Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1
                               FINANCING AGREEMENT

                       THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.

                                       AND

                                  SIMCALA, INC.

                              DATED: JUNE 15, 2001

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                               FINANCING AGREEMENT

         THIS FINANCING AGREEMENT is made as of June 15, 2001, by and between
THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., a New York corporation ("CIT"), with an
office located at 1200 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 150, Atlanta, Georgia 30338, and
SIMCALA, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Borrower"), with a principal place of
business at 1940 Ohio Ferro Road, Mt. Meigs, Alabama 36057.

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

         Accounts shall have the meaning given to "account" in the UCC.

         Account Debtor shall mean any Person who is or may become obligated
under or on account of an Account.

         Administrative Management Fee shall mean the fee which shall be paid to
CIT in accordance with Section 4.2.3 hereof to offset the expenses and costs
incurred by CIT in connection with record keeping, periodic examinations,
analysis and evaluations of the Collateral.

         Agreement shall mean this Financing Agreement, as amended from time to
time by the parties hereto.

         Applicable Law shall mean all laws, rules and regulations applicable to
the person, conduct, transaction, covenant or Loan Documents in question,
including all applicable common law and equitable principles; all provisions of
all applicable state and federal constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations and
orders of governmental bodies; and orders, judgments and decrees of all courts
and arbitrators.

         Availability Reserve shall mean on any date of determination thereof,
an amount equal to the sum of (i) a reserve equal to three (3) months' rent for
any business location of Borrower with respect to which CIT has not obtained a
Landlord Agreement in the event CIT is requested to make a Revolving Loan as
measured by Eligible Inventory at any such business location; (ii) a reserve for
general inventory shrinkage, whether as a result of theft or otherwise, in an
amount determined by CIT from time to time in its customary credit judgment;
(iii) any amounts which Borrower is obligated to pay pursuant to the provisions
of any of the Loan Documents that CIT elects to pay for the account of Borrower
in accordance with authority contained in any of the Loan Documents; (iv) the LC
Outstandings at any such date; and (v) for so long as an Event of Default
exists, such additional reserves as CIT in its sole and absolute discretion may
elect to impose from time to time, without waiving any such Event of Default or
CIT's entitlement to accelerate the maturity of the Obligations as a consequence
thereof.

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         Average Monthly Loan Balance shall mean, for any month, the amount
obtained by adding the unpaid balance of the sum of the Revolving Loans
outstanding, the face amount of the IDB Standby LC and the face amount of any
other outstanding Letter of Credit at the end of each day for the month in
question and by dividing such sum by the number of days in such month.

         Bank means The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation,
and its successors and assigns.

         Board of Governors shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve Board.

         Borrowing Base shall mean as at any date of determination thereof, an
amount equal to the lesser of:

         (a)      $10,000,000, less the face amount of the IDB Standby LC and,
         without duplication, all other LC Outstandings at such date;

                  or

         (b)      an amount equal to:

                  (i)      85% of the net amount of Eligible Accounts
                  outstanding at such date;

                  plus

                  (ii)     60% of the value of Eligible Inventory consisting of
                  raw materials and finished products, with Eligible Inventory
                  being calculated on the basis of the lower of cost or market
                  on a first-in, first-out basis;

                  minus

                  (iii)    the Availability Reserve.

         For purposes hereof, the net amount of Eligible Accounts at any time
shall be the face amount of such Eligible Accounts less any and all returns,
rebates, discounts (which may, at CIT's option, be calculated on shortest
terms), credits, allowances, and sales or excise taxes of any nature at any time
issued, owing, claimed by an obligor on an Account, granted, outstanding or
payable in connection with such Accounts at such time.

         Borrowing Base Certificate shall mean a Borrowing Base Certificate in
substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto.

         Business Day shall mean a day on which CIT is open for business in New
York, New York, and which is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks or lending institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
required by law to close.

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         Capital Expenditures for any period shall mean expenditures made or
liabilities incurred for the acquisition of any fixed assets or improvements,
replacements, substitutions or additions thereto which have a useful life of
more than one year, including the total principal portion of Capitalized Lease
Obligations, determined in accordance with GAAP.

         Capitalized Lease Obligation shall mean any Indebtedness represented by
obligations under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

         Capital Lease shall mean any lease of property (whether real, personal
or mixed) which, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease or
a Capital Expenditure on the balance sheet of Borrower.

         Cash Collateral shall mean cash or cash equivalents comprised of
marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States government and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
government having maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of
acquisition or domestic certificates of deposit and time deposits having
maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of acquisition, and any
interest earned thereon, that is deposited with CIT or its bailee in accordance
with this Agreement as security for any of the Obligations to the extent
provided in this Agreement.

         Cash Collateral Account shall mean a demand deposit, money market or
other account established by CIT at such financial institution as CIT may select
in its discretion, which account shall be in CIT's name and subject to CIT's
Lien under this Agreement, but with respect to which accrued interest thereon
shall, for so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, be
paid on a monthly basis to Borrower.

         Cash Equivalents shall mean (a) securities issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States of America is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more
than twelve months from the date of acquisition, (b) U.S. dollar denominated
time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any domestic commercial bank of
recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or (ii)
any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or
the equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof
(any such bank being an "Approved Bank"), in each case with maturities of not
more than 270 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and
variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent
company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any
domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or
P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody's and maturing within six
months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any
Person with a bank or trust company or recognized securities dealer having
capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for direct obligations issued by
or fully guaranteed by the United States of America in which such Person shall
have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens)
and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least
100% of the amount of the

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repurchase obligations and (e) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP
as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which are administered by reputable
financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 and the
portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the
foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).

         Chase Bank Rate shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced by
The Chase Manhattan Bank from time to time as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in the City of New York. The prime rate is not intended to be
the lowest rate of interest charged by The Chase Manhattan Bank to its
borrowers.

         Chattel Paper shall have the meaning ascribed to the term "chattel
paper" in the UCC.

         Closing Date shall mean the date that of this Agreement has been duly
executed by the parties hereto and delivered to CIT.

         Collateral shall mean all of the property and interests in property
described in Section 7 of the Agreement, and all other property and interests in
property that now or hereafter secure the payment and performance of any of the
Obligations.

         Consolidated shall mean the consolidation in accordance with GAAP of
the accounts, financial statements and other items to which such term applies.

         Consolidated Balance Sheet shall mean a consolidated balance sheet of
Borrower eliminating all inter-company transactions and prepared in accordance
with GAAP.

         Conversion Event shall mean Borrower's obtaining Revolving Loans the
outstanding balance of which exceed $2,000,000 for five (5) consecutive Business
Days.

         Default shall mean any event specified in Section 11 hereof, whether or
not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or any
other condition, event or act, has been satisfied.

         Default Rate shall mean, at any date of determination, the rate of
interest per annum equal to the lesser of (a) the Maximum Rate or (b) the Chase
Bank Rate plus 3%.

         Distribution shall mean and include: (i) the payment of any dividends
or other distributions on capital stock of Borrower (except distributions in
such interests) and (ii) the redemption or acquisