank Accounts...............................38

         9.10     Reconveyance of Year 2000 ACE Chargeoffs................................38

         9.11     Reconveyance of Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs................................38

         9.12     Maintenance of Rules Relating to Excluded Accounts......................39

ARTICLE X             SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS...............40

         10.1     Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants...................40

ARTICLE XI            INDEMNIFICATION AND OTHER REMEDIES..................................40

         11.1     Obligation to Indemnify.................................................40

         11.2     Notice of Asserted Liability............................................42
</TABLE>

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<PAGE>   5
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      PAGE
<S>     <C>       <C>                                                                 <C>
         11.3     Opportunity to Defend...............................................42

         11.4     Exclusive Remedy....................................................42

ARTICLE XII           TERMINATION PRIOR TO CLOSING....................................42

         12.1     Termination of Agreement............................................42

         12.2     Effect of Termination...............................................43

ARTICLE XIII          MISCELLANEOUS...................................................43

         13.1     Publicity...........................................................43

         13.2     Notices.............................................................44

         13.3     Entire Agreement....................................................44

         13.4     Waivers and Amendments; Preservation of Remedies....................45

         13.5     Governing Law.......................................................45

         13.6     Binding Effect; No Assignment.......................................45

         13.7     No Third Party Beneficiaries........................................45

         13.8     Expenses............................................................45

         13.9     Counterparts........................................................46

         13.10    Headings............................................................46

         13.11    Preparation.........................................................46

         13.12    No Presumption Against Drafter......................................46

         13.13    Waiver of Jury Trial................................................46
</TABLE>

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   6

LIST OF EXHIBITS (RELATED AGREEMENTS):

Exhibit A     Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit B     Form of Second Amendment to Richland Servicing Agreement
Exhibit C     Bills of Sale
Exhibit D     Sioux Falls Real Property Lease

LIST OF SCHEDULES:

Schedule 1.1.1    Card Enhancement Products
Schedule 1.1.2    Sample Calculation of the Annualized ACE Loss Rate
Schedule 1.1.3    Computer Programs
Schedule 1.1.4    Credit Card Assets
Schedule 1.1.5    Credit Card Related Liabilities
Schedule 1.1.6    Excluded Assets
Schedule 1.1.7    Sample Calculation of the Performance Incentive Award
Schedule 1.1.8    Capital and Operating Leases
Schedule 2.1(a)   Sample Preliminary Closing Statement
Schedule 2.11     Allocation of Purchase Price
Schedule 3.1      UCS Subsidiaries
Schedule 3.3      Seller Required Consents and Approvals
Schedule 3.4      Seller Pending Actions
Schedule 3.5      Seller Conflicts/Violations
Schedule 3.7      Seller Material Contracts
Schedule 3.11(a)  Seller Employee Matters
Schedule 3.11(b)  SCS Employees
Schedule 3.16     Specified Information
Schedule 4.3      Buyer Required Consents and Approvals
Schedule 4.4      Buyer Conflicts/Violations
Schedule 4.5      Buyer Pending Actions
Schedule 5.6      Credit Limit Increase Policy for AFCA Accounts
Schedule 5.7(d)   Transferred Employee Stay Bonuses
Schedule 9.5      Form of ACE Holdback Report
Schedule 9.11     Sample Calculation of Reconveyance of Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs

<PAGE>   7
                      ASSET PURCHASE AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT

         This ASSET PURCHASE AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT, dated as of the 4th day of
August, 2000 ("Agreement"), has been made and entered into by and between

         Specialized Card Services, Inc., a South Dakota corporation ("SCS"),
         United Credit National Bank, a special purpose national bank based in
         Sioux Falls, South Dakota ("Seller" or "United Bank"), UICI Receivables
         Funding Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("RFC") and UICI, a
         Delaware corporation ("UICI") (collectively, the "Seller Group"); and

         Household Credit Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("HCS"), and
         Household Bank (SB), N.A., a national bank based in Las Vegas, Nevada
         ("Buyer" or "Household Bank") (collectively the "Buyer Group").

                                   WITNESSETH

         WHEREAS, Seller, through itself, SCS and RFC (the "UCS Subsidiaries"),
operates a credit card business, including the origination and servicing of
credit cards, the determination of creditworthiness of credit card account
customers, the extension of credit to credit card account customers, and the
maintenance of credit card accounts and collection of receivables with respect
thereto (the "UCS Business"); and

         WHEREAS, Buyer desires to acquire the Credit Card Assets, Transferred
Accounts and Transferred Assets, and Seller and RFC desire to transfer such
assets and accounts to Buyer; and

         WHEREAS, in connection therewith, (i) Seller Group desires to transfer
to Buyer Group, and Buyer Group desires to acquire from Seller Group, certain
assets and liabilities of SCS, Seller and RFC arising under or related to the
UCS Business, (ii) HCS desires to hire certain employees from SCS, other than
employees involved in the Student Loan processing department and employees
located at the Harker Heights, Texas facility, (iii) Seller Group desires to
assign to Buyer Group and Buyer Group desires to assume certain contracts of
Seller's subsidiaries relating to the UCS Business and (iv) SCS, Seller and RFC
on the one hand and HCS and Buyer on the other hand desire to enter into certain
ancillary agreements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, in
each case, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations hereinafter set
forth in this Agreement and the Related Agreements (as defined below) attached
as Exhibits hereto;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises, covenants and
conditions contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

         1.1 DEFINITIONS. The following terms shall have the respective meanings
set forth below throughout this Agreement:

         "Accounts" means all of Seller's MasterCard(R) and Visa(R) credit card
accounts governed by a Cardholder Agreement and accessed through the use of
Credit Cards issued by Seller and shall include, without limitation, the ACE
Accounts, the AFCA Accounts and the Miscellaneous Accounts.

<PAGE>   8

         "Account Documentation" means all of the files or information of the
Seller Group that are in the possession of the Seller Group in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota or with the Service Providers relating to all Transferred Accounts
as they exist on the Closing Date, whether segregated by Cardholder identity or
document or record type.

         "ACE Accounts" means all Accounts identified in the Brooks and Records
of the Seller as arising under the American Credit Educators, LLC affinity
marketing program, and for purposes of determining the Performance Incentive
Award, together with all other credit accounts established by the Buyer or any
of its Affiliates with any Cardholder of an ACE Account where such accounts
represent (i) the conversion of an ACE Account to a new credit card account
(regardless of type of account) or (ii) a new credit card account (regardless of
type of account) resulting from a targeted cross-sell initiative to Cardholders
of ACE Accounts through the end of the Determination Period.

         "ACE Holdback Report" means a report (in the form generated by SCS for
Seller from time to time prior to the Closing Date), that describes amounts that
would be payable to American Credit Educators, LLC pursuant to the affinity card
agreement between American Credit Educators, LLC and Seller.

         "ACE Receivables" means Related Receivables arising in respect of
Transferred ACE Accounts.

         "Adjusted Outstanding Balance" means, in respect of any Transferred
Account on any day, the aggregate dollar amount on such day of the Related
Receivables for such day arising from such Transferred Account without taking
into consideration any unposted accrued finance charges relating thereto, and
excluding any Transferred Account with a Credit Balance.

         "Adjusted Purchase Price" means the sum of the amounts calculated in
the same manner as the Purchase Price, except that all amounts therein shall be
calculated as of the Closing Date (instead of the Cut-Off Date) and shall take
into account (x) payments, credits and other items posted to the Accounts
between the Cut-Off Date and the Closing Date, and (y) information which became
known to Seller (including as a result of Buyer's run of the Master File through
Bank at the Buyer's expense) between the Cut-Off Date and, for purposes of the
adjustment calculated pursuant to Section 2.1(b), the First Adjustment Date and,
for purposes of the adjustment calculated pursuant to Section 2.1(c), the Final
Adjustment Date. No information that becomes known to any party to this
Agreement after the 90th day after the Closing Date, or that in any event
pertains to events or circumstances existing after the Closing Date, shall
affect the Adjusted Purchase Price.

         "AFCA Accounts" means all Accounts identified in the Books and Records
of the Seller as arising under the American Fair Credit Association, LLC
affinity marketing program.

         "Affiliate" has the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 12b-2 of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on
the date hereof.

         "Annualized ACE Loss Rate" means, with respect to the Determination
Period, (a) the total Chargeoffs of ACE Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts)
for such period, divided by (b) the sum of the amounts equal to the total
receivables of the ACE Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) on the last day
of each month during such period, divided by 12, as follows:

                                       2
<PAGE>   9

                              Total ACE Chargeoffs
                 -----------------------------------------------
    (sum of end of month ACE Receivables for month 1 through month 12) / 12.

By way of example, Schedule 1.1.2 sets forth a sample calculation of the
Annualized ACE Loss Rate.

         "Asserted Liability" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.

         "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" means the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement pursuant to which SCS or Seller, as the case may be, will
assign to HCS or Buyer, as the case may be, and HCS or Buyer, as the case may
be, will assume, all obligations under the Transferred Contracts and Assumed
Obligations, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

         "Assumed Obligations" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(a).

         "Authorized User" means any Person other than an Obligor authorized to
use an Account.

         "Bank Acts" means, collectively, the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
the National Bank Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and any other federal
or state banking statutes that may govern the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Agreements, as such statutes may be amended from time
to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

         "Bank Authority" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation and the Office of Thrift Supervision, and any state
banking authority having jurisdiction over the Sellers, the Buyer or any Related
Entities.

         "Bills of Sale" means the Bill of Sale pursuant to which Seller and RFC
will transfer to Buyer the Transferred Assets and the Transferred Accounts and
other Credit Card Assets, and the Bill of Sale pursuant to which SCS and Seller
will transfer to HCS the Books and Records for UCS Business and the Melita
Upgrade, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

         "BINs" means the Seller's VISA and MasterCard bank identification
numbers which the Seller utilizes in connection with the Transferred Accounts
and are currently maintained on the applicable Service Provider's systems as
numbers 440560; 431468; 477767; 431467; 440561; 429185; 5490666 and 429184.

         "Books and Records" means collectively the Books and Records for
Transferred Accounts and Transferred Assets and the Books and Records for UCS
Business.

         "Books and Records for Transferred Accounts and Transferred Assets"
means all of the following: account records, customer databases, administrative
records, credit card records, sales records, files, correspondence, disclosures
and any like and other information relating to the Transferred Accounts in each
case that are in the possession of the Seller Group in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
and records relating to regulatory matters or correspondence with regulatory
authorities and all other data and information (in whatever form maintained) in
the possession or control of Seller and SCS in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (which
may be legally disclosed) and relating primarily to the Transferred Accounts and
Transferred Assets.

                                       3
<PAGE>   10
         "Books and Records for UCS Business" means all of the following: all
agreements, contracts, documents, files, payment histories in each case that are
in possession of the Seller Group and all other data and information (in
whatever form maintained) in the possession or control of Seller and SCS in
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (which may be legally disclosed) and relating to the
UCS Business other than the Transferred Accounts and Transferred Assets.

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks in South Dakota are required or authorized by law to
be closed.

         "Buyer" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Buyer Benefit Plans" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(c).

         "Buyer Group" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Buyer Required Consents" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.

         "Capital and Operating Leases" means each of the leases set forth on
Schedule 1.1.8.

         "Card Application" means the signed original or conformed copy
(including microfilm or microfiche) of an application, or in the case where any
application was made by telephone, any such application processed in accordance
with Seller's Credit Card Guidelines, whereby a Person applied for a Credit
Card.

         "Card Enhancement Product" means any product Seller offers to
Cardholders as an adjunct to the monetary use of a Credit Card, including life,
accident, disability and unemployment insurance. A list of the Card Enhancement
Products and the providers of such products is attached hereto as Schedule
1.1.1.

         "Cardholder" means any Obligor to whom a Credit Card was issued by the
Seller prior to the Closing Date pursuant to a cardholder agreement in
connection with an Account and in whose name the corresponding Account is
established.

         "Cardholder Agreement" means any agreement made between Seller and a
Cardholder pursuant to which the Transferred Account of such Cardholder was
established and is governed.

         "Cardholder List" means the customer lists containing the names and
addresses of Cardholders with respect to the Transferred Accounts as of the
specified date.

         "Cash Deposits" means the cash deposits with VISA, ECS and the Master
Trust, and any other deposits of Seller Group not specifically transferred
pursuant to this Agreement.

         "Charged-Off Account" means an Account that has been charged-off by
Seller at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, that has been identified to
be charged-off or that should have been charged-off by the Seller on or prior to
the Closing Date in accordance with the Seller's Credit Card Guidelines.

                                       4
<PAGE>   11

         "Charge-offs" means all gross chargeoffs of Related Receivables
relating to Transferred Accounts that are charged off by Buyer in a manner
consistent with Buyer's policies (including policies with respect to fraud) and
with customary and ordinary course industry practices, consistently applied;
provided, however, that delinquent credit chargeoffs shall be charged off no
earlier than after such Transferred Accounts are 179 days delinquent (cycle 7),
bankruptcy chargeoffs shall be charged off no earlier than after receipt by
Buyer of court notice or case number (and there is no Obligor on the Transferred
Account who is not a debtor in such case) and deceased account chargeoffs shall
be charged off no earlier than after receipt by Buyer of notification of death
(and there is no surviving Obligor on such Transferred Account).

         "Claims Notice" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.2.

         "Closing" means the closing of the transactions provided for in this
Agreement, which shall include the execution and delivery of each of the Related
Agreements.

         "Closing Date" means September 21, 2000 or, if other than such date, a
date mutually agreed by the parties after all of the conditions set forth in
Articles VI and VII have been satisfied or waived; provided, however, that the
Closing Date shall not be later than the last Business Day of the month
following the month in which all such conditions shall have first been satisfied
or waived.

         "Collections" means all payments received in respect of the Receivables
(including Recoveries), in the form of cash, checks, wire transfers, ATM
transfers or other form of payment.

         "Computer Programs" means all of the computer programs set forth on
Schedule 1.1.3 attached hereto, including all object code and source code, to
the extent applicable, together with all documentation, including user manuals
and training materials, relating to the foregoing.

         "Consent Order" means the consent orders dated February 25, 2000 and
June 29, 2000 relating to the UCS Business entered by the U.S Department of the
Treasury, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

         "Credit Balance" means, on any day, all amounts owing to Cardholders by
Seller due to net credits in the Transferred Accounts on such day.

         "Credit Card" means any card, plate or other access device that may be
used from time to time to obtain open-end credit pursuant to an Account.

         "Credit Card Assets" means the assets set forth on Schedule 1.1.4
attached hereto.

         "Credit Card Guidelines" means Seller's written policies and procedures
as of July 11, 2000 that relate to the servicing of credit card receivables,
including without limitation, the written policies and procedures for
determining the creditworthiness of credit card customers, the extension of
credit to credit card customers and relating to the maintenance of credit card
accounts and collection of receivables with respect thereto, as such policies
and procedures may be amended, modified, or otherwise changed from time to time
in conformance with all Requirements of Law.

         "Credit Card Related Liabilities" means the obligations and liabilities
set forth on Schedule 1.1.5 attached hereto.

                                       5
<PAGE>   12
         "Customer Base" means the proprietary information relating to the
Transferred Accounts, including the customer lists containing names and
addresses of the Cardholders with respect to the Transferred Accounts.

         "Cut-Off Date" means the end of the applicable Service Provider's data
processing cycle on the fifth (5th) calendar day prior to the Closing Date (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), or
such other date as may be agreed to in writing by the parties.

         "Determination Period" means the twelve (12) month period beginning
with the first day of the second full month after the Closing Date. For example,
if the Closing Date were to fall on a date from July 1st through July 31st, the
Determination Period would begin on September 1st.

         "ECS" means Equifax Card Services, Inc.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

         "Excluded Accounts" means (x) the Accounts which, as of the Closing
Date, are the following types of accounts: (i) credit card accounts with respect
to which the Cardholder is deceased and there is no surviving Obligor on the
Account, provided that Seller or Buyer has received notice thereof on or prior
to the Final Adjustment Date; (ii) credit card accounts with respect to which
the Cardholder is a debtor in a bankruptcy proceeding, and the Seller has
received notice or a case number with respect thereto on or prior to the Final
Adjustment Date and there is no Obligor on the Account who is not a debtor in
such a case; (iii) credit card accounts involving unauthorized use or fraud on
or prior to the Closing Date and known to Seller or Buyer on or prior to the
Final Adjustment Date; (iv) Charged-Off Accounts; (v) merchant accounts and the
processing associated with such accounts; (vi) debit accounts and the processing
associated with such accounts; (vii) any credit card accounts and associated
receivables that are classified on or prior to the Closing Date, as lost/stolen;
and (viii) any test accounts opened or maintained by Seller with respect to the
VISA or MasterCard (each as defined below) system for verification or other
internal purposes, and (y)(i) from and after any reconveyance of Post-Closing
ACE Chargeoffs pursuant to Section 9.10, any Accounts from which such
Post-Closing ACE Chargeoffs arise and (ii) from and after any reconveyance of
Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs pursuant to Section 9.11, any Accounts from which such
Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs arise.

         "Excluded Assets" means all of the assets set forth on Schedule 1.1.6.

         "Excluded Obligations" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(b).

         "Final Adjustment Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).

         "Final Adjustment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c)(i).

         "Final Closing Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c).

         "First Adjustment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i).

         "First Closing Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

                                       6
<PAGE>   13

         "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles.

         "Governing Organization" means Visa USA Inc. ("Visa") or MasterCard
International Incorporated ("MasterCard").

         "HCS" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Household Bank" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "ICAs" means Seller's MasterCard(R) interbank card association number,
which Seller utilizes in connection with the MasterCard-branded Transferred
Accounts and currently maintains on the applicable Service Provider's systems.

         "Increased Credit Limit" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.11.

         "Independent Accountant" for purposes of Section 2.1(b), has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b) and for purposes of Section 2.8, has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.8.

         "Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.6.

         "Interchange Fees" means the fees paid in connection with the exchange
of credit card transactions between members of the applicable Governing
Organization pursuant to the applicable Operating Regulations.

         "knowledge" when used with respect to Seller Group, means the actual
knowledge of Gregory Mutz, Glenn Reed, John Allen, David Huddleston, William
Benac, Vernon Woelke, Matt Cassell, Darrin Suess, Rhonda Toft, Paula Wagner,
Richard Corley, Dale Norton, Brad Berens, Brian Tordsen, Patti Moberly, Sandy
Soyland and Cindy Mahutga, and when used with respect to Buyer, means the actual
knowledge of Janet Burak, Bruce Hammersley, Michael Carlson, Loren Klug, David
Bouc, Tim Purcell and Charles Engelberg.

         "Lien" means any lien, pledge, security interest, encumbrance,
restriction, claim, charge or defect of title.

         "Losses" and individually "Loss" has the meaning set forth in Section
11.1(a).

         "Master File" means the master file maintained by the Seller with
respect to the Accounts.

         "Master Trust" means the UICI Master Credit Card Trust, formed pursuant
to a Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1996 and
heretofore amended among RFC, the Seller, SCS and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as trustee.

         "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on the
business, financial condition or results of operation of the Transferred
Accounts, Transferred Assets, Transferred Employees and Transferred Contracts,
taken as a whole.

         "Melita Upgrade" means an upgrade purchased by SCS on or about August
1, 2000 for purposes of adding seats and capacity to the Melita Auto Dialer.

                                       7
<PAGE>   14

         "Melita Upgrade Purchase Price" means $220,094.16.

         "Miscellaneous Accounts" means all Accounts that re not ACE Accounts,
AFCA Accounts or Excluded Accounts.

         "Non-Payable Credit Balances" means, on any day, the aggregate
outstanding Credit Balances (other than Payable Credit Balances) on such day.

         "Obligor" means any Person obligated to make payment with respect to an
Account, including any guarantor thereof.

         "Operating Regulations" means the bylaws, rules and regulations of the
Governing Organizations, as amended from to time.

         "Payable Credit Balances" means all Credit Balances that will have been
outstanding for a period of six months or more as of the Closing Date.

         "Performance Incentive Award" means a dollar amount determined in
accordance with the following steps:

                  A. Determine an amount (the "Step A Amount") equal to the
         Adjusted Outstanding Balance in the ACE Accounts (not including any ACE
         Account that was an Excluded Account as of the Closing Date),
         determined as of the Closing Date.

                  B. Determine an amount (the "Step B Amount") equal to 16.7% of
         the Step A Amount.

                  C. Determine a percentage (the "Step C Percentage") equal to
         the Annualized ACE Loss Rate; if the Step C Percentage is not less than
         100%, the Performance Incentive Award will be zero dollars.

                  D. If the Step C Percentage is less than 100%, determine a
         percentage (the "Step D Percentage") equal to the excess of 100% over
         the Step C Percentage; provided that the Step D Percentage will not
         exceed 20%.

                  E. If the Step C Percentage is less than 80%, determine a
         percentage (the "Step E Percentage") equal to 80% minus the Step C
         Percentage; provided that the Step E Percentage shall not exceed 10%.

                  F. Determine an amount (the "Step F Amount") equal to the
         product of the Step D Percentage times five times the Step B Amount.

                  G. Determine an amount (the "Step G Amount") equal to the Step
         E Percentage times the Step B Amount.

                  H. Determine an amount equal to the sum of the Step F Amount
         and the Step G Amount, which sum shall be the Performance Incentive
         Award.

                                       8
<PAGE>   15
By way of example, Schedule 1.1.7 sets forth the Performance Incentive Award if
the total Related Receivables of the ACE Accounts as of Closing were
$140,000,000.00.

         "Performance Schedule" has the meaning set forth in Schedule 2.8(a).

         "Permits" means all licenses, permits, orders, approvals and
nondisapprovals, registrations, authorizations, qualifications and filings with
and under all applicable Federal, state, local or foreign laws and governmental
or regulatory bodies.

         "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, limited partnership, firm, joint venture, association, jointstock,
trust, unincorporated organization, governmental, judicial or regulatory body or
other entity.

         "Post-Closing ACE Chargeoffs" means Related Receivables arising in
respect of Transferred ACE Accounts that becomes Chargeoffs during the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on December 31, 2000.

         "Preliminary ACE Purchase Price" means the dollar amount obtained by
multiplying 0.15 by the aggregate dollar amount of the Adjusted Outstanding
Balance in respect of the ACE Accounts, other than the Excluded Accounts, as of
the Cut-Off Date.

         "Preliminary AFCA Purchase Price" means the dollar amount obtained by
multiplying 0.725 by the aggregate dollar amount of the Adjusted Outstanding
Balance in respect of the AFCA Accounts, other than the Excluded Accounts, as of
the Cut-Off Date.

         "Preliminary Closing Statement" means a statement prepared by SCS and
Seller relating to and specifying in reasonable detail the calculation of the
Purchase Price (including the Malita Upgrade Purchase Price), together with the
total Related Receivables for each of the ACE Accounts, the AFCA Accounts, and
the Miscellaneous Accounts, in each case as of the Cut-Off Date.

         "Preliminary Miscellaneous Accounts Purchase Price" means the dollar
amount obtained by multiplying 0.725 by the aggregate dollar amount of the
Adjusted Outstanding Balance in respect of the Miscellaneous Accounts, other
than Excluded Accounts, as of the Cut-Off Date.

         "Principal Receivables" means all amounts charged by Obligors for
merchandise and services and cash advances.

         "Purchase Price" means the sum of the following, each determined as of
the Cut-Off Date: (i) the Preliminary ACE Purchase Price, plus (ii) the
Preliminary AFCA Purchase Price, plus (iii) the Preliminary Miscellaneous
Accounts Purchase Price, minus (iv) the Non-Payable Credit Balances.

         "Related Agreements" means the Richland Servicing Agreement, the Sioux
Falls Real Property Lease, the Transition Agreement, the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement and the Bills of Sale.

         "Related Receivables" means, with respect to each Transferred Account,
all amounts owing by the related Obligors on such Account as of the Closing Date
or thereafter existing, arising or created thereunder, including extensions of
credit, amounts owing for the payment of goods and

                                       9
<PAGE>   16

services, cash advance fees, cash advances, access check fees, annual membership
fees, late charges, accrued and billed finance charges, unposted accrued finance
charges, and any other fees, expenses or charges of every kind assessed on such
Account, and all claims outstanding as of the Closing Date or arising thereafter
under any insurance policies maintained with respect to such Account.

         "Requirements of Law" means, with respect to any Person, any law,
ordinance, statute, treaty, rule, judgment, regulation, order, decree or other
determination of any Governmental Authority or finding of any arbitrator binding
on or applicable to such Person.

         "RFC" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Richland Servicing Agreement Amendment" means the Second Amendment to
the Financial Institution Servicing Agreement, dated as of May 9, 1996, by and
between SCS and Richland State Bank, as amended March 28, 2000, to be entered
into by Richland State Bank and HCS on the Closing Date, substantially in the
form of Exhibit B thereto.

         "Richland State Bank" means Richland State Bank, a South Dakota state
bank.

         "Salary Expense" means, with respect to any officer or employee of
Buyer, the base wages paid by Buyer to such officer or employee for each full
day on which such officer or employee was not able to perform his or her regular
duties for Buyer due to his or her consultation with UICI or its authorized
representatives.

         "SCS" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "SCS Employees" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.11(b).

         "Secretary" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2(e).

         "Seller" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Seller Group" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Seller Required Consents" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

         "Service Providers" means ECS and any other data processing service
provider used by the Sellers in connection with the Accounts.

         "Sioux Falls Real Property Lease" means the Lease Agreements and Option
to Purchase, relating to Lot D-1 (lease) and Lot E-1 (option) in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, to be entered into between SCS and HCS substantially in the form
of Exhibit D hereto.

         "Stick Bonus" means the stay bonuses payable to SCS Employees in the
amounts and according to the terms set forth on Schedule 5.7(d).

         "Taxes" (or "Tax" as the context may require) means all Federal, state,
county, local, foreign and other taxes (including, without limitation, incomes
taxes (assessed on either a net or gross basis), payroll and employees
withholding taxes, unemployment insurance, social security taxes, premium

                                       10
<PAGE>   17

taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, gross receipts taxes, franchise
taxes, ad valorem taxes, severance taxes, property taxes, windfall property
taxes, production taxes, license taxes, alternative or add-on minimum taxes,
value added taxes, transfer taxes, stamp taxes, environmental taxes, import
duties and any other governmental charges and assessments), and includes
interest, additions to tax and penalties with respect thereto, whether disputed
or not.

         "Tax Return" means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund or
information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or
attachment thereto, and including any amendments thereof.

         "Transferred Accounts" means all of the Accounts other than the
Excluded Accounts.

         "Transferred ACE Accounts" means Transferred Accounts that are ACE
Accounts.

         "Transferred Assets" means the Books and Records for Transferred
Accounts and Transferred Assets to be transferred pursuant to a Bill of Sale,
and specifically excluding books and records for Excluded Assets.

         "Transferred Contracts" means the Capital and Operating Leases and
those contracts set forth on Schedule 3.7.

         "Transferred Employee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.7(a).

         "Transition Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.7.

         "UICI" has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

         "Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs" means Related Receivables arising in respect
of Transferred ACE Accounts that become Chargeoffs during the period commencing
on January 1, 2001 and ending on December 31, 2001.

                                   ARTICLE II
                            TRANSFER OF UCS BUSINESS

         2.1 CONSIDERATION. On the Closing Date, (i) Seller and RFC (as
applicable) shall convey the Transferred Accounts, the Transferred Assets, the
Book and Records for Transferred Accounts and Transferred Assets and all other
Credit Card Assets to Buyer, and Buyer shall pay the Purchase Price to Seller,
(ii) SCS and Seller shall convey the Transferred Contracts and the Books and
Records for UCS Business to HCS, (iii) SCS shall convey the Melita Upgrade to
HCS and HCS shall pay to SCS (or its designee) the Melita Upgrade Purchase
Price, and (iv) each party shall execute and deliver the Related Agreements, as
provided herein. Forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date, the parties shall
perform a "true-up" of the Purchase Price, as set forth in clause (b) below.
Ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, the parties shall perform a second and
final "true-up" of the Purchase Price, as set forth in clause (c) below. In
accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 2.8, the parties shall
determine and the Buyer shall pay the Performance Incentive Award (if any).

             (a) Closing Date. No later than three (3) calendar days prior to
the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver the Preliminary Closing Statement, in the
form attached hereto as Schedule 2.1(a),

                                       11
<PAGE>   18

to Buyer. On the Closing Date, Buyer and HCS (as applicable) shall pay to an
account designated by Seller, by wire transfer in immediately available funds,
an amount equal to the Purchase Price and the Melita Upgrade Purchase Price.

             (b) First Adjustment Amount. Within five (5) Business Days after
finalization of the First Closing Statement as set forth in this Section 2.1(b),
the Purchase Price shall be adjusted and either Buyer or Seller, as the case may
be, shall pay to an account designated by the other party, by wire transfer in
immediately available funds, the First Adjustment Amount. The "First Adjustment
Amount" shall be the difference between (1) the Purchase Price on the one hand,
and (2) on the other hand, the Adjusted Purchase Price as set forth on the First
Closing Statement, together with interest on such difference calculated at an
annual rate of 7.0% from the Closing Date to the date of payment. A positive
Adjustment Amount shall be payable by Seller to Buyer; a negative Adjustment
Amount shall be payable by Buyer to Seller. The First Closing Statement shall be
prepared and finalized as follows:

             (i) On the forty fifth (45th) day after the Closing Date (or the
                 next Business Day in such 45th day is not a Business Day) (the
                 "First Adjustment Date"), Buyer shall prepare and deliver to
                 Seller a statement relating to and specifying in reasonable
                 detail the calculation of the First Adjustment Amount, together
                 with the total Related Receivables for each of the ACE
                 Accounts, AFCA Accounts and Miscellaneous Accounts as of the
                 Closing Date (as modified by mutual agreement of the Buyer and
                 Seller, the "First Closing Statement") and shall provide Seller
                 and its authorized representatives reasonable access to its
                 books and records relating to same. Seller shall have fifteen
                 (15) Business Days after receipt of the First Closing Statement
                 to provide Buyer with written notice of either approval of the
                 First Closing Statement or a proposed adjustment to the First
                 Closing Statement. Buyer and Seller may extend Seller's review
                 period by mutual written agreement.

            (ii) In the event Seller proposes an adjustment to the First
                 Closing Statement that is not accepted by Buyer, Buyer and
                 Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any
                 dispute within ten (10) Business Days after Seller's proposal
                 of the adjustment. In the event Buyer and Seller are unable to
                 resolve the dispute within the ten (10) Business Day period,
                 the undisputed portion of the First Adjustment Amount shall be
                 paid promptly and the disputed portion shall be determined as
                 part of the Final Adjustment Amount as provided in clause (c)
                 below.

             (c) Final Adjustment Amount. Within five (5) Business Days after
finalization of the Final Closing Statement as set forth in this Section 2.1(c),
the Purchase Price shall be adjusted and either Buyer or Seller, as the case may
be, shall pay to an account designated by the other party, by wire transfer in
immediately available funds, the Final Adjustment Amount. The "Final Adjustment
Amount" shall be the difference between (1) the Purchase Price, as adjusted by
the First Adjustment Amount, on the one hand, and (2) on the other hand, the
Adjusted Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Closing Statement, together
with interest on such difference calculated at an annual rate of 7.0% from the
Closing Date to the date of payment. A positive Final Adjustment Amount shall be
payable to Seller to Buyer; a negative Final Adjustment Amount

                                       12
<PAGE>   19

shall be payable by Buyer to Seller. The Final Closing Statement shall be
prepared and finalized as follows:

             (i)  On the ninetieth (90th) day after the Closing Date (or the
                  next Business Day if such 90th day is not a Business Day) (the
                  "Final Adjustment Date"), Buyer shall prepare and deliver to
                  Seller a statement relating to and specifying in reasonable
                  detail the calculation of the Final Adjustment Amount, which
                  shall include any disputed portions of the First Adjustment
                  Amount and the First Closing Statement, together with the
                  total Related Receivables for each of the ACE Accounts, AFCA
                  Accounts and Miscellaneous Accounts as of the Closing Date (as
                  modified by mutual agreement of the Buyer and Seller or by
                  determination of the Independent Accountant, the "Final
                  Closing Statement") and shall provide Seller and its
                  authorized representatives reasonable access to its book and
                  records relating to same. Seller shall have fifteen (15)
                  Business Days after receipt of the Final Closing Statement to
                  provide Buyer with written notice of either approval of the
                  Final Closing Statement or a proposed adjustment to the Final
                  Closing Statement. Buyer and Seller may extend Seller's review
                  period by mutual written agreement.

             (ii) In the event Seller proposes an adjustment to the Final
                  Closing Statement that is not accepted by Buyer, Buyer and
                  Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve
                  any dispute within ten (10) Business Days after Seller's
                  proposal of the adjustment. In the event Buyer and Seller are
                  unable to resolve the dispute within the ten (10) Business Day
                  period, the Final Closing Statement shall be determined by
                  referring the matter to the Chief Financial Officers of Buyer
                  and UICI who will have fifteen (15) days to resolve the
                  matter. If the matter is not resolved after fifteen (15) days
                  it then will be determined as provided in subparagraph (iv) by
                  a nationally recognized independent accounting firm (that does
                  not have a conflict of interest with respect to the matter at
                  issue) (the "Independent Accountant") selected in accordance
                  with subparagraph (iii).

            (iii) After such ten (10) Business Day period, Buyer and Seller
                  shall retain within five (5) Business Days a nationally
                  recognized independent accounting firm (that does not have a
                  conflict of interest with respect to the matter at issue)
                  acceptable to both Seller and Buyer. If the Buyer and Seller
                  cannot agree on the selection of an independent accountant,
                  each of the Buyer and Seller shall have an additional five (5)
                  Business Days to select two (2) nationally recognized
                  independent accounting firms (that do not have a conflict of
                  interest with respect to the matter at issue), of which the
                  other party shall decline one (1), and the Independent
                  Accountant shall be chosen from the remaining two independent
                  accounting firms by drawing lots. Failure by either Buyer or
                  Seller to notify the other party of its selection(s) and to
                  consummate the selection process set forth in this paragraph
                  (iii) within the allotted time periods shall foreclose such
                  failing party from selection of the Independent Accountant.

                                       13
<PAGE>   20

             (iv) The Independent Accountant shall, within thirty (30) days
                  after receiving the positions of both Seller and Buyer and all
                  supplementary supporting documentation requested by the
                  Independent Accountant, render its decision as to finalizing
                  the Final Closing Statement, which decision shall be (i) set
                  forth in writing, (ii) limited to endorsing either Buyer's or
                  Seller's position as most accurate within light of the facts
                  presented and (iii) final and binding on, and nonappealable
                  by, Seller and Buyer. The Independent Accountant may conduct
                  an audit of any information or documentation if such audit
                  will facilitate a decision. The fees and expenses of the
                  Independent Accountant shall be paid by the party whose
                  position was not endorsed.

             (d) Performance Incentive Award. As additional consideration,
within ten (10) Business Days of determination of the Performance Schedule as
provided in Section 2.8, Buyer shall pay to Seller the Performance Incentive
Award. The Performance Incentive Award shall be paid to an account designated by
Seller, by wire transfer in immediately available funds.

         2.2 PURCHASE OR CREDIT CARD ASSETS. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, at Closing Seller and RFC shall sell, assign,
transfer and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall repurchase and take assignments
and delivery of, all of the Credit Card Assets.

         2.3 LEASE OF REAL ESTATE. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, at Closing, SCS and HCS shall enter into the Sioux Falls Real
Property Lease.

         2.4 [RESERVED]

         2.5 PURCHASE OF TRANSFERRED ASSETS. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement and the Bills of Sale, at Closing, SCS shall sell,
assign, transfer and deliver to HCS, and HCS shall purchase and take assignment
and delivery of, all of the Transferred Assets.

         2.6 ASSIGNMENT OF TRANSFERRED CONTRACTS. Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, at Closing, SCS and/or Seller, as the case may be, shall assign and
transfer to HCS all SCS' and Seller's right, title and interest in and to, and
HCS shall assume and take assignment of, all of the Transferred Contracts.

         2.7 ASSUMED OBLIGATIONS, EXCLUDED OBLIGATIONS AND EXCLUDED ASSETS.

             (a) At the Closing

             (i) Buyer and HCS (as applicable) shall assume, and agree to pay,
                 perform, fulfill and discharge, in accordance with the terms
                 thereof and as provided in this Agreement and the Related
                 Agreements, the following obligations of Seller and RFC:

             (A) the obligations of Seller and RFC in connection with the
                 Transferred Accounts and the ownership of the Transferred
                 Assets from and after the Closing; and

             (B) the Credit Card Related Liabilities; and

                                       14
<PAGE>   21

             (ii) HCS shall assume, and agree to pay, perform, fulfill and
                  discharge, in accordance with the terms thereof and as
                  provided in this Agreement and the Related Agreements, the
                  following obligations of SCS and Seller:

             (A)  the obligations which are required to be performed after the
                  Closing Date under the Transferred Contracts; and

             (B)  the obligations with respect to the Transferred Employees to
                  the extent provided in Section 5.7 and Section 5.9.

The obligations of Buyer and HCS are the "Assumed Obligations."

             (b)  Except as specifically provided herein, neither Buyer, HCS nor
any of their respective Affiliates shall assume or otherwise be liable in
respect of, or be deemed to have assumed or otherwise be liable in respect of,
any debt, claim, obligation or other liability of Seller, SCS and RFC or any of
their respective Affiliates, including any liability of Seller, SCS and RFC, or
any of their respective Affiliates, or any member of the Seller Group, in
respect of Taxes (the "Excluded Obligations").

             (c)  Except as specifically provided herein, all other assets of
Seller Group and their Affiliates, including without limitation the Excluded
Assets listed on Schedule 1.1.6 shall be retained by Seller Group and their
respective Affiliates and are not being sold or assigned to Buyer hereunder.

(d) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, nothing contained
in this Agreement, or in any document executed in connection herewith, shall be
deemed to transfer any of Seller's right, title, and interest in any Excluded
Account to Buyer. Seller expressly disclaims any intention to sell to Buyer, and
Buyer expressly disclaims any intention to acquire from Seller, any interest in
any Excluded Account and the related Account Documentation and processing rights
with respect to such Excluded Account. An Account Documentation delivered by
Seller to Buyer, and any payment made, with respect to any account determined to
be an Excluded Account shall be held in trust by the recipient thereof and shall
be returned to Seller or Buyer, as appropriate. Any third party expense related
to the Excluded Accounts is the obligation of Seller Group.

             2.8  PERFORMANCE DETERMINATION SCHEDULE.

             (a)  On the 20th Business Day following the end of the
Determination Period, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to Seller a schedule,
together with supporting documentation (as modified by mutual agreement of the
Buyer and Seller or by determination of the Independent Accountant, the
"Performance Schedule"), setting forth the Annualized ACE Loss Rate relating to
the ACE Accounts during the Determination Period, and shall provide Seller and
its authorized representatives reasonable access to its books and records
relating to same. Seller shall have twenty (20) Business Days after receipt of
the Performance Schedule to provide Buyer with written notice of either approval
of the Performance Schedule or a proposed adjustment to the Performance
Schedule. Buyer and Seller may extend Seller's review period by mutual written
agreement.

             (b)  In the event Seller proposes an adjustment to the Performance
Schedule that is not accepted by Buyer, Buyer and Seller shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to resolve any

                                       15
<PAGE>   22

dispute within ten (10) Business Days after Seller's proposal of the adjustment.
In the event Buyer and Seller are unable to resolve the dispute within the 10
Business Day period, the Performance Schedule shall be determined by referring
the matter to the Chief Financial Officers of Buyer and UICI who will have
fifteen (15) days to resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved after
fifteen (15) days, it will then be determined as provided in subparagraph (d) by
a nationally recognized independent accounting firm (that does not have a
conflict of interest with respect to the matter at issue) (the "Independent
Accountant") selected in accordance with subparagraph (c).

             (c)  After such ten (10) Business Day period, Buyer and Seller
shall retain within 5 Business Days a nationally recognized independent
accounting firm (that does not have a conflict of interest with respect to the
matter at issue) acceptable to both Seller and Buyer. If the Buyer and Seller
cannot agree on the selection of an independent accountant, each of the Buyer
and Seller shall have an additional five (5) Business Days to select two (2)
nationally recognized independent accounting firms (that do not have a conflict
of interest with respect to the matter at issue), of which the other party shall
decline one (1), and the Independent Accountant shall be chosen from the
remaining two independent accounting firms by drawing lots. Failure by either
Buyer or Seller to notify the other party of its selection(s) and to consummate
the selection process set forth in this subparagraph (c) within the allotted
time periods shall foreclose such failing party from the selection of the
Independent Accountant.

             (d)  The Independent Accountant shall, within thirty (30) days
after receiving the positions of both Seller and Buyer and all supplementary
supporting documentation requested by the Independent Accountant, render its
decision as to the Performance Schedule, which decision shall be (i) set forth
in writing, (ii) limited to endorsing either Buyer's or Seller's position as
most accurate within light of the facts presented and (iii) final and binding
on, and nonappealable by, Seller and Buyer. The Independent Accountant may
conduct an audit of any information or documentation if such audit will
facilitate a decision. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall
be paid by the party whose position was not endorsed.

         2.9 CHARGEBACKS. Subject to the rights of Seller as set forth in this
Section, all suspense accounts relating to chargebacks outstanding as of the
Closing Date with respect to the Accounts shall be sold, assigned and
transferred to Buyer. Seller shall retain all right, title, and interest in
claims against or payments from merchants with respect to amounts that were
charged back through the VISA or MasterCard system by Seller prior to the
Closing Date or that will be charged back through the VISA or MasterCard system
after the Closing Date if Seller credited the affected Account prior to the
Closing Date. In the event any such payment is received by Buyer, such amount
shall be promptly paid to Seller. Except as specifically set forth herein, after
the Closing Date, Buyer shall have all right, title, and interest in claims
against or payment from merchants in respect of all amounts in connection with
the Accounts that were charged back through the VISA or MasterCard system by
Seller prior to the Closing Date and with respect to which Seller has not
credited the affected Account prior to the Closing Date; provided, however, that
if the merchant refuses to pay such chargeback because of any act or omission of
Seller in violation of the Operating Regulations, Seller shall promptly pay
Buyer such amount and Buyer shall assign to Seller, any and all rights Buyer may
have against the merchant. Buyer shall have all right, title and interest in all
claims against or payments from merchants in respect of all amounts in
connection with the Accounts that are charged back through the VISA or
MasterCard system after the Closing Date and in respect of which the affected
Account had not been credited prior to the Closing Date. In the event that any

                                       16
<PAGE>   23

such payment is received by Seller, such amount shall be promptly paid by Seller
to Buyer. In the event that Buyer receives payments from merchants in respect of
amounts charged back through VISA or MasterCard system in connection with
Seller's credit card accounts that are Excluded Accounts or not among the
Transferred Accounts sold to Buyer hereunder, such amount shall be promptly paid
to Seller by Buyer.

         2.10 REIMBURSEMENT AND PRORATION OF CERTAIN EXPENSES. All expenses
relating to the Transferred Contracts and the Sioux Falls, South Dakota
operations center, (i) due and payable after the Closing Date for periods prior
to the Closing Date or (ii) paid prior to the Closing Date for periods after the
Closing Date including, without limitation and to the extent applicable, rents,
real estate taxes, assessments, utility payments, medical benefit premiums for
employees hired by HCS, shall be prorated between HCS and SCS (on the basis of
the actual number of days elapsed and a 366 day year or shorter period as
applicable pursuant to the relevant invoice therefore) as of the Closing Date,
except to the extent otherwise provided for in the Sioux Falls Real Property
Lease. For prorations, if any, which cannot be reasonably calculated as of the
Closing Date, a post-closing adjustment shall be made as reasonably possible
thereafter and in no event later than the Final Adjustment Date and payment of
such prorated amount shall be taken into account in the payment made on the
Final Adjustment Date.

         2.11 ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE. HCS, Buyer and Seller (including,
any of their respective Affiliates, and members of the Seller Group) agree that,
for tax purposes, the Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Credit Card
Assets and the Transferred Assets (adjusted as soon as possible following any
post-Closing adjustments as described in Sections 2.1(b) and (c)) and the
Performance Incentive Award as described in Section 2.8) as set forth in
Schedule 2.11 attached hereto, in accordance with Section 1060 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder,
based on the fair market values as set forth in Schedule 2.11. HCS, Buyer and
Seller (including any of their respective Affiliates, and members of the Seller
Group) will file all applicable tax returns and other required tax related
schedules or documents in accordance with those fair market values and
allocations, and will not adopt, or otherwise assert tax positions inconsistent
therewith. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Internal Revenue
Service challenges any position taken by any party hereto, the party against
which a challenge is made may settle or litigate such challenge without the
consent of, or liability to, the other party.

                                  ARTICLE III
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

         Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI (as applicable) hereby represent and warrant
to Buyer and HCS (as applicable) as follows:

         3.1 ORGANIZATION AND STANDING. UICI is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and has the corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets
and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of Seller, SCS
and RFC is either a corporation or bank duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its respective state of incorporation or
organization as set forth on Schedule 3.1, and has the power and authority to
own, lease and operate its respective assets related to the UCS Business and to
carry on the UCS Business as it is now being conducted.

                                       17
<PAGE>   24
         3.2 AUTHORIZATION.

             (a) UICI has the full corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the performance by UICI of its obligations under
this Agreement have been or will be duly and validly authorized and approved by
all requisite corporate action of UICI and no other acts or proceedings on its
part are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Assuming the due
authorization and execution by Buyer, this Agreement constitutes, and the
Related Agreements to be delivered at Closing will constitute, legal, valid and
binding obligations of UICI and is and will be enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in effect
which affect the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and equitable
limitations on the availability of specific remedies.

             (b) Each of Seller, SCS and RFC has the full power and authority to
enter into this Agreement and the Related Agreements (to which such entity is a
party) and to perform its respective obligations hereunder and thereunder. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and the
performance by Seller, SCS and RFC of their respective obligations under this
Agreement and the Related Agreements, as applicable, have been or will be duly
and validly authorized and approved by all requisite action of such company or
organization and no other acts or proceedings on its part are necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the
Related Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Assuming
the due authorization and execution by Buyer and HCS, this Agreement
constitutes, and the Related Agreements to be delivered at Closing will
constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of Seller, SCS and RFC (as
applicable) and is and will be enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by equitable limitations on the
availability of specific remedies.

         3.3 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except for items disclosed on Schedule 3.3
(the "Seller Required Consents"), neither the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements by the Seller, SCS, RFC
and UICI, as applicable, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby by the Seller. SCS, RFC and UICI will (i) conflict with or
result in any breach or violation of any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws (or other similar governing documents) of Seller, SCS,
RFC and UICI; (ii) require Seller, SCS, RFC or UICI to obtain any consent,
approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any
Bank Authority or governmental or regulatory authority or body; or (iii) require
the consent or approval of any other Person, except where the failure to receive
such consent or approval does not have a Material Adverse Affect or where such
approval has previously been obtained.

         3.4 ACTIONS PENDING. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.4, to the
knowledge of Seller Group, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding
pending or threatened against Seller, SCS, RFC or UICI, or any of their
respective officers, directors or employees or any of the Transferred Assets,
properties, rights or obligations of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI by or before any
court, arbitrator or administrative or governmental body, which if adversely
determined, is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       18
<PAGE>   25

         3.5 NO CONFLICT OR VIOLATION. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.5, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements
and any other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby by Seller, UCS, RFC and
UICI and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by
Seller, UCS, RFC and UICI, as applicable, in accordance with the respective
terms and conditions hereof and thereof will not (i) violate any provision of
such parties' (a) articles of incorporation, (b) bylaws or (c) other charter or
organizational document; (ii) result in the creation of any lien, charge or
encumbrance on any assets or properties of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI, which
lien, charge or encumbrance is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect; (iii) result in the breach of the terms and conditions or cause an
impairment of any license or government authorization relating to the UCS
Business, which breach is reasonably likely to have Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any of the terms of,
result in any modification of, accelerate or permit the acceleration of the
performance required by, otherwise give any other contracting party the right to
terminate, or constitute (with notice or lapse of time, or both) a default
under, any agreement to which Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI are a party or by or to
which they or any of their assets or properties may be subject, which violation,
conflict, breach, acceleration, termination or default is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) violate any order, judgment, injunction,
award or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory body,
foreign or domestic, against, any agreement with or condition imposed by, any
governmental or regulatory body, foreign or domestic, binding upon Seller, SCS,
RFC and UICI, or upon the assets or business of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI, which
violation is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or (vi)
violate any statute, law or regulation of any jurisdiction, foreign or domestic,
as each statute, law or regulation relates to Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI, or the
assets or business of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI, which violation is reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.6 LICENSES AND PERMITS. Except where such failure to be so qualified
or licensed would not have a Material Adverse Effect, Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI
are duly qualified, have all necessary Permits and are in good standing in every
jurisdiction where the nature of the UCS Business requires them to be qualified
or licensed. To the knowledge of Seller Group, all such Permits are valid and in
full force and effect, and no material violations exist in respect of any such
Permits. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of Seller Group, threatened
suits or proceedings with respect to the suspension, revocation, restriction,
amendment or nonrenewal of any such Permit, and, to the knowledge of Seller
Group, no event which (whether with notice or lapse of time or both) will result
in a suspension, revocation, restriction, amendment or renewal of any such
Permit has occurred.

         3.7 CONTRACTS. Schedule 3.7, together with Schedules 1.1.1, 1.1.3 and
1.1.8 set forth all contracts, leases, agreements, commitments or binding
arrangements by which Seller, SCS and RFC are or will at the Closing be legally
obligated and which relate primarily to and are material to the Transferred
Assets and Transferred Accounts.

         3.8 BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Books and Records were kept and are being
kept in the ordinary course of business consistent with Seller's, SCS' and RFC's
normal business practices, and, with respect to financial statements included in
such Books and Records, in accordance with GAAP in all material respects.

         3.9 TAXES. UICI has filed all Tax Returns that it is required to file
with respect to the UCS Business and has paid, or has set up an adequate reserve
for the payment of, all Taxes required

                                       19
<PAGE>   26

to be paid in respect of the periods covered by such returns, except as could
not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No deficiencies
for any Taxes with respect to the UCS Business have been proposed or asserted
against Seller that have not been finally settled or paid in full, except as
could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.10 TITLE TO TRANSFERRED ASSETS. Seller and RFC each has good and
valid title to, is the lawful owner of, the Transferred Assets and Related
Receivables (as applicable), free and clear of any Lien. Seller and RFC has the
full right to sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver the Transferred Assets
to Buyer, and, at and as of the Closing, Seller will convey the Transferred
Assets to Buyer, and Buyer shall have, good and valid record and marketable
title to all of the Transferred Assets, free and clear of all Liens.

         3.11 EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

              (a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.11(a), each of Seller, SCS
and RFC has conducted and currently is conducting the UCS Business (as
applicable) in full compliance with all laws relating to employment and
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, wages and hours and
nondiscrimination in employment. With respect to the UCS Business: (i) Seller,
SCS and RFC each are not a party to or bound by any collective bargaining
agreement with any labor organization; (ii) no labor organization or group of
employees has filed any representation petition or made any written or oral
demand to Seller, SCS and RFC for recognition; (iii) no union organizing or
decertification efforts are underway or threatened; and (iv) within the past
five (5) years no labor strike, work stoppage, slowdown or other material labor
dispute has occurred, and none is under way or threatened.

              (b) A true and complete list identifying each individual employed
by Seller, SCS and RFC as of July 31, 2000 whose responsibilities relate
primarily to the UCS Business, (other than employees involved in the Student
Loan processing department and employees located at the Parker Heights, Texas
facility) together with his or her position, location of employment,
compensation level and years of service, is attached hereto as Schedule 3.11(b)
(the "SCS Employees"). Any changes to Schedule 3.11(b) will be addressed in the
Transition Agreement.

         3.12 TRANSFERRED ACCOUNTS.

              (a) Generally. The June 30, 2000 Master File and the Master File
(calculated as of the Cut-Off Date) to be delivered at Closing, were or will be,
as applicable, true and complete lists of all Accounts as of the date specified
therein classified individually by: (A) Account or control number, (B) Account
balance, (C) the portfolio code and (D) whether such Account is a Transferred
Account or a Charged-Off Account. Each Transferred Account relates to the
extension of credit and the advancement of monies on a revolving basis and the
payment of any such Transferred Account is not secured by any collateral
whatsoever. Each Transferred Account is payable in United States dollars. Each
of the Transferred Accounts has been purchased by the Seller or opened and
originated solely by the Seller pursuant to its standard underwriting credit
card policies then in effect and consistent with all Requirements of Law.

              (b) Servicing. All Transferred Accounts have been properly
accounted for and all payments or monies received by Seller with respect to the
payment of any Receivable have been

                                       20
<PAGE>   27

properly applied to the applicable Account. Each Transferred Account has been
properly maintained and serviced in all material respects solely by SCS and
Seller in accordance with the applicable Cardholder Agreement, all Requirements
of Law and the Operating Regulations.

              (c) Account Documentation. Except as permitted by Seller's
standard record retention policies which comply with all Requirements of Law
with respect to each Cardholder, the relevant Account Documentation is true and
complete in all material respects and all information relating to the credit,
charges, fees, payment history, customer inquiries, collection history and other
relevant information, which is known and available to the Seller relating to
such Cardholder's Account is contained in the relevant Account Documentation.

              (d) Related Receivables. With respect to each and every Related
Receivable: (i) such Related Receivable has arisen under a Transferred Account;
(ii) such Related Receivables has been created pursuant to a Cardholder
Agreement in compliance, in all material respects, with all Requirements of Law
applicable to Seller and such agreement; and (iii) with respect to the creation
of such Related Receivable or the execution, delivery and performance by Seller
of the Cardholder Agreement pursuant to which such Related Receivable was
created, any and all material consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations
of, or registrations or declarations with any Governmental Authority required to
be obtained, effected or given by Seller, have all been duly obtained, effected
or given and were all in full force and effect as of such date of creation.

              (e) Title to Transferred Accounts and Receivables. Seller and RFC
are the sole owners of and each has good title, as applicable, to the
Transferred Accounts and the Related Receivables free and clear of all Liens of
any kind and character. This Agreement, when executed and delivered to Buyer in
accordance with the terms hereof, shall, following the Closing Date, (i) vest in
the Buyer all right, title and interest of Seller and RFC in and to the
Transferred Accounts and the Related Receivables free and clear of any Liens and
(ii) constitute a valid assignment of Seller's and RFCs' interests in the
Transferred Accounts and the Related Receivables, enforceable, upon the filings
of all appropriate financing statements and all required continuations,
amendments and replacements thereof, against all other Persons.

              (f) Cardholder Agreements. All Transferred Accounts are subject to
the terms and conditions of the Cardholder Agreements and each Cardholder
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Seller and each Obligor. The
Cardholder Agreements accurately reflect, the method that Seller uses to
calculate and impose charges, collect fees and payments and generally process
and service the Transferred Accounts. Except as set forth in such Cardholder
Agreements, or reflected in the Account Documentation, Seller has made no
promise, agreement or commitment to any Cardholder in connection with the
Transferred Accounts. All Cardholder Agreements are enforceable against the
Cardholders in accordance with their respective terms in all material respects,
subject to (i) possible claims and defenses on disputed card transactions
asserted by a Cardholder and (ii) as such enforcement may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equity principles. The
current version of each form of Cardholder Agreement used by Seller contains a
provision requiring arbitration and a copy of each current form of Cardholder
Agreement has previously been delivered to Buyer.

                                       21
<PAGE>   28
              (g) Account Documentation and Bank Matters. The Account
Documentation is true, correct and complete in all material aspects, except that
Card Applications may not be included in the Account Documentation. The unpaid
balances outstanding for the Transferred Accounts are true and correct as
reported by the applicable Service Provider on the Cut-Off Date and Closing Date
in ECS report number DPR BC450-06. All payments received by or on behalf of
Seller through the Closing Date have been properly posted. Since July 11, 2000,
Seller has not made any changes in the terms of the Cardholder Agreements. All
Account Documentation, except for Card Applications, is maintained at the Sioux
Falls operations center or with Service Providers.

              (h) Compliance with Law. The rates, fees, disclosures and other
terms of the Transferred Accounts and of the Account Documentation, and the
manner in which the Transferred Accounts have been advertised, solicited,
credit-reviewed, established, administered and serviced by Sellers, comply in
all respects with all Requirements of Law, including without limitation,
federal, state or local laws, rules, regulations or ordinances applicable
thereto, including the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Federal Reserve Board
Regulation Z, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act
and applicable state laws, rules and regulations relating to consumer
protection, installment sales and usury and the Operating Regulations.

         3.13 NO OTHER AGREEMENT. Except as has been previously disclosed to
Buyer, neither Seller, SCS, RFC or UICI has any contract, agreement, arrangement
or understanding with respect to the sale, use or other disposition of the
Transferred Assets, the Sioux Falls real estate that is the subject of the Sioux
Falls Real Property Lease (except for mortgages or similar instruments), the
Related Receivables or the Transferred Accounts, in each case other than as
contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements.

         3.14 NO BROKERS. Other than Rothschild Inc., the expense of which shall
be borne by Seller, Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI have not used any broker or finder
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and each member of the
Buyer Group shall have no liability for, or otherwise suffer or incur any loss
as a result of or in connection with, any brokerage or finder's fee or other
commission of any Person retained by Seller, SCS, RFC, UICI or this Affiliate in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Related Agreements.

         3.15 OPERATION OF BUSINESS. Since July 11, 2000, Seller has not (a)
effected any change in policies and procedures relating to billing and
application of payments or credits in connection with any of the Transferred
Accounts to be purchased pursuant to this Agreement that would have a Material
Adverse Effect; (b) effected any change in its credit, charge-off or collection
policies, practices or procedures relating to the Transferred Accounts to be
purchased pursuant to this Agreement that would have a Material Adverse Effect;
or (c) entered into any transaction or made any commitment or agreement in
connection with the Transferred Accounts to be purchased pursuant to this
Agreement other than in the ordinary course of such Seller's business.

         3.16 ACCURACY OF INFORMATION. The information described in Schedule
3.16 was true and correct in all material respects when delivered to Buyer and
is true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof (unless such
information clearly relates to an earlier date).

                                       22
<PAGE>   29

                                   ARTICLE IV
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

         Buyer and HCS (as applicable) hereby represent and warrant to UICI,
Seller, SCS and RFC (as applicable) as follows:

         4.1 ORGANIZATION AND STANDING. HCS is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware
and has the corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets
and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Buyer is a national
bank organized under the laws of the United States and has the power and
authority to own, lease and operate its assets and carry on its business as it
is now being conducted.

         4.2 AUTHORIZATION.

             (a) Buyer has full corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and the Related Agreements and to perform its obligations hereunder
and thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related
Agreements and the performance by Buyer of its obligations under this Agreement
and the Related Agreements to which it is a party have been duly and validly
authorized and approved by all requisite corporate action of Buyer, and no other
acts or proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the
Related Agreements to which it is a party or the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby. This Agreement constitutes, and the Related Agreements to be
delivered at Closing will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of
Buyer and each is, and will be, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by equitable limitations on the
availability of specific remedies.

             (b) HCS has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and the Related Agreements and to perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Related
Agreements and the performance by HCS of its obligations under this Agreement
and the Related Agreements to which it is a party have been duly and validly
authorized and approved by all requisite action of HCS, and no other acts or
proceedings on its part are necessary to authorize this Agreement or the Related
Agreements to which it is a party or the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. This Agreement constitutes, and the Related Agreements to be delivered
at Closing will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of HCS and each
is, and will be, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws in effect which affect the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by equitable limitations on the availability of
specific remedies.

         4.3 CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Except for items (the "Buyer Required
Consents") disclosed on Schedule 4.3, neither the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements by Buyer and HCS nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by Buyer and
HCS will (i) conflict with or result in any breach or violation of any provision
of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or other similar governing
documents) of the Buyer and HCS; (ii) require Buyer or HCS to obtain any
consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification
to, any Bank Authority or governmental or regulatory authority or

                                       23
<PAGE>   30

body, except for the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements; or
(iii) require the consent or approval of any other Person, except where the
failure to receive such consent or approval does not have a material adverse
effect on Buyer or HCS.

         4.4 NO CONFLICT OR VIOLATION. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.4, the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements
and any other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby by Buyer and HCS and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Buyer
and HCS, as applicable, in accordance with the respective terms and conditions
hereof and thereof, will not (i) violate any provision of such parties' (a)
articles of incorporation, (b) bylaws or (c) other charter or organization
document; (ii) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any of the
terms of, result in any modification of, accelerate or permit the acceleration
of the performance required by, otherwise give any other contracting party the
right to terminate, or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time, or both,
constitute) a default under, any material agreement to which the Buyer or HCS is
a party or by or to which it or any of its assets or properties may subject;
(iii) violate any order, judgment, injunction, award or decree of any court,
arbitrator or governmental or regulatory body, foreign or domestic, against, any
agreement with or condition imposed by any governmental or regulatory body,
foreign or domestic, binding upon Buyer or HCS, or upon the assets or business
of Buyer or HCS; or (iv) violate any statute, law or regulation of any
jurisdiction, foreign or domestic, as each statute, law or regulation relates to
Buyer or HCS or to the assets or business of Buyer or HCS, in each case, other
than under clause (i) above, except for such violations, conflicts, breaches or
defaults as could not reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Buyer
and HCS to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and the
Related Agreements.

         4.5 ACTIONS PENDING. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.5, there is no
action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer,
threatened against Buyer or HCS, or any officers, directors or employees thereof
or any properties or rights of Buyer or HCS, by or before any court, arbitrator
or administrative or governmental body, which action, suit, investigation or
proceeding could reasonably be expected to impair the ability of Buyer and HCS
to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and the Related
Agreements.

         4.6 LICENSES AND PERMITS. Buyer and HCS have all Permits necessary to
conduct their business in the manner and in the areas in which the Assumed
Obligations are presently being conducted and to perform their respective
obligations under this Agreement and each Related Agreement. To the knowledge of
Buyer and HCS (as applicable), all such Permits are valid and in full force and
effect, and neither Buyer nor HCS is operating under any formal or informal
agreement or understanding with any governmental entity which restricts its
authority to do business or requires it to take, or refrain from taking, any
action. No material violations exist in respect of any such Permit and no
investigation or proceedings is pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer and HCS,
threatened, that would be reasonably like to result in the suspension,
revocation or material limitation or restriction of any such Permit
authorization and, to the knowledge of Buyer, there is no reasonable basis for
the assertion of any such violation or the institution of any such proceeding or
investigation.

         4.7 NO BROKERS. Buyer and HCS have not used any broker or finder in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and each member of Seller
Group shall have no liability or otherwise suffer or incur any loss as a result
of or in connection with any brokerage or finder's fee or

                                       24
<PAGE>   31

other commission of any Person retained by Buyer and HCS or their Affiliates in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Related Agreements.

                                   ARTICLE V
                              PRECLOSING COVENANTS

         Seller and Buyer covenant as follows for the period from the date of
this Agreement through the Closing Date:

         5.1 RIGHT OF ACCESS AND INSPECTION. Seller shall (i) permit Buyer and
any of its employees, agents, attorneys or accountants ("authorized
representatives"), from time to time as reasonably requested, full and open
access, at reasonable times during normal business hours, to examine all Books
and Records as they relate to the Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets,
Transferred Employees, Transferred Accounts and Transferred Contracts; (ii)
furnish Buyer with true, accurate and complete copies of such contracts and
other such records and all other information in its possession with respect to
the Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets, Transferred Employees and
Transferred Accounts as Buyer or its authorized representatives may reasonably
request; (iii) cause its personnel and its agents to provide Buyer assistance in
its investigation of such matters; provided, however, that such investigation
shall be conducted in a manner which does not unreasonably interfere with
Seller's normal operations, and provided further that the Seller shall not be
required to divulge, and shall not divulge, any records, including certain
information, to the extent prohibited by applicable statutes or regulations, and
(iv) provide to Buyer and its agents reasonable access to the Sioux Falls
facility, upon reasonable notice, to allow Buyer to reasonably prepare the
center for operation following the Closing. Buyer shall perform such activities
in a manner which shall not unreasonably interfere with Seller's operation of
the center. If HCS discovers that the substance of the Capital and Operating
Leases listed on Schedule 1.1.8, the substance of the Computer Programs listed
on Schedule 1.1.3 or the substance of any other Transferred Contract does not
exist, such Transferred Contract will with respect to Schedules 1.1.3 and 1.1.8
be deleted from the appropriate Schedule prior to the Closing Date, and such
Transferred Contract on Schedule 3.7 will not be assumed.

         5.2 CONDUCT OF UCS BUSINESS BY SELLER GROUP.

         Except as otherwise agreed by Buyer in writing or as reasonably deemed
necessary by the Seller Group to comply with Requirements of Law, Seller Group
shall:

             (a) Employees. Use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain,
preserve and keep available, in a manner consistent with past practice,
officers, employees and others needed to properly service the UCS Business;

             (b) Preservation of Credit Card Business. Except as otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement, Seller and SCS shall, and shall cause their
agents to: (i) maintain and service the Accounts in substantially the same
manner as previously maintained and serviced and in accordance with the Credit
Card Guidelines as currently in effect; (ii) maintain and service the Accounts
in compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations in all
materials respects; and (iii) except with the written consent of Buyer, not make
any change to the current policies and procedures

                                       25
<PAGE>   32

except as required by law, safe or sound banking practices or the Operating
Regulations. Seller shall post all payments received prior to the Cut-Off Date
according to its customary operating procedures:

             (c) Preservation of Accounts. From the date of this Agreement and
continuing until the Closing Date, Seller and RFC shall: (i) not sell, assign,
transfer, pledge or encumber, or permit the encumbrance of, any Transferred
Account without the prior written consent of Buyer; (ii) not take any
substantial action with respect to the Accounts which will impair any material
rights of Seller, and shall not amend any Cardholder Agreement other than on a
per customer basis in accordance with the Credit Card Guidelines; and (iii)
comply in all material respects with the terms and conditions of the Cardholder
Agreements, as then in effect;

             (d) Accounting Practices. Except as required by applicable law or
banking regulatory authorities, not change accounting practices applicable to
the UCS Business; and

             (e) Contracts and Licenses. Not amend, terminate, waive or permit
to lapse any rights of Seller under any material contract or governmental
license or authorization that relates to the UCS Business, except as may be
required by regulatory authorities.

With respect to AFCA Accounts only, Seller will increase the credit lines of
such accounts as outlined in Schedule 5.2 unless otherwise restricted by the
Office of the Comptroller of Currency. Notwithstanding anything in this Section
5.2 to the contrary, Seller may increase the credit limit on any ACE Account in
accordance with the Consent Order; provided, that any such credit limit for any
ACE Account shall not exceed $200.00 per ACE Account.

         5.3 COOPERATION.

             (a) Each party shall use its best efforts, in cooperation with the
other party, to satisfy all conditions precedent to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements. Buyer
shall deliver promptly such financial information and other assurances as may be
reasonably requested by any Person from whom consent or approval is required as
set forth on Schedules 3.3. or 4.3.

             (b) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of
the parties hereto agrees to promptly effect all necessary filings under the
Bank Acts and use best efforts to secure all government clearances (including by
taking all commercially reasonable steps to avoid or set aside any preliminary
or permanent injunction or other order of any federal or state court of
competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority) to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Related
Agreements.

             (c) Each of the parties shall have the right to review in advance,
and, to the extent practicable, each will consult with the other, in each case
subject to any applicable Requirements of Law relating to the exchange of
information, with respect to (i) all material written information submitted to
the SEC or (ii) descriptions of this Agreement or the Related Agreements and the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby submitted to any rating agency or
any other third party, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Agreements. In exercising the foregoing right, each of
the parties hereto agrees to act reasonably and as promptly as practicable.

                                       26
<PAGE>   33

             (d) Each of the parties hereto agrees to use reasonable best
efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be
done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties hereto in doing, all
things necessary, proper or advisable under any applicable Requirements of Law
or any binding agreement existing on the date hereof to consummate and make
effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Related Agreements. In particular, the
Buyer Group and the Seller Group will use reasonable best efforts to obtain all
consents, authorizations, orders and approvals required in connection with, and
waivers of any material violations, breaches and defaults that may be caused by,
the consummation of the purchase and sale or the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Related Agreements. For those of the Material
Contracts that require consent (or any other form of conditional approval) from
any third party prior to or after any assignment by the Seller Group, the Seller
Group will each diligently and in good faith exercise its reasonable best
efforts towards obtaining such consents or satisfying any conditions imposed by
any third party and Buyer Group will use reasonable best efforts to cooperate
with the Seller Group in such efforts; provided, however, that any termination
fees or other penalties due based on the Seller Group's termination or
assignment of such Material Contract shall be paid by the Seller Group. Each
party hereto further agrees that it will consult with the other party hereto
with respect to the obtaining of all permits, consents, approvals, and
authorizations of third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary or
advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
Related Agreements, and each party will keep the other party appraised of the
status of material matters relating to the completion of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         5.4 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES. Each party shall give each other party
prompt notice after it has obtained knowledge of (a) any fact or circumstance
which renders untrue, incorrect or misleading in any material respect any of the
representations and warranties made by it in this Agreement or the Related
Agreements, whether as of the date such representation and warranty was made or
as of the date such knowledge was obtained; (b) any failure on its part to
comply with or satisfy in any material respect any covenant, condition or
agreement with which it is to comply or which it is to satisfy under this
Agreement or the Related Agreements; and (c) any adverse change affecting its
ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Related
Agreements.

         5.5 CONDUCT PENDING THE CLOSING. From the date hereof through the
Closing Date:

             (a) Seller shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to conduct
its affairs in such a manner so that, except as otherwise contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained in
Article III shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects on
and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date; and

             (b) Buyer shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to conduct
its affairs in such a manner so that, except as otherwise contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement, the representations and warranties contained in
Article IV shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects on and
as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

         5.6 CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. All books, records, data and
information, including information obtained pursuant to Section 9.5
(collectively, the "Information"), furnished by Seller Group on the one hand or
Buyer Group on the other hand to each other in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements shall (a) remain and be

                                       27
<PAGE>   34

deemed to be the exclusive property of the party furnishing the Information
unless and until the Closing occurs and (b) be held in strict confidence by the
other party unless such Information (i) is already in the possession of such
other party, provided that the source of such Information was not known by such
other party, after reasonable investigation, to be bound by a confidentiality
agreement with or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of
confidentiality to the party furnishing the Information or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to such material, (ii) becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such other
party, (iii) becomes available to such other party on a non-confidential basis
from a source other than the party furnishing the Information or its agents,
advisors or representatives (provided that such source was not known by such
other party, after reasonable investigation, to be bound by a confidentiality
agreement with or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of
confidentiality to the party furnishing the Information or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to such material), or (iv) is to be used
by Seller Group in the pursuit, defense, settlement or other resolution of any
claims relating to the UCS Business involving any party or any governmental
agency; provided, however, that any disclosure required by law or any government
authority shall not be deemed a violation of this Section 5.6; provided,
further, that any party wishing to make such disclosure shall give the other
party prompt written notice of such request or requirement so that such other
party may seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy and/or waive
compliance with the provision of this Section 5.6. and the party wishing to make
such disclosure will cooperate with the other party to obtain such protective
order. Disclosures to Buyers' or Seller's (or their respective Affiliates')
employees, officers, directors, advisors, agents, accountants and attorneys
shall not be deemed a violation of this Section 5.6, provided, such persons are
advised of the confidentiality obligations imposed hereunder and agree to be
bound thereby. In the event that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
are not consummated, each party shall redeliver the Information to the party
furnishing the Information and shall destroy all reports, analyses, notes or
other Information that are based on, contain or reflect the Information. In
disclosing Information pursuant to clause (b)(iv), Seller Group shall use
commercially reasonable efforts in consultation with Buyer to present such
Information in a manner that minimizes, to the extent reasonably practicable,
disclosure of Information that is of material competitive value to Buyer.

         5.7 EMPLOYEE MATTERS.

                  (a) HCS shall offer, within ten (10) Business Days after the
date hereof, at will employment to be effective as of the Closing Date to those
employees of Seller or SCS, as the case may be, listed on Schedule 3.11
(b) hereto who are actively working at the Closing Date.

                  The position offered shall be reasonably similar in skill and
responsibility to such employee's position as an employee of Seller or SCS on
such compensation terms and conditions and with such employee benefits
(including medical, disability, severance pay, and life insurance and retirement
benefits), which are substantially similar to those provided to similarly
situated employees of HCS who are employed in its credit card account management
and collections business and which shall in the aggregate be substantially
equivalent to the compensation and benefits provided to the SCS Employees
immediately prior to the Closing Date, subject to the following provisions of
this Section 5.7. Any SCS Employee who is actively working on the Closing Date
and accepts HCS's offer and who becomes an employee of HCS as of the Closing
Date shall be termed a "Transferred Employee."

                                       28
<PAGE>   35

             (b) Seller Group (i) shall refrain from taking any action which
would tend to discourage any SCS Employee from accepting the HCS's offer of
employment, and (ii) shall not, between the date hereof and through one (1) year
after the Closing Date, solicit for employment or offer employment, except in
response to a general advertisement for hire by Seller Group, to any SCS
Employee with respect to any position with SCS or its Affiliates.

             (c) Except as provided in the following sentence, HCS shall, to the
extent possible, afford Transferred Employees the ability to participate as of
the next entry date in all employee benefit plans offered by Household
International, Inc. with full credit for service with SCS of such Transferred
Employee and shall notify SCS of any instance in which a Transferred Employee is
not given the ability to so participate with such full credit. Regarding
Household International Inc.'s defined benefit pension plan, Transferred
Employees will receive (i) credit for service for purposes of eligibility to
participate starting from their date of hire with SCS, including its
predecessors, as used by SCS for purposes of determining retirement plan
eligibility although they will still be deemed to be hired after 1999 for
purposes of determining the applicability to them of the account-based formula
of the Buyer's plan and (ii) service credit from the day after the Closing Date
for purposes of vesting, eligibility to retire, benefit accrual or determination
of appropriate accrual or account formulas. Any waiting period applicable to
eligibility for enrollment of new employees under Buyer's medical, dental,
vision, life, disability, dependent care, 125 or 401(k) plans shall be waived to
the extent the Transferred Employee was eligible to be covered by such a plan of
Seller on the Closing Date. HCS shall credit each Transferred Employee with any
out-of-pocket amounts paid by such Transferred Employee in the calendar year
which includes the Closing Date under SCS and Seller plan when determining
whether such Transferred Employee has satisfied annual out-of-pocket maximums
and deductibles under Household International Inc.'s corresponding plans for
Household International Inc.'s plan year which includes such date. Seller shall
make such Information available to HCS within a reasonable time after the
Closing Date.

             (d) It is expressly agreed that the Buyer Group shall not assume,
be deemed to have assumed or be responsible for any obligation. duty or
liability under or with respect to any employee benefit, compensation,
employment, severance or stay bonus or termination plan, program, policy,
agreement or arrangement maintained or contributed to by SCS or any of its
Affiliates or with respect to which SCS or any of its Affiliates may have any
liability or contingent liability, including but not limited to (i) any
"employee benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, of SCS or its
Affiliates that is currently or was previously in effect covering any employee
or former employee (including, without limitation, any plan providing health,
life, accident, disability or other insurance to employees, or any
profitsharing, bonus, stock option, incentive compensation, pension, defined
benefit, defined contribution or similar plan of SCS or any of its Affiliates)
and (ii) any health, accident, sickness, workers' compensation or disability
benefits, arising from an event that occurred on or prior to the Closing Date.
Schedule 5.7(d) sets forth a true and complete list of Stick Bonuses applicable
to potential Transferred Employees which bonuses are the sole and exclusive
liability of SCS. SCS shall pay the Stick Bonuses in accordance with their terms
within thirty (30) calendar days after the Closing.

             (e) SCS shall be responsible for complying with the Workers'
Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act ("WARN") to the extent such Act may
be applicable to any SCS Employee whose employment is terminated, excluding
Transferred Employees terminated after the

                                       29
<PAGE>   36

Closing Date. HCS shall be responsible for complying with WARN to the extent
such Act may be applicable to any Transferred Employee whose employment is
terminated after the Closing Date.

             (f) From the date hereof through the Closing Date, SCS will provide
access to HCS (i) to potential Transferred Employees to enable HCS to encourage
such employees to consider any offers of employment which may be forthcoming
from HCS, and (ii) to data regarding potential Transferred Employees to enable
HCS to develop such offers. HCS will exercise such rights of access at
reasonable times, during reasonable business hours upon reasonable prior notice
to Seller and SCS.

         5.8 BOOKS AND RECORDS. (a) On the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver or
cause to be delivered to Buyer all Books and Records, excluding Card
Applications. On the Closing Date, Seller shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered to Buyer, all such Card Applications as are stored or located in Sioux
Falls, South Dakota. Buyer may request Seller to provide any other Card
Application. For a period of twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, upon
the written request of Buyer, UICI shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
Buyer all requested Card Applications within a reasonable time after receipt of
such request; provided, however, that Seller shall have no obligation to furnish
any Card Application that is not within the possession or control of the Seller
Group.

             (b) Any Books and Records retained by Seller shall not be used to
compete with Buyer and shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions of
Section 5.6.

