Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.1

                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                            DATED AS OF JULY 31, 2001

                                     BETWEEN

                      GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION

                                    AS LENDER

                                       AND

                    INTRADO INC., INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS INC.

                     INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS OF VIRGINIA INC.

                     AS CO-BORROWERS, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<S>   <C>                                                                                                        <C>
1.    AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT..................................................................................1

   1.1   LOANS....................................................................................................1
   1.2   TERM AND PREPAYMENT......................................................................................2
   1.3   USE OF PROCEEDS..........................................................................................3
   1.4   SINGLE LOAN..............................................................................................3
   1.5   INTEREST.................................................................................................3
   1.6   CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM...................................................................................4
   1.7   FEES.....................................................................................................4
   1.8   RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS......................................................................................4
   1.9   APPLICATION AND ALLOCATION OF PAYMENTS...................................................................4
   1.10     ACCOUNTING............................................................................................4
   1.11     BORROWING BASE; RESERVES..............................................................................5

2.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT........................................................................................5

   2.1   CONDITIONS TO THE INITIAL LOANS..........................................................................5
   2.2   FURTHER CONDITIONS TO THE LOANS..........................................................................6

3.    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.......................................................6

   3.1   CORPORATE EXISTENCE; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.................................................................6
   3.2   EXECUTIVE OFFICES; CORPORATE OR OTHER NAMES..............................................................7
   3.3   CORPORATE POWER; AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS..................................................7
   3.4   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS; BOOKS AND RECORDS..................................................7
   3.5   MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE..................................................................................8
   3.6   REAL ESTATE; PROPERTY....................................................................................8
   3.7   VENTURES, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES; OUTSTANDING STOCK AND INDEBTEDNESS................................8
   3.8   GOVERNMENT REGULATION....................................................................................9
   3.9   MARGIN REGULATIONS.......................................................................................9
   3.10     TAXES; CHARGES........................................................................................9
   3.11     PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS................................................................................9
   3.12     ERISA................................................................................................10
   3.13     LITIGATION...........................................................................................10
   3.14     INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY................................................................................10
   3.15     FULL DISCLOSURE......................................................................................10
   3.16     HAZARDOUS MATERIALS..................................................................................11
   3.17     INSURANCE............................................................................................11
   3.18     DEPOSIT AND DISBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS....................................................................12
   3.19     ACCOUNTS.............................................................................................12
   3.20     CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE........................................................12
   3.21     FURTHER ASSURANCES...................................................................................12

4.    FINANCIAL MATTERS; REPORTS.................................................................................14

   4.1   REPORTS AND NOTICES.....................................................................................14
   4.2   FINANCIAL COVENANTS.....................................................................................15
   4.3   OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION...........................................................................15

5.    NEGATIVE COVENANTS.........................................................................................15

6.    SECURITY INTEREST..........................................................................................16

   6.1   GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST..............................................................................16
   6.2   LENDER'S RIGHTS.........................................................................................17
   6.3   LENDER'S APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT................................................................18
   6.4   GRANT OF LICENSE TO USE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL................................................19
</Table>

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<Table>
<S>   <C>                                                                                                        <C>
7.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.....................................................................19

   7.1   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.......................................................................................19
   7.2   REMEDIES................................................................................................21
   7.3   WAIVERS BY CREDIT PARTIES...............................................................................23
   7.4   PROCEEDS................................................................................................23

8.    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.....................................................................................23

9.    MISCELLANEOUS..............................................................................................23

   9.1   COMPLETE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT...........................................................24
   9.2   EXPENSES................................................................................................24
   9.3   NO WAIVER...............................................................................................24
   9.4   SEVERABILITY; SECTION TITLES............................................................................25
   9.5   AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE....................................................................................25
   9.6   NOTICES.................................................................................................25
   9.7   COUNTERPARTS............................................................................................26
   9.8   TIME OF THE ESSENCE.....................................................................................26
   9.9   GOVERNING LAW...........................................................................................26
   9.10     SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.....................................................26
   9.11     PRESS RELEASES.......................................................................................27
   9.12     INDEMNITY............................................................................................27
   9.13     REINSTATEMENT........................................................................................28
</Table>

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                         INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

<Table>
<S>                       <C>
Schedule A        -       Definitions
Schedule B        -       Lender's and Borrower's Addresses for Notices
Schedule C        -       Letters of Credit
Schedule D        -       Cash Management System
Schedule E        -       Fees and Expenses
Schedule F        -       Schedule of Documents
Schedule G        -       Financial Covenants
</Table>

<Table>
<S>                                     <C>
Disclosure Schedule  (3.2)    -         Places of Business; Corporate Names
Disclosure Schedule  (3.6)    -         Real Estate
Disclosure Schedule  (3.7)    -         Stock; Affiliates
Disclosure Schedule (3.10)    -         Taxes
Disclosure Schedule  (3.12)   -         ERISA
Disclosure Schedule  (3.13)   -         Litigation
Disclosure Schedule  (3.14)   -         Intellectual Property
Disclosure Schedule  (3.16)   -         Environmental Matters
Disclosure Schedule  (3.17)   -         Insurance
Disclosure Schedule  (3.19)   -         Contracts (Offset Risk)
Disclosure Schedule  (5(b))   -         Indebtedness
Disclosure Schedule  (6.1)    -         Actions to Perfect Liens
</Table>

<Table>
<S>                       <C>
Exhibit A         -       Form of Notice of Revolving Credit Advance
Exhibit B         -       Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C         -       Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit D         -       Form of Secretarial Certificate
Exhibit E         -       Form of Power of Attorney
Exhibit F         -       Form of Certificate of Compliance
Exhibit G         -       Form of Opinion of Counsel to Borrower
</Table>

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This LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT is dated as of July 31, 2001, and agreed to by
and between (i) INTRADO INC., a Delaware corporation ("Intrado"), INTRADO
COMMUNICATIONS INC., a Delaware corporation ("ICI") and INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS
OF VIRGINIA INC., a Virginia corporation ("ICIV"), as co-borrowers, jointly and
severally (ICIV, ICI and Intrado, acting in such capacities, herein called,
individually and collectively, jointly and severally, "Borrower"), (ii) any
other Credit Party at any time executing this Agreement, and (iii) GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Lender").

RECITALS

A.    Borrower desires to obtain the Loans and other financial accommodations
from Lender and Lender is willing to provide the Loans and accommodations all in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

B.    Intrado has agreed, at Borrower's request, with Borrower's concurrence, to
act as agent for Borrower and each other Credit Party in connection with the
requesting, receipt and repayment of borrowings, the issuance of letters of
credit and the delivery (and receipt) of notices and reports hereunder.

C.    Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in
SCHEDULE A and, for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the
rules of construction set forth in SCHEDULE A shall govern. All Schedules,
Attachments, Addenda and Exhibits (collectively, "Appendices") hereto, or
expressly identified to this Agreement, are incorporated herein by reference,
and taken together with this Agreement, constitute but a single agreement.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.    AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT

1.1   LOANS.

      (a)   Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, from the
Closing Date and until the Commitment Termination Date (i) Lender agrees (A) to
make available advances (each, a "Revolving Credit Advance") and (B) to incur
Letter of Credit Obligations, in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed
the Borrowing Availability, and (ii) Borrower may at its request from time to
time borrow, repay and reborrow, and may cause Lender to incur Letter of Credit
Obligations, under this Section 1.1.

      (b)   Borrower's Agent shall request each Revolving Credit Advance by
written notice to Lender substantially in the form of EXHIBIT A (each a "Notice
of Revolving Credit Advance")

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given no later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the Business Day of the
proposed Revolving Credit Advance. Lender shall be fully protected under this
Agreement in relying upon, and shall be entitled to rely upon, (i) any Notice of
Revolving Credit Advance believed by Lender to be genuine, and (ii) the
assumption that the Persons making electronic requests or executing and
delivering a Notice of Revolving Credit Advance were duly authorized, unless the
responsible individual acting thereon for Lender shall have actual knowledge to
the contrary. As an accommodation to Borrower, Lender may permit telephonic or
facsimile requests for a Revolving Credit Advance and electronic or facsimile
transmittal of instructions, authorizations, agreements or reports to Lender by
Borrower. Unless Borrower's Agent specifically directs Lender in writing not to
accept or act upon telephonic, facsimile or electronic communications from
Borrower, Lender shall have no liability to Borrower for any loss or damage
suffered by Borrower as a result of Lender's honoring of any requests, execution
of any instructions, authorizations or agreements or reliance on any reports
communicated to it telephonically, by facsimile or electronically and purporting
to have been sent to Lender by Borrower and Lender shall have no duty to verify
the origin of any such communication or the identity or authority of the Person
sending it. The Revolving Credit Loan shall be evidenced by, and be repayable in
accordance with the terms of, the Revolving Credit Note and this Agreement.

      (c)   In making any Loan hereunder Lender shall be entitled to rely upon
the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to Lender by Borrower's
Agent and other information available to Lender. Lender shall be under no
obligation to make any further Revolving Credit Advance or incur any other
Obligation if Borrower's Agent shall have failed to deliver a Borrowing Base
Certificate to Lender by the time specified in Section 4.1(b).

      (d)   LETTERS OF CREDIT. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including SCHEDULE C, Borrower's Agent shall have the right to
request, and Lender agrees to incur, the Letter of Credit Obligations for the
account of Borrower in accordance with SCHEDULE C.

      (e)   MINIMUM BORROWINGS. Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement
which may be to the contrary, at no time hereafter shall the sum of all
Revolving Credit Advances ever be less than Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000).

1.2   TERM AND PREPAYMENT.

      (a)   Upon the Commitment Termination Date the obligation of Lender to
make Revolving Credit Advances and extend other credit hereunder shall
immediately terminate and Borrower shall pay to Lender in full, in cash: (i) all
outstanding Revolving Credit Advances and all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon; (ii) an amount sufficient to enable Lender to hold cash collateral as
specified in SCHEDULE C; and (iii) all other non-contingent Obligations due to
or incurred by Lender.

      (b)   If the Revolving Credit Loan shall at any time exceed the Borrowing
Availability, then Borrower shall immediately repay the Revolving Credit Loan in
the amount of such excess.

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      (c)   Borrower shall have the right, at any time upon ten (10) days prior
written notice given to Borrower's Agent to Lender to (i) terminate voluntarily
Borrower's right to receive or benefit from, and Lender's obligation to make and
to incur, Revolving Credit Advances and Letter of Credit Obligations and (ii)
prepay all of the Obligations. The effective date of termination of the
Revolving Credit Loan specified in such notice shall be the Commitment
Termination Date. If Borrower exercises its right of termination and prepayment,
or if Lender's obligation to make Loans is terminated for any reason prior to
the Stated Expiry Date then in effect (including as a result of the occurrence
of a Default), Borrower shall pay to Lender the applicable Prepayment Fee.

1.3   USE OF PROCEEDS. Borrower shall use the proceeds of any Loans for
working capital and other general corporate purposes.

1.4   SINGLE LOAN. The Loans and all of the other Obligations of Borrower to
Lender shall constitute one general obligation of Borrower secured by all of the
Collateral.

1.5   INTEREST.

      (a)   Borrower shall pay interest to Lender on the aggregate outstanding
Revolving Credit Advances at a floating rate equal to the Index Rate PLUS two
percent (2%) per annum (the "Revolving Credit Rate"). All computations of
interest, and all calculations of the Letter of Credit Fee, shall be made by
Lender on the basis of a three hundred and sixty (360) day year, in each case
for the actual number of days occurring in the period for which such interest or
fee is payable. Each determination by Lender of an interest rate hereunder shall
be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. In no event
will Lender charge interest at a rate that exceeds the highest rate of interest
permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a
final determination, deem applicable.

      (b)   Interest shall be payable on the outstanding Revolving Credit
Advances (i) in arrears for the preceding calendar month on the first day of
each calendar month, (ii) on the Commitment Termination Date, and (iii) if any
interest accrues or remains payable after the Commitment Termination Date, upon
demand by Lender.

      (c)   Effective upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and for so
long as any Event of Default shall be continuing, the Revolving Credit Rate and
the Letter of Credit Fee shall automatically be increased by two percentage
points (2%) per annum (such increased rate, the "Default Rate"), and all
outstanding Obligations, including unpaid interest and Letter of Credit Fees,
shall continue to accrue interest from the date of such Event of Default at the
Default Rate applicable to such Obligations.

      (d)   If any interest or other payment (including Unused Line Fees and
Letter of Credit Fees) to Lender under this Agreement becomes due and payable on
a day other than a Business

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Day, such payment date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and
interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such
extension.

1.6   CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. Within ninety (90) days following the Closing Date
and until the Termination Date, Borrower will establish and maintain the cash
management system described in SCHEDULE D. All payments in respect of the
Collateral shall be made to or deposited in the blocked or lockbox accounts
described in SCHEDULE D in accordance with the terms thereof.

1.7   FEES. Borrower agrees to pay to Lender the Fees set forth in SCHEDULE E.

1.8   RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS. Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement
(not otherwise made pursuant to Section 1.9) without set-off, counterclaim or
deduction and free and clear of all Taxes not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York
time) on the day when due in lawful money of the United States of America in
immediately available funds to the Collection Account. For purposes of computing
interest and Fees, all payments shall be deemed received by Lender on the
Business Day of receipt of immediately available funds in the Collection
Account. If Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from any
payment to Lender under any Loan Document, then the amount payable to Lender
shall be increased so that, after making all required deductions, Lender
receives an amount equal to that which it would have received had no such
deductions been made. For purposes of determining the Borrowing Availability,
payments shall be deemed received by Lender upon receipt of immediately
available funds in the Collection Account.

1.9   APPLICATION AND ALLOCATION OF PAYMENTS. Borrower irrevocably agrees that
Lender shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply any and all
payments against the then due and payable Obligations in such order as Lender
may deem advisable. Lender is authorized to, and at its option may (without
prior notice or precondition and at any time or times), but shall not be
obligated to, make or cause to be made Revolving Credit Advances on behalf of
Borrower for: (a) payment of all Fees, expenses, indemnities, charges, costs,
principal, interest, or other Obligations owing by Borrower under this Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents, (b) the payment, performance or satisfaction
of any of Borrower's obligations with respect to preservation of the Collateral
or otherwise under this Agreement, or (c) any premium in whole or in part
required in respect of any of the policies of insurance required by this
Agreement, even if the making of any such Revolving Credit Advance causes the
outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Loan to exceed the Borrowing
Availability, and Borrower agrees to repay immediately, in cash, any amount by
which the Revolving Credit Loan exceeds the Borrowing Availability.

1.10  ACCOUNTING. Lender is authorized to record on its books and records the
date and amount of each Loan and each payment of principal thereof and such
recordation shall constitute prima facie evidence of the accuracy of the
information so recorded. Lender shall provide Borrower on a monthly basis a
statement and accounting of such recordations but any failure on the part of the
Lender to keep any such recordation (or any errors therein) or to send a
statement thereof to

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Borrower shall not in any manner affect the obligation of Borrower to repay
(with applicable interest) the Loans made to Borrower under this Agreement.
Except to the extent that Borrower shall, within thirty (30) days after such
statement and accounting is sent, notify Lender in writing of any objection
Borrower may have thereto (stating with particularity the basis for such
objection), such statement and accounting shall be deemed final, binding and
conclusive upon Borrower, absent manifest error.

1.11  BORROWING BASE; RESERVES. The Borrowing Base shall be determined by Lender
(including the eligibility of Accounts) based on the most recent Borrowing Base
Certificate delivered to Lender in accordance with Section 4.1(b) and such other
information available to Lender. Without limiting any other rights and remedies
of Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, the Revolving Credit Loan
shall be subject to Lender's continuing right to withhold from Borrowing
Availability reserves, and to increase and decrease such reserves from time to
time, if and to the extent that in Lender's good faith credit judgment such
reserves are necessary, including to protect Lender's interest in the Collateral
or to protect Lender against possible diminution of the value of any Collateral
or possible non-payment of any of the Obligations or for any Taxes or in respect
of any state of facts which could constitute a Default. Lender may, at its
option, implement reserves by designating as ineligible a sufficient amount of
Accounts which would otherwise be Eligible Accounts, so as to reduce the
Borrowing Base by the amount of the intended reserves. Lender shall give
Borrower at least ten (10) days prior written notice of the imposition of any
such reserves (unless a Default then exists), stating with particularity the
basis therefor; e.g., a collateral audit, and the facts and circumstances giving
rise thereto.

2.    CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

2.1   CONDITIONS TO THE INITIAL LOANS. Lender shall not be obligated to make any
of the Loans or to perform any other action hereunder, until the following
conditions have been satisfied in a manner satisfactory to Lender in its sole
discretion, or waived in writing by Lender:

      (a)   the Loan Documents to be delivered on or before the Closing Date
shall have been duly executed and delivered by the appropriate parties, all as
set forth in the Schedule of Documents (SCHEDULE F);

      (b)   the insurance policies provided for in Section 3.17 shall be in full
force and effect, together with appropriate evidence showing loss payable or
additional insured clauses or endorsements in favor of Lender as required under
such Section;

      (c)   as of the Closing Date, the sum of all cash, cash equivalents and
Net Borrowing Availability shall be not less than Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000) after giving effect to the initial Revolving Credit Advance and
Letter of Credit Obligations (on a pro forma basis, with trade payables being
paid currently, and expenses and liabilities being paid in the ordinary course
of business and without acceleration of sales);

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      (d)   Lender shall have received an opinion of counsel to the Borrower
(which may be internal counsel) with respect to the Loan Documents in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender; and

      (e)   Lender shall have received copies of Borrower's financial statements
as of the end of, and for the fiscal quarter and fiscal year-to-date ended, June
30, 2001, and Lender shall be satisfied therewith.

2.2   FURTHER CONDITIONS TO THE LOANS.  Lender shall not be obligated to fund
any Loan (including the initial Loans), if, as of the date thereof:

      (a)   any representation or warranty by any Credit Party contained herein
or in any of the other Loan Documents shall be untrue or incorrect as of such
date, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty is expressly
stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case, such representation
and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date; or

      (b)   any event or circumstance which has had or reasonably could be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred since the Closing
Date; or

      (c)   any Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
after giving effect to such Loan; or

      (d)   after giving effect to such Loan the Revolving Credit Loan would
exceed the Borrowing Availability.

The request and acceptance by Borrower of the proceeds of any Loan shall be
deemed to constitute, as of the date of such request and the date of such
acceptance, (i) a representation and warranty by Borrower that the conditions in
this Section 2.2 have been satisfied and (ii) a restatement by Borrower of each
of the representations and warranties made by it in any Loan Document and a
reaffirmation by Borrower of the granting and continuance of Lender's Liens
pursuant to the Loan Documents.

3.    REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

To induce Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans, Borrower
and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement represent and warrant to
Lender (each of which representations and warranties shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement), and promise to and agree with Lender until the
Termination Date as follows:

3.1   CORPORATE EXISTENCE; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW. Each Corporate Credit Party: (a)
is, as of the Closing Date, and will continue to be (i) a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in

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good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or
formation, (ii) duly qualified to do business and in good standing in each other
jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its
business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so
qualified could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and (iii) in compliance with all Requirements of Law and Contractual
Obligations, except to the extent failure to comply therewith could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; and (b) has and will continue to have (i) the requisite
corporate power and authority and the legal right to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, and to own, pledge, mortgage
or otherwise encumber and operate its properties, to lease the property it
operates under lease, and to conduct its business as now, heretofore or proposed
to be conducted, and (ii) all licenses, permits, franchises, rights, powers,
consents or approvals from or by all Persons or Governmental Authorities having
jurisdiction over such Corporate Credit Party which are necessary or appropriate
for the conduct of its business.

3.2   EXECUTIVE OFFICES; CORPORATE OR OTHER NAMES. The location of each
Corporate Credit Party's chief executive office, corporate offices, warehouses,
other locations of Collateral and locations where records with respect to
Collateral are kept (including in each case the county of such locations) are as
set forth in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.2) and, except as set forth in such
Disclosure Schedule, such locations have not changed during the preceding twelve
months. As of the Closing Date, during the prior five years, except as set forth
in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.2), no Corporate Credit Party has been known as or
conducted business in any other name (including trade names).

3.3   CORPORATE POWER; AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS. The execution,
delivery and performance by each Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which it
is a party, and the creation of all Liens provided for herein and therein: (a)
are and will continue to be within such Credit Party's power and authority; (b)
have been and will continue to be duly authorized by all necessary or proper
action; (c) are not and will not be in violation of any Requirement of Law or
Contractual Obligation of such Credit Party (d) do not and will not result in
the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances) upon
any of the Collateral; and (e) do not and will not require the consent or
approval of any Governmental Authority or any other Person. As of the Closing
Date, each Loan Document shall have been duly executed and delivered on behalf
of each Credit Party party thereto, and each such Loan Document upon such
execution and delivery shall be and will continue to be a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

3.4   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS; BOOKS AND RECORDS.

      (a)   The Financial Statements delivered by Borrower to Lender for its
most recently ended Fiscal Year, Fiscal Quarter and Fiscal Month, are true,
correct and complete and reflect fairly and accurately the financial condition
of Borrower as of the date of each such Financial Statement in accordance with
GAAP. The Projections most recently delivered by Borrower to

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Lender have been prepared in good faith, with care and diligence and use
assumptions that are reasonable under the circumstances at the time such
Projections were prepared and as of the date delivered to Lender and all such
assumptions are disclosed in the Projections.

      (b)   Borrower and each other Corporate Credit Party shall keep adequate
Books and Records with respect to the Collateral and its business activities in
which proper entries, reflecting all consolidated and consolidating financial
transactions, and payments and credits received on, and all other dealings with,
the Collateral, will be made in accordance with GAAP and all Requirements of Law
and on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements.

3.5   MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Between the date of Borrower's most recently
audited Financial Statements delivered to Lender and the Closing Date: (a) no
Corporate Credit Party has incurred any obligations, contingent or
non-contingent liabilities, or liabilities for Charges, long-term leases or
unusual forward or long-term commitments which are not reflected in the
Projections delivered on the Closing Date and which could, alone or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) there
has been no material deviation from such Projections; and (c) no events have
occurred which alone or in the aggregate has had or could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Requirement of Law or Contractual
Obligation of any Credit Party has or have had or could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect and no Credit Party is in default, and to such
Credit Party's knowledge no third party is in default under or with respect to
any of its Contractual Obligations, which alone or in the aggregate has had or
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.6   REAL ESTATE; PROPERTY. The real estate listed in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.6)
constitutes all of the real property owned, leased, or used by each Corporate
Credit Party in its business, and such Credit Party will not execute any
material agreement or contract in respect of such real estate after the date of
this Agreement without giving Lender prompt prior written notice thereof. Each
Corporate Credit Party holds and will continue to hold good and marketable fee
simple title to all of its owned real estate, and good and marketable title to
all of its other properties and assets, and valid and insurable leasehold
interests in all of its leases (both as lessor and lessee, sublessee or
assignee), and none of the properties and assets of any Corporate Credit Party
are or will be subject to any Liens, except Permitted Encumbrances. With respect
to each of the premises identified in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.2), on or prior the
Closing Date a bailee, landlord or mortgagee agreement acceptable to Lender
shall have been obtained.

3.7   VENTURES, SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES; OUTSTANDING STOCK AND INDEBTEDNESS.
Except as set forth in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.7), as of the Closing Date, no
Corporate Credit Party has any Subsidiaries, is engaged in any joint venture or
partnership with any other Person, or is an Affiliate of any other Person. All
of the issued and outstanding Stock of each Corporate Credit Party (including
all rights to purchase, options, warrants or similar rights or agreements
pursuant to which any Corporate Credit Party may be required to issue, sell,
repurchase or redeem any of its Stock) as of the Closing Date is owned by each
of the Stockholders (and in the amounts) set forth on DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.7).
All outstanding Indebtedness of each Corporate Credit Party

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as of the Closing Date is described in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (5(b). None of such
Indebtedness is secured, except by Permitted Encumbrances.

3.8   GOVERNMENT REGULATION. No Corporate Credit Party is subject to or
regulated under any Federal or state statute, rule or regulation that restricts
or limits such Person's ability to incur Indebtedness, pledge its assets, or to
perform its obligations under the Loan Documents. The making of the Loans, the
application of the proceeds and repayment thereof, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not violate any
Requirement of Law.

3.9   MARGIN REGULATIONS. No Corporate Credit Party is engaged, nor will it
engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of
extending credit for the purpose of "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin
security" as such terms are defined in Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board
as now and from time to time hereafter in effect (such securities being referred
to herein as "Margin Stock"). No Corporate Credit Party owns any Margin Stock,
and none of the proceeds of the Loans or other extensions of credit under this
Agreement will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any Margin Stock, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any
Indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock
or for any other purpose which might cause any of the Loans or other extensions
of credit under this Agreement to be considered a "purpose credit" within the
meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board. No Corporate
Credit Party will take or permit to be taken any action which might cause any
Loan Document to violate any regulation of the Federal Reserve Board.

3.10  TAXES; CHARGES. Except as disclosed on DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.10), all tax
returns, reports and statements required by any Governmental Authority to be
filed by Borrower or any other Credit Party have, as of the Closing Date, been
filed and will, until the Termination Date, be filed with the appropriate
Governmental Authority and no tax Lien has been filed against any Credit Party
or any Credit Party's property. Proper and accurate amounts have been and will
be withheld by Borrower and each other Credit Party from their respective
employees for all periods in complete compliance with all Requirements of Law
and such withholdings have and will be timely paid to the appropriate
Governmental Authorities. DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.10) sets forth as of the
Closing Date those taxable years for which any Credit Party's tax returns are
currently being audited by the IRS or any other applicable Governmental
Authority and any assessments or threatened assessments in connection with such
audit, or otherwise currently outstanding. Except as described on Disclosure
Schedule (3.10), none of the Credit Parties and their respective predecessors
are liable for any Charges: (a) under any agreement (including any tax sharing
agreements or agreement extending the period of assessment of any Charges) or
(b) to each Credit Party's knowledge, as a transferee. As of the Closing Date,
no Credit Party has agreed or been requested to make any adjustment under IRC
Section 481(a), by reason of a change in accounting method or otherwise, which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

3.11  PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. Each Credit Party will pay, discharge or otherwise
satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may
be, all of its Charges and

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<Page>

other obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity
thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on
the books of such Credit Party and none of the Collateral is or could reasonably
be expected to become subject to any Lien or forfeiture or loss as a result of
such contest.

3.12  ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur
that, when taken together with all other existing ERISA Events, could reasonably
be expected to result in a liability of any Credit Party of more than the
Materiality Threshold. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations
of the Credit Parties under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for
purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of
the date of the most recent Financial Statements reflecting such amounts, exceed
the fair market value of the assets of such Plan by more than the Materiality
Threshold, and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all
underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of
Financial Account Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent
Financial Statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of
the assets of such underfunded Plans by more than the Materiality Threshold. No
Credit Party or ERISA Affiliate has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any
Withdrawal Liability in excess of the Materiality Threshold.

3.13  LITIGATION. No Litigation is pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit
Party, threatened by or against any Credit Party or against any Credit Party's
properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) which could reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE (3.13), as of the Closing Date there is no Litigation pending or
threatened against any Credit Party which seeks damages in excess of the
Materiality Threshold, or injunctive relief or alleges criminal misconduct of
any Credit Party. Each Credit Party shall notify Lender promptly upon learning
of the existence, threat or commencement of any Litigation against any Credit
Party, any ERISA Affiliate or any Plan or any allegation of criminal misconduct
against any Credit Party.

3.14  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. As of the Closing Date, all material Intellectual
Property owned or used by any Corporate Credit Party is listed, together with
application or registration numbers, where applicable, in DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
(3.14). Each Corporate Credit Party owns, or is licensed to use, all
Intellectual Property necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted
except for such Intellectual Property the failure of which to own or license
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each
Corporate Credit Party will maintain the patenting and registration of all
Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the
United States Copyright Office, or other appropriate Governmental Authority and
each Corporate Credit Party will promptly patent or register, as the case may
be, all new Intellectual Property and notify Lender in writing five (5) Business
Days prior to filing any such new patent or registration.

3.15  FULL DISCLOSURE. No information contained in any Loan Document, the
Financial Statements or any written statement furnished by or on behalf of any
Credit Party under any

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Loan Document, or to induce Lender to execute the Loan Documents, contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of
the circumstances under which they were made.

3.16  HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Except as set forth on DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.16), as
of the Closing Date, (a) each real property location owned, leased or occupied
by each Corporate Credit Party (the "Real Property") is maintained free of
contamination from any Hazardous Material, (b) no Corporate Credit Party is
subject to any Environmental Liabilities or, to any Credit Party's knowledge,
potential Environmental Liabilities, in excess of the Materiality Threshold in
the aggregate, (c) no notice has been received by any Corporate Credit Party
identifying it as a "potentially responsible party" or requesting information
under CERCLA or analogous state statutes, and to the knowledge of any Credit
Party, there are no facts, circumstances or conditions that may result in any
Corporate Credit Party being identified as a "potentially responsible party"
under CERCLA or analogous state statutes; and (d) each Corporate Credit Party
has provided to Lender copies of all existing environmental reports, reviews and
audits and all written information pertaining to actual or potential
Environmental Liabilities, in each case relating to any Corporate Credit Party.
Each Corporate Credit Party: (i) shall comply in all material respects with all
applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) shall notify
Lender in writing within seven days if and when it becomes aware of any Release,
on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about any of its Real Property; and (iii)
shall promptly forward to Lender a copy of any order, notice, permit,
application, or any communication or report received by it or any other Credit
Party in connection with any such Release.

3.17  INSURANCE. As of the Closing Date, DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.17) lists all
insurance of any nature maintained for current occurrences by Borrower and each
other Corporate Credit Party, as well as a summary of the terms of such
insurance. Each Corporate Credit Party shall deliver to Lender certified copies
and endorsements to all of its and those of its Subsidiaries (a) "all risk" and
business interruption insurance policies naming Lender loss payee, and (b)
general liability and other liability policies naming Lender as an additional
insured. All policies of insurance on real and personal property will contain an
endorsement, in form and substance acceptable to Lender, showing loss payable to
Lender and extra expense and business interruption endorsements. Such
endorsement, or an independent instrument furnished to Lender, will provide that
the insurance companies will give Lender at least thirty (30) days prior written
notice before any such policy or policies of insurance shall be altered or
canceled and that no act or default of Borrower or any other Person shall affect
the right of Lender to recover under such policy or policies of insurance in
case of loss or damage. Each Corporate Credit Party shall direct all present and
future insurers under its "all risk" policies of insurance to pay all proceeds
payable thereunder directly to Lender. If any insurance proceeds are paid by
check, draft or other instrument payable to any Credit Party and Lender jointly,
Lender may endorse such Credit Party's name thereon and do such other things as
Lender may deem advisable to reduce the same to cash. Lender reserves the right
at any time, upon review of each Credit Party's risk profile, to require
additional forms and limits of insurance. Each Corporate Credit Party shall, on
each anniversary of the Closing Date and from time to time at Lender's request,
deliver to Lender a report by a reputable insurance broker, satisfactory to
Lender, with respect to such Person's insurance policies.

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<Page>

3.18  DEPOSIT AND DISBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS. Attachment I to SCHEDULE D lists all
banks and other financial institutions at which Borrower or any other Corporate
Credit Party, maintains deposits and/or other accounts, including the
Disbursement Account, and such Attachment correctly identifies the name, address
and telephone number of each such depository, the name in which the account is
held, a description of the purpose of the account, and the complete account
number.

3.19  ACCOUNTS. As of the date of each Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to
Lender, each Account listed thereon as an Eligible Account shall be an Eligible
Account. Borrower has not made, and will not make, any agreement with any
Account Debtor for any extension of time for the payment of any Account, any
compromise or settlement for less than the full amount thereof, any release of
any Account Debtor from liability therefor, or any deduction therefrom except a
discount or allowance for prompt or early payment allowed by Borrower in the
ordinary course of its business consistent with historical practice and as
previously disclosed to Lender in writing. DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (3.19) sets forth
each contract of the Borrower with any Account Debtor which gives such Account
Debtor the right (under such contract, under common law or otherwise) to offset
any Accounts for Borrower's failure to perform under such contract and Borrower
has obtained an offset waiver for each such contract in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender. With respect to the Accounts pledged as collateral
pursuant to any Loan Document (a) the amounts shown on all invoices, statements
and reports which may be delivered to the Lender with respect thereto are
actually and absolutely owing to the relevant Credit Party as indicated thereon
and are not in any way contingent; (b) no payments have been or shall be made
thereon except payments immediately delivered to the applicable Lock Box
Accounts or the Lender as required hereunder; and (c) to Borrower's knowledge
all Account Debtors have the capacity to contract. Borrower shall notify Lender
promptly of any event or circumstance which to Borrower's knowledge would cause
Lender to consider any then existing Account as no longer constituting an
Eligible Account.

3.20  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS; MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE. Each Corporate Credit Party
(a) shall conduct its business substantially as now conducted or as otherwise
permitted hereunder and preserve all of its rights, privileges and franchises
necessary and desirable in connection therewith, and (b) shall at all times
maintain, preserve and protect all of the Collateral and such Credit Party's
other property, used or useful in the conduct of its business and keep the same
in good repair, working order and condition (taking into consideration ordinary
wear and tear) and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all necessary or
appropriate repairs, replacements and improvements thereto consistent with
industry practices.

3.21  FURTHER ASSURANCES. At any time and from time to time, upon the written
request of Lender and at the sole expense of Borrower, Borrower and each other
Credit Party shall promptly and duly execute and deliver any and all such
further instruments and documents and take such further action as Lender may
reasonably deem desirable (a) to obtain the full benefits of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents, (b) to protect, preserve and maintain Lender's rights
in the Collateral, or any of it, and under this Agreement, or (c) to enable
Lender to exercise all or any of the rights and powers herein granted. Without
limitation of the foregoing: (i) at any

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<Page>

time and from time to time, upon the written request of Lender and at the sole
expense of Borrower, Borrower and each other Credit Party, as applicable, shall
promptly and duly execute and deliver any and all such further instruments and
documents and take such further actions as Lender may deem desirable to obtain
the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted,
including (A) using its best efforts to secure all consents and approvals
necessary or appropriate for the assignment to or for the benefit of Lender of
any License or Contract held by such Credit Party and to enforce the security
interests granted hereunder; and (B) filing any financing or continuation
statements under the Code with respect to the Liens granted hereunder or under
any other Loan Document as to those jurisdictions that are not Uniform
Commercial Code jurisdictions that have adopted "Revised Article 9" of the Code;
(ii) unless Lender shall otherwise consent in writing (which consent may be
revoked), each Credit Party shall deliver to Lender all Collateral consisting of
negotiable Documents, certificated securities (accompanied by stock powers
executed in blank), Chattel Paper and Instruments promptly after such Credit
Party receives the same; (iii) each Credit Party shall obtain or use its best
efforts to obtain waivers or subordinations of Liens from landlords and
mortgagees, and each Credit Party shall in all instances obtain signed
acknowledgments of Lender's Liens from bailees having possession of any Goods
that they hold the same for the benefit of Lender; (iv) if not waived by Lender
in writing (which waiver may be revoked), each Credit Party shall obtain
authenticated Control Letters from each issuer of uncertificated securities,
securities intermediary, or commodities intermediary issuing or holding any
financial assets or commodities to or for any Credit Party; (v) in accordance
with SCHEDULE D, each Credit Party shall obtain a blocked account, lockbox or
similar agreement with each bank or financial institution holding a Deposit
Account for such Credit Party; (vi) each Credit Party that is or becomes the
beneficiary of a letter of credit shall promptly notify Lender thereof and enter
into a tri-party agreement with Lender and the issuer and/or confirmation bank
with respect to Letter-of-Credit Rights assigning such Letter-of-Credit Rights
to Lender and directing all payments thereunder to the Collection Account, all
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender; (vii) each Credit Party
shall take all steps necessary to grant Lender control of all electronic chattel
paper in accordance with the Code and all "transferable records" as defined in
the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; (viii) each Credit Party hereby
irrevocably authorizes Lender at any time and from time to time to file in any
filing office in any Uniform Commercial Code jurisdiction that has adopted
"Revised Article 9" of the Code on or after July 1, 2001, any initial financing
statements and amendments thereto that (a) indicate the Collateral (i) as all
assets of such Credit Party or words of similar effect, regardless whether any
particular asset comprised in the Collateral falls within the scope of Article 9
of the Code, or (ii) as being of an equal or lesser scope or with greater
details, and (b) contain any other information required by part 5 of Article 9
of the Code for the sufficiency of filing office acceptance of any financing
statement or amendment, including (i) whether such Credit Party is an
organization, the type of organization and any organization identification
number issued to such Grantor, and (ii) in the case of a financing statement
filed as a fixture filing or indicating Collateral as as-extracted collateral or
timber to be cut, a sufficient description of real property to which the
Collateral relates; each Credit Party agrees to furnish any such information to
the Lender promptly upon request; each Credit Party also ratifies its
authorization for Lender to have filed in any Uniform Commercial Code
jurisdiction any like initial financing statements or amendments thereto if
filed prior to the date hereof; (ix) each Credit Party shall promptly notify
Lender of any commercial tort claim (as defined in the Code) acquired by it and
unless otherwise consented by Lender, such

                                       13
<Page>

Credit Party shall enter into a special supplement to this Agreement, granting
to Lender a Lien in such commercial tort claim; and (x) no Credit Party shall
file any financing statement, or amendment or termination statement with respect
to any financing statement pertaining to any Collateral except with Lender's
prior written consent (subject to Section 9-509(d)(2) of the Code in regard
thereto).

4.    FINANCIAL MATTERS; REPORTS

4.1   REPORTS AND NOTICES. Borrower represents, agrees and promises that from
and after the Closing Date until the Termination Date, Borrower shall deliver to
Lender:

      (a)   within fifteen (15) days following the end of each Fiscal Month, or
more frequently if requested by Lender during any time that a Default exists, a
Borrowing Base Certificate in the form of EXHIBIT B as of the last day of the
previous Fiscal Month detailing ineligible Accounts for adjustment to the
Borrowing Base, certified as true and correct by the chief financial officer of
Borrower's Agent or such other officer as is acceptable to Lender;

      (b)   within thirty (30) days following the end of each Fiscal Month, the
Financial Statements for such Fiscal Month, which shall provide comparisons to
budget and actual results for the corresponding period during the prior Fiscal
Year, both on a monthly and year-to-date basis, and accompanied by a
certification in the form of EXHIBIT F by the chief executive officer or chief
financial officer of Borrower's Agent that such Financial Statements are
complete and correct, that there was no Default (or specifying those Defaults of
which he or she was aware), and showing in reasonable detail the calculations
used in determining compliance with the financial covenants hereunder;

      (c)   within ninety (90) days following the close of each Fiscal Year, the
Financial Statements for such Fiscal Year certified without qualification by an
independent certified accounting firm acceptable to Lender, which shall provide
comparisons to the prior Fiscal Year, and shall be accompanied by (i) a
statement in reasonable detail showing the calculations used in determining
compliance with the financial covenants hereunder, (ii) a report from Borrower's
accountants to the effect that in connection with their audit examination
nothing has come to their attention to cause them to believe that a Default has
occurred or specifying those Defaults of which they are aware, and (iii) any
management letter that may be issued;

      (d)   not less than thirty (30) days prior to the close of each Fiscal
Year, the Projections, which will be prepared by Borrower in good faith, with
care and diligence, and using assumptions which are reasonable under the
circumstances at the time such Projections are delivered to Lender and disclosed
therein when delivered;

      (e)   promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration
statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements on
Form S-8 or its equivalent) and annual,

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<Page>

quarterly or monthly reports which Borrower shall have filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission; and

      (f)   such other reports and information as may be reasonably requested by
Lender from time to time.

4.2   FINANCIAL COVENANTS. Borrower shall not breach any of the financial
covenants set forth in SCHEDULE G.

4.3   OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION. Borrower's Agent shall advise Lender
promptly, in reasonable detail, of: (a) any Lien, other than Permitted
Encumbrances, attaching to or asserted against any of the Collateral or any
occurrence causing a material loss or decline in value of any Collateral and the
estimated (or actual, if available) amount of such loss or decline; (b) any
material change in the composition of the Collateral; and (c) the occurrence of
any Default or other event which has had or could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower's Agent shall, upon request of Lender,
furnish to Lender such other reports and information in connection with the
affairs, business, financial condition, operations, prospects or management of
Borrower or any other Credit Party or the Collateral as Lender may request, all
in reasonable detail.

5.    NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Borrower and each Credit Party executing this Agreement covenant and agree (each
for itself and each other Credit Party) that, without Lender's prior written
consent, from the Closing Date until the Termination Date, neither Borrower nor
any other Corporate Credit Party (nor any Subsidiary of any of them) shall,
directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise:

      (a)   merge with, consolidate with, acquire all or substantially all of
the assets or capital stock of, or otherwise combine with or make any investment
in or, except as provided in clause 5(c) below, loan or advance to, any Person
or create or acquire any Subsidiary;

      (b)   cancel any debt owing to it or create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Indebtedness, except: (i) the Obligations, (ii) Indebtedness existing
as of the Closing Date set forth on DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 5(b), (iii) deferred
taxes, (iv) by endorsement of instruments or items of payment for deposit to the
general account of such Credit Party, (v) for Guaranteed Indebtedness incurred
for the benefit of Borrower if the primary obligation is permitted by this
Agreement; and (vi) Purchase Money Indebtedness incurred after the Closing Date
in an aggregate outstanding amount for all such Corporate Credit Parties
combined not exceeding that amount which would result in the violation of any
financial covenant set forth on SCHEDULE G.

      (c)   enter into any lending, borrowing or other commercial transaction
with any of its employees, directors, Affiliates or any other Credit Party
(including upstreaming and downstreaming of cash and intercompany advances and
payments by a Credit Party on behalf of

                                       15
<Page>

another Credit Party which are not otherwise permitted hereunder) other than
loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business in an
aggregate outstanding amount not exceeding the Materiality Threshold;

      (d)   make any changes in any of its business objectives, purposes, or
operations which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect repayment of
the Obligations or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect or engage in any business other than that presently engaged in or
proposed to be engaged in the Projections delivered to Lender on the Closing
Date;

      (e)   create or permit any Lien on any of its properties or assets, except
for Permitted Encumbrances;

      (f)   sell, transfer, issue, convey, assign or otherwise dispose of any of
its assets or properties, including its Accounts or any shares of its Stock or
engage in any sale-leaseback, synthetic lease or similar transaction; PROVIDED
that the foregoing shall not prohibit the sale of Inventory or obsolete or
unnecessary Equipment in the ordinary course of its business; and, PROVIDED,
FURTHER, that, in addition to and separate from the foregoing, Borrower may
purchase and resell up to One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000)
in switch gear equipment owned (or brokered for sale) by SBC Capital Services.

      (g)   change its name, chief executive office, corporate offices,
warehouses or other Collateral locations, or location of its records concerning
the Collateral, or acquire, lease or use any real estate after the Closing Date
without such Person, in each instance, giving thirty (30) days prior written
notice thereof to Lender and taking all actions deemed necessary or appropriate
by Lender to continuously protect and perfect Lender's Liens upon the
Collateral;

      (h)   establish any depository or other bank account of any kind with any
financial institution (other than the accounts set forth on Attachment 1 to
SCHEDULE D) without Lender's prior written consent; or

      (i)   make or permit any Restricted Payment.

6.    SECURITY INTEREST

6.1   GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.

      (a)   As collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and
performance of the Obligations, each of the Borrower and any other Credit Party
executing this Agreement hereby grants to the Lender a security interest in and
Lien upon all of its property and assets, whether real or personal, tangible or
intangible, and whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or in which it now has
or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title, or interest,
including

                                       16
<Page>

all of the following property in which it now has or at any time in the future
may acquire any right, title or interest: all Accounts; all bank and deposit
accounts, including Collection Accounts, Lock Box Accounts and Disbursement
Accounts, and all funds on deposit therein; all cash and cash equivalents; all
commodity contracts; all investments and Investment Property; all Inventory and
Equipment; all Goods; all Chattel Paper, Documents and Instruments; all Books
and Records; all Supporting Obligations and Letter-of-Credit Rights; all General
Intangibles (including all payment intangibles, Software, Intellectual Property,
Stock, contract rights, and choses in action); and, to the extent not otherwise
included, all Proceeds and products of all and any of the foregoing, all tort
claims, insurance claims and other rights to payment, and all collateral
security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the
foregoing, but excluding in all events Hazardous Waste (all of the foregoing,
together with any other collateral pledged to the Lender pursuant to any other
Loan Document, collectively, the "Collateral").

      (b)   Borrower, Lender and each other Credit Party executing this
Agreement agree that this Agreement creates, and is intended to create, valid
and continuing Liens upon the Collateral in favor of Lender. Borrower and each
other Credit Party executing this Agreement represent, warrant and promise to
Lender that: (i) each of Borrower and each other Credit Party granting a Lien in
Collateral is the sole owner of each item of the Collateral upon which it
purports to grant a Lien pursuant to the Loan Documents, and has good and
marketable title thereto free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of
others, other than Permitted Encumbrances; (ii) the security interests granted
pursuant to this Agreement, upon completion of the filings and other actions
listed on DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE (6.1) (which, in the case of all filings and other
documents referred to in said Schedule, have been delivered to the Lender in
duly executed form) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of
the Collateral in favor of the Lender as security for the prompt and complete
payment and performance of the Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the
terms hereof against any and all creditors of and purchasers from any Credit
Party (other than purchasers of Inventory in the ordinary course of business)
and such security interests are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in
existence on the date hereof except for Permitted Encumbrances which have
priority by operation of law; and (iii) no effective security agreement,
financing statement, equivalent security or Lien instrument or continuation
statement covering all or any part of the Collateral is or will be on file or of
record in any public office, except those relating to Permitted Encumbrances.
Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement promise to defend
the right, title and interest of Lender in and to the Collateral against the
claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever, and each shall take such actions,
including (x) the prompt delivery of all original Instruments, Chattel Paper and
certificated Stock owned by Borrower and each other Credit Party granting a Lien
on Collateral to Lender, (y) notification of Lender's interest in Collateral at
Lender's request, and (z) the institution of litigation against third parties as
shall be prudent in order to protect and preserve each Credit Party's and
Lender's respective and several interests in the Collateral. Borrower (and any
other Credit Party granting a Lien in Collateral) shall mark its Books and
Records pertaining to the Collateral to evidence the Loan Documents and the
Liens granted under the Loan Documents. All Chattel Paper shall be marked with
the following legend: "This writing and the obligations evidenced or secured
hereby are subject to the security interest of General Electric Capital
Corporation."

6.2  LENDER'S RIGHTS.

                                       17
<Page>

      (a)   Lender may, (i) at any time in Lender's own name or in the name of
Borrower, communicate with Account Debtors, parties to Contracts, and obligors
in respect of Instruments, Chattel Paper or other Collateral to verify to
Lender's satisfaction, the existence, amount and terms of any such Accounts,
Contracts, Instruments or Chattel Paper or other Collateral, and (ii) at any
time, with prior notice to Borrower (unless a Default then exists) or any other
Credit Party, notify Account Debtors, parties to Contracts, and obligors in
respect of Chattel Paper, Instruments, or other Collateral that the Collateral
has been assigned to Lender and that payments shall be made directly to Lender.
Upon the request of Lender, Borrower shall so notify such Account Debtors,
parties to Contracts, and obligors in respect of Instruments, Chattel Paper or
other Collateral. Borrower hereby constitutes Lender or Lender's designee as
Borrower's attorney with power to endorse Borrower's name upon any notes,
acceptance drafts, money orders or other evidences of payment or Collateral.

      (b)   It is expressly agreed by Borrower that, notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, Borrower shall remain liable under each Contract,
Instrument and License to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations
to be observed and performed by it thereunder, and Lender shall have no
obligation or liability whatsoever to any Person under any Contract, Instrument
or License (between Borrower or any other Credit Party and any Person other than
Lender) by reason of or arising out of the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement, and Lender shall not be required or obligated in any manner (i)
to perform or fulfill any of the obligations of Borrower, (ii) to make any
payment or inquiry, or (iii) to take any action of any kind to collect,
compromise or enforce any performance or the payment of any amounts which may
have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times
under or pursuant to any Contract, Instrument or License.

      (c)   Borrower and each other Credit Party shall, with respect to each
owned, leased, or controlled property or facility, during normal business hours
and upon reasonable advance notice (unless a Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, in which event no notice shall be required and Lender shall have
access at any and all times): (i) provide access to such facility or property to
Lender and any of its officers, employees and agents, as frequently as Lender
determines to be appropriate; (ii) permit Lender and any of its officers,
employees and agents to inspect, audit and make extracts and copies (or take
originals if reasonably necessary) from all of Borrower's and such Credit
Party's Books and Records; and (iii) permit Lender to inspect, review, evaluate
and make physical verifications and appraisals of the Inventory and other
Collateral in any manner and through any medium that Lender considers advisable,
and Borrower and such Credit Party agree to render to Lender, at Borrower's and
such Credit Party's cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may
be reasonably requested with regard thereto.

6.3   LENDER'S APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. On the Closing Date, Borrower
and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement shall execute and deliver a
Power of Attorney in the form attached as EXHIBIT F. The power of attorney
granted pursuant to the Power of Attorney and all powers granted under any Loan
Document are powers coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until the
Termination Date. The powers conferred on Lender under the Power of

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Attorney are solely to protect Lender's interests in the Collateral and shall
not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Lender agrees and
promises that (a) it shall not exercise any power or authority granted under the
Power of Attorney unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b)
Lender shall only exercise the powers granted under the Power of Attorney in
respect of Collateral, provided, except as otherwise required by applicable law,
Lender shall not have any duty as to any Collateral, and Lender shall be
accountable only for amounts that it actually receives as a result of the
exercise of such powers. Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this
Agreement also hereby authorizes Lender to file any financing or continuation
statement without the signature of Borrower or such Credit Party to the extent
permitted by applicable law.

6.4   GRANT OF LICENSE TO USE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL. Borrower and
each other Credit Party executing this Agreement hereby grant to Lender an
irrevocable, non-exclusive license (exercisable upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default without payment of royalty or other
compensation to Borrower or such Credit Party) to use, transfer, license or
sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned, licensed to, or hereafter
acquired by Borrower or such Credit Party, and wherever the same may be located,
and including in such license access to all media in which any of the licensed
items may be recorded or stored and to all computer and automatic machinery
software and programs used for the compilation or printout thereof, and
represents, promises and agrees that any such license or sublicense is not and
will not be in conflict with the contractual or commercial rights of any third
Person; provided, that such license will terminate on the Termination Date.

7.    EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

7.1   EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any one or more of the following
events (regardless of the reason therefor) shall constitute an "Event of
Default" hereunder which shall be deemed to be continuing until waived in
writing by Lender in accordance with Section 9.3:

      (a)   Borrower shall fail to make any payment in respect of any
Obligations when due and payable or declared due and payable; or

      (b)   Borrower or any other Credit Party shall fail or neglect to perform,
keep or observe any of the covenants, promises, agreements, requirements,
conditions or other terms or provisions contained in (i) Sections 4, 5 or 6 of
this Agreement; or (ii) any other Section of this Agreement not elsewhere
covered in this Section 7.1 or any of the other Loan Documents, regardless of
whether such breach involves a covenant, promise, agreement, condition,
requirement, term or provision with respect to a Credit Party that has not
signed this Agreement so long as, in the case of this clause (ii), such default
has continued for a period of twenty (20) days or more after the EARLIER of
Borrower's receipt of knowledge thereof or notice of such default from Lender;
or

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      (c)   an event of default shall occur under any Contractual Obligation of
the Borrower or any other Credit Party (other than this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents), and such event of default (i) involves the failure to make any
payment (whether or not such payment is blocked pursuant to the terms of an
intercreditor agreement or otherwise), whether of principal, interest or
otherwise, and whether due by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand or otherwise, in respect of any Indebtedness (other than
the Obligations) of such Person in an aggregate amount exceeding the Materiality
Threshold, or (ii) causes (or permits any holder of such Indebtedness or a
trustee to cause) such Indebtedness, or a portion thereof, in an aggregate
amount exceeding the Materiality Threshold to become due prior to its stated
maturity or prior to its regularly scheduled dates of payment; or

      (d)   any representation or warranty in this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or in any written statement pursuant hereto or thereto, or in any
report, financial statement or certificate made or delivered to Lender by
Borrower or any other Credit Party shall be untrue or incorrect as of the date
when made or deemed made, regardless of whether such breach involves a
representation or warranty with respect to a Credit Party that has not signed
this Agreement; or

      (e)   there shall be commenced against the Borrower or any other Credit
Party any Litigation seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution,
distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets
which results in the entry of an order for any such relief which remains
unstayed or undismissed for thirty (30) consecutive days; or Borrower or any
other Credit Party shall have concealed, removed or permitted to be concealed or
removed, any part of its property with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its
creditors or any of them or made or suffered a transfer of any of its property
or the incurring of an obligation which may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy,
fraudulent transfer or other similar law; or

      (f)   a case or proceeding shall have been commenced involuntarily against
Borrower or any other Credit Party in a court having competent jurisdiction
seeking a decree or order: (i) under the United States Bankruptcy Code or any
other applicable Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar law, and
seeking either (x) the appointment of a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) for such Person or of
any substantial part of its properties, or (y) the reorganization or winding up
or liquidation of the affairs of any such Person, and such case or proceeding
shall remain undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) consecutive days or such
court shall enter a decree or order granting the relief sought in such case or
proceeding; or (ii) invalidating or denying any Person's right, power, or
competence to enter into or perform any of its obligations under any Loan
Document or invalidating or denying the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken hereunder or
thereunder; or

      (g)   Borrower or any other Credit Party shall (i) commence any case,
proceeding or other action under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction,
domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
conservatorship or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief
entered with respect to it or seeking appointment of a custodian, receiver,
liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) for it or
any substantial part of its properties, (ii) make a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors, (iii) consent to or take any

                                       20
<Page>

action in furtherance of, or, indicating its consent to, approval of, or
acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in paragraphs (e) or (f) of this
Section 7.1 or clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (g), or (iv) shall admit
in writing its inability to, or shall be generally unable to, pay its debts as
such debts become due; or

      (h)   a final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of
the Materiality Threshold in the aggregate shall be rendered against Borrower or
any other Credit Party, unless the same shall be (i) fully covered by insurance
and the issuer(s) of the applicable policies shall have acknowledged full
coverage in writing within fifteen (15) days of judgment, or (ii) vacated,
stayed, bonded, paid or discharged within a period of fifteen (15) days from the
date of such judgment; or

      (i)   any other event shall have occurred which has had or could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and Lender shall have
given Borrower notice thereof; or

      (j)   any provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be
valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms, or any Lien
granted, or intended by the Loan Documents to be granted, to Lender shall cease
to be a valid and perfected Lien having the first priority (or a lesser priority
if expressly permitted in the Loan Documents) in any of the Collateral (or any
Credit Party shall so assert any of the foregoing); or

      (k)   a Change of Control shall have occurred with respect to any
Corporate Credit Party; or

      (l)   an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the
Lender, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred and
are then continuing, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any
Credit Party in an aggregate amount exceeding the Materiality Threshold.

7.2   REMEDIES.

      (a)   If any Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then Lender
may terminate or suspend its obligation to make further Revolving Credit
Advances and to incur additional Letter of Credit Obligations. In addition, if
any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lender may, without
notice, take any one or more of the following actions: (i) declare all or any
portion of the Obligations to be forthwith due and payable, including contingent
liabilities with respect to Letter of Credit Obligations, whereupon such
Obligations shall become and be due and payable; (ii) require that all Letter of
Credit Obligations be fully cash collateralized pursuant to SCHEDULE C; or (iii)
exercise any rights and remedies provided to Lender under the Loan Documents or
at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the Code; provided, that
upon the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Sections 7.1 (e), (f)
or (g), the Obligations shall become immediately due and payable (and any
obligation of Lender to make further Loans, if not previously terminated, shall
immediately be terminated) without declaration, notice or demand by Lender.

                                       21
<Page>

      (b)   Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Borrower and each
other Credit Party executing this Agreement expressly agree that upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may collect, receive, assemble,
process, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and
may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give an option or options to purchase or
otherwise dispose of and deliver said Collateral (or contract to do so), or any
part thereof, in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any
exchange at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future
delivery without assumption of any credit risk. Lender shall have the right upon
any such public sale or sales and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such
private sale or sales, to purchase for the benefit of Lender the whole or any
part of said Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption,
which equity of redemption Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this
Agreement hereby release. Such sales may be adjourned, or continued from time to
time with or without notice. Lender shall have the right to conduct such sales
on any Credit Party's premises or elsewhere and shall have the right to use any
Credit Party's premises without rent or other charge for such sales or other
action with respect to the Collateral for such time or times as Lender deems
necessary or advisable.

      (c)   Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement
further agree, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default and at Lender's request, to assemble the Collateral and make it
available to Lender at places which Lender shall reasonably select, whether at
its premises or elsewhere. Until Lender is able to effect a sale, lease, or
other disposition of the Collateral, Lender shall have the right to complete,
assemble, use or operate the Collateral or any part thereof, to the extent that
Lender deems appropriate, for the purpose of preserving such Collateral or its
value or for any other purpose. Lender shall have no obligation to any Credit
Party to maintain or preserve the rights of any Credit Party as against third
parties with respect to any Collateral while such Collateral is in the
possession of Lender. Lender may, if it so elects, seek the appointment of a
receiver or keeper to take possession of any Collateral and to enforce any of
Lender's remedies with respect to such appointment without prior notice or
hearing. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower and each
other Credit Party executing this Agreement waives all claims, damages, and
demands against Lender, its Affiliates, agents, and the officers and employees
of any of them arising out of the repossession, retention or sale of any
Collateral except such as are determined in a final judgment by a court of
competent jurisdiction to have arisen solely out of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Person. Borrower and each other Credit Party
executing this Agreement agrees that ten (10) days prior notice by Lender to
such Credit Party of the time and place of any public sale or of the time after
which a private sale may take place is reasonable notification of such matters.
Borrower and each other Credit Party shall remain liable for any deficiency if
the proceeds of any sale or disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to
pay all amounts to which Lender is entitled.

      (d)   Lender's rights and remedies under this Agreement shall be
cumulative and nonexclusive of any other rights and remedies which Lender may
have under any Loan Document or at law or in equity. Recourse to the Collateral
shall not be required. All provisions of this Agreement are intended to be
subject to all applicable mandatory provisions of law that

                                       22
<Page>

may be controlling and to be limited, to the extent necessary, so that they do
not render this Agreement invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part.

7.3   WAIVERS BY CREDIT PARTIES. Except as otherwise provided for in this
Agreement and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower and
each other Credit Party executing this Agreement waive: (a) presentment, demand
and protest, and notice of presentment, dishonor, intent to accelerate,
acceleration, protest, default, nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise,
settlement, extension or renewal of any or all Loan Documents, the Notes or any
other notes, commercial paper, Accounts, Contracts, Documents, Instruments,
Chattel Paper and guaranties at any time held by Lender on which such Credit
Party may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies and confirms whatever Lender
may do in this regard; (b) all rights to notice and a hearing prior to Lender's
taking possession or control of, or to Lender's replevy, attachment or levy
upon, any Collateral or any bond or security which might be required by any
court prior to allowing Lender to exercise any of its remedies; and (c) the
benefit of all valuation, appraisal and exemption laws. Borrower and each other
Credit Party executing this Agreement acknowledge that it has been advised by
counsel of its choices and decisions with respect to this Agreement, the other
Loan Documents and the transactions evidenced hereby and thereby.

7.4   PROCEEDS. The Proceeds of any sale, disposition or other realization upon
any Collateral shall be applied by Lender upon receipt to the Obligations in
such order as Lender may deem advisable in its sole discretion (including the
cash collateralization of any Letter of Credit Obligations), and after the
indefeasible payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all of the Obligations,
and after the payment by Lender of any other amount required by any provision of
law (but only after Lender has received what Lender considers reasonable proof
of a subordinate party's security interest), the surplus, if any, shall be paid
to Borrower or its representatives or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to
receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise then may
direct.

8.    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

Each Loan Document shall be binding on and shall inure to the benefit of
Borrower and each other Credit Party executing such Loan Document, Lender, and
their respective successors and assigns, except as otherwise provided herein or
therein. Neither Borrower nor any other Credit Party may assign, transfer,
hypothecate, delegate or otherwise convey its rights, benefits, obligations or
duties under any Loan Document without the prior express written consent of
Lender. Any such purported conveyance by Borrower or such Credit Party without
the prior express written consent of Lender shall be void. There shall be no
third party beneficiaries of any of the terms and provisions of any of the Loan
Documents. Lender reserves the right at any time to create and sell
participations in the Loans and the Loan Documents and to sell, transfer or
assign any or all of its rights in the Loans and under the Loan Documents.

9.    MISCELLANEOUS

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9.1   COMPLETE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the
other Loan Documents constitute the complete agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, supersede all prior
agreements, commitments, understandings or inducements (oral or written,
expressed or implied), and no Loan Document may be modified, altered or amended
except by a written agreement signed by Lender, and each other Credit Party a
party to such Loan Document. Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this
Agreement or any other Loan Document shall have all duties and obligations under
this Agreement and such other Loan Documents from the date of its execution and
delivery, regardless whether the initial Loan has been funded at that time.

9.2   EXPENSES. Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse Lender for all costs and
expenses (including the fees and expenses of all special counsel, advisors,
consultants (including environmental and management consultants) and auditors
retained in connection therewith), incurred in connection with: (a) the
preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of
the Loan Documents and the preservation of any rights thereunder; (b)
collection, including deficiency collections; (c) any amendment, extension,
modification or waiver of, or consent with respect to any Loan Document or
advice in connection with the administration of the Loans or the rights
thereunder; (d) any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action
(whether instituted by or between any combination of Lender, Borrower or any
other Person or Persons), and an appeal or review thereof, in any way relating
to the Collateral, any Loan Document, or any action taken or any other
agreements to be executed or delivered in connection therewith, whether as a
party, witness or otherwise; and (e) any effort (i) to monitor the Loans, (ii)
to evaluate, observe or assess Borrower or any other Credit Party or the affairs
of such Person, and (iii) to verify, protect, evaluate, assess, appraise,
collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of the Collateral.

9.3   NO WAIVER. Neither Lender's failure, at any time or times, to require
strict performance by Borrower or any other Credit Party of any provision of any
Loan Document, nor Lender's failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising,
any right, power or privilege hereunder, (a) shall waive, affect or diminish any
right of Lender thereafter to demand strict compliance and performance
therewith, or (b) shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or
future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
Any suspension or waiver of a Default or other provision under the Loan
Documents shall not suspend, waive or affect any other Default under any Loan
Document, whether the same is prior or subsequent thereto and whether of the
same or of a different type, and shall not be construed as a bar to any right or
remedy which Lender would otherwise have had on any future occasion. None of the
undertakings, indemnities, agreements, warranties, covenants and representations
of Borrower or any other Credit Party to Lender contained in any Loan Document
and no Default by Borrower or any other Credit Party under any Loan Document
shall be deemed to have been suspended or waived by Lender, unless such waiver
or suspension is by an instrument in writing signed by an officer or other
authorized employee of Lender and directed to Borrower specifying such
suspension or waiver (and then such waiver shall be effective only to the extent
therein expressly set forth), and Lender shall not, by any act (other than
execution of a formal written waiver), delay, omission or otherwise, be deemed
to have waived any of its rights or remedies hereunder.

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<Page>

9.4   SEVERABILITY; SECTION TITLES. Wherever possible, each provision of the
Loan Documents shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision of any Loan Document shall be
prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of such
Loan Document. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in the Loan Documents,
no termination or cancellation (regardless of cause or procedure) of any
financing arrangement under the Loan Documents shall in any way affect or impair
the Obligations, duties, covenants, representations and warranties, indemnities,
and liabilities of Borrower or any other Credit Party or the rights of Lender
relating to any unpaid Obligation, (due or not due, liquidated, contingent or
unliquidated), or any transaction or event occurring prior to such termination,
or any transaction or event, the performance of which is not required until
after the Commitment Termination Date, all of which shall not terminate or
expire, but rather shall survive such termination or cancellation and shall
continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date; provided, that all
indemnity obligations of the Credit Parties under the Loan Documents shall
survive the Termination Date. The Section titles contained in any Loan Document
are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever
and are not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto.

9.5   AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE. Until Lender shall be notified in writing by
Borrower or any other Credit Party to the contrary, the signature upon any
document or instrument delivered pursuant hereto and believed by Lender or any
of Lender's officers, agents, or employees to be that of an officer of Borrower
or such other Credit Party listed in the Secretarial Certificate in the form of
EXHIBIT E shall bind Borrower and such other Credit Party and be deemed to be
the act of Borrower or such other Credit Party affixed pursuant to and in
accordance with resolutions duly adopted by Borrower's or such other Credit
Party's Board of Directors, and Lender shall be entitled to assume the authority
of each signature and authority of the person whose signature it is or appears
to be unless the person acting in reliance of such signature shall have actual
knowledge of the fact that such signature is false or the person whose signature
or purported signature is presented is without authority.

9.6   NOTICES. Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever any notice, demand,
request or other communication shall or may be given to or served upon any party
by any other party, or whenever any party desires to give or serve upon any
other party any communication with respect to this Agreement, each such notice,
demand, request or other communication shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been validly served, given or delivered (a) upon the earlier of actual
receipt and three (3) Business Days after deposit in the United States Mail,
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with proper postage
prepaid, (b) upon transmission, when sent by telecopy or other similar facsimile
transmission (with such telecopy or facsimile promptly confirmed by delivery of
a copy by personal delivery or United States Mail as otherwise provided in this
Section 9.6), (c) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a reputable overnight
courier with all charges prepaid or (d) when hand-delivered, all of which shall
be addressed to the party to be notified and sent to the address or facsimile
number indicated in SCHEDULE B or to such other address (or facsimile number) as
may be substituted by notice given as herein provided. The giving of any notice
required hereunder may be waived in writing by the party entitled to receive
such notice. Failure or delay in delivering copies of any notice, demand,

                                       25
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request or other communication to any Person (other than Borrower or Lender)
designated in SCHEDULE B to receive copies shall in no way adversely affect the
effectiveness of such notice, demand, request or other communication.

9.7   COUNTERPARTS. Any Loan Document may be executed in any number of separate
counterparts by any one or more of the parties thereto, and all of said
counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

9.8   TIME OF THE ESSENCE. Time is of the essence for performance of the
Obligations under the Loan Documents.

9.9   GOVERNING LAW. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING UNDER THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF New York APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND
PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES THEREOF REGARDING
CONFLICTS OF LAWS, AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

9.10  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

      (a)   BORROWER AND EACH OTHER CREDIT PARTY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY
CONSENT AND AGREE THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN New York SHALL
HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN
BORROWER AND SUCH CREDIT PARTY AND LENDER PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF
THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; PROVIDED, THAT LENDER, BORROWER
AND SUCH CREDIT PARTY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO
BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF New York; AND FURTHER PROVIDED, THAT
NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE LENDER FROM
BRINGING SUIT OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO COLLECT
THE OBLIGATIONS, TO REALIZE ON THE COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE
OBLIGATIONS, OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF LENDER.
BORROWER AND EACH OTHER CREDIT PARTY EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY SUBMIT
AND CONSENT IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN
ANY SUCH COURT, AND BORROWER AND SUCH CREDIT PARTY HEREBY WAIVE ANY OBJECTION
WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR
FORUM NON CONVENIENS. BORROWER AND EACH OTHER CREDIT PARTY EXECUTING THIS
AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVE PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER
PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND AGREE THAT SERVICE OF SUCH
SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL

                                       26
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ADDRESSED TO BORROWER OR SUCH CREDIT PARTY AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SCHEDULE
B OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE
EARLIER OF BORROWER'S OR SUCH CREDIT PARTY'S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR THREE (3)
DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID.

      (b)   THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A JUDGE
APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION OF THE
BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVE ALL
RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO RESOLVE
ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE BETWEEN LENDER,
BORROWER AND ANY CREDIT PARTY ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.

9.11  PRESS RELEASES. Each party hereto agrees that neither it nor its
Affiliates will in the future issue any press release or other public disclosure
using the name of another party or its affiliates or referring to this Agreement
or the other Loan Documents without at least two (2) Business Days' prior notice
to the other party and without the prior written consent of Lender (not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) unless (and only to the extent that) such
party is required to do so under law and then, in any event, such party will
consult with the other, affected party before issuing such press release or
other public disclosure.

9.1 2 INDEMNITY. Borrower and each other Credit Party executing this Agreement
jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold Lender and its Affiliates, and
their respective employees, attorneys and agents (each, an "Indemnified
Person"), harmless from and against any and all suits, actions, proceedings,
claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses of any kind or nature
whatsoever (including attorneys' fees and disbursements and other costs of
investigation or defense, including those incurred upon any appeal) which may be
instituted or asserted against or incurred by any such Indemnified Person as the
result of credit having been extended, suspended or terminated under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents or with respect to the execution,
delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of, or in any other way
arising out of or relating to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or
any other documents or transactions contemplated by or referred to herein or
therein and any actions or failures to act with respect to any of the foregoing,
including any and all product liabilities, Environmental Liabilities, Taxes and
legal costs and expenses arising out of or incurred in connection with disputes
between or among any parties to any of the Loan Documents (collectively,
"Indemnified Liabilities"), except to the extent that any such Indemnified
Liability is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have
resulted in whole or in part from such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or
willful misconduct, in which case, to the extent thereof, the Indemnified
Liabilities shall be reduced proportionately. NO INDEMNIFIED PERSON SHALL BE
RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO ANY CREDIT PARTY, ANY SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD
PARTY BENEFICIARY OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY THROUGH SUCH
PARTY, FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT

                                       27
<Page>

UNDER ANY POWER OF ATTORNEY OR FOR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF CREDIT HAVING BEEN
EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR TERMINATED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR
THEREUNDER.

9.13  REINSTATEMENT. This Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of all or any part of the
Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned or restored by the Lender
upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of
the Borrower or any other Credit Party, or otherwise, all as though such
payments had not been made.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Loan and Security Agreement has been duly executed as
of the date first written above.

                                       INTRADO INC.

                                       By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Michael E. Dingman, Jr.,
                                           Chief Financial Officer

                                       INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS INC.

                                       By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Michael E. Dingman, Jr.,
                                           Chief Financial Officer

                                       INTRADO COMMUNICATIONS OF VIRGINIA INC.

                                       By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Michael E. Dingman, Jr.,
                                           Chief Financial Officer

                                       28
<Page>

                                       GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                             CORPORATION

                                       By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Terrell W. Harris
                                           Duly Authorized Signatory

                                       29
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE A

                                   DEFINITIONS

Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have
(unless otherwise provided elsewhere in this Agreement or in the other Loan
Documents) the following respective meanings:

"Account Debtor" shall mean any Person who is or may become obligated with
respect to, or on account of, an Account.

"Accounts" shall mean all "accounts," as such term is defined in the Code, now
owned or hereafter acquired by any Person, including: (i) all accounts
receivable, other receivables, book debts and other forms of obligations (other
than forms of obligations evidenced by Chattel Paper, Documents or Instruments),
whether arising out of goods sold or services rendered or from any other
transaction (including any such obligations which may be characterized as an
account or contract right under the Code); (ii) all of such Person's rights in,
to and under all purchase orders or receipts for goods or services; (iii) all of
such Person's rights to any goods represented by any of the foregoing (including
unpaid sellers' rights of rescission, replevin, reclamation and stoppage in
transit and rights to returned, reclaimed or repossessed goods); (iv) all rights
to payment due to any Credit Party for property sold, leased, licensed, assigned
or otherwise disposed of, for a policy of insurance issued or to be issued, for
a secondary obligation incurred or to be incurred, for energy provided or to be
provided, for the use or hire of a vessel under a charter or contract, or for
services rendered or to be rendered by such Credit Party or in connection with
any other transaction (whether or not yet earned by performance on the part of
such Credit Party); (v) all health care insurance receivables; and (vii) all
collateral security and guarantees of any kind given by any other Person with
respect to any of the foregoing.

"Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person: (i) each other Person that,
directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially, or as a trustee,
guardian or other fiduciary, five percent (5%) or more of the Stock having
ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person; (ii) each
other Person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
such Person or any Affiliate of such Person; or (iii) each of such Person's
officers, directors, joint venturers and partners. For the purpose of this
definition, "control" of a Person shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of its management or
policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.

"Agreement" shall mean this Loan and Security Agreement including all Appendices
attached or otherwise identified thereto, restatements and modifications and
supplements thereto, and any appendices, exhibits or schedules to any of the
foregoing, and shall refer to this Agreement as the same may be in effect at the
time such reference becomes operative; PROVIDED that, except as specifically set
forth in this Agreement, any reference to the Disclosure Schedules to this
Agreement shall be deemed a reference to the Disclosure Schedules as in effect
on the Closing Date or in a written amendment thereto executed by Borrower and
Lender.

<Page>

"Appendices" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Recitals of this
Agreement.

"Books and Records" shall mean all books, records, board minutes, contracts,
licenses, insurance policies, environmental audits, business plans, files,
computer files, computer discs and other data and software storage and media
devices, accounting books and records, financial statements (actual and pro
forma), filings with Governmental Authorities and any and all records and
instruments relating to the Collateral.

"Borrower" shall mean each Person identified as such in the preamble of this
Agreement. If more than one Person is so identified, then, the term "Borrower"
shall mean each and every such Person, individually and collectively, and
jointly and severally. Without limitation of the foregoing, with respect to any
dollar threshold applicable to any Borrower activity, such threshold shall apply
to all Persons comprising Borrower, on a consolidated basis.

"Borrower's Agent" shall mean Intrado, acting in such capacity.

"Borrowing Availability" shall mean, at any time, the LESSER of (i) the Maximum
Amount or (ii) the Borrowing Base, in each case LESS such reserves as may be
established by Lender from time to time in its good faith discretion, as more
particularly described in Section 1.11.

"Borrowing Base" shall mean at any time an amount equal to eighty-five percent
(85%) of the value (as determined by Lender) of Borrower's Eligible Accounts;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such percentage advance rate shall be subject to
downward adjustment from time to time (or the imposition of a reserve in respect
thereto), in Lender's good faith discretion, if dilution equals or exceeds five
percent (5%) at any time hereafter.

"Borrowing Base Certificate" shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit C.

"Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on
which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the State of New York.

"Capital Expenditures" shall mean all payments or accruals (including Capital
Lease Obligations) for any fixed assets or improvements or for replacements,
substitutions or additions thereto, that have a useful life of more than one
year and that are required to be capitalized under GAAP.

"Capital Lease" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee that, in
accordance with GAAP, either would be required to be classified and accounted
for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person or otherwise would be
disclosed as such in a note to such balance sheet, other than, in the case of
Borrower, any such lease under which Borrower is the lessor.

"Capital Lease Obligation" shall mean, with respect to any Capital Lease, the
amount of the obligation of the lessee thereunder that, in accordance with GAAP,
would appear on a balance sheet of such lessee in respect of such Capital Lease
or otherwise be disclosed in a note to such balance sheet.

                                        2
<Page>

"Cash Collateral Account" shall have the meaning assigned to it in SCHEDULE C.

"Change of Control" shall mean, with respect to any Person on or after the
Closing Date, that any change in the composition of its stockholders as of the
Closing Date shall occur which would result in any stockholder or group
acquiring 49.9% or more of any class of Stock of such Person, or that any Person
(or group of Persons acting in concert) shall otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly (including through Affiliates), the power to elect a majority of the
Board of Directors of such Person or otherwise direct the management or affairs
of such Person by obtaining proxies, entering into voting agreements or trusts,
acquiring securities or otherwise.

"Charges" shall mean all Federal, state, county, city, municipal, local, foreign
or other governmental taxes (including taxes owed to PBGC at the time due and
payable), levies, customs or other duties, assessments, charges, liens, and all
additional charges, interest, penalties, expenses, claims or encumbrances upon
or relating to (i) the Collateral, (ii) the Obligations, (iii) the employees,
payroll, income or gross receipts of any Credit Party, (iv) the ownership or use
of any assets by any Credit Party, or (v) any other aspect of any Credit Party's
business.

"Chattel Paper" shall mean all "chattel paper," as such term is defined in the
Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person, wherever located, including
electronic chattel paper.

"Closing Date" shall mean the Business Day on which the conditions precedent set
forth in Section 2 have been satisfied or specifically waived in writing by
Lender, and the initial Loan has been made.

"Closing Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to it in SCHEDULE E.

"Code" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to
time, be in effect in the State of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, to the
extent that the Code is used to define any term defined herein or in any Loan
Document and such term is defined differently in different articles or divisions
of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article or Division 9 of
the Code shall govern; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that in the event that, by reason of
mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or
priority of Lender's security interest in any Collateral is governed by the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of
New York, the term "Code" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions of this Agreement
relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of
definitions related to such provisions.

"Collateral" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.1.

"Collection Account" shall mean that certain account of Lender, account number
50-232-854 in the name of GECC-CAF Depository at Bankers Trust Company, 1
Bankers Trust Plaza, New York, New York, ABA number 021-001-033, reference
"Intrado Inc. - CFA 6074."

"Commitment Termination Date" shall mean the EARLIEST of (i) the Stated Expiry
Date, (ii) the date Lender's obligation to advance funds is terminated pursuant
to Section 7.2, and (iii) the date of

                                        3
<Page>

indefeasible prepayment in full by Borrower of the Obligations in accordance
with the provisions of Section 1.2(c).

"Contracts" shall mean all the contracts, undertakings, or agreements (other
than rights evidenced by Chattel Paper, Documents or Instruments) in or under
which any Person may now or hereafter have any right, title or interest,
including any agreement relating to the terms of payment or the terms of
performance of any Account.

"Contractual Obligation" shall mean as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument, or other
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.

"Control Letter" means a letter agreement between Lender and (i) the issuer of
uncertificated securities with respect to uncertificated securities in the name
of any Credit Party, (ii) a securities intermediary with respect to securities,
whether certificated or uncertificated, securities entitlements and other
financial assets held in a securities account in the name of any Credit Party,
(iii) a futures commission merchant or clearing house, as applicable, with
respect to commodity accounts and commodity contracts held by any Credit Party,
whereby, among other things, the issuer, securities intermediary or futures
commission merchant disclaims any security interest in the applicable financial
assets, acknowledges the Lien of Lender, on such financial assets, and agrees to
follow the instructions or entitlement orders of Lender without further consent
by the affected Credit Party.

"Copyright License" shall mean rights under any written agreement now owned or
hereafter acquired by any Person granting the right to use any Copyright or
Copyright registration.

"Copyrights" shall mean all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by
any Person: (i) all copyrights in any original work of authorship fixed in any
tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, all registrations
and applications for registration of any such copyrights in the United States or
any other country, including registrations, recordings and applications, and
supplemental registrations, recordings, and applications in the United States
Copyright Office; and (ii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including license
royalties and proceeds of infringement suits, the right to sue for past, present
and future infringements, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world
and all re-issues, renewals and extensions thereof.

"Corporate Credit Party" shall mean any Credit Party that is a corporation,
partnership or limited liability company.

"Credit Party" shall mean Borrower, and each other Person (other than Lender)
that is or may become a party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

"Default" shall mean any Event of Default or any event which, with the passage
of time or notice or both, would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of
Default.

"Default Rate" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 1.5(c).

                                        4
<Page>

"Documents" shall mean all "documents," as such term is defined in the Code, now
owned or hereafter acquired by any Person, wherever located, including all bills
of lading, dock warrants, dock receipts, warehouse receipts, and other documents
of title, whether negotiable or non-negotiable.

"Eligible Accounts" shall mean as at the date of determination, all Accounts of
the Borrower except any Account:

      (a)   that does not arise from the sale of goods or the performance of
services by Borrower in the ordinary course of Borrower's business;

      (b)   upon which (i) Borrower's right to receive payment is not absolute
or is contingent upon the fulfillment of any condition whatsoever or (ii)
Borrower is not able to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against the
Account Debtor through judicial process;

      (c)   against which any defense, counterclaim or setoff, whether
well-founded or otherwise, is asserted or which is a "contra" Account;

      (d)   that is not a true and correct statement of a bona fide indebtedness
incurred in the amount of the Account for merchandise sold or services performed
and accepted by the Account Debtor obligated upon such Account;

      (e)   with respect to which an invoice, acceptable to Lender in form and
substance, has not been sent;

      (f)   that is not owned by Borrower or is subject to any right, claim, or
interest of another Person, other than the Lien in favor of Lender;

      (g)   that arises from a sale to or performance of services for an
employee, Affiliate, Subsidiary or Stockholder of Borrower or any other Credit
Party, or an entity which has common officers or directors with Borrower or any
other Credit Party;

      (h)   that is the obligation of an Account Debtor that is the Federal (or
local) government or a political subdivision thereof, unless Lender has agreed
to the contrary in writing and Borrower has complied with the Federal Assignment
of Claims Act of 1940 (or the state equivalent thereof, if any) with respect to
such obligation;

      (i)   that is the obligation of an Account Debtor located in a foreign
country unless such Account is supported by a letter of credit in which Lender
has a first priority perfected security interest or credit insurance acceptable
to Lender (and naming Lender as loss payee);

      (j)   that is the obligation of an Account Debtor to whom Borrower is or
may become liable for goods sold or services rendered by the Account Debtor to
Borrower, to the extent of Borrower's liability to such Account Debtor;

      (k)   that arises with respect to goods which are delivered on a
cash-on-delivery basis or placed on consignment, guaranteed sale or other terms
by reason of which the payment by the Account Debtor may be conditional;

      (l)   unless otherwise approved by Lender from time to time, that is an
obligation for which the total unpaid Accounts of the Account Debtor exceed
twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate of all Accounts, to the extent of such
excess;

                                        5
<Page>

      (m)   that is not paid within sixty (60) days from its due date or ninety
(90) days from its invoice date or that are Accounts of an Account Debtor if
fifty percent (50%) or more of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor
remain unpaid within such time periods;

      (n)   is an obligation of an Account Debtor that has suspended business,
made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, is unable to pay its
debts as they become due or as to which a petition has been filed (voluntary or
involuntary) under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
relief of debtors;

      (o)   that arises from any bill-and-hold or other sale of goods which
remain in Borrower's possession or under Borrower's control;

      (p)   as to which Lender's interest therein is not a first priority
perfected security interest;

      (q)   to the extent that such Account exceeds any credit limit established
by Lender in Lender's good faith discretion;

      (r)   as to which any of Borrower's representations or warranties
pertaining to Accounts are untrue;

      (s)   that represents interest payments, late or finance charges, or
service charges owing to Borrower; or

      (t)   that is not otherwise acceptable in the good faith discretion of
Lender, PROVIDED, that Lender shall have the right to create and adjust
eligibility standards and related reserves from time to time in its good faith
discretion in accordance with, and subject to the conditions specified in,
Section 1.11.

"Environmental Laws" shall mean all Federal, state and local laws, statutes,
ordinances and regulations, now or hereafter in effect, and in each case as
amended or supplemented from time to time, and any applicable judicial or
administrative interpretation thereof relating to the regulation and protection
of human health, safety, the environment and natural resources (including
ambient air, surface water, groundwater, wetlands, land surface or subsurface
strata, wildlife, aquatic species and vegetation).

"Environmental Liabilities" shall mean all liabilities, obligations,
responsibilities, remedial actions, removal costs, losses, damages of whatever
nature, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and
expenses of counsel, experts and consultants and costs of investigation and
feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions and interest incurred as a
result of any claim, suit, action or demand of whatever nature by any Person and
which relate to any health or safety condition regulated under any Environmental
Law, environmental permits or in connection with any Release, threatened
Release, or the presence of a Hazardous Material.

"Equipment" shall mean all "equipment" as such term is defined in the Code, now
owned or hereafter acquired by any Person, wherever located, including any and
all machinery and equipment, including processing equipment, conveyors, machine
tools, data processing and computer equipment, including embedded software and
peripheral equipment and all engineering, processing and manufacturing
equipment, office machinery, furniture, materials handling equipment, tools,
attachments, accessories, automotive equipment, trailers, trucks, forklifts,
molds, dies, stamps, motor vehicles, rolling stock and other equipment of every
kind and nature, trade

                                        6
<Page>

fixtures and fixtures not forming a part of real property, together with all
additions and accessions thereto, replacements therefor, all parts therefor, all
substitutes for any of the foregoing, fuel therefor, and all manuals, drawings,
instructions, warranties and rights with respect thereto, and all products and
proceeds thereof and condemnation awards and insurance proceeds with respect
thereto.

"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (or any
successor legislation thereto), as amended from time to time, and any
regulations promulgated thereunder.

"ERISA Affiliate" shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
that, together with any Credit Party, is treated as a single employer under
Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the IRC, or, solely for the purposes of
Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the IRC, is treated as a single employer
under Section 414 of the IRC.

"ERISA Event" shall mean (a) any "reportable event", as defined in Section 4043
of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than
an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with
respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in
Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the
filing pursuant to Section 412(b) of the IRC or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an
application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any
Plan; (d) the incurrence by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any
liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan;
(e) the receipt by any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a
plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan
or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by any Credit
Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to any withdrawal or
partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by
any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any
Multiemployer Plan from any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice,
concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a
Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization,
within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

"Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.1.

"Fees" shall mean the fees due to Lender as set forth in SCHEDULE E.

"Financial Statements" shall mean the consolidated and consolidating income
statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, internally prepared for each Fiscal Month, and audited for each
Fiscal Year, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

"Fiscal Month" shall mean any of the monthly accounting periods of Borrower.

"Fiscal Quarter" shall mean any of the quarterly accounting periods of Borrower.

"Fiscal Year" shall mean the 12 month period of Borrower ending on December 31
of each year. Subsequent changes of the fiscal year of Borrower shall not change
the term "Fiscal Year" unless Lender shall consent in writing to such change.

                                        7
<Page>

"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

"General Intangibles" shall mean all "general intangibles," as such term is
defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person, including
all right, title and interest which such Person may now or hereafter have in or
under any payment intangible, Contract, Intellectual Property, interests in
partnerships, joint ventures and other business associations, permits,
proprietary or confidential information, inventions (whether or not patented or
patentable), technical information, procedures, designs, knowledge, know-how,
software, data bases, data, skill, expertise, experience, processes, models,
drawings, materials, Books and Records, Goodwill (including the Goodwill
associated with any Intellectual Property), all rights and claims in or under
insurance policies (including insurance for fire, damage, loss, and casualty,
whether covering personal property, real property, tangible rights or intangible
rights, all liability, life, key-person, and business interruption insurance,
and all unearned premiums), uncertificated securities, choses in action,
deposit, checking and other bank accounts, rights to receive tax refunds and
other payments and rights of indemnification.

"Goods" shall mean all "goods," as such term is defined in the Code, now owned
or hereafter acquired by any Person, wherever located, including embedded
software, movables, fixtures, equipment, inventory, or other tangible personal
property.

"Goodwill" shall mean all goodwill, trade secrets, proprietary or confidential
information, technical information, procedures, formulae, quality control
standards, designs, operating and training manuals, customer lists, and
distribution agreements now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person.

"Governmental Authority" shall mean any nation or government, any state or other
political subdivision thereof, and any agency, department or other entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative
functions of or pertaining to government.

"Guaranteed Indebtedness" shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such
Person guaranteeing any indebtedness, lease, dividend, or other obligation
("primary obligations") of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any
manner, including any obligation or arrangement of such guaranteeing Person
(whether or not contingent): (i) to purchase or repurchase any such primary
obligation; (ii) to advance or supply funds (a) for the purchase or payment of
any such primary obligation or (b) to maintain working capital or equity capital
of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any
balance sheet condition of the primary obligor; (iii) to purchase property,
securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any
such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of
such primary obligation; or (iv) to indemnify the owner of such primary
obligation against loss in respect thereof.

"Guarantor" shall mean each Person which executes a guaranty or a support, put
or other similar agreement in favor of Lender in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                                        8
<Page>

"Guaranty" shall mean any agreement to perform all or any portion of the
Obligations on behalf of Borrower or any other Credit Party, in favor of, and in
form and substance satisfactory to, Lender, together with all amendments,
modifications and supplements thereto, and shall refer to such Guaranty as the
same may be in effect at the time such reference becomes operative.

"Hazardous Material" shall mean any substance, material or waste which is
regulated by or forms the basis of liability now or hereafter under, any
Environmental Laws, including any material or substance which is (a) defined as
a "solid waste," "hazardous waste," "hazardous material," "hazardous substance,"
"extremely hazardous waste," "restricted hazardous waste," "pollutant,"
"contaminant," "hazardous constituent," "special waste," "toxic substance" or
other similar term or phrase under any Environmental Laws, (b) petroleum or any
fraction or by-product thereof, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), or
any radioactive substance.

"Hazardous Waste" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. Sections 6901 et. seq.).

"Indebtedness" of any Person shall mean: (i) all indebtedness of such Person for
borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services
(including reimbursement and all other obligations with respect to surety bonds,
letters of credit and bankers' acceptances, whether or not matured, but not
including obligations to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of
business and not more than sixty (60) days past due); (ii) all obligations
evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments; (iii) all
indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title
retention agreements with respect to property acquired by such Person (even
though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in
the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); (iv)
all Capital Lease Obligations; (v) all Guaranteed Indebtedness; (vi) all
Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) above secured
by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right,
contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon or in property
(including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, even though such
Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness;
(vii) the Obligations; and (viii) all liabilities under Title IV of ERISA.

"Indemnified Liabilities" and "Indemnified Person" shall have the meaning
assigned to such terms in Section 1.11.

"Index Rate" shall mean the latest "prime rate," which normally is published in
the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street Journal (or if such rate ceases to
be so published, as quoted from such other generally available and recognizable
source as Lender may select). The Index Rate shall be determined daily and
change with each change in the "prime rate" as so determined.

"Instruments" shall mean all "instruments," as such term is defined in the Code,
now owned or hereafter acquired by any Person, wherever located, including all
certificated securities, all certificates of deposit, and all notes and other
evidences of indebtedness, other than instruments that constitute, or are a part
of a group of writings that constitute, Chattel Paper.

"Intellectual Property" shall mean any and all Licenses, Patents, Copyrights,
Trademarks, trade secrets and customer lists.

                                        9
<Page>

"Inventory" shall mean all "inventory," as such term is defined in the Code, now
or hereafter owned or acquired by any Person, wherever located, including all
inventory, merchandise, goods and other personal property which are held by or
on behalf of such Person for sale or lease or are furnished or are to be
furnished under a contract of service or which constitute raw materials, work in
process or materials used or consumed or to be used or consumed in such Person's
business or in the processing, production, packaging, promotion, delivery or
shipping of the same, including other supplies and embedded software.

"Investment Property" shall mean all "investment property," as such term is
defined in the Code, now or hereafter acquired by any Person, wherever located,
including (i) all securities, whether certificated or uncertificated, including
stocks, bonds, interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests,
treasuries, certificates of deposit and mutual fund shares; (ii) all securities
entitlements of any Credit Party, including the rights of any Credit Party to
any securities account and the financial assets held by a securities
intermediary in such securities account and any free credit balance or other
money owing by any securities intermediary with respect to that account; (iii)
all securities accounts of any Credit Party; (iv) all commodity contracts of any
Credit Party; and (v) all commodity accounts held by any Credit Party.

"IRC" and "IRS" shall mean, respectively, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
the Internal Revenue Service, and any successors thereto.

"Lender" shall mean General Electric Capital Corporation and, if at any time
Lender shall decide to assign or syndicate all or any of the Obligations, such
term shall include such assignee or such other members of the syndicate.

"Letters of Credit" shall mean any and all commercial or standby letters of
credit issued at the request and for the account of Borrower for which Lender
has incurred Letter of Credit Obligations.

"Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to it in SCHEDULE E.

"Letter of Credit Obligations" shall mean all outstanding obligations (including
all duty, freight, taxes, costs, insurance and any other charges and expenses)
incurred by Lender, whether direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, due or
not due, in connection with the issuance or guarantee, by Lender or another, of
Letters of Credit, all as further set forth in SCHEDULE C.

"Letter-of-Credit Rights" means "letter-of-credit rights" as such term is
defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party,
including rights to payment or performance under a letter of credit, whether or
not such Credit Party, as beneficiary, has demanded or is entitled to demand
payment or performance.

"License" shall mean any Copyright License, Patent License, Trademark License or
other license of rights or interests now held or hereafter acquired by any
Person.

                                       10
<Page>

"Lien" shall mean any mortgage, security deed or deed of trust, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, lien, charge, claim, security
interest, security title, easement or encumbrance, or preference, priority or
other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever (including any lease or title retention agreement, any financing
lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and
the filing of, or agreement to give, any financing statement perfecting a
security interest under the Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction).

"Litigation" shall mean any claim, lawsuit, litigation, investigation or
proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority.

"Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, each Guaranty, the Power
of Attorney, the Lock Box Account Agreements, and the other documents and
instruments listed in Schedule F, and all security agreements, mortgages and all
other documents, instruments, certificates, and notices at any time delivered by
any Person (other than Lender) in connection with any of the foregoing.

"Loans" shall mean the Revolving Credit Loan including the Letter of Credit
Obligations.

"Lock Box Account" and "Lock Box Account Agreement" shall have the meaning
assigned to such terms in Schedule D.

"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean: a material adverse effect on (a) the
business, assets, operations, prospects or financial or other condition of
Borrower or any other Credit Party or the industry within which Borrower or any
other Credit Party operates, (b) Borrower's or any other Credit Party's ability
to pay or perform the Obligations under the Loan Documents to which such Credit
Party is a party in accordance with the terms thereof, (c) the Collateral or
Lender's Liens on the Collateral or the priority of any such Lien, or (d)
Lender's rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

"Materiality Threshold" shall mean One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

"Maximum Amount" shall mean Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000).

"Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section
4001(a) (3) of ERISA, to which Borrower, any other Credit Party or any ERISA
Affiliate is making, is obligated to make, has made or been obligated to make,
contributions on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of them.

"Net Borrowing Availability" shall mean at any time the Borrowing Availability
LESS the Revolving Credit Loan.

"Notes" shall mean the Revolving Credit Note.

"Notice of Revolving Credit Advance" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 1.1(b).

                                       11
<Page>

"Obligations" shall mean all loans, advances, debts, expense reimbursement,
fees, liabilities, and obligations for the performance of covenants, tasks or
duties or for payment of monetary amounts (whether or not such performance is
then required or contingent, or amounts are liquidated or determinable) owing by
Borrower and any other Credit Party to Lender, of any kind or nature, present or
future, whether or not evidenced by any note, agreement or other instrument,
whether arising under any of the Loan Documents or under any other agreement
between Borrower, such Credit Party and Lender, and all covenants and duties
regarding such amounts. This term includes all principal, interest (including
interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in this Agreement after
the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing at the then applicable rate
provided in this Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or
the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, whether
or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such
proceeding), Fees, Charges, expenses, attorneys' fees and any other sum
chargeable to Borrower under any of the Loan Documents, and all principal and
interest due in respect of the Loans and all obligations and liabilities of any
Guarantor under any Guaranty.

"Patent License" shall mean rights under any written agreement now owned or
hereafter acquired by any Person granting any right with respect to any
invention on which a Patent is in existence.

"Patents" shall mean all of the following in which any Person now holds or
hereafter acquires any interest: (i) all letters patent of the United States or
any other country, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all
applications for letters patent of the United States or any other country,
including registrations, recordings and applications in the United States Patent
and Trademark Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States,
any State or Territory thereof, or any other country; and (ii) all reissues,
continuations, continuations-in-part or extensions thereof.

"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.

"Permitted Encumbrances" shall mean the following encumbrances: (i) Liens for
taxes or assessments or other governmental Charges or levies, either not yet due
and payable or to the extent that nonpayment thereof is permitted by the terms
of Section 3.11; (ii) pledges or deposits securing obligations under worker's
compensation, unemployment insurance, social security or public liability laws
or similar legislation; (iii) pledges or deposits securing bids, tenders,
contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money) or leases to which any
Credit Party is a party as lessee made in the ordinary course of business; (iv)
deposits securing public or statutory obligations of any Credit Party; (v)
inchoate and unperfected workers', mechanics', or similar liens arising in the
ordinary course of business so long as such Liens attach only to Equipment,
fixtures or real estate; (vi) carriers', warehousemans', suppliers' or other
similar possessory liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing
indebtedness not yet due and payable so long as such Liens attach only to
Inventory and do not have priority over Lender's Lien thereon; (vii) deposits of
money securing, or in lieu of, surety, appeal or customs bonds in proceedings to
which any Credit Party is a party; (viii) zoning restrictions, easements,
licenses, or other restrictions on the use of real property or other minor
irregularities in title (including leasehold title) thereto, so long as the same
do not materially impair the use, value, or marketability of such real estate;
(ix) Purchase Money Liens securing Purchase Money Indebtedness (or rent) to the
extent permitted under Section 5(b)(vi); and (x) Liens in favor of Lender
securing the Obligations.

                                       12
<Page>

"Person" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited
liability partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization,
association, corporation, limited liability company, institution, public benefit
corporation, entity or government (whether Federal, state, county, city,
municipal or otherwise, including any instrumentality, division, agency, body or
department thereof), and shall include such Person's successors and assigns.

"Plan" shall mean any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer
Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the IRC
or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which any Credit Party or any ERISA
Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of
ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

"Prepayment Fee" shall mean the prepayment fee specified in Schedule E.

"Proceeds" shall mean "proceeds," as such term is defined in the Code and, in
any event, shall include: (i) any and all proceeds of any insurance, indemnity,
warranty or guaranty payable to Borrower or any other Credit Party from time to
time with respect to any Collateral; (ii) any and all payments (in any form
whatsoever) made or due and payable to Borrower or any other Credit Party from
time to time in connection with any requisition, confiscation, condemnation,
seizure or forfeiture of any Collateral by any governmental body, authority,
bureau or agency (or any person acting under color of governmental authority);
(iii) any claim of Borrower or any other Credit Party against third parties (a)
for past, present or future infringement of any Intellectual Property or (b) for
past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Trademark or Trademark
License or for injury to the goodwill associated with any Trademark, Trademark
registration or Trademark licensed under any Trademark License; (iv) any
recoveries by Borrower or any other Credit Party against third parties with
respect to any litigation or dispute concerning any Collateral; (v) all amounts
collected on, or distributed on account of, other Collateral, including
dividends, interest, distributions and Instruments with respect to Investment
Property and pledged Stock; and (vi) any and all other amounts from time to time
paid or payable under or in connection with any Collateral, upon disposition or
otherwise.

"Projections" shall mean as of any date the consolidated and consolidating
balance sheet, statements of income and cash flow for Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (including forecasted Capital Expenditures and Net Borrowing
Availability) (i) by month for the next Fiscal Year, and (ii) by year for the
following three Fiscal Years, in each case prepared in a manner consistent with
GAAP and accompanied by senior management's discussion and analysis of such
plan.

"Purchase Money Indebtedness" shall mean (i) any Indebtedness incurred for the
payment of all or any part of the purchase price of any fixed asset, (ii) any
Indebtedness incurred for the sole purpose of financing or refinancing all or
any part of the purchase price of any fixed asset, and (iii) any renewals,
extensions or refinancings thereof (but not any increases in the principal
amounts thereof outstanding at that time).

"Purchase Money Lien" shall mean any Lien upon any fixed assets which secures
the Purchase Money Indebtedness related thereto but only if such Lien shall at
all times be confined solely to the asset the purchase price of which was
financed or refinanced through the incurrence of the

                                       13
<Page>

Purchase Money Indebtedness secured by such Lien and only if such Lien secures
only such Purchase Money Indebtedness.

"Real Property" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.16.

"Release" shall mean, as to any Person, any release, spill, emission, leaking,
pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching
or migration of Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment by such
Person, including the movement of Hazardous Materials through or in the air,
soil, surface water, ground water or property.

"Requirement of Law" shall mean as to any Person, the Certificate or Articles of
Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case binding upon
such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its
property is subject.

"Restricted Payment" shall mean: (i) the declaration or payment of any dividend
or the incurrence of any liability to make any other payment or distribution of
cash or other property or assets on or in respect of Borrower's or any other
Credit Party's Stock; (ii) any payment or distribution made in respect of any
subordinated Indebtedness of Borrower or any other Credit Party in violation of
any subordination agreement made in favor of Lender; (iii) any payment on
account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other retirement of
Borrower's or any other Credit Party's Stock or Indebtedness or any other
payment or distribution made in respect of any thereof, either directly or
indirectly; other than (a) that arising under this Agreement or (b) interest and
principal, when due without acceleration or modification of the amortization as
in effect on the Closing Date, under Indebtedness (not including subordinated
Indebtedness, payments of which shall be permitted only in accordance with the
terms of the relevant subordination agreement made in favor of Lender) described
in Disclosure Schedule (5(b)) or otherwise permitted under Section 5(b)(vi); or
(iv) any payment, loan, contribution, or other transfer of funds or other
property to any Stockholder of such Person which is not expressly and
specifically permitted in this Agreement; provided, that no payment to Lender
shall constitute a Restricted Payment.

"Revolving Credit Advance" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
1.1(a).

"Revolving Credit Loan" shall mean at any time the sum of (i) the aggregate
amount of Revolving Credit Advances then outstanding, plus (ii) the total Letter
of Credit Obligations incurred by Lender and outstanding at such time, plus
(iii) the amount of accrued but unpaid interest thereon and accrued but unpaid
Letter of Credit Fees with respect thereto.

"Revolving Credit Note" shall mean the promissory note of Borrower dated the
Closing Date, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT C.

"Revolving Credit Rate" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 1.5(a).

"Software" means all "software" as such term is defined in the Code, now owned
or hereafter acquired by any Credit Party, other than software embedded in any
category of Goods, including

                                       14
<Page>

all computer programs and all supporting information provided in connection with
a transaction related to any program.

"Stated Expiry Date" shall mean the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of this
Agreement.

"Stock" shall mean all certificated and uncertificated shares, options,
warrants, membership interests, general or limited partnership interests,
participation or other equivalents (regardless of how designated) of or in a
corporation, partnership, limited liability company or equivalent entity whether
voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock, or any other
"equity security" (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

"Stockholder" shall mean each holder of Stock of Borrower or any other Credit
Party.

"Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation of
which an aggregate of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Stock
having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of
such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, Stock of any other class
or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason
of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly,
owned legally or beneficially by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person, or with respect to which any such Person has the right to vote or
designate the vote of fifty percent (50%) or more of such Stock whether by
proxy, agreement, operation of law or otherwise, and (ii) any partnership or
limited liability company in which such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person has an equity interest (whether in the form of voting or
participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent
(50%) or of which any such Person is a general partner or manager or may
exercise the powers of a general partner or manager.

"Supporting Obligations" means all "supporting obligations" as such term is
defined in the Code, including letters of credit and guaranties issued in
support of Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments
or Investment Property.

"Taxes" shall mean taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, Charges or withholdings,
and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding taxes imposed on or measured
by the net income of Lender.

"Termination Date" shall mean the date on which all Obligations under this
Agreement are indefeasibly paid in full, in cash (other than amounts in respect
of Letter of Credit Obligations if any, then outstanding, provided that Borrower
shall have funded such amounts in cash in full into the Cash Collateral
Account), and Borrower shall have no further right to borrow any moneys or
obtain other credit extensions or financial accommodations under this Agreement.

"Third Party Interactives" shall mean all Persons with whom any Corporate Credit
Party exchanges data electronically in the ordinary course of business,
including, without limitation, customers, suppliers, third-party vendors,
subcontractors, processors-converters, shippers and warehousemen.

                                       15
<Page>

"Trademark License" shall mean rights under any written agreement now owned or
hereafter acquired by any Person granting any right to use any Trademark or
Trademark registration.

"Trademarks" shall mean all of the following now owned or hereafter acquired by
any Person: (i) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, business names,
trade styles, service marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, prints
and labels on which any of the foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and
general intangibles of like nature, now existing or hereafter adopted or
acquired, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in
connection therewith, including all registrations, recordings and applications
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any similar office or
agency of the United States, any State or Territory thereof, or any other
country or any political subdivision thereof, and (ii) all reissues, extensions
or renewals thereof.

"Transaction Summary" shall mean the Transaction Summary set forth in the
Recitals to this Agreement.

"Unused Line Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Schedule E.

"Withdrawal Liability" shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result
of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms
are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Any accounting term used in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall
have, unless otherwise specifically provided therein, the meaning customarily
given such term in accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations
thereunder shall be computed, unless otherwise specifically provided therein, in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied; provided, that all financial
covenants and calculations in the Loan Documents shall be made in accordance
with GAAP as in effect on the Closing Date unless Borrower and Lender shall
otherwise specifically agree in writing. That certain items or computations are
explicitly modified by the phrase "in accordance with GAAP" shall in no way be
construed to limit the foregoing. All other undefined terms contained in this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall, unless the context indicates
otherwise, have the meanings provided for by the Code. The words "herein,"
"hereof" and "hereunder" or other words of similar import refer to this
Agreement as a whole, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, as the same
may from time to time be amended, modified or supplemented, and not to any
particular section, subsection or clause contained in this Agreement.

For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the following
additional rules of construction shall apply, unless specifically indicated to
the contrary: (a) wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term
stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and the
plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall
include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter; (b) the term "or" is not
exclusive; (c) the term "including" (or any form thereof) shall not be limiting
or exclusive; (d) all references to statutes and related regulations shall
include any amendments of same and any successor statutes and regulations; (e)
all references in this Agreement or in the Schedules to this Agreement to
sections, schedules, disclosure schedules, exhibits, and attachments shall refer
to the corresponding sections, schedules, disclosure schedules, exhibits, and
attachments of or to this Agreement; and (f) all

                                       16
<Page>

references to any instruments or agreements, including references to any of the
Loan Documents, shall include any and all modifications or amendments thereto
and any and all extensions or renewals thereof.

AGREED:

INTRADO INC., as Borrower's Agent

By:
    --------------------------------------------------
    Michael D. Dingman, Jr.,
    Chief Financial Officer

                                       17
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE B

                   LENDER'S AND BORROWER'S ADDRESS FOR NOTICES

Lender's Address

<Table>
<S>                <C>
Name:              General Electric Capital Corporation

Address:           2325 Lakeview Parkway
                   Suite 700
                   Alpharetta, GA 30004

Attn:              Terrell W. Harris, Account Manager

Telephone:         (678) 624-7960

Facsimile:         (678) 624-7906

Borrower's Address

Name:              Intrado Inc.

Address:           6285 Lookout Road
                   Boulder, CO  80301

Attn:              Michael Dingman, Chief Financial Officer

Telephone:         (303) 581-0900

Facsimile:         (303) 581-5697
</Table>

<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE C

                                LETTERS OF CREDIT

1.   Lender agrees, subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth,
to incur Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of the issuance of Letters of
Credit issued on terms acceptable to Lender and supporting obligations of
Borrower incurred in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, in order to
support the payment of Borrower's inventory purchase obligations, insurance
premiums, or utility or other operating expenses and obligations, as Borrower
shall request by written notice to Lender that is received by Lender not less
than five (5) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance of any such
Letter of Credit; PROVIDED, that: (a) that the aggregate amount of all Letter of
Credit Obligations at any one time outstanding (whether or not then due and
payable) shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000); (b) no Letter of
Credit shall have an expiry date which is later than the Stated Expiry Date or
one year following the date of issuance thereof; and (c) Lender shall be under
no obligation to incur any Letter of Credit Obligation if after giving effect to
the incurrence of such Letter of Credit Obligation, the Net Borrowing
Availability would be less than zero. The maximum amount payable in respect of
each Letter of Credit requested by Borrower will be guaranteed by Lender in
favor of the issuing bank under terms of a separate agreement between Lender and
the issuing bank. Borrower will enter into an application and agreement for such
Letter of Credit with the issuing bank selected by Lender (which may be an
Affiliate of Lender). The bank that issues any Letter of Credit pursuant to this
Agreement shall be determined by Lender in its sole discretion.

2.   The notice to be provided to Lender requesting that Lender incur Letter of
Credit Obligations shall be in the form of a Letter of Credit application in the
form customarily employed by the issuing bank, together with a written request
by Borrower and the bank that Lender approve Borrower's application. Upon
receipt of such notice Lender shall establish a reserve against the Borrowing
Availability in the amount of one hundred percent (100%) of the face amount of
the Letter of Credit Obligation to be incurred. Approval by Lender in the
written form agreed upon between Lender and the issuing bank (a) will authorize
the bank to issue the requested Letter of Credit, and (b) will conclusively
establish the existence of the Letter of Credit Obligation as of the date of
such approval.

3.   In the event that Lender shall make any payment on or pursuant to any
Letter of Credit Obligation, Borrower shall be unconditionally obligated to
reimburse Lender therefor, and such payment shall then be deemed to constitute a
Revolving Credit Advance. For purposes of computing interest under SECTION 1.5,
a Revolving Credit Advance made in satisfaction of a Letter of Credit Obligation
shall be deemed to have been made as of the date on which the issuer or endorser
makes the related payment under the underlying Letter of Credit.

4.   In the event that any Letter of Credit Obligations, whether or not then due
or payable, shall for any reason be outstanding on the Commitment Termination
Date, Borrower will either (a) cause the underlying Letter of Credit to be
returned and canceled and each corresponding Letter of Credit Obligation to be
terminated, or (b) pay to Lender, in immediately available funds, an amount
equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the maximum amount then available to
be drawn under all Letters of Credit not so returned and canceled to be held by
Lender as cash

<Page>

collateral in an account under the exclusive dominion and control of Lender (the
"Cash Collateral Account").

5.   In the event that Lender shall incur any Letter of Credit Obligations,
Borrower agrees to pay the Letter of Credit Fee to Lender as compensation to
Lender for incurring such Letter of Credit Obligations. In addition, Borrower
shall reimburse Lender for all fees and charges paid by Lender on account of any
such Letters of Credit or Letter of Credit Obligations to the issuing bank.

6.   Borrower's Obligations to Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit or
Letter of Credit Obligation shall be evidenced by Lender's records and shall be
absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall not be affected, modified or
impaired by (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the transactions
contemplated by or related to such Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit
Obligation; (b) any amendment or waiver of or consent to depart from all or any
of the terms of the transactions contemplated by or related to such Letter of
Credit or Letter of Credit Obligation; (c) the existence of any claim, set-off,
defense or other right which Borrower or any other Credit Party may have against
Lender, the issuer or beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any other Person,
whether in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or such
Letter of Credit or the transactions contemplated thereby or any unrelated
transactions; or (d) the fact that any draft, affidavit, letter, certificate,
invoice, bill of lading or other document presented under or delivered in
connection with such Letter of Credit or any other Letter of Credit proves to
have been forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any
statement therein proves to have been untrue or incorrect in any respect.

7.   In addition to any other indemnity obligations which Borrower may have to
Lender under this Agreement and without limiting such other indemnification
provisions, Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify Lender from and to hold Lender
harmless against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses
(including, attorneys' fees and expenses) which Lender may (other than as a
result of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) incur or be subject to
as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of (a) the issuance of or payment of
or failure to pay under any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Obligation or
(b) any suit, investigation or proceeding as to which Lender is or may become a
party as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the issuance of any Letter of
Credit, the incurring of any Letter of Credit Obligation or any payment of or
failure to pay under any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Obligation. The
obligations of Borrower under this paragraph shall survive any termination of
this Agreement and the payment in full of the Obligations.

8.   Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of each
Letter of Credit by the beneficiary or issuer thereof and, in connection
therewith, Lender shall not be responsible (a) for the validity, sufficiency,
genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted in connection with any
drawing under any Letter of Credit even if it should in fact prove in any
respect to be invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, untrue, fraudulent or forged;
(b) for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning
or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or any rights or
benefits thereunder or any proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, even if it
should prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (c) for the failure of
any issuer or beneficiary of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with the terms
thereof, including the conditions required in order to effect or pay a drawing
thereunder; (d) for any errors, omissions, interruptions

                                        2
<Page>

or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, telecopy, telex
or otherwise; (e) for any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any
document or draft required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of
Credit; or (f) for any consequences arising from causes beyond the direct
control of Lender.

AGREED:

INTRADO, INC., as Borrower's Agent

By:
    --------------------------------------------------
    Michael D. Dingman, Jr.,
    Chief Financial Officer

                                        3
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE D

                                 CASH MANAGEMENT

Borrower agrees to establish, and to maintain, until the Termination Date, the
cash management system described below:

1.   No Corporate Credit Party: (i) shall (nor shall it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to) open or maintain any deposit, checking, operating or other bank
account, or similar money handling account, with any bank or other financial
institution except for those accounts identified in Attachment I hereto; and
(ii) shall close or permit to be closed any of the accounts listed in ATTACHMENT
I hereto, in each case without Lender's prior written consent, and then only
after such Credit Party has implemented agreements with such bank or financial
institution and Lender acceptable to Lender.

2.   Commencing on the date prescribed therefor in Section 1.6 of the Agreement
(the "Start Date") and continuing thereafter until the Termination Date, each
Corporate Credit Party shall cause to be deposited directly all cash, checks,
notes, drafts or other similar items relating to or constituting proceeds of or
payments made in respect of any and all Collateral into lock boxes or lock box
accounts in such Credit Party's or Lender's name (collectively, the "LOCK BOX
ACCOUNTS") set forth in paragraph 1 of ATTACHMENT I hereto.

3.   On the Start Date, each bank at which the Lock Box Accounts are held shall
have entered into tri-party lock box agreements (the "LOCK BOX ACCOUNT
AGREEMENTS") with Lender and the applicable Credit Party, in form and substance
acceptable to Lender. Each such Lock Box Account Agreement shall provide, among
other things, that (a) such bank executing such agreement has no rights of
setoff or recoupment or any other claim against such Lock Box Account, other
than for payment of its service fees and other charges directly related to the
administration of such account, and (b) such bank agrees from and after receipt
of notice from Lender (which may be given when any Default exists and is
continuing) to sweep on a daily basis all amounts in the Lock Box Account to the
Collection Account; but, otherwise, such amounts shall be disbursed to Borrower
at its direction.

4.   On the Start Date, (a) the lock box and blocked account arrangements shall
become operative at the banks at which the Lock Box Accounts are maintained, and
(b) amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Loan (for purposes of the
Borrowing Availability) shall be reduced through daily sweeps, by wire transfer,
of the Lock Box Accounts into an account designated by Borrower unless a Default
then exists, in which case Lender may direct that such sums shall be deposited
into the Collection Account. Borrower acknowledges that it shall have no right
to gain access to any of the moneys in the Lock Box Accounts until after the
Termination Date, effective once any Default exists and is continuing, PROVIDED
that Lender has notified the depository bank accordingly as provided
hereinabove.

5.   Borrower may maintain, in its name, accounts (the "DISBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS")
at a bank or banks acceptable to Lender into which Lender shall, from time to
time, deposit proceeds of Revolving Credit Advances made pursuant to Section 1.1
for use solely in accordance with the

<Page>

provisions of Section 1.3. All of the Disbursement Accounts as of the Closing
Date are listed in paragraph 2 of ATTACHMENT I hereto.

6.   Upon the request of Lender, which may be made at any time that a Default
exists and while it is continuing, each Corporate Credit Party shall forward to
Lender, on a daily basis, evidence of the deposit of all items of payment
received by such Credit Party into the Lock Box Accounts and copies of all such
checks and other items, together with a statement showing the application of
those items relating to payments on Accounts to outstanding Accounts and a
collection report with regard thereto in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender.