         5.9 RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES.

             (a) Seller, SCS, any of their respective Affiliates, and members of
the Seller Group shall be liable for and pay: (i) any Taxes related to the
Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets, Transferred Employees, Transferred
Accounts and Transferred Contracts that accrue or otherwise relate to any
taxable year or period (or portion thereof) ending or deemed to end on or prior
to the Closing Date (except that Taxes attributable to transactions or events
occurring during the period after the Cut-Off Date and ending on the Closing
Date shall be apportioned as applicable to the Seller, SCS, any of their
respective Affiliates, and members of the Seller Group only if such transactions
or events are properly includable in the consolidated return of the Seller, SCS,
any of their respective Affiliates, and members of the Seller Group, and shall
otherwise be apportioned as applicable to HCS and Buyer); and (ii) any Taxes
imposed upon the Seller, SCS, any of their respective Affiliates, and members of
the Seller Group as a result of the sale or transfer of the Credit Card Assets,
Transferred Assets, Transferred Accounts and Transferred Contracts to HCS or the
Buyer. For purposes of this Agreement, Taxes attributable to a portion of a
taxable year or period shall be determined on a "closing of the books" basis as
of the Closing Date, except that Taxes imposed on a periodic basis (such as
property Taxes) shall be allocated on a daily basis.

             (b) HCS and Buyer shall be liable for and pay any Taxes relating to
the Transferred Assets, the Credit Card Assets, the Transferred Accounts and the
Transferred Contracts that accrue or otherwise relate to any taxable year or
period (or portion thereof, as determined in Section 5.9(a)) subsequent to the
Closing Date, except for (i) Taxes imposed upon the Seller, SCS, any of their
respective Affiliates, or any member of the Seller Group as a result of the
sales of Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets, and Transferred Accounts to HCS
or the Buyer and (ii) any other

                                       30
<PAGE>   37

Taxes for which the Seller, SCS Subsidiaries, and of their respective
Affiliates, or any members of the Seller Group are responsible for as set forth
in Section 5.9(a).

             (c) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.9(e), Seller, SCS,
any of their respective Affiliates, and all members of the Seller Group, as
applicable, shall be responsible for any applicable 2000 IRS or state
information reporting for events or payments occurring during the period
beginning on January 1, 2000 and ending on the Closing Date. HCS and Buyer will
be responsible for any applicable 2000 IRS or state information reporting for
events or payments occurring subsequent to the Closing Date.

             (d) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 and Schedule 2.11,
after the Closing, HCS, Buyer and Seller shall cooperate in the filing of any
Tax returns or other Tax-related forms or reports, to the extent such filing
requires providing each other with necessary records and documents relating to
the Transferred Assets, Transferred Accounts and the Credit Card Assets and the
Transferred Contracts, or providing access to employees. HCS, Buyer and Seller
shall cooperate in the same manner in defending or resolving any Tax audit,
examination or Tax-related litigation.

             (e) With respect to Transferred Employees that will be employed by
Buyer, Buyer shall, in accordance with and to the extent permitted pursuant to
Revenue Procedure 96-60, 1996-2 C.B. 399, assume all responsibility for
preparing and filing form W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Form W-3, Transmittal of
Income and Tax Statements, Form 941, Employer's Quarterly Federal Tax Returns,
Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificates, and Form W-5, Earned
Income Credit Advance Payment Certificates. Seller and Buyer agree to comply
with the alternate procedures described in Section 5 of Revenue Procedure 96-60
and shall cooperate in good faith to comply with the alternate procedures of
Revenue Procedure 96-60.

         5.10 MASTER TRUST. Prior to Closing, the Master Trust shall have been
liquidated or the liabilities thereof to third party investors therein shall
have been defeased and (in either case) the Related Receivables securitized
under the Master Trust shall have been transferred back to RFC, Seller or a
designee of Seller or RFC, as the case may be, free of any liens or
encumbrances.

         5.11 ECS AGREEMENT. HCS shall use its best efforts to negotiate and
enter into an agreement with ECS prior to the Closing Date to service the
Transferred Accounts after the Closing Date.

         5.12 [RESERVED]

         5.13 NO SHOP. Upon and after execution of this Agreement, and until the
earlier of September 15, 2000 or the termination of this Agreement in accordance
with its terms, each member of the Seller Group will not, directly or
indirectly, solicit, or cause any other person to solicit, any offer to acquire
the Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets, Transferred Employees, Transferred
Accounts or assume the Assumed Obligations (whether by merger, purchase of
assets or other similar transaction) other than the acquisition and assumption
contemplated by this Agreement. The Seller will not, directly or indirectly,
furnish any information concerning the Credit Card Assets Transferred Assets,
Transferred Employees and Transferred Accounts or Assumed Obligations, to any
person which is seeking to acquire the Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets,
Transferred Employees, Transferred Accounts or Assumed Obligations in whole or
in part, except in response to unsolicited

                                       31
<PAGE>   38

inquires or offers by third parties and under circumstances where the Seller
advises such other person in writing of the existence of this Agreement and the
Related Agreements. If Seller receives an unsolicited, written inquiry or
proposal concerning the availability of the Credit Card Assets, Transferred
Assets, Transferred Employees, Transferred Accounts or Assumed Obligations for
purchases, Seller agrees to promptly inform Buyer of the substance of such
inquiry or proposal, but solely if such inquiry or proposal is in writing.

         5.14 CONSENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY. Seller
shall use its best efforts to obtain the consent of the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency as described in Section 12.1(c).

         5.15 CERTAIN CREDIT BALANCES. On or prior to Closing, Seller shall pay
to Cardholders all Payable Credit Balances.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION
                             OF BUYER GROUP TO CLOSE

         Each of Buyer's and HCS's obligations to enter into the Related
Agreements at Closing and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Agreements is subject to the fulfillment on or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be
waived in writing by Buyer to the extent permitted by law, but without prejudice
to any other right or remedy that Buyer may have under this Agreement as a
result of any misrepresentations by or breach of any covenant or warranty of
Seller, SCS, RFC or UICI contained in this Agreement.

         6.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS. The representations and warranties
of Seller contained in this Agreement qualified as to Material Adverse Effect
shall be true and correct, and those not so qualified shall be true and correct
in all material respects, in each case on and as of the Closing Date with the
same force and effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except that
any such representations and warranties that are given as of a particular date
and relate solely to a particular date or period, in the case of those that are
qualified as to Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct, and, those
not so qualified, shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each
case on and as of such date or period. Seller, SCS, RFC, and UICI shall have
performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and
agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by such
party on or prior to the Closing Date. On the Closing Date, Seller shall have
delivered to Buyer a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed by a
senior officer of Seller to the effect that such representations and warranties
are true and all such covenants have been complied with or performed. In
addition, Seller shall have furnished to Buyer such other certificates and
closing documents as Buyer may reasonably request.

         6.2 RELATED AGREEMENTS. The Related Agreements shall have been duly
executed and delivered by Seller, SCS and RFC, as applicable, on the Closing
Date and such agreements shall be in full force and effect with respect to
Seller, SCS and RFC, as applicable, on the Closing Date.

         6.3 APPROVALS AND CONSENTS. The approvals and consents listed on
Schedules 3.3 and 4.3 hereto shall have been received or deemed received in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory

                                       32
<PAGE>   39

to Buyer and HCS, as applicable, without the imposition of any material cost,
liability or restriction not consented to by Buyer and HCS, as applicable. All
applicable waiting periods under any federal or state statute or regulation
shall have expired or been terminated, including, without limitation, any
affirmative approvals required by any Bank Authority and the expiration or
termination of any applicable waiting periods under the Bank Merger Act. In
addition, the Buyer shall have received Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements naming the Seller or RFC as debtor and the Buyer as secured party.

         6.4 INJUNCTION AND LITIGATION. There shall be in effect no injunction,
writ, preliminary restraining order or any order of any nature directing that
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements not be
consummated as herein or therein provided. No suit, action, investigation,
inquiry or proceeding shall be pending or threatened affecting Buyer, HCS,
Seller, SCS, RFC, UICI, or the UCS Business which (i) questions the validity of
any action taken or proposed to be taken by the parties hereto pursuant to or in
connection with the provisions of this Agreement or any of the Related
Agreements, (ii) seeks to enjoin, restrain or prohibit the consummation of any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Related
Agreements, or (iii) is likely, if adversely decided, to cause a Material
Adverse Effect.

         6.5 ECS AGREEMENT. HCS and ECS shall have entered into an agreement,
reasonably satisfactory to HCS, to service the Transferred Accounts after the
Closing Date.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION
                            OF SELLER GROUP TO CLOSE

         Each of Seller's SCS', and RFC's obligations to enter into the Related
Agreements at Closing and consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Agreements is subject to the fulfillment on or prior
to the Closing Date of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be
waived in writing by Seller to the extent permitted by law, but without
prejudice to any other right or remedy that Seller may have hereunder as a
result of any misrepresentations by or breach of any covenant or warranty of
Buyer or HCS contained in this Agreement.

         7.1 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. The representations and
warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect
as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except that any such
representations and warranties that are given as of a particular date and relate
solely to a particular date or period, in the case of those that are qualified
as to Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct, and those not so
qualified, shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case on
and as of such date or period. Buyer and HCS shall have performed and complied
in all material respects with all covenants and agreements required by this
Agreement to be performed or complied with by such party on or prior to the
Closing Date. On the Closing Date, Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a
certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed by a senior officer of Buyer
to the effect that such representations and warranties are true and all such
covenants have been complied with or performed. In addition, Buyer shall have
furnished to Seller such other certificates and closing documents as Seller may
reasonably request.

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<PAGE>   40

         7.2 RELATED AGREEMENTS. The Related Agreements shall have been duly
executed and delivered by Buyer and HCS, as applicable, on the Closing Date and
such agreements shall be in full force and effect with respect to Buyer and HCS,
as applicable, on the Closing Date.

         7.3 APPROVALS AND CONSENTS. The approvals and consents listed in
Schedule 3.3 and 4.3 hereto shall have been received, or deemed received, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to UICI, Seller and SCS, as
applicable, and without the imposition of any material cost, liability or
restriction not consented to by UICI. Seller and SCS, as applicable. All
applicable waiting periods under any federal or state statute or regulation
shall have expired or been terminated, including, without limitation, and
affirmative approvals required by any Bank Authority and the expiration or
termination of any applicable waiting periods under the Bank Merger Act.

         7.4 INJUNCTION AND LITIGATION. There shall be in effect no injunction,
writ, preliminary restraining order or any order of any nature directing that
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements not be
consummated as herein or therein provided. No suit, action, investigation
inquiry or proceeding shall be pending or threatened affecting Buyer, HCS,
Seller, SCS, RFC, UICI, or the UCS Business which (a) questions the validity of
any action taken or proposed to be taken by the parties hereto pursuant to or in
connection with the provisions of this Agreement or any of the Related
Agreements, (b) seeks to enjoin, restrain or prohibit the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Related
Agreements, or (c) is likely, if adversely decided, to cause a Material Adverse
Effect.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                     CLOSING

         8.1 PLACE AND DATE OF CLOSING. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties,
the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall take place
in the offices of Mayer, Brown & Platt, 190 South LaSalle Street, Chicago,
Illinois at 12:00 noon, Chicago Time on the Closing Date.

         8.2 SELLER DELIVERIES. At the Closing, in addition to any other
documents or agreements required under this Agreement, Seller shall deliver to
Buyer the following:

             (a)   Executed counterparts of:

             (i)   the Richland Servicing Agreement Amendment (executed by
                   Richland State Bank);

             (ii)  the Sioux Falls Real Property Lease;

             (iii) the Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

             (iv)  the Bills of Sale; and

             (v)   the Transition Agreement.

             (b) One or more magnetic tapes containing the Cardholder List and
the Master File as of the Cut-Off Date;

             (c) Evidence that all Seller Required Consents have been obtained;

             (d) Other instruments of transfer reasonably required by Buyer to
evidence the transfer of the Transferred Assets to Buyer; and

                                       34
<PAGE>   41

             (e) A certificate of the secretary of Seller certifying resolutions
of the board of directors approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

         8.3 BUYER DELIVERIES. At the Closing, in addition to any other
documents or agreements required under this Agreement, Buyer shall deliver to
Seller the following:

             (a)   Executed counterparts of:

             (i)   the Richland Servicing Agreement Amendment;

             (ii)  the Sioux Falls Real Property Lease;

             (iii) the Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

             (iv)  the Bills of Sale; and

             (v)   the Transition Agreement;

             (b) Evidence that all Buyer Required Consents have been obtained;

             (c) The Purchase Price and the Melita Upgrade Purchase Price, in
immediately available funds; and

             (d) A certificate of the secretary of Buyer certifying resolutions
of the board directors of Buyer approving and authorizing the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Related Agreements and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                             POST CLOSING COVENANTS

         9.1 COOPERATION. After Closing, Seller Group and Buyer Group shall
cooperate with each other by furnishing any additional information and executing
and delivering any additional documents as may be reasonably requested by the
other party to further perfect or evidence the consummation of, or otherwise
implement, any transaction contemplated by this Agreement or the Related
Agreements or to aid in the preparation of any regulatory filing, financial
statement or Tax Return; provided, however, that any such additional documents
must be reasonably satisfactory to each of the parties and not impose upon
either party any material liability, risk, obligation, loss, cost or expense not
contemplated by this Agreement or the Related Agreements. Through December 31,
2001, within thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, Buyer shall
provide UICI with quarterly reports detailing credit card receivable and other
information sufficient for UICI to satisfy its SEC and accounting obligations.

         9.2 POST CLOSING OBLIGATION TO OBTAIN PERMITS. Following the Closing,
each member of Seller Group and each member of Buyer Group will cooperate fully
in (i) obtaining all necessary additional federal, state, local and any other
approval and/or consents that may be required to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby; and (ii) complying with any notice or filing requirements
of such jurisdictions required to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.

         9.3 REGULATORY COMPLIANCE. Each member of Buyer Group and each member
of Seller Group and their agents, representatives and affiliates shall comply in
all material respects with all

                                       35
<PAGE>   42

laws, regulations, administrative orders, bulletins and governmental
pronouncements applicable to their conduct in performing their obligations under
this Agreement and the Related Agreements.

         9.4 TRANSACTION OF ACCOUNTS.

             (a) From and after the Closing Date, all transactions with respect
to the Transferred Accounts shall be processed by the Buyer.

             (b) Effective upon the Closing Date and thereafter, the Seller
hereby irrevocably names, constitutes and appoints Buyer or any of the Buyer's
officers, agents, employees or representatives as the Seller's duly authorized
attorney and agent with full power and authority to endorse checks, drafts or
any other instruments of payment relating to the Accounts in the Seller's name,
to receive and collect any and all monies due under such Accounts and to enforce
performance of all Accounts and the Related Receivables and any instruments
received in payment thereof.

             (c) The Seller Group shall cause the Account Documentation to
remain at its present location through the Closing Date (at which time Buyer is
expected to take possession of such Account Documentation, other than that which
is maintained by Service Providers).

             (d) From and after the Closing Date, the Buyer shall not use, nor
attempt to obtain the right to use, the ICAs of the Seller.

             (e) For a period of twelve (12) months following the Closing Date,
Seller and Buyer shall cooperate with each other to resolve any trailing
activity, debits and credits on Excluded Accounts and the Transferred Accounts.

         9.5 ACCESS TO BOOKS AND RECORDS. At any time and after the Closing Date
as may be required in the reasonable judgment of Seller, SCS and RFC in order
for Seller, SCS and RFC to comply with any applicable law or to perform its
obligations or responsibilities under this Agreement or under any of the Related
Agreements or for any other legitimate business purpose (including, without
limitation, the pursuit, defense or other resolution of any claims involving any
party or any governmental agency), Seller, SCS and RFC, and any of its
authorized representatives may have, from time to time as reasonably requested,
and Buyer shall provide, at reasonable times during normal business hours, full
and open access to examine all Books and Records as they relate to the UCS
Business prior to the Closing Date; it being understood that Seller, SCS and
RFC, as the case may be, shall have such access, pursuant to this sentence, for
the Transferred ACE Accounts to the extent necessary to calculate to the
Performance Incentive Award and related calculations. Without limiting the
foregoing, pursuant to the Transition Agreement, Buyer shall produce either (i)
the ACE Holdback Report in substantially the same form as Schedule 9.5 on a
monthly basis and, if practicable, upon reasonable request, or (ii) sufficient
data for UICI (or its designee) to generate the ACE Holdback Report, and (iii)
shall provide such report or data to Seller and UICI promptly upon its
preparation. Such access and opportunity shall be exercised by Seller, SCS and
RFC, and their authorized representatives, at the expense of Seller, SCS and
RFC, in a manner that shall not interfere unreasonably with the operations of
Buyer. Such access shall include the right of Seller to make and retain copies
of any such Books and Records to the extent that Seller reasonably determines
that it requires copies of any such Books and Records in order to carry out the
transactions contemplated by

                                       36
<PAGE>   43

this Agreement or by any Related Agreement or for any legitimate business
purpose. Buyer may charge Seller, SCS and RFC a reasonable fee for copies.

         9.6 COOPERATION IN LITIGATION.

             (a) Buyer agrees to take commercially reasonable actions necessary
to make all Books and Records and any officers, employees and agents who are
knowledgeable with respect to the matter in question available to UICI and its
authorized representatives after the Closing Date with respect to any action,
suit, arbitration, proceeding, investigation or regulatory inquiry ("Actions")
to which UICI or its Affiliates are a party or are otherwise involved with
regard to the UCS Business, whether commenced before or after the Closing Date,
all of which actions shall be deemed Excluded Assets and/or excluded from the
Assumed Liabilities. UICI and its authorized representatives shall reimburse
Buyer for all reasonable out of pocket expenses for providing such access and,
if the aggregate Salary Expense for all such officers and employees (other than
David Huddleston) made available pursuant to this Section 9.6 shall exceed
$50,000, UICI shall reimburse Buyer for such excess promptly following Buyer's
written request therefor (which request shall show the calculation of such
Salary Expense in reasonable detail). UICI or its representative also shall be
responsible for all such expenses incurred by any such officers, employees and
agents. Buyer agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide that any
such persons who terminate their relationships with the Buyer or any of its
Affiliates and enter into termination agreements or similar agreements,
arrangements or understandings will be obligated to continue to assist UICI in
the investigation, evaluation or defense of any such matters, whether as
consultants, expert witnesses or otherwise.

             (b) Buyer and its Affiliates will not provide information relating
to the UCS Business or the operations thereof to any Person if the Buyer has
knowledge or could reasonably assume that such information is being requested in
connection with any litigation, arbitration or other proceeding in which UICI or
any of its Affiliates is a party. If Buyer or any of its Affiliates becomes
legally compelled (by deposition, interrogatory, request for documents,
subpoena, civil investigative demand or otherwise) to disclose such material.
Buyer will provide UICI with prompt prior written notice of such requirement so
that UCIC may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy to prevent the
dissemination of such information. In the event that such protective order or
other remedy is not obtained, or that UICI waives compliance with the terms
hereof, Buyer agrees to furnish only such information that it reasonably
believes is legally required.

         9.7 TRANSITION AGREEMENT. Immediately after the execution of this
Agreement, UICI and Buyer shall negotiate diligently and in good faith to
execute a transition agreement (the "Transition Agreement"). The Transition
Agreement shall describe and govern certain elements of the transition of
Transferred Accounts from Seller to Buyer, including, but not necessarily
limited to, (i) the terms and conditions pursuant to which Buyer will be
entitled to use (a) the names "United Credit National Bank," the marks "AFCA"
and "ACE" and any variations thereof and (b) plastics, billing stock and other
materials bearing such names, (ii) the joint preparation by Buyer and Seller and
delivery by Seller of a form of notice to Cardholders of a Transferred Account
(the cost of which notice shall be borne by Buyer, and which notice shall comply
with applicable Requirements of Law and Operating Regulations); (iii) the terms
and conditions of the servicing (if any) provided by personnel in the Harker
Heights facility to Buyer in respect of Transferred Accounts, and the payment of
a related servicing fee to the Seller Group; (iv) transfer of the BINs from
Seller to Buyer; (v) transfer to Buyer of certain information; technology and
leased equipment listed on Schedules 1.1.3 and 1.1.8; (vi) any

                                       37
<PAGE>   44

other matters that may be presented to the parties; (vii) Buyer's right not to
assume some or all of the Computer Programs on Schedule 1.1.3 (written notice of
which must be received by August 28, 2000 or such right not to assume shall
terminate), and the right not to assume any of those Transferred Contracts set
forth in Schedule 3.7 (written notice of which must be received by August 21,
2000 or such right not to assume shall terminate) and (viii) the transfer of
Excluded Assets to Seller or its designees. Buyer shall submit to Seller for its
approval the form of any communications to Cardholders in which Buyer proposes
to use the names described in this Section 9.7 for the purpose of ensuring that
any such use will not mislead any Person and will not adversely affect the
Seller Group's rights (if any) in and to such names and marks under applicable
law. It is expressly agreed that other than the limited license granted pursuant
to this Section 9.7, Buyer is not purchasing or acquiring any right, title or
interest in the name of any member of the Seller Group or any trademark of any
other Person.

         9.8 COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNING ORGANIZATIONS. Seller shall take such
commercially reasonable actions as reasonably requested by Buyer and as
necessary to obtain any required consent of the applicable Governing
Organization to the use of the BINs of the Seller in respect of the Credit Card
Assets; provided, however, that the Seller shall not be required to take any
actions that would reasonably be expected to affect adversely its ability to
obtain a refund of any deposit with, or release of any collateral held by, any
Governing Organization. In connection with the Transferred Accounts, Buyer
shall, at all times after the Closing Date, fully and timely perform and comply
with the Operating Regulations in effect and as amended hereafter from time to
time, to the extent applicable to the Transferred Accounts, Cardholders
Agreements and Credit Cards, and Buyer's activities relating thereto.

         9.9 SERVICING OF RICHLAND STATE BANK ACCOUNTS. For a period of one (1)
year following the Closing Date, HCS will provide such services upon such terms
and conditions (and shall not exercise its right of termination other than for
cause) as are set forth in the Financial Institution Servicing Agreement, dated
May 9, 1996, as amended by the Richland Servicing Agreement Amendment, unless
sooner terminated by Richland State Bank in accordance with its terms.

         9.10 RECONVEYANCE OF YEAR 2000 ACE CHARGEOFFS. As of the 10th day after
the end of every month commencing with the month in which the Closing Date
occurs and ending with January, 2001, Buyer shall automatically assign, transfer
and deliver to UICI (or any other Person designated in writing by UICI) all
Post-Closing ACE Chargeoffs that Buyer has not previously assigned, transferred
or delivered pursuant to Section 9.10. The part acquiring such Post-Closing ACE
Chargeoffs pursuant to this Section 9.10 shall not be obligated to make any
payment for such Receivables, whether in cash, in kind, by means of set-off or
by any other means. At UICI's request, Buyer shall execute and deliver
instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory to UICI to evidence such
assignment, but failure to execute and deliver such instruments shall not impair
the operation of this Section 9.10, which shall assign, transfer and deliver
such Post-Closing ACE Chargeoffs without further action by any Person.

         9.11 RECONVEYANCE OF YEAR 2001 ACE CHARGEOFFS. As of the 10th day after
the end of every month commencing with January 2001 (i.e., as of February 5,
2001) and ending December 2001 (or as earlier terminated pursuant to clause (d)
below), Buyer shall automatically assign, transfer and deliver to UICI (or any
other Person designated in writing by UICI) all Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs that
Buyer has not previously assigned, transferred or delivered pursuant to this
Section

                                       38
<PAGE>   45

9.11. The party acquiring such Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs pursuant to this Section
9.11 shall be obligated to pay for such Receivables as set forth in clause (a),
(b) and (c) below, a sample calculation of which is attached as Schedule 9.11
hereto. At UICI's request, Buyer shall execute and deliver instruments of
transfer reasonably satisfactory to UICI to evidence such assignment, but
failure to execute and deliver such instruments shall not impair the operation
of this Section 9.11, which shall assign, transfer and deliver such Year 2001
ACE Chargeoffs without further action by any Person. The Year 2001 ACE
Chargeoffs shall be transferred month by month, beginning with January, and
allocated first to the conveyances contemplated by clause (a) below, then to the
conveyances contemplated by clause (b) below and finally to the conveyances
contemplated by clause (c) below, until either of the limitations set forth in
clause (d) below have been satisfied.

             (a) No payment. Buyer shall convey that number of months of Year
2001 ACE Chargeoffs, and UICI (or any other Person designated in writing by
UICI) shall not be obligated to make any payment for such Receivables, whether
in cash, in kind, by means of set-off or by any other means, equal to the
integer (rounding down if less than .5 and rounding up if .5 or greater) derived
by dividing the Increased Credit Limit by 150,000. The "Increased Credit Limit"
is the aggregate credit limit of all ACE Accounts (excluding Excluded Accounts)
as of the date that is fourteen (14) calendar days before the Closing Date minus
the aggregate credit limit of the same ACE Accounts (excluding Excluded
Accounts) as of July 31, 2000.

             (b) Optional Payment. Seller shall have the right to buy, and Buyer
shall be obligated to sell to Buyer, an additional number of months of Year 2001
ACE Chargeoffs equal to the integer derived in clause (a) above, at a price
equal to the aggregate dollar amount of the Related Receivables of such months'
Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs multiplied by .015.

             (c) Mandatory Payment. Until the limitations set forth in clause(d)
below are met (at which time the obligation shall terminate), Seller shall be
obligated to buy, and Buyer shall sell to Seller, additional months of Year 2001
ACE Chargeoffs (other than as described in clause (a) or (b) above) at a price
equal to the aggregate dollar amount of the Related Receivables of such months'
Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs multiplied by .0175.

             (d) Limit on Obligation. Seller's obligation to purchase additional
months of Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs shall terminate on the sooner to occur of:
(i) all Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs have been conveyed to Seller pursuant to clause
(a), (b) and/or (c) above, and (ii) Seller has acquired $50,000,000 in aggregate
dollar amount of Related Receivables of Year 2001 ACE Chargeoffs pursuant to
clauses (b) and/or (c) above.

         9.12 MAINTENANCE OF RULES RELATING TO EXCLUDED ACCOUNTS. HCS will not
change the status at the Service Provider of any Excluded Account in such a
manner that could have a material adverse effect on the Excluded Accounts. HCS
will provide UICI not less than thirty (30) days' notice prior to instituting a
change in the Operating Regulations or similar rules or guidelines that are
likely to affect Excluded Accounts. HCS will notify UICI of any errors known to
HCS caused by a Service Provider with respect to an Excluded Account and will
consult with UICI with respect to any such errors.

                                       39
<PAGE>   46
                                   ARTICLE X
              SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

         10.1 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. All
representations and warranties made by Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI, on the one
hand, and Buyer and HCS, on the other hand, in Articles III and IV of this
Agreement, in the Related Agreements and in any document, certificate, schedule
or instrument delivered or executed in connection herewith or therewith and all
covenants, undertakings and agreements contained in this Agreement, the Related
Agreements or any document, certificate, schedule or instrument delivered or
executed in connection herewith or therewith to be performed with, at or prior
to the Closing Date shall survive for a period of 24 months after the Closing
Date, whereupon they shall expire, and all claims for breach of said
representations and warranties will be deemed waived unless the non-breaching
party notifies the breaching party of the matters constituting the breach prior
to the expiration of said 24-month period. All covenants, undertakings and
agreements contained in this Agreement, the Related Agreements or any document,
certificate, schedule or instrument delivered or executed in connection herewith
or therewith to be performed or complied with after the Closing Date (including
without limitation the obligation to indemnify) shall survive for the period of
the applicable statute of limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary,
no time limitation shall apply to any representations, warranties, covenants,
undertakings or agreements contained in this Agreement, the Related Agreements
or any document, certificate, schedule or instrument delivered or executed in
connection herewith which relate to Taxes or the use of the ACE and AFCA names.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                       INDEMNIFICATION AND OTHER REMEDIES

         11.1 OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY.

             (a) Subject to the expiration of representations, warranties,
covenants, undertakings and agreements of the parties as provided in Article X,
UICI agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Buyer, HCS and their
respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns from and
against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, costs or
expenses, penalties and reasonable outside attorneys' fees and disbursements
(collectively, "Losses," and individually a "Loss"), asserted against, imposed
upon or incurred by Buyer, HCS and their respective directors, officers,
employees, Affiliates and assigns, directly or indirectly, by reason of or
arising out of or in connection with (i) any misrepresentations or breach of any
representation or warranty or the failure to perform any pre-Closing covenant or
undertaking of any of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI in this Agreement or any Related
Agreement or any schedule, exhibit, instrument or other document delivered or
executed by any such party hereunder or thereunder, (ii) the failure to perform
any post-Closing covenant, undertaking or agreement of any of Seller, SCS, RFC
and UICI in this Agreement or any Related Agreement or any schedule, exhibit,
instrument or other document delivered or executed by any such party hereunder
or thereunder, or (iii) any alleged, contingent or absolute debt, claim,
obligation or other liability or any other Losses (x) relating to the Excluded
Obligations and, to the extent arising prior to the Closing Date and except for
Assumed Obligations, any alleged, contingent or absolute debt, claim, obligation
or other liability, or any other losses relating to the UCS Business, the
Transferred Assets, the Transferred Contracts or the Transferred Accounts and
(y) arising (including any incremental cost incurred with respect to any court
ordered, or as otherwise mutually agreed between the parties, mass reissuance of
credit cards) on or after the

                                       40
<PAGE>   47

Closing Date, relating to Buyer's use of the name "United Credit National Bank,"
"ACE" or "AFCA" or any variations thereof (provided, however, that UICI shall
have no obligation pursuant to this clause (a)(iii)(y) if to the extent the use
or uses giving rise to a claim under this clause (a)(iii)(y) was not in
compliance with the Transition Agreement); provided, however, that this
indemnity shall not cover losses to the extent relating to the credit of
Obligors or to disputes, chargebacks or other issues between Obligors and
merchants; provided, further, that, with respect to clause (i) above, Buyer (and
its directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled to
indemnification under this Section 11.1(a) only when the aggregate amount of all
such non-excluded Losses exceeds $300,000, in which case Buyer (and its
directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled only
to indemnification for Losses in excess of such amount; provided, further, that,
with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, Buyer (and its directors,
officers, employees, affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled to
indemnification under this Section 11.1(a) only when the aggregate amount of all
such non-excluded Losses exceeds $25,000, in which case Buyer (and its
directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled only
to indemnification for Losses in excess of such amount; and provided, finally,
that with respect to Taxes there shall be full liability for indemnification,
and Buyer and HCS shall be entitled to indemnification without regard to the
$300,000 and $25,000 financial floors in the two (2) foregoing provisos.