AGREED:

INTRADO, INC., as Borrower's Agent

By:
    --------------------------------------------------
    Michael D. Dingman, Jr.,
    Chief Financial Officer

                                        2
<Page>

                           ATTACHMENT I TO SCHEDULE D

LIST OF BANK ACCOUNTS

<Table>
         <S>   <C>

         1.    LOCK BOX ACCOUNTS.

         2.    DISBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS.

         3.    OPERATING ACCOUNTS

         4.    PAYROLL ACCOUNTS

         5.    INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS

         6.    OTHER ACCOUNTS
</Table>

                                        3
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE E

                                      FEES

1.   UNUSED LINE FEE: For each day from the Closing Date, and through and
including the Termination Date, an amount equal to the Maximum Amount less the
Revolving Credit Loan for such day multiplied by one-fourth of one percent
(1/4%), the product of which is then divided by 360. The Unused Line Fee for
each month (except for the month in which the Termination Date occurs) is
payable on the first day of each calendar month following the Closing Date; the
final monthly installment of the Unused Line Fee is payable on the Termination
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any unpaid Unused Line Fee is immediately
due and payable on the Commitment Termination Date.

2.   LETTER OF CREDIT FEE: For each day for which Lender maintains Letter of
Credit Obligations outstanding, an amount equal to the amount of the Letter of
Credit Obligations outstanding on such day, multiplied by three and one-half of
one percent (3-1/2%), the product of which is then divided by 360. The Letter of
Credit Fee incurred for each month is payable at the same time each payment of
the Unused Line Fee is due. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any unpaid Letter of
Credit Fee is immediately due and payable on the Commitment Termination Date.

3.   CLOSING FEE: A non-refundable closing fee of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars
($75,000), less any portion thereof prepaid in conjunction with the delivery of
a written commitment from Lender in regard hereto, payable and fully earned at
closing (the "Closing Fee").

4.   PREPAYMENT FEE: An amount equal to the Maximum Amount multiplied by one
percent (1%) if Lender's obligation to make further Revolving Credit Advances or
incur additional Letter of Credit Obligations is terminated (voluntarily by
Borrower, upon Default or otherwise) on or after the Closing Date but on or
before January 31, 2003, payable on the Commitment Termination Date. Borrower
acknowledges and agrees that (i) it would be difficult or impractical to
calculate Lender's actual damages from early termination of Lender's obligation
to make further Revolving Credit Advances and incur additional Letter of Credit
Obligations for any reason pursuant to Section 1.2(c) or Section 7.2, (ii) the
Prepayment Fees provided above are intended to be fair and reasonable
approximations of such damages, and (iii) the Prepayment Fees are not intended
to be penalties.

<Page>

5.   AUDIT FEES: Borrower will reimburse Lender at the rate of $700 per person
per day, plus out of pocket expenses, for the audit reviews, field examinations
and collateral examinations conducted by Lender either (i) prior to the Closing
Date, or (ii) after the Closing Date, but limited to reimbursement for not more
than one (1) such examination conducted by Lender per year, unless either: (A)
the sum of cash, cash equivalents and Net Borrowing Availability is less than
Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or (B) a Default exists.

AGREED:

INTRADO, INC., as Borrower's Agent

By:
    --------------------------------------------------
    Michael D. Dingman, Jr.,
    Chief Financial Officer

                                       2
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE F

                              SCHEDULE OF DOCUMENTS

The obligation of Lender to make the initial Revolving Credit Advances and
extended other credit is subject to satisfaction of the condition precedent that
Lender shall have received the following, each, unless otherwise specified below
or the context otherwise requires, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender and its counsel:

PRINCIPAL LOAN DOCUMENTS
1.   AGREEMENT. The Loan and Security Agreement duly executed by Borrower(s).
2.   NOTE(S). Duly executed Note(s) to the order of Lender evidencing the
     Loan(s).
3.   BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE. An original Borrowing Base Certificate duly
     executed by a responsible officer of Borrower(s), in the form of EXHIBIT B
     or as otherwise approved by Lender.
4.   NOTICE OF REVOLVING CREDIT ADVANCE. An original Notice of Revolving Credit
     Advance duly executed by a responsible officer of Borrower(s).

COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS.

1.   ACKNOWLEDGEMENT COPIES OF FINANCING STATEMENTS. Acknowledgement copies of
     proper Financing Statements (Form UCC-l) (the "Financing Statements") duly
     filed under the Code in all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the
     opinion of Lender, desirable to perfect Lender's Lien on the Collateral.
2.   UCC SEARCHES. Certified copies of UCC Searches, or other evidence
     satisfactory to Lender, listing all effective financing statements which
     name Borrower(s) (under present name, any previous name or any trade or
     doing business name) as debtor and covering all jurisdictions referred to
     in paragraph (1) immediately above, together with copies of such other
     financing statements.
3.   INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DOCUMENTS. Agreements relating to the granting to
     Lender of a security interest in Intellectual Property of Borrower(s) to
     the extent applicable in a form suitable for filing with the appropriate
     Federal filing office.
4.   OTHER RECORDINGS AND FILINGS. Evidence of the completion of all other
     recordings and filings (including UCC-3 termination statements and other
     Lien release documentation) as may be necessary or, in the opinion of and
     at the request of Lender, desirable to perfect Lender's Lien on the
     Collateral and ensure such Collateral is free and clear of other Liens.
5.   POWER OF ATTORNEY. Powers of Attorney duly executed by each Credit Party
     executing the Agreement, in substantially the form of EXHIBIT E.

THIRD PARTY AGREEMENTS.
1.   LANDLORD CONSENTS. Duly executed landlord waivers and consents from the
     landlords of all of Borrower's leased locations where Collateral is held,
     in each case, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, which Borrower
     shall use its best efforts to obtain either on the Closing Date or within
     sixty (60) days thereafter.

<Page>

2.   CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. Duly executed Lock Box Account Agreements and
     pledged account agreements in respect of the Disbursement Accounts as
     contemplated by SCHEDULE D.

OTHER DOCUMENTS.
1.   SECRETARIAL CERTIFICATE. A Secretarial Certificate in the form of EXHIBIT D
     to the Agreement duly completed and executed by the Secretary of each
     Credit Party executing the Agreement, together with all attachments
     thereto.
2.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS. Copies of the Financial Statements
     and Projections.
3.   INSURANCE POLICIES. Certified copies of insurance policies described in
     Section 3.17, together with evidence showing loss payable or additional
     insured clauses or endorsements in favor of Lender.
4.   EXISTING LEASE AGREEMENTS. Copies of any existing real property leases and
     equipment leases to which (each) Borrower is a party and any other document
     or instrument evidencing or relating to existing Indebtedness of
     Borrower(s), together with all certificates, opinions, instruments,
     security documents and other documents relating thereto, all of which shall
     be satisfactory in form and substance to Lender, certified by an authorized
     officer of Borrower(s) as true, correct and complete copies thereof.
5.   OPINION OF COUNSEL. An opinion of counsel in the form of EXHIBIT G to the
     Agreement, duly completed and executed by Borrower's counsel (which may be
     its internal counsel).

AGREED:

INTRADO, INC., as Borrower's Agent

By:
    --------------------------------------------------
    Michael D. Dingman, Jr.,
    Chief Financial Officer

                                        2
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE G

                               FINANCIAL COVENANTS

As used in this Agreement (including this Schedule G), the following terms shall
have the following meanings:

"ADJUSTED TANGIBLE NET WORTH" shall mean, at any date, Tangible Net Worth, PLUS
deferred revenues at such date, all as determined for Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in accordance with GAAP.

"ADJUSTED CURRENT LIABILITIES" shall mean the sum of (i) total current
liabilities of Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, determined
in accordance with GAAP (excluding, however, therefrom any "non-current" part of
the liabilities associated with inventory purchased from Lucent Public Safety
System), PLUS (ii) without duplication, the aggregate amount of all outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations.

"EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, the Net Income (Loss) of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period, PLUS interest expense,
income tax expense, amortization expense, depreciation expense and extraordinary
losses and MINUS extraordinary gains, in each case, of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period determined in accordance
with GAAP to the extent included in the determination of such Net Income (Loss).

"FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" shall mean, for any period of four (4) consecutive
Fiscal Quarters, the ratio of the following for Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP: (a) EBITDA for such
period LESS Capital Expenditures for such period which are not financed through
the incurrence of any Indebtedness (excluding the Revolving Credit Loan),
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the foregoing shall not include such Capital
Expenditures to the extent they relate to Borrower's anticipated relocation of
its corporate offices and operations and do not exceed Six Million Dollars
($6,000,000), to (b) the sum of (i) interest expense paid or accrued in respect
of any Indebtedness during such period, PLUS (ii) taxes to the extent accrued or
otherwise payable with respect to such period PLUS (iii) regularly scheduled
payments of principal paid or that were required to be paid on Funded Debt
(excluding the Revolving Credit Loan) during such period.

"FUNDED DEBT" shall mean, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated
basis, all Indebtedness which by the terms of the agreement governing or
instrument evidencing such Indebtedness matures more than one (1) year from, or
is directly or indirectly renewable or extendible at the option of such Persons
under a revolving credit or similar agreement obligating the lender or lenders
to extend credit over a period of more than one year from, the date of creation
thereof, including current maturities of long-term debt, revolving credit, and
short-term debt extendible beyond one year at the option of such Persons.

"NET INCOME (LOSS)" shall mean for any period, the aggregate net income (or
loss) after taxes for such period, determined for Borrower and its Subsidiaries
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

<Page>

"TANGIBLE NET WORTH" shall mean, at any date, with respect to Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, all as determined in accordance with
GAAP, total shareholders' equity LESS the amount of all intangible assets.

1.   FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. Borrower shall maintain a Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.0: 1 for each Fiscal Quarter commencing with
the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2002.

2.   LEVERAGE RATIO. At no time shall total Indebtedness of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, exceed the GREATER of (i) Adjusted
Tangible Net Worth, or (ii) two (2) times trailing twelve (12) months' EBITDA of
Borrower and such Subsidiaries.

3.   QUICK RATIO. At no time shall the ratio of: (i) the sum of all cash, cash
equivalents and accounts receivable of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined
on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, to (ii) Adjusted Current
Liabilities, be less than 1.0:1.

AGREED:

INTRADO, INC., as Borrower's Agent

By:
    --------------------------------------------------
    Michael D. Dingman, Jr.,
    Chief Financial Officer

                                        2<Page>

           COINSURANCE AND YEARLY RENEWABLE TERM REINSURANCE AGREEMENT

                                     BETWEEN

                AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              West Des Moines, Iowa

                                       AND

                 ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
                        Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies

                                       1
<Page>

                COINSURANCE AND YEARLY RENEWABLE TERM REINSURANCE
<Table>
<Caption>

ARTICLE                                                                 PAGE
-------                                                                 ----

<S>                                                                      <C>
I.        PREAMBLE AND REINSURANCE PROVIDED.........................      3

II.       TERM, TERMINATION AND RECAPTURE...........................      3

III.      REINSURANCE COVERAGE......................................      4

IV.       REINSURANCE PREMIUMS AND EXPENSE ALLOWANCES...............      5

V.        EXPERIENCE ACCOUNT BALANCE................................      7

VI.       CASH BALANCE..............................................      8

VII.      CASH SETTLEMENT ADJUSTMENTS...............................      9

VIII.     FINANCIAL COVENANTS.......................................     10

IX.       REPORTS AND REMITTANCES...................................     12

X.        NET RETAINED LINES........................................     13

XI.       EXCLUSIONS................................................     14

XII.      INSOLVENCY................................................     15

XIII.     ARBITRATION...............................................     16

XIV.      AGREEMENT, AMENDMENTS AND MERGER..........................     17

XV.       MISCELLANEOUS.............................................     18

XVI.      SECURITY..................................................     20

XVII.     SERVICE OF SUIT...........................................     24

XVIII.    REINSURANCE INTERMEDIARY..................................     24

          SIGNATURE PAGE............................................     26

          EXHIBIT 1 - SAMPLE REPORTING FORMAT

          Schedule A - SUBJECT BUSINESS CONTRACTS (TYPES)

          Schedule B -  YRT BASE RATE BY AGE (NEAREST BIRTHDAY)

          Schedule C -  TARGET CASH BALANCES

          Schedule D -  COMPANY INFORMATION

</Table>
                                       2
<Page>

                   ARTICLE I: PREAMBLE AND REINSURANCE PROVIDED

1.01      -     This is an Agreement of Coinsurance and Yearly Renewable Term
                Reinsurance between:

                AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                              West Des Moines, Iowa

                   (hereinafter referred to as the "Company")

                                       and

                ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
                        Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies

                  (hereinafter referred to as the "Reinsurer")

                whereby, the Reinsurer agrees to indemnify the Company for
                Covered Losses paid by the Company subject to all of the terms
                and conditions of this Agreement.

                   ARTICLE II: TERM, TERMINATION AND RECAPTURE

2.01      -     EFFECTIVE DATE:  The Effective Date of this Agreement shall be
                12:01 a.m., Central Standard Time, January 1, 2001.

2.02      -     TERM:  This Agreement shall remain in force and the Term of this
                Agreement shall be from the Effective Date until the earlier of
                (i) the date of death of the last contract holder of a Subject
                Business agreement, or (ii) the Recapture Date.

2.03      -     NEW BUSINESS TERMINATION DATE:  With respect to new policies
                issued by the Company, this Agreement shall terminate as follows

                (a)   on the termination date requested by the Reinsurer,
                      subject to written notice to the Company at least
                      one-hundred-twenty (120) days prior such termination date;

                (b)   immediately upon failure by the Company to comply with one
                      or more of the Financial Covenants set forth in Section
                      8.02 herein; or

                (c)   immediately once the Cash Balance equals or exceeds
                      fifteen-million dollars ($15,000,000).

                The date on which this Agreement terminates with respect to new
                policies shall hereinafter be referred to as the "New Business
                Termination Date".

                                       3
<Page>

2.04      -     TERMINATION AND RECAPTURE:  The Company may terminate this
                Agreement and recapture all business reinsured hereunder at any
                time after June 29, 2001 by providing written notice to the
                Reinsurer by registered or certified mail, return receipt
                requested, at least one-hundred-twenty (120) days in advance,
                such notice to include the effective date of termination and
                recapture.

                The Reinsurer may terminate this Agreement only if the Company
                fails to pay any Reinsurance Premium when due in accordance with
                Section 4.01, subject to ninety (90) days' notice and demand for
                such Reinsurance Premium by the Reinsurer.

                The date on which this Agreement is terminated by the Company or
                by the Reinsurer as set forth in this Section 2.04 shall
                hereinafter be referred to as the "Recapture Date". On the
                Recapture Date, the Company shall pay to the Reinsurer the Cash
                Balance as of the Recapture Date, that being the Cash Balance on
                the Settlement Date immediately preceding the Recapture Date
                adjusted to include interest through the Recapture Date, and the
                Reinsurer shall be released from all current and future
                liabilities under this Agreement.

                        ARTICLE III: REINSURANCE COVERAGE

3.01      -     COVERAGE:

                (a)   SECTION A: The Reinsurer shall indemnify the Company for
                      Section A Covered Losses paid by the Company.

                (b)   SECTION B: The Reinsurer shall indemnify the Company for
                      Section B Covered Losses paid by the Company.

3.02      -     SUBJECT BUSINESS:  Subject Business shall mean all contracts
                issued by the Company on or after the Effective Date that are
                classified as one of the types of contracts listed on Schedule A
                attached hereto and incorporated herein; provided, however, that
                Subject Business shall not include any contracts issued by the
                Company on or after the New Business Termination Date.

                It is understood and agreed that the Company shall continue to
                administer the Subject Business during the Term of this
                Agreement.

3.03      -     SUBJECT LOSSES:

                (a)   Section A Subject Losses shall mean all benefits paid by
                      the Company to contract holders of the Subject Business
                      contracts, including surrender values paid, death benefits
                      paid, and interest and premium bonuses credited in
                      accordance with the terms of such Subject Business
                      contracts. Section A Subject Losses shall not include
                      rider benefits, extracontractual payments,
                      extracontractual damages, and other benefits not intended
                      under the terms of the Subject Business contracts.

                                       4
<Page>

                (b)   Section B Subject Losses shall mean all surrender charges
                      waived by the Company upon death of the contract holders
                      of the Subject Business contracts, but only as respects
                      that portion of the Subject Business that is not reinsured
                      under Section A of this Agreement.

3.04      -     COVERED LOSSES:

                (a)   Section A Covered Losses shall equal two percent (2%) of
                      Section A Subject Losses.

                (b)   Section B Covered Losses shall equal Section B Subject
                      Losses, subject to the Section B Aggregate Limit.

                (c)   The sum of Section A Covered Losses and Section B Covered
                      Losses shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as
                      "Covered Losses".

3.05      -     SECTION B AGGREGATE LIMIT:  The Section B Aggregate Limit for
                the sum of all Section B Covered Losses indemnified by the
                Reinsurer under this Agreement shall equal fifty-million dollars
                ($50,000,000).

                The Section B Aggregate Limit is the maximum amount recoverable
                by the Company under Section B of this Agreement. Under no
                circumstances shall the Reinsurer pay more than the Section B
                Aggregate Limit under Section B.

             ARTICLE IV: REINSURANCE PREMIUMS AND EXPENSE ALLOWANCES

4.01      -     REINSURANCE PREMIUM:

                (a)   Section A Reinsurance Premium for each Accounting Period
                      shall equal two percent (2%) of all single, first-year and
                      renewal premiums received by the Company for that
                      Accounting Period on Subject Business.

                (b)   Section B Reinsurance Premium shall equal, for the
                      Accounting Period commencing July 1, 2001 and each
                      Accounting Period thereafter, the sum of the following:

                      (i)   for each Subject Business contract in force,
                            twenty-five percent (25%) of the applicable rate
                            from Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated
                            herein, based on the contract holder's age at the
                            nearest birthday at the beginning of that Accounting
                            Period, MULTIPLIED BY the arithmetic average of the
                            Net Amount at Risk at the beginning of that
                            Accounting Period and the Net Amount at Risk at the
                            end of that Accounting Period;

                      (ii)  a policy fee of eighteen-dollars-and-seventy-five-
                            cents ($18.75) for each Subject Business contract in
                            force at the beginning of that Accounting Period;
                            and

                                       5
<Page>

                      (iii) fifty-percent (50%) of the amount by which the
                            account value exceeds the cash surrender value paid
                            by the Company on each partial surrender and each
                            full surrender of Subject Business contracts during
                            that Accounting Period.

                      "Net Amount at Risk" as used herein shall mean, as
                      respects each Subject Business contract, the amount by
                      which the account value payable to the beneficiary upon
                      death of the contract holder exceeds the cash surrender
                      value at such time.

                (c)   The sum of Section A Reinsurance Premium and Section B
                      Reinsurance Premium shall hereinafter be referred to
                      collectively as the "Reinsurance Premiums". The
                      Reinsurance Premiums for each Accounting Period shall be
                      due and payable from the Company to the Reinsurer as part
                      of the Total Settlement for that Accounting Period in
                      accordance with Section 9.06.

4.02      -     EXPENSE ALLOWANCES:

                (a)   SECTION A:

                      (i)   For each Accounting Period, the Section A First Year
                            Expense Allowances shall equal the portion of the
                            Section A Reinsurance Premium paid for that
                            Accounting Period that relates to single and
                            first-year premiums received by the Company.

                      (ii)  For each Accounting Period, the Section A Renewal
                            Expense Allowances shall be equal to twenty-five
                            cents ($0.25) for each Subject Business contract in
                            force.

                      The Section A First Year Expense Allowances and the
                      Section A Renewal Expense Allowances for each Accounting
                      Period shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as
                      the "Section A Expense Allowances".

                (b)   SECTION B: Section B Expense Allowances for each
                      Accounting Period shall equal:

                      (i)   the sum of

                            (x)   two-and-twenty-five-hundredths percent (2.25%)
                                  of single and first-year premiums paid to the
                                  Company during that Accounting Period,
                                  excluding any premium bonuses, for Subject
                                  Business contracts (other than SPDA 6-5
                                  contracts) with a first-year surrender charge
                                  of fifteen percent (15%) or less; and

                            (y)   three percent (3%) of single and first-year
                                  premiums paid to the Company during that
                                  Accounting Period, excluding any premium
                                  bonuses, for Subject Business contracts with

                                       6
<Page>

                                  a first-year surrender charge in excess of
                                  fifteen percent (15%); and

                            (z)   for Subject Business contracts classified as
                                  SPDA 6-5 contracts, one percent (1%) of single
                                  and first-year premiums paid to the Company
                                  during that Accounting Period, excluding any
                                  premium bonuses;

                      MINUS

                      (ii)  the absolute value of any negative Cash Settlement
                            Adjustment for that calendar quarter as determined
                            in accordance with Section 7.01.

                (c)   The Section A Expense Allowances and the Section B Expense
                      Allowances for each Accounting Period shall hereinafter be
                      referred to collectively as the "Expense Allowances". The
                      Expense Allowances for each Accounting Period shall be due
                      and payable from the Reinsurer to the Company as part of
                      the Total Settlement for that Accounting Period in
                      accordance with Section 9.06.

                (d)   It is understood and agreed that the Reinsurer shall have
                      no obligation to reimburse the Company for any direct or
                      allocable expenses or taxes.

                      ARTICLE V: EXPERIENCE ACCOUNT BALANCE

5.01      -     EXPERIENCE ACCOUNT BALANCE: An Experience Account Balance
                ("EAB") shall be calculated at the end of each Accounting
                Period. The EAB as of the Effective Date, and at any time
                thereafter until the end of the first Accounting Period, shall
                be equal to zero (0). The EAB at the end of the first Accounting
                Period shall be equal to the Experience Account Gain for that
                Accounting Period. The EAB at the end of each Accounting Period
                thereafter shall equal the EAB at the end of the prior
                Accounting Period plus the Experience Account Gain for that
                Accounting Period.

5.02      -     EXPERIENCE ACCOUNT GAIN:  The Experience Account Gain for each
                Accounting Period shall equal the sum of:

                (a)   the Section A Reinsurance Premium for that Accounting
                      Period; and

                (b)   the Coinsurance Reserves at the end of the prior
                      Accounting Period;

                minus the sum of

                (c)   the Section A Expense Allowances for that Accounting
                      Period;

                (d)   the Section A Covered Losses for that Accounting Period;

                                       7
<Page>

                (e)   the Coinsurance Reserves at the end of that Accounting
                      Period; and

                (f)   the Risk and Expense Charge for that Accounting Period.

5.03      -     COINSURANCE RESERVES:  The Coinsurance Reserves at the end of
                each Accounting Period shall equal two percent (2%) of the
                statutory reserves held for the Subject Business as of the end
                of that Accounting Period.

5.04      -     RISK AND EXPENSE CHARGE:  The Risk and Expense Charge for each
                Accounting Period shall equal (a) eight-tenths-of-one-percent
                (0.8%), MULTIPLIED BY (b) the number of days in that Accounting
                Period divided by three-hundred-sixty (360) days, MULTIPLIED BY
                (c) the absolute value of the EAB at the end of the prior
                Accounting Period.

                            ARTICLE VI: CASH BALANCE

6.01      -     CASH BALANCE: The Cash Balance on the Effective Date
                shall be equal to zero (0). The Cash Balance for the first
                Accounting Period shall be determined on the Settlement Date for
                that Accounting Period in an amount equal to the Total
                Settlement for that Accounting Period. The Cash Balance for each
                Accounting Period thereafter shall be determined on the
                Settlement Date for that Accounting Period in an amount equal to
                (a) the Total Settlement for that Accounting Period, PLUS (b)
                the Interest on Cash Balance at that Settlement Date, PLUS (a)
                the Cash Balance for the prior Accounting Period, as determined
                on the applicable Settlement Date.

6.02      -     INTEREST ON CASH BALANCE: The Interest on Cash Balance at the
                first Settlement Date shall be equal to zero (0). The Interest
                on Cash Balance at each Settlement Date thereafter shall equal
                (a) the Cash Balance Rate on that Settlement Date, MULTIPLIED BY
                (b) the Cash Balance on the prior Settlement Date.

6.03      -     CASH BALANCE RATE:  The Cash Balance Rate at each Settlement
                Date shall equal (a) the ninety (90) day London Interbank
                Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), as reported on Telerate Page 3750 as of
                11:00 a.m., London time, on the last Business Day prior to that
                Settlement Date, plus one-and-four-tenths percent (1.4%),
                MULTIPLIED BY (b) the ratio that the number of days during that
                Accounting Period for which the Cash Balance is positive bears
                to three-hundred-sixty (360) days.

                "Telerate Page 3750" means the display page currently so
                designated on the Dow Jones Market Service or any successor
                service (or such other page as may replace that page on the Dow
                Jones Market Service or any successor service for the purpose of
                displaying comparable rates or prices).

6.04      -     TARGET CASH BALANCE:  The Target Cash Balance at the end of each
                Accounting Period shall be the amount set forth in Schedule C
                attached hereto and incorporated herein for that Accounting
                Period.

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                    ARTICLE VII: CASH SETTLEMENT ADJUSTMENTS

7.01      -     CASH SETTLEMENT ADJUSTMENTS:  The Cash Settlement Adjustment for
                each Accounting Period shall be calculated on or before the
                Settlement Date for that Accounting Period in an amount equal
                to:

                (a)   the Target Cash Balance at the end of that Accounting
                      Period;

                MINUS

                (b)   the Tentative Settlement for that Accounting Period;

                MINUS

                (c)   the Loss Carryover for the prior Accounting Period;

                MINUS

                (d)   the Cash Balance for the prior Accounting Period as of the
                      applicable Settlement Date;

                MINUS

                (e)   the Interest on Cash Balance for that Accounting Period;

                MINUS

                (f)   the Risk and Expense Charge for that Accounting Period.

                If the Cash Settlement Adjustment for an Accounting Period is
                greater than zero (0) AND the Company is not, and was not, in
                violation of one or more of the Financial Covenants at any time
                during that Accounting Period or any prior Accounting Periods,
                an Experience Refund in an amount equal to such Cash Settlement
                Adjustment shall be paid by the Reinsurer to the Company as part
                of the Total Settlement for that Accounting Period in accordance
                with Section 9.06. If the Cash Settlement Adjustment for an
                Accounting Period is less than zero (0), the absolute value of
                such Cash Settlement Adjustment shall be deducted from the
                Section B Expense Allowances for that Accounting Period as set
                forth in Section 4.02.

                At the sole option of the Reinsurer, the Experience Refund may
                be recalculated at the end of any Accounting Period in
                accordance with the above formula, where items (b), (e) and (f)
                include all Accounting Periods within the calendar year as
                opposed to individual Accounting Periods, and items (c) and (d)
                are valued as of the end of the last Accounting Period of the
                prior calendar year. Upon any such recalculation of the
                Experience Refund, the Total Settlement will be recalculated
                accordingly.

                                       9
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7.02      -     LOSS CARRYOVER:  The Loss Carryover at the end of the first
                Accounting Period shall be equal to zero (0). The Loss Carryover
                at the end of each Accounting Period thereafter shall equal the
                greater of (i) zero (0), or (ii) an amount equal to:

                (a)   the Cash Balance for the prior Accounting Period as
                      calculated on the applicable Settlement Date,

                PLUS

                (b)   the Interest on Cash Balance for that Accounting Period as
                      calculated on the applicable Settlement Date,

                PLUS

                (c)   the Total Settlement for that Accounting Period,

                MINUS

                (d)   the Target Cash Balance at the end of that Accounting
                      Period.

                        ARTICLE VIII: FINANCIAL COVENANTS

8.01      -     NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FINANCIAL COVENANTS:  The Company shall
                notify the Reinsurer within five (5) Business Days of any
                failure by the Company to comply with one or more of the
                Financial Covenants. As provided in Section 2.03, this Agreement
                will terminate as respects new policies issued by the Company
                immediately upon failure by the Company to comply with one or
                more of the Financial Covenants.

8.02      -     FINANCIAL COVENANTS:  The Financial Covenants are:

                (a)   the Company shall maintain Risk Based Capital, as measured
                      by the formula prescribed by the insurance department of
                      the Company's state of domicile, of no less than
                      two-hundred-fifteen percent (215%) of the Company Action
                      Level;

                (b)   the Company shall maintain Total Surplus of no less than
                      one-hundred-twenty-five-million dollars ($125,000,000);

                (c)   there shall be no Change of Control of the Company, where
                      "Change of Control" is signaled by the requirement that
                      the Company, or the parent of the Company, file such
                      change with any insurance department or with the
                      Securities Exchange Commission;

                (d)   there shall be no material change in the Company's
                      underwriting guidelines from those in effect as of the
                      Effective Date, unless the

                                       10
<Page>

                      Company obtains the prior written approval of the
                      Reinsurer to such change;

                (e)   there shall be no material change in the overall credit
                      quality of the Company's investment portfolio from the
                      Effective Date;

                (f)   the insurance financial strength rating of the Company as
                      assigned by A.M. Best Company shall not be less than "A-";

                (g)   the Financial Leverage Ratio (as defined in Section 8.03)
                      of the Company and its corporate parent combined shall not
                      be greater than sixty percent (60%); and

                (h)   the Cash Coverage Ratio (as defined in Section 8.04) of
                      the Company and its parent combined shall not be less than
                      one-and-two-tenths (1.2).

8.03      -     FINANCIAL LEVERAGE RATIO:  The Financial Leverage Ratio at any
                time shall be determined as follows, with the result expressed
                as a percentage:

                (a)   the sum of (i) the principal amount of loans outstanding
                      at American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the
                      "Holding Company"), and (ii) the principal amount of loans
                      outstanding at American Equity Investment Service Company
                      (the "Service Company"), excluding any such loans that may
                      be included in (a)(i) herein;

                DIVIDED BY

                (b)   the sum of (i) the Company's Total Capital and Surplus,
                      (ii) the Company's Asset Valuation Reserve, and (iii) the
                      Company's Interest Maintenance Reserve, where items (i),
                      (ii) and (iii) are the respective amounts as reported on
                      the Company's most recent certified statutory financial
                      statements.

8.04      -     CASH COVERAGE RATIO:  The Cash Coverage Ratio at any time shall
                equal:

                (a)   the sum of (i) amounts available to the Company at that
                      time for dividends to stockholders in accordance with the
                      statutes and regulations of the State of Iowa, (ii) any
                      commissions paid by the Company to the Service Company
                      during the current Accounting Period, (iii) investment
                      income of the Holding Company, excluding income from
                      investments in subsidiaries, during the current Accounting
                      Period, (iv) cash operating expenses of the Holding
                      Company during the current Accounting Period, and (v)
                      restricted payments (dividends paid to shareholders) by
                      the Holding Company during the current Accounting Period;

                DIVIDED BY

                (b)   the sum of (i) interest on loans outstanding at the
                      Holding Company, (ii) distribution by the Holding Company
                      on trust preferreds, and (iii) twenty

                                       11
<Page>

                      percent (20%) of the principal amounts of loans
                      outstanding at the Holding Company and at the Service
                      Company.

                       ARTICLE IX: REPORTS AND REMITTANCES

9.01      -     COMPANY REPORTS:  The Company shall provide to the Reinsurer, no
                less than three (3) Business Days prior to each Settlement Date,
                all information and data required by the Reinsurer to fulfill
                its obligations and rights under this Agreement and to satisfy
                its legal reporting requirements.  A suggested format for such
                reporting is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.  The Company shall
                also furnish to the Reinsurer, on a quarterly basis, a copy of
                its certified statutory financial statements at the time such
                statements are submitted by the Company to the regulatory
                authority in its state of domicile, and shall furnish the
                Reinsurer with a statement at the end of each Accounting Period
                that demonstrates the Company's compliance with the Financial
                Covenants.

9.02      -     ACCOUNTING PERIOD:  Accounting Period shall mean each calendar
                quarter during the Term of this Agreement. In the event the
                Recapture Date occurs at any time other than at the end of a
                calendar quarter, the last Accounting Period shall be the period
                from the beginning of that calendar quarter to the Recapture
                Date, both dates inclusive.

9.03      -     SETTLEMENT DATES:  The Settlement Date for each Accounting
                Period shall be the first Business Day on or after fifteen (15)
                days after the end of that Accounting Period.

9.04      -     BUSINESS DAY:  Business Day shall mean any day other than a
                Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which commercial banks in
                Bridgetown, Barbados, the State of New York, or the State of
                Iowa are authorized by law or executive order to close.

9.05      -     TENTATIVE SETTLEMENT:  The Tentative Settlement for each
                Accounting Period shall be determined as follows:

                (a)   any amounts due to the Company under Section A of this
                      Agreement for that Accounting Period;

                PLUS

                (b)   any amounts due to the Company under Section B of this
                      Agreement for that Accounting Period;

                MINUS THE SUM OF

                (c)   any amounts due to the Reinsurer under Section A of this
                      Agreement for that Accounting Period; and

                                       12
<Page>

                (d)   any amounts due to the Reinsurer under Section B of this
                      Agreement for that Accounting Period.

                For the avoidance of doubt, the Experience Refund for an
                Accounting Period shall not be included in the computation of
                the Tentative Settlement for that Accounting Period.

9.06      -     TOTAL SETTLEMENT:  The Total Settlement for each Accounting
                Period shall equal (a) the Tentative Settlement for that
                Accounting Period, plus (b) the Experience Refund, if any, for
                that Accounting Period, MINUS (c) the cost for that Accounting
                Period of any Security provided by the Reinsurer in accordance
                with Article XVI - SECURITY.  If the Total Settlement for an
                Accounting Period is greater than zero, then such Total
                Settlement shall be due and payable by the Reinsurer to the
                Company on the Settlement Date for that Accounting Period.
                If the Total Settlement is less than zero, then the absolute
                value of such Total Settlement shall be due and payable by the
                Company to the Reinsurer on the Settlement Date for that
                Accounting Period.

                          ARTICLE X: NET RETAINED LINES

10.01     -     APPLICATION OF OTHER REINSURANCE PROCEEDS:  This Agreement
                applies only to that portion of insurance or reinsurance which,
                after the application of all reinsurance other than the
                reinsurance hereunder, the Company retains net for its own
                account. In calculating the amount of loss hereunder for which
                the Company shall be reimbursed, only the loss with respect to
                such retained portion shall be included.

10.02     -     COLLECTION OF OTHER REINSURANCE PROCEEDS:  The amount of the
                Reinsurer's liability hereunder shall not be increased by reason
                of the Company's inability to collect from any other reinsurers,
                whether specific or general, any amounts which may have become
                due from them, whether such inability arises from the insolvency
                of such other reinsurers, or otherwise.

 10.03    -     OTHER REINSURANCE: In order to provide that the Reinsurer's
                liability under this Agreement shall not be increased in any
                calendar year by a change in reinsurance ceded or recoverable by
                the Company, the reinsurance arrangements, including treaties,
                facultative certificates and interpretations with respect to
                obligations thereunder, which were in effect on January 1, 2001
                are deemed to continue in effect for purposes of all
                computations hereunder.

                             ARTICLE XI: EXCLUSIONS

 11.01    -     EXTRACONTRACTUAL DAMAGES: This Agreement does not cover
                extracontractual damages or extracontractual liability resulting
                from fraud, oppression, bad faith, strict liability, or
                negligent, reckless or intentional wrongs on the part of the
                Company or its directors, officers, employees and agents. The
                following types of damages are examples of damages excluded
                under this Agreement for the

                                       13
<Page>

                conduct described above: actual damages, damages for emotional
                distress, and punitive or exemplary damages.

 11.02    -     INSOLVENCY FUNDS: The Reinsurer shall not be obligated to pay to
                the Company any share of any liability of the Company arising,
                bycontract, operation of law, or otherwise, from its
                participation or membership, whether voluntary or involuntary,
                in any insolvency fund or from reimbursement of any person for
                any such liability. "Insolvency Fund" includes any guaranty or
                insolvency fund, plan, pool, association, or other arrangement
                howsoever denominated, established or governed, which provides
                for any assessment of or payment or assumption by any person or
                part of all of any claim, debt, charge, fee or other obligation
                of any insurer, or its successors or assigns which has been
                declared to be insolvent, or which is otherwise deemed unable to
                meet any claim, debt, charge, fee or other obligation in whole
                or in part.

 11.03    -     DIVIDENDS: The Reinsurer shall not participate in the
                determination of, nor reimburse the Company for, any
                policyholder or other dividends paid by the Company.

                             ARTICLE XII: INSOLVENCY

 12.01    -     REINSURER'S OBLIGATION: In the event of the insolvency of the
                Company, the reinsurance afforded by this Agreement shall be
                payable by the Reinsurer on the basis of the liability of the
                Company under the Subject Business, without diminution because
                of such insolvency, directly to the Company or its liquidator,
                receiver, conservator, or statutory successor.

 12.02    -     REINSURER'S NOTICE AND DEFENSE OF CLAIMS: The Reinsurer shall
                be given written notice of the pendency of each claim or loss
                which may involve the reinsurance afforded by this Agreement
                within a reasonable time after such claim or loss is filed in
                the insolvency proceedings. The Reinsurer shall have the right
                to investigate each such claim or loss and interpose at its own
                expense, in the proceeding where the claim or loss is to be
                adjudicated, any defense which it may deem available to the
                Company or its liquidator, receiver, conservator, or statutory
                successor. If more than one reinsurer is involved, such
                reinsurers may designate one reinsurer to act for all.

 12.03    -     DEFENSE EXPENSE: The expense thus incurred by the Reinsurer
                shall be chargeable, subject to court approval, against the
                insolvent Company as part of the expense of liquidation to the
                extent of a proportionate share of the benefit which may accrue
                to the Company solely as a result of the defense undertaken by
                the Reinsurer.

 12.04    -     OFFSET: Any debts or credits, liquidated or unliquidated, in
                favor of or against either party on the date of the receivership
                or liquidation order (except where the obligation was purchased
                by or transferred to be used as an offset) are deemed mutual
                debts or credits and shall be set off with the balance only to
                be allowed or

                                       14
<Page>

                paid. Although such claim on the part of either party may be
                unliquidated or undetermined in amount on the date of the entry
                of the receivership or liquidation order, such claim will be
                regarded as being in existence as of such date and any credits
                or claims then in existence and held by the other party may be
                offset against it.

12.05     -     RIGHTS OF PARTIES: Nothing hereinabove set forth in this Article
                shall in any way change the relationship or status of the
                parties hereto, nor enlarge the obligations of any party to any
                other except as specifically hereinabove provided, to wit, to
                pay the statutory successor on the basis of the amount of
                liability determined in the liquidation or receivership
                proceeding, rather than on the basis of the actual amount of
                loss (dividends) paid by the liquidator, receiver, conservator,
                or statutory successor to allowed claimants. Nor, except as
                hereinabove specifically provided, shall anything in this
                Article in any manner create any obligation or establish any
                right against the Reinsurer in favor of any third parties or any
                other persons not parties to this Agreement.

                            ARTICLE XIII: ARBITRATION

13.01     -     RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES: As a condition precedent to any right
                arising under this Agreement, any dispute between the Company
                and the Reinsurer arising out of the provisions of this
                Agreement, or concerning its interpretation or validity, whether
                arising before or after termination of this Agreement, shall be
                submitted to arbitration in the manner set forth in this
                Article. Either party may initiate arbitration of any dispute
                arising out of the provisions of this Agreement by giving
                written notice to the other party, by registered or certified
                mail, return receipt requested, of its intention to arbitrate
                and of its appointment of an arbitrator in accordance with
                Section 13.03.

13.02     -     COMPOSITION OF PANEL: Unless the parties agree upon a single
                arbitrator within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of a
                notice of intention to arbitrate, all disputes shall be
                submitted to an arbitration panel composed of two arbitrators
                and an umpire, chosen in accordance with Section 13.03 and
                Section 13.04.

13.03     -     APPOINTMENT OF ARBITRATORS: The members of the arbitration panel
                shall be chosen from disinterested persons knowledgeable in the
                insurance and reinsurance business. The party requesting
                arbitration (hereinafter referred to as the "claimant") shall
                appoint an arbitrator and give written notice thereof, by
                registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the
                other party (hereinafter referred to as the "respondent")
                together with its notice of intention to arbitrate. Unless a
                single arbitrator is agreed upon within fifteen (15) days after
                the receipt of the notice of intention to arbitrate, the
                respondent shall, within thirty (30) days after receiving such
                notice, also appoint an arbitrator and notify the claimant
                thereof in a like manner. Before instituting a hearing, the two
                arbitrators so appointed shall choose an umpire. If, within
                twenty (20) days after they are both appointed, the arbitrators
                fail to agree upon the appointment of an umpire, the umpire
                shall be appointed by the President of the American Arbitration
                Association.

                                       15
<Page>

13.04     -     FAILURE OF PARTY TO APPOINT ARBITRATOR: If the respondent
                fails to appoint an arbitrator within thirty (30) days after
                receiving a notice of intention to arbitrate, such arbitrator
                shall be appointed by the President of the American Arbitration
                Association, and shall then, together with the arbitrator
                appointed by the claimant, choose an umpire as provided in
                Section 13.03.

13.05     -     CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM: Any arbitration instituted pursuant to
                this Article shall be held in New York, New York, or in a
                location to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the
                Reinsurer and the laws of the State of New York, without regard
                to its conflict of laws rules, shall govern the interpretation
                and application of this Agreement.

13.06     -     SUBMISSION OF DISPUTE TO PANEL: Unless otherwise extended by
                the arbitration panel, or agreed to by the parties, each party
                shall submit its case to the panel within thirty (30) days after
                the selection of an umpire.

13.07     -     PROCEDURE GOVERNING ARBITRATION: All proceedings before the
                panel shall be informal and the panel shall not be bound by the
                formal rules of evidence. The panel shall have the power to fix
                all procedural rules relating to the arbitration proceeding. In
                reaching any decision, the panel shall give due consideration to
                the customs and usage of the insurance and reinsurance business.

13.08     -     ARBITRATION AWARD: The arbitration panel shall render its
                decision within sixty (60) days after termination of the
                proceeding, which decision shall be in writing, stating the
                reasons therefor. The decision of the majority of the panel
                shall be final and binding on the parties to the proceeding.

13.09     -     COST OF ARBITRATION: Unless otherwise allocated by the panel,
                each party shall bear the expense of its own arbitrator and its
                own witnesses and shall jointly and equally bear with the other
                parties the expense of the umpire and the arbitration.

13.10     -     LIMIT OF JURISDICTION: The arbitration panel does not have the
                jurisdiction to authorize any punitive damage awards between the
                parties.

                  ARTICLE XIV: AGREEMENT, AMENDMENTS AND MERGER

14.01     -     AGREEMENT: This Agreement states the agreement originally made
                between the Company and the Reinsurer effective January 1, 2001
                as evidenced by the Reinsurance Binder dated December 29, 2000.
                This Agreement replaces that Reinsurance Binder as the statement
                of the terms and conditions which the Company and the Reinsurer
                have agreed shall govern the obligations originally undertaken
                in the Reinsurance Binder.

14.02     -     AMENDMENTS: This Agreement may be amended only by mutual
                consent of the parties expressed in a written addendum executed
                by the parties with the same formalities as this Agreement, and
                such addendum shall be deemed to be an integral part of this
                Agreement and binding on the parties hereto.

                                       16
<Page>

14.03     -     MERGER CLAUSE: The parties hereto acknowledge that they have
                read this Agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its
                terms and

                conditions. Further, the parties hereto agree that this
                Agreement is the complete and exclusive statement of the
                Agreement between the parties, superseding all proposals or
                prior agreements, oral or written, and all other communications
                between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof.

                            ARTICLE XV: MISCELLANEOUS

15.01     -     ACCESS TO RECORDS: The Reinsurer shall have the right to
                examine, at any reasonable time, all papers, books, accounts,
                documents and other records of the Company relating to the
                Subject Business. Upon request, the Company shall supply the
                Reinsurer, at the Reinsurer's expense, with copies of the whole
                or any part of such papers, books, accounts, documents and other
                records relating to the Subject Business. The Reinsurer's right
                of inspection under this Section 15.01 shall continue to exist
                after termination of this Agreement as long as one of the
                parties hereto has a claim against the other arising from this
                Agreement.

15.02     -     ALTERNATE CALCULATIONS:

                (a)   If any calculation described in this Agreement produces a
                      result which is substantially different from that
                      contemplated by the parties to this Agreement, an
                      alternate calculation which preserves the same principles
                      as exemplified herein shall be prepared by the parties and
                      mutually agreed upon. Any dispute with respect to such
                      alternate calculation shall be resolved by Arbitration as
                      provided in ARTICLE XIII: ARBITRATION.

                (b)   If any pattern of actual transactions which has taken
                      place is a pattern for which this Agreement does not
                      specify a particular set of calculations, an alternate set
                      of calculations which preserves the same principles as
                      exemplified herein shall be prepared by the parties and
                      mutually agreed upon. Any dispute with respect to such
                      alternate set of calculations shall be resolved by
                      Arbitration as provided in ARTICLE XIII: ARBITRATION.

15.03     -     COUNTERPARTS: This Agreement may be executed in two or more
                counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all
                of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

15.04     -     CURRENCY: All payments hereunder shall be made in United
                States dollars. All monetary amounts herein are in United States
                dollars. All reports and accounts hereunder shall be rendered in
                United States dollars. For the purpose of this Agreement where
                the Company receives premiums or pays losses in currencies other
                than United States dollars, such premiums and losses shall be
                converted

                                       17
<Page>

                into United States dollars at the actual rate of exchange at
                which such premiums and losses are entered in the Company's
                books.

15.05     -     DISCLOSURES AND APPROVALS: The Company represents and
                warrants, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
                hereunder and with respect to any insurance or reinsurance
                written or assumed by the Company which is covered by this
                Agreement and all transactions thereunder, that all disclosures
                and approvals which are necessary or appropriate under any law
                or regulation have been made or obtained, or will be made or
                obtained in a timely manner.

15.06     -     ENTIRE AGREEMENT: The terms expressed herein constitute the
                entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Subject
                Business. There are no understandings between the parties with
                respect to the Subject Business other than as expressed in this
                Agreement.

15.07     -     ERRORS AND OMISSIONS: Inadvertent errors and omissions of any
                nature made by either party shall neither increase nor reduce
                the liability of either party from what that liability would
                have been had no such error or omission taken place. Upon
                discovery, the party committing an error or omission shall
                correct such error or supply such omission retroactively to the
                time such error or omission occurred, and advise the other party
                thereof as soon as possible.

15.08     -     PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT: This Agreement is a reinsurance
                agreement solely between the Company and the Reinsurer, and
                performance of the obligations of each party under this
                Agreement will be rendered solely to the other party. In no
                instance will any party other than the Company and the Reinsurer
                have any rights under this Agreement, and the Company will be
                and shall remain the only party hereunder that is liable to any
                contract holder or beneficiary of any Subject Business contract.