             (b) Subject to the expiration of representations, warranties,
covenants, undertakings and agreements of the parties as provided in Article X,
Buyer and HCS (as applicable) agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless each
of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI and their respective directors, officers,
employees, Affiliates and assigns from and against all Losses, asserted against,
imposed upon or incurred by Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI and their respective
directors, officers, employee, Affiliates and assigns directly or indirectly, by
reason of or arising out of or in connection with (i) any misrepresentation or
breach of any representation or warranty or the failure to perform any
pre-Closing covenant or undertaking of Buyer or HCS in this Agreement or any of
the Related Agreements or any schedule, exhibit, instrument or other document
delivered or executed hereunder or thereunder; (ii) the failure to perform any
post-Closing covenant, undertaking or agreement of Buyer or HCS in this
Agreement or any of the Related Agreements or any schedule, exhibit, instrument
or other document delivered or executed hereunder or thereunder; and (iii) any
alleged, contingent or absolute debt, claim, obligation or other liability or
any other Losses relating to the Assumed Obligations or, to the extent arising
after the Closing Date, any alleged, contingent or absolute debt, claim,
obligation or other liability or any Losses relating to the Transferred Assets,
the Transferred Accounts, the Transferred Employees, the Transferred Contracts
or the Credit Card Assets (including, without limitation, any liability for
Taxes); provided, however, that with respect to clause (i) above, Seller (and
its directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled to
indemnification under this Section 11.1(a) only when the aggregate amount of all
such non-excluded Losses exceeds $50,000, in which case Seller (and its
directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled only
to indemnification for Losses in excess of such amount; provided, further, that,
with respect to clauses (ii) and (iii) above, Seller Group (and their respective
directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be entitled to
indemnification under this Section 11.1(b) only when the aggregate amount of all
such non-excluded Losses exceeds $25,000, in which case Seller Group (and their
respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates and assigns) shall be
entitled only to indemnification for Losses in excess of such amount; and
provided, finally, the two foregoing provisos shall not apply to the obligations
with respect to payment of the Purchase Price and the Melita Upgrade Purchase
Price, any Adjustment Amount, the Performance Incentive Award or Taxes.

                                       41
<PAGE>   48

             (c) The indemnifying party shall be obligated to pay any indemnity
due under Section 11.1(a) or (b) within thirty (30) days after it receives the
indemnified party's calculation of the amount due accompanied by sufficient
documentation reasonably to ascertain its veracity.

         11.2 NOTICE OF ASSERTED LIABILITY. Promptly after receipt by an
indemnified party hereunder of notice of any demand, claim or circumstances
which, with the lapse of time, would give rise to a claim or the commencement
(or threatened commencement) of any action, proceeding or investigation (an
"Asserted Liability") that may result in a Loss, such indemnified party shall
give notice thereof (the "Claims Notice") to the indemnifying party. The Claims
Notice shall describe the Asserted Liability in reasonable detail and shall
indicate the amount (estimated, if necessary) of the Loss that has been or may
be suffered by each indemnified party. Failure to provide a Claims Notice in a
timely manner shall not be deemed a waiver of the indemnified party's right to
indemnification other than to the extent that such failure actually prejudices
the defense of the claim by the indemnifying party.

         11.3 OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND. The indemnifying party may elect to
compromise or defend, at its own expense and by its own counsel, any Asserted
Liability; provided, however, the indemnifying party may not compromise or
settle any Asserted Liability without the consent of the indemnified party
unless such compromise or settlement requires no more than a monetary payment
for which the indemnified party hereunder is fully indemnified and involves no
other matters binding upon the indemnified party. If the indemnifying party
elects to compromise or defend such Asserted Liability, it shall within thirty
(30) days from receipt of the Claims Notice (or sooner, if the nature of the
Asserted Liability so requires) notify the indemnified party of its intent to do
so, and the indemnified party shall cooperate, at the expense of the
indemnifying party, in the compromise of, or defense against, such Asserted
Liability. If the indemnifying party elects not to compromise or defend the
Asserted Liability, fails to notify the indemnified party of its election as
herein provided or contests its obligation to indemnify under this Article XI,
the indemnified party may pay, compromise or defend such Asserted Liability at
the expense of the indemnifying party, in respect of which the indemnifying
party may have an obligation to indemnify as set forth under this Article XI.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of such
Asserted Liability.

         11.4 EXCLUSIVE REMEDY. The parties hereto expressly acknowledge that
the provisions of this Article XI shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for
damages caused as a result of breaches of the warranties, representations and
covenants contained in this Agreement and the Related Agreements, except that
the parties shall not be limited to the remedies provided in this Article XI
with respect to claims of, or causes of action arising from, fraud.

                                  ARTICLE XII
                          TERMINATION PRIOR TO CLOSING

         12.1 TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be terminated at any
time prior to the Closing, as follows:

             (a) by Seller in writing, without liability (except as provided in
Section 12.2), if either of Buyer or HCS shall (i) fail to perform in any
material respect its agreements contained herein required to be performed by it
on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) materially breach any of

                                       42
<PAGE>   49

its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein, which
failure or breach is not cured within twenty (20) days after Seller has notified
Buyer of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subsection (a)
of Section 12.1;

             (b) by Buyer in writing, without liability (except as provided in
Section 12.2), if any of Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI shall (i) fail to perform in
any material respect its agreements contained herein required to be performed by
it on or prior to the Closing Date, or (ii) materially breach any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein, which
failure or breach is not cured within twenty (20) days after Buyer has notified
Seller of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subsection (b)
of Section 12.1;

             (c) by Buyer or Seller in writing, without liability (except as
provided in Section 12.2), if there shall be any order, writ, injunction or
decree of any court or government or regulatory agency binding on Seller, SCS,
RFC and UICI, on the one hand, or Buyer and HCS, on the other hand, which
prohibits or restrains such party from consummating the transactions
contemplated hereby; provided that such party shall have used its reasonable
commercial efforts to have any such order, writ, injunction or decree lifted and
the same shall not have been lifted by the Closing;

             (d) by mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer;

             (e) by Seller, in writing, if the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency does not provide its consent to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby; or

             (f) by any party hereto if the Closing has not occurred on or
before the sooner of September 21, 2000 or fifteen (15) days after receipt of
all the regulatory approvals, unless the absence of such occurrence shall be due
to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement (or an Affiliate
of such party) to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement required
to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing pursuant to the terms hereof.

         12.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. In the event of the termination and
abandonment of this Agreement by any party to this Agreement, pursuant to
Section 12.1, written notice thereof shall forthwith be given to the other
parties to this Agreement. Notwithstanding any such termination, (a) the
provisions of Sections 5.6, 13.1, 13.2, 13.5 and 13.8 hereof shall continue in
full force and effect, and (ii) nothing herein shall relieve any party from
liability for any willful breach hereof.

                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         13.1 PUBLICITY. Seller and Buyer shall consult with each other before
they or any of their respective Affiliates or agents issue any press releases or
otherwise make any public statements with respect to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, and neither of them nor any such Affiliate
shall issue any such press release or make any public statement prior to
receiving express written approval of the other party except, in each case, as
may be required by applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
either party shall have the right to disclose to investors and analysts that
Buyer has purchased a portfolio from Seller, and to respond to specific,
inquiries from investors and analysts and disclose that Buyer has purchased a
portfolio from Seller, but that the details concerning the transaction
(including the Purchase Price) are Confidential Information.

                                       43
<PAGE>   50
         13.2 NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, sent by
facsimile transmission (and immediately after transmission confirmed by
telephone), sent by recognized overnight courier or sent by certified,
registered or express mail, postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be deemed
given when so delivered personally, sent by facsimile transmission (and
immediately after transmission confirmed by telephone) or, if sent by recognized
overnight courier, on the next Business Day after being so sent or, if mailed,
five (5) Business Days after the date of deposit in the United States mails, as
follows:

             (i)  If to Seller to:

                  UICI
                  4001 McEwen Drive
                  Suite 200
                  Dallas, Texas 75244
                  Attn: Glenn W. Reed
                  Fax No.: 972-392-6717
                  Phone: 972-392-6719

         With a copy, which will not constitute notice hereunder to Seller, to:

                  Mayer, Brown & Platt
                  190 South LaSalle Street
                  Chicago, Illinois 60603
                  Attn: Edward Schneidman
                  Fax No.: (312) 701-7711

             (ii) If to Buyer to:

                  Household Credit Services
                  1441 Schilling Place
                  Salinas, California 93901
                  Attn: President
                  Fax No.: (831) 755-2921

         With a copy, which will not constitute notice hereunder to Buyer, to:

                  Household International, Inc.
                  2700 Sanders Road
                  Prospect, Heights, Illinois 60070
                  Attn: General Counsel - Credit Card Law
                  Fax No.: (847) 205-7417

         Any party may, by notice given in accordance with this Section 13.2 to
the other parties, designate another address or person for receipt of notices
hereunder.

         13.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the Related Agreements
contain the entire agreement between Seller, SCS, RFC and UICI, on the one hand,
and Buyer and HCS, on the other

                                       44
<PAGE>   51

hand, with respect to the transfer of the UCS Business contemplated in this
Agreement and supersede all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect
thereto.

         13.4 WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS; PRESERVATION OF REMEDIES. This Agreement
may be amended, superseded, canceled, renewed or extended, and the terms hereof
may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by each of the parties or, in
the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of
any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as
a waiver thereof. Nor shall any waiver on the part of any party of any right,
power, remedy or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of any such
right, power, remedy or privilege, preclude any further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other such right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights and
remedies herein provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies that any party may otherwise have at law or in equity.

         13.5 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to
the principles of conflicts of laws thereof. The Related Agreements shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state or
jurisdiction set forth in said agreements. Each of the parties hereto agrees
that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement may be
brought in the Courts of the State of Illinois, or the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Illinois and, by execution and delivery of
this Agreement, each hereto irrevocably submits itself in respect of its
property, generally and unconditionally, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of
the aforesaid courts in any legal action or proceeding arising out of this
Agreement. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives any objection,
which it may now or hereafter have, to the laying of venue of any of the
aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement brought in the courts referred to in the preceding sentence. Each
party hereby consents to process being served in any such action or proceeding
by the mailing of a copy thereof to the address set forth in Section 13.2 hereof
and agrees that such service, upon receipt, shall constitute good and sufficient
service of process or notice thereof. Nothing herein shall affect or eliminate
any right to serve process in any other matter permitted by law.

         13.6 BINDING EFFECT; NO ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors,
permitted assigns and legal representatives, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise. This Agreement may not be assigned by any party not an Affiliate
without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. If this Agreement
is assigned to an Affiliate, the assigning party shall not be relieved of any of
its obligations under this Agreement.

         13.7 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Except as otherwise expressly set
forth in any provision of this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement is intended
or shall be construed to give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement
or any provision contained herein.

         13.8 EXPENSES. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
parties hereto shall each bear their respective expenses incurred in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement
and the Related Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
including, without limitation, Taxes attributable to the sale or transfer of the
Credit Card Assets, Transferred Assets, Transferred Contracts, Transferred
Employees

                                       45
<PAGE>   52

and Transferred Accounts from Seller, SCS and RFC to HCS and Buyer, all fees and
expenses of agents, representatives, investment bankers, counsel, actuaries and
accountants.

         13.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto
in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute on and the same
instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof each
signed by less than all, but together signed by all of the parties hereto.

         13.10 HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for reference only,
and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

         13.11 PREPARATION. This Agreement and the Related Agreements have been
jointly prepared by the parties hereto and the terms hereof will not be
construed in favor of or against any such party by reason of its participation
in such preparation.

         13.12 NO PRESUMPTION AGAINST DRAFTER. All of the parties hereto have
jointly participated in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the
event of any ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this
Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by all parties hereto and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring any party by virtue of the
authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

         13.13 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

                           [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       46
<PAGE>   53
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first above written.

                                    UICI

                                    By: /s/ Gregory T. Mutz
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                             Name:  Gregory T. Mutz
                                             Title:     President & CEO

                                    SPECIALIZED CARD SERVICES, INC.

                                    By: /s/ W. David Huddleston
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                             Name:  W. David Huddleston
                                             Title:     President and C.E.O.

                                    UNITED CREDIT NATIONAL BANK

                                    By: /s/ Vernon R. Woelke
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                             Name:  Vernon R. Woelke
                                             Title:     Vice President

                                    UICI RECEIVABLES FUNDING CORPORATION

                                    By: /s/ William P. Benac
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                             Name:  William P. Benac
                                             Title:     President

                                    HOUSEHOLD BANK (SB), N.A.

                                    By: /s/ S. N. Mehta
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                             Name:  S. N. Mehta
                                             Title:     President

                                    HOUSEHOLD CREDIT SERVICES, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Walter Menezes
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                             Name:  Walter Menezes
                                             Title:     Senior Vice President

                                       47
<PAGE>   54

                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                    TO ASSET PURCHASE AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                        SPECIALIZED CARD SERVICES, INC.,
                          UNITED CREDIT NATIONAL BANK,
                      UICI RECEIVABLES FUNDING CORPORATION,
                                       AND
                                      UICI

                                       AND

                         HOUSEHOLD CREDIT SERVICES, INC.
                                       AND
                            HOUSEHOLD BANK (SB), N.A.

         THIS FIRST AMENDMENT ("First Amendment") to that certain ASSET PURCHASE
AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT dated as of August 4, 2000 ( the "Agreement"), by and
between Specialized Card Services, Inc. ("SCS"), United Credit National Bank
("Seller"), UICI Receivables Funding Corporation ("RFC") and UICI ("UICI")
(collectively "Seller Group"), and Household Credit Services, Inc. ("HCS") and
Household Bank (SB), N.A. ("Buyer") (collectively "Buyer Group") is made and
entered into effective as of August 28, 2000.

                                    AGREEMENT

         In consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants set forth
below, the parties agree that the Agreement is amended by this First Amendment
as follows:

1. Clause (vii) of the second sentence of Section 9.7 of the Agreement is
amended by changing the date from August 28, 2000 to September 5, 2000.

         All capitalized terms used in this First Amendment that are defined in
the Agreement shall have the same meanings in this First Amendment as in the
Agreement, unless otherwise defined in this First Amendment.

         The parties hereby ratify and confirm the Agreement, as further amended
by this First Amendment, for all purposes.

                                       1
<PAGE>   55
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SCS, Seller, RFC, UICI, HCS and Buyer have each
caused the First Amendment to be signed and delivered by its duly authorized
officer, all as of the date first set forth above.

UICI SPECIALIZED CARD SERVICES, INC.

By: /s/ Matthew R. Cassell                  By: /s/ W. David Huddleston
   -----------------------------------         ---------------------------------

Name:  Matthew R. Cassell                   Name:  W. David Huddleston
     ---------------------------------           -------------------------------

Title:   Vice President                     Title:    President and CEO
      --------------------------------            ------------------------------

UNITED CREDIT NATIONAL BANK                 UICI RECEIVABLES FUNDING CORP.

By: /s/ W. David Huddleston                 By: /s/ William P. Benac
   -----------------------------------         ---------------------------------

Name:  W. David Huddleston                  Name:  William P. Benac
     ---------------------------------           -------------------------------

Title:    President                         Title:    President
      --------------------------------            ------------------------------

HOUSEHOLD BANK (SB), N.A.                   HOUSEHOLD CREDIT SERVICES, INC.

By: /s/ Thomas M. Kimble                    By: /s/ Walter Menezes
   -----------------------------------         ---------------------------------

Name: Thomas M. Kimble                      Name:  Walter Menezes
     ---------------------------------           -------------------------------

Title:     Executive Vice President         Title:   Senior Vice President
      --------------------------------            ------------------------------

                                       2
<PAGE>   56

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SCS, Seller, RFC, UICI, HCS and Buyer have each
caused this First Amendment to be signed and delivered by its duly authorized
officer, all as of the date first set forth above.

UICI SPECIALIZED CARD SERVICES, INC.

By:                                 By:
   -------------------------------     ---------------------------------

Name:                               Name:
     -----------------------------       -------------------------------
Title:                              Title:
      ----------------------------        --------------------------------

UNITED CREDIT NATIONAL BANK         UICI RECEIVABLES FUNDING CORP.

By:                                 By:
   -------------------------------     ---------------------------------

Name:                               Name:
     -----------------------------       -------------------------------
Title:                              Title:
      ----------------------------        --------------------------------

HOUSEHOLD BANK (SB), N.A.           HOUSEHOLD CREDIT SERVICES, INC.

By:                                 By:
   -------------------------------     ---------------------------------

Name:                               Name:
     -----------------------------       -------------------------------
Title:                              Title:
      ----------------------------        --------------------------------

                                       3

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