                This Agreement shall be binding upon all successors, assignees
                and transferees of the parties to this Agreement, provided,
                however, that neither this Agreement nor any rights or
                obligations under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred
                by either party without the prior written consent of the other
                party.

15.09     -     RELIANCE ON INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY THE COMPANY: The Company
                acknowledges that, at the Reinsurer's request, it has provided
                the Reinsurer, prior to execution of this Agreement by the
                parties, with the information described in Schedule D attached
                hereto and incorporated herein (hereinafter, the "Company
                Information"),. The Company represents that any assumptions the
                Company made in preparing the Company Information were based
                upon informed judgment and are consistent with sound actuarial
                principles. The Company represents that all factual information
                contained in the Company Information was, as of the date
                provided, complete and accurate in all material respects to the
                best of the Company's knowledge and belief. The Reinsurer has
                relied on Company Information and the foregoing representations
                in entering into this Agreement.

15.10     -     RIGHT OF OFFSET: Both the Company and the Reinsurer shall have,
                and may exercise at any time, the right to offset any balance or
                balances due the other.

                                       18
<Page>

                Such offset may include balances due under this Agreement and
                any other agreements heretofore or hereafter entered into
                between the Company and the Reinsurer, regardless of whether
                such balances are in respect of premiums, or losses or
                otherwise, and regardless of the capacity of any party, whether
                as reinsurer or reinsured or otherwise, under the various
                agreements involved.

15.11     -     TAXES: The Company shall be liable for all taxes, except
                income and profit taxes of the Reinsurer, on amounts paid to the
                Reinsurer under the terms of this Agreement, and shall indemnify
                and hold the Reinsurer harmless for any taxes which the
                Reinsurer may become obligated to pay on the Company's behalf.

                              ARTICLE XVI: SECURITY

16.01     -     SECURITY: Upon the Company's written request, the Reinsurer
                shall provide security to the Company for its obligations to the
                Company by providing access to funds held in Trust or Letters of
                Credit for the benefit of the Company, in accordance with the
                provisions set forth in this Article, or by providing any other
                form of security that would permit the Company to take credit
                for the reinsurance ceded hereunder.

16.02     -     LETTER OF CREDIT:

                (a)   Upon the written request of the Company, the Reinsurer
                      agrees that it will be the applicant for and provide the
                      Company with a Letter or Letters of Credit, in a form
                      acceptable to the Company and in conformity with the
                      applicable regulations of the State of Iowa as respects
                      credit for reinsurance, in an amount no less than the
                      Reinsurer's remaining liability to the Company, as
                      determined by the Company, to secure the obligations of
                      the Reinsurer to the Company under this Agreement. The
                      cost of such Letter(s) of Credit, if any, shall be borne
                      by the Company.

                (b)   The Reinsurer and the Company agree that the Letter(s) of
                      Credit provided by the Reinsurer pursuant to the
                      provisions of this Agreement may be drawn upon at any
                      time, notwithstanding any other provisions in this
                      Agreement, and shall be utilized by the Company or any
                      successor by operation of law of the Company including,
                      without limitation, any liquidator, rehabilitator,
                      receiver, or conservator of the Company only for one or
                      more of the following purposes:

                      (i)   to reimburse the Company for the Reinsurer's share
                            of premiums returned to the owners of policies
                            reinsured under this Agreement, on account of
                            cancellations of such policies;

                      (ii)  to reimburse the Company for the Reinsurer's share
                            of surrenders and benefits or losses paid by the
                            Company pursuant to the provisions of the policies
                            reinsured under this Agreement;

                                       19
<Page>

                      (iii) to fund an account with the Company in an amount at
                            least equal to the deduction, for reinsurance ceded,
                            from the Company's liabilities for reinsurance ceded
                            under this Agreement. Such amount shall include, but
                            not be limited to, amounts for policy reserves,
                            reserves for claims and losses incurred (including
                            losses incurred but not reported), reserves for loss
                            adjustment expenses and reserves for unearned
                            premiums; and

                      (iv)  to pay any other amounts the Company claims are due
                            under this Agreement.

                      All of the foregoing shall be applied without diminution
                      because of insolvency on the part of the Company or the
                      Reinsurer.

                (c)   Should amounts be held pursuant to (b)(iii) above, then
                      the Company shall pay interest at the Prime Rate on such
                      funds as may be held from time to time.

                (d)   Should any amounts drawn down on the Letters of Credit be
                      in excess of the actual amounts required for (b)(i),
                      (b)(ii), or (b)(iii) above, or should any amounts
                      subsequently be determined not to be due under (b)(iv)
                      above, then such excess amounts and amounts not due shall
                      be returned to the Reinsurer forthwith and the Company
                      shall pay interest at the Prime Rate on such funds from
                      the date they were drawn down to the date they are
                      returned.

                (e)   Any interest calculated pursuant to the provisions of
                      paragraphs (c) and (d) above shall be offset against any
                      other obligations of the Reinsurer.

16.03     -     TRUST FUNDS:

                (a)   Upon the written request of the Company, the Reinsurer may
                      at its option provide funds in Trust for the benefit of
                      the Company as an alternative or supplement to Letter(s)
                      of Credit. Any such Trust Funds shall be held in
                      accordance with the applicable regulations of the State of
                      Iowa as respects credit for reinsurance. The cost of such
                      Trust Funds, if any, shall be borne by the Company.

                (b)   The assets deposited in the trust account shall be valued,
                      according to their current fair market value, and shall
                      consist only of cash (United States legal tender),
                      certificates of deposit (issued by a United States bank
                      and payable in United States legal tender), and
                      investments of the types specified in the applicable
                      regulations of the State of Iowa as respects credit for
                      reinsurance, provided that such investments are issued by
                      an institution that is not the parent, subsidiary, or
                      affiliate of either the Reinsurer or the Company.

                (c)   Prior to depositing assets into the Trust account, the
                      Reinsurer shall execute assignments, endorsements in
                      blank, or transfer legal title to the trustee of all
                      shares, obligations or any other assets requiring

                                       20
<Page>

                      assignments, in order that the Company, or the trustee
                      upon the direction of the Company, may whenever necessary
                      negotiate any such assets without consent or signature
                      from the Reinsurer or any other entity.

                (d)   All settlements of account between the Company and the
                      Reinsurer shall be made in cash or its equivalent.

                (e)   The Reinsurer and the Company agree that the assets in the
                      Trust account, established by the Reinsurer pursuant to
                      the provisions of this Agreement, may be withdrawn by the
                      Company at any time, notwithstanding any other provisions
                      in this Agreement, and shall be utilized and applied by
                      the Company or any successor by operation of law of the
                      Company including, without limitation, any liquidator,
                      rehabilitator, receiver or conservator of the Company only
                      for one or more of the following purposes:

                      (i)   to reimburse the Company for the Reinsurer's share
                            of premiums returned to the owners of policies
                            reinsured under this Agreement, on account of
                            cancellations of such policies;

                      (ii)  to reimburse the Company for the Reinsurer's share
                            of surrenders and benefits or losses paid by the
                            Company pursuant to the provisions of the policies
                            reinsured under this Agreement;

                      (iii) to fund an account with the Company in an amount at
                            least equal to the deduction, for reinsurance ceded,
                            from the Company's liabilities for reinsurance ceded
                            under this Agreement. Such amount shall include, but
                            not be limited to, amounts for policy reserves,
                            reserves for claims and losses incurred (including
                            losses incurred but not reported), reserves for loss
                            adjustment expenses and reserves for unearned
                            premiums; and

                      (iv)  to pay any other amounts the Company claims are due
                            under this Agreement.

                      All of the foregoing shall be applied without diminution
                      because of insolvency on the part of the Company or the
                      Reinsurer.

                (f)   The Company shall give the Reinsurer the right to seek
                      approval from the Company to withdraw from the
                      aforementioned Trust account all or any part of the assets
                      contained therein and transfer such assets to the
                      Reinsurer, provided:

                      (i)   the Reinsurer shall at the time of such withdrawal,
                            replace the withdrawn assets with other qualified
                            assets having a market value equal to the market
                            value of the assets withdrawn so as to maintain at
                            all times the deposit in the required amount, or

                                       21
<Page>

                      (ii)  after such withdrawal and transfer, the market value
                            of the Trust account is no less than one-hundred-two
                            percent (102%) of the required amount.

                (g)   Should amounts be held pursuant to (e)(iii) above, then
                      the Company shall pay interest at the Prime Rate on such
                      funds as may be held from time to time.

                (h)   Should any amounts withdrawn from the Trust account be in
                      excess of the actual amounts required for (e)(i), (e)(ii),
                      or (e)(iii) above, or should any amounts subsequently be
                      determined not to be due under (e)(iv) above, then such
                      excess amounts and amounts not due shall be returned to
                      the Reinsurer forthwith and the Company shall pay interest
                      at the Prime Rate on such funds from the date they were
                      withdrawn to the date they are returned.

                      (i)   Any interest calculated pursuant to the provisions
                            of paragraphs (g) and (h) above shall be offset
                            against any other obligations of the Reinsurer.

16.04     -     OTHER FORMS OF SECURITY: The Reinsurer may, at its option, as
                an alternative or supplement to Letter(s) of Credit and Trust
                Funds, provide security in any other form that would permit the
                Company to take credit for the reinsurance ceded hereunder. Any
                such other form of security shall be in accordance with Iowa
                Insurance Department regulations. The cost of such other form(s)
                of security shall be borne by the Company.

16.05     -     PRIME RATES: Prime Rates shall be determined for each business
                day in New York City, and for non-business days shall equal the
                Prime Rate as determined for the most recent preceding business
                day. The PRIME RATES as published in The Wall Street Journal
                (Eastern Edition) shall be the primary source for the Prime
                Rates. If The Wall Street Journal does not publish such a rate
                for a business day, the Prime Rate shall be the maximum of the
                rates publicly announced by major banks in New York City as
                their "Prime Rates" applicable to such day.

                          ARTICLE XVII: SERVICE OF SUIT

17.01     -     SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION: It is agreed that in the event of
                the failure of the Reinsurer to pay any amount claimed to be due
                under this Agreement, the Reinsurer, at the request of the
                Company, will submit to the jurisdiction of any Court of
                competent jurisdiction within the United States of America and
                will comply with all requirements necessary to give such Court
                jurisdiction; and all matters arising hereunder shall be
                determined in accordance with the law and practice of such
                Court.

17.02     -     SERVICE OF PROCESS: It is further agreed that service of
                process in any suit instituted against the Reinsurer arising out
                of this Agreement, may be made upon Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP,
                101 Park Avenue, New York, New York

                                       22
<Page>

                10178-0060, U.S.A., Attention: F. Sedgwick Browne, and that in
                such suit the Reinsurer will abide by the final decision of such
                Court or of any Appellate Court in the event of an appeal.

17.03     -     APPEARANCE: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP are authorized and
                directed to accept service of process on behalf of the Reinsurer
                in any such suit and/or upon the request of the Company to give
                a written undertaking to the Company that they will enter a
                general appearance upon the Reinsurer's behalf in the event such
                a suit shall be instituted.

17.04     -     INSURANCE OFFICIAL AS ATTORNEY FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS: Further,
                pursuant to any statute of any State, Territory or District of
                the United States of America which makes provision therefor, the
                Reinsurer hereby designates the Superintendent, Commissioner or
                Director of Insurance or other officer specified for that
                purpose in the statute, or his successor or successors in
                office, as their true and lawful attorney upon whom may be
                served any lawful process in any action, suit or proceeding
                instituted by or on behalf of the Company or any beneficiary
                hereunder arising out of this Agreement, and hereby designates
                Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP as the party to whom the said
                officer is authorized to mail such process or a true copy
                thereof.

                     ARTICLE XVIII: REINSURANCE INTERMEDIARY

18.01     -     REINSURANCE INTERMEDIARY: Swiss Re Atrium Corporation, 55 East
                52nd Street, New York, New York 10055, U.S.A., is hereby
                recognized as the Reinsurance Intermediary negotiating this
                Agreement.

18.02     -     COMMUNICATIONS: All communications, including but not limited to
                notices, reports, and statements, relating to this Agreement,
                shall be transmitted to the Company and the Reinsurer through
                the Reinsurance Intermediary.

18.03     -     PAYMENTS: All payments, including but not limited to premiums,
                expense allowances, and losses, relating to this Agreement shall
                be made directly between the Company and the Reinsurer, and not
                through any intermediary.

                                       23
<Page>

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives,

In West Des Moines, Iowa, this                     day of                 , 2001
                               ------------------         ---------------

                       AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

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

Name:                                          Name:
          -----------------------------              --------------------------

Title:                                         Title:
          -----------------------------               -------------------------

And in New York, New York, this              day of                    , 2001
                               -------------        -----------------

                           ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD.

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

Name:                                         Name:
          --------------------------                ---------------------------

Title:                                        Title:
          --------------------------                 ---------------------------

                                       24
<Page>

                       EXHIBIT 1 - SAMPLE REPORTING FORMAT

QUARTERLY REPORT OF ACTIVITY AND SETTLEMENTS
FROM:  AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
TO:  ATLANTIC INTERNATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY LTD.

ACCOUNTING PERIOD:
REPORT DATE:

SECTION A: COINSURANCE
1.  Section A Reinsurance Premium (Section 4.01(a))
     a. First- year Premiums
     b. Single Premiums
     c. Renewal Premiums
               Total Section A Reinsurance Premium

2.   a. Section A Subject Losses (Section 3.03(a))
     b. Section A Covered Losses (Section 3.04(a))

3.  Section A Expense Allowances (Section 4.02(a))
     a. First Year Expense Allow = 100% * (First year + Single Prems)
     b. Renewal Exp Allow = $.25 per Subject Business contract
               Total Section A Expense Allowances

4.  Section A Cash Settlement = 2b + 3 -1

5.  Risk and Expense Charge (Section 5.04)

6.  Increase in Coinsurance Reserves

7.  Experience Account Gain =  - 4 - 5 - 6   (Section 5.02)

8.  Experience Account Balance = Prior EAB + 7  (Section 5.01)

SECTION B: YEARLY RENEWABLE TERM
1.  Section B Reinsurance Prem (Section 4.01(b))
     a. Age related portion calculated using Schedule B
     b. Policy fee of $18.75 per contract in force at beginning of period
     c. 50% of Surrender gains for period
               Total Section B Reinsurance Premium

2.  a. Section B Subject Losses (Section 3.03(b))
    b. Section B Covered Losses (Section 3.04(b))

                                                                      CALCULATED
3.  Section B Expense Allowances (Section 4.02(b)) ALLOWANCE  PREMIUMS ALLOWANCE
                                                   ---------  -------- ---------
     a. 2.25% of Single & first year prem on contracts w/s.c.< = 15%
     b. 3% of single & first year premium on contracts w/s.c. > 15%
     c. 1% of single premium on SPDA 6-5 contracts
     d. Absolute value of any negative Cash Settlement Adjustment per
         Section 7.01
               Total Section B Expense Allowances = a + b + c - d

4.  Section B Cash Settlement = 2b + 3 - 1

LOSS CARRYOVER (Section 7.02)
1.  Cash Balance at last Settlement Date
2.  Interest on Cash Balance from last Settlement Date to current SD
3.  Total Settlement for Accounting Period

                                       25
<Page>

4.  TARGET CASH BALANCE AT END OF ACCOUNTING PERIOD (SCHED. C)
5.  Loss Carryover = max (0, 1 + 2 + 3 - 4)

EXPERIENCE REFUND OR SECTION B EXPENSE ALLOWANCE ADJUSTMENT ( Section 7.01)
1.  Target Cash Balance at end of Accounting Period (Schedule C)
2.  Tentative Settlement for Accounting Period
3.  Cash Balance at last Settlement Date
4.  Interest on Cash Balance from last Settlement Date to current SD
5.  Loss Carryover for prior Accounting Period
6.  Risk and Expense Charge
7.  Adjustment = 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6.  If negative, reduce Sect. B
     Expense Allowances; if positive, pay to AE as Experience Refund

TOTAL SETTLEMENT (Section 9.06)
1.  Tentative Settlement: Section A, (7) + Section B, (4)
2.  Experience Refund
3.  Cost of Security
4.  Total Settlement 1 + 2 - 3. If positive, pay to AE; if negative, pay to
          Reinsurer

CASH  BALANCE (Section 6.01)
1.  Cash Balance at prior Settlement Date
2.  Total Settlement from above
3.  Interest on Cash Balance from last Settlement Date to current SD
          Cash Balance = 1 + 2 + 3

INTEREST ON CASH BALANCE FROM LAST SETTLEMENT DATE TO CURRENT SD
1.  Cash Balance at prior Settlement Date
2.  Cash Balance Rate for period (Section 6.03)
3.  Interest on Cash Balance = 1 * 2

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION                  ACCOUNT       SURRENDER    GROSS
------------------------      NUMBER OF   VALUES IN     VALUES IN    STATUTORY
                              CONTRACTS   FORCE         FORCE        RESERVES

Beginning of Period
+ Additions
- Terminations
End of Period

Cash Balance Rate
90 Day LIBOR
Number of Days Cash Balance > 0  during Accounting Period
Prior Accounting Period Date

SAP Entries
             Premiums Ceded (sum of Coins. & YRT)
     Other income (allowances & adjustments, pos. or neg.)

                     Death Benefits Ceded
                   Surrender Benefits Ceded
                  Increase in Reserves Ceded

                  Effect on Statutory Income:
              Cumulative Effect on Stat. Income:

GAAP Entries - Income
                   Interest Paid on Deposits
Possibly entries for change in assets and change in liabilities

                                       26
<Page>

                 -Balance Sheet
                 Asset: Cash & Invested Assets
Liability:  Deposits

                                       27
<Page>

                                   SCHEDULE A-
                        SUBJECT BUSINESS CONTRACT (TYPES)

FPDA 1
FPDA 1 (3%)
FPDA 2
FPDA 3
FPDA 5
FPDA 6
Super7
SPDA 1
SPDA 2
SPDA 6 with a 5-year interest guarantee only ("SPDA 6-5")

Index 1
Index 3
Infinity (Index 4)
Ultimate (Index 5)
New Horizons (Index 6)
Optimum (Index 8)
The Dow (Index 10)
The Russell 2000 FIA (Index 12)
The Performance Annuity (Index 13)
The New Millenium (Index 2000)
El Toro Bravo

                                       28
<Page>

<Table>
<Caption>

                                  SCHEDULE B -
                    YRT BASE RATES BY AGE (NEAREST BIRTHDAY)

-------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
       AGE              YRT RATE              AGE             YRT RATE              AGE               YRT RATE
-------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
        <S>             <C>                   <C>             <C>                   <C>               <C>
        0               0.02994               35              0.00777               69                0.09795
        1               0.00231               36              0.00816               70                0.10629
        2               0.00165               37              0.00852               71                0.11517
        3               0.00120               38              0.00885               72                0.12477
        4               0.00099               39              0.00909               73                0.13509
        5               0.00087               40              0.00936               74                0.14628
        6               0.00081               41              0.00972               75                0.15840
        7               0.00075               42              0.01023               76                0.17166
        8               0.00066               43              0.01092               77                0.18621
        9               0.00057               44              0.01176               78                0.20127
        10              0.00045               45              0.01272               79                0.21987
        11              0.00048               46              0.01377               80                0.23964
        12              0.00072               47              0.01488               81                0.26184
        13              0.00126               48              0.01596               82                0.28698
        14              0.00195               49              0.01713               83                0.34737
        15              0.00273               50              0.01839               84                0.37389
        16              0.00348               51              0.01983               85                0.40257
        17              0.00405               52              0.02163               86                0.43437
        18              0.00441               53              0.02382               87                0.46662
        19              0.00456               54              0.02634               88                0.49854
        20              0.00468               55              0.02916               89                0.53100
        21              0.00489               56              0.03213               90                0.56544
        22              0.00501               57              0.03534               91                0.60375
        23              0.00507               58              0.03879               92                0.64626
        24              0.00519               59              0.04254               93                0.69240
        25              0.00522               60              0.04653               94                0.73923
        26              0.00528               61              0.05709               95                0.78447
        27              0.00540               62              0.05535               96                0.82314
        28              0.00558               63              0.06018               97                0.85962
        29              0.00585               64              0.06537               98                0.89391
        30              0.00615               65              0.07083               99                0.92601
        31              0.00642               66              0.07671               100               0.95595
        32              0.00669               67              0.08313               101               0.98376
        33              0.00702               68              0.09021               102               1.00000
        34              0.00735

</Table>

                                       29
<Page>

                                            SCHEDULE C -
                                        TARGET CASH BALANCES

<Table>
<Caption>

                      END OF ACCOUNTING
                      PERIOD                               TARGET CASH BALANCE

                        <S>                             <C>
                         1                              $15,000,000
                         2                                         15,000,000
                         3                                         14,318,000
                         4                                         13,636,000
                         5                                         12,954,000
                         6                                         12,272,000
                         7                                         11,590,000
                         8                                         10,908,000
                         9                                         10,226,000
                        10                                    9,544,000
                        11                                    8,862,000
                        12                                    8,180,000
                        13                                    7,498,000
                        14                                    6,816,000
                        15                                    6,134,000
                        16                                    5,452,000
                        17                                    4,770,000
                        18                                    4,088,000
                        19                                       3,406,000
                        20                                    2,724,000
                        21                                    2,042,000
                        22                                    1,360,000
                        23                                            678,000
                        24 and thereafter                                 0

</Table>

                                       30
<Page>

                                  SCHEDULE D -
                             COMPANY INFORMATION

1.  Facsimile Transmission (subject: Information Requested by Will) dated
    November 22, 2000 from Brent Mardis to Marvin Fineman

2.  Memorandum (subject: Reinsurance Term Sheet) dated December 11, 2000 from
    Wendy Carlson and Brent Mardis to Wilfred Romero and Gary Winterbottom

3.  Statement of Investment Objectives and Policy for American Equity Investment
    Life Insurance Company

4.  Schedule of Future Production Estimates (2001 - 2003) and Production History
    (1997 - 2000) for American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company

5.  Schedule of Partial Withdrawals, Surrenders and Deaths for the time period
    January 1, 2000 - September 30, 2000 for policies issued in 1997, 1998,
    1999, and 2000

6.  Schedule dated February 17, 2000 of Partial Withdrawals and Surrenders for
    the time period January 1, 1999 - December 31, 1999 for policies issued in
    1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000

7.  Schedule entitled "Asset Model - Mutliple Scenario Summary" (model name:
    IST06) dated August 14, 2000

8.  Schedule entitled "Asset Model - Multiple Scenario Summary" (model name:
    FST06) dated August 14, 2000

9.  Asset Model dated October 26, 2000 for calendar years 2000 through 2019,
    Level and Uniformly Increasing

10. TAS-Data Entry Facility screen shot entitled "Asset/Liability Model
    Crediting Data [aelap] - Excess Lapse"

11. Draft of Schedule D - Part 1 dated October 5, 2000 of the Annual Statement
    for the Year 2000 of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company

12. Draft of the Actuarial Appraisal of American Equity Investment Life
    Insurance Company prepared by Milliman & Robertson, Inc., as of December 31,
    1999 and dated April 10, 2000

13. Facsimile Transmission (subject: Cash Flow Testing Summaries) dated October
    23, 2000 from Brent Mardis to Dimitry Stambler

14. Agent's Kit for American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company

                                       31

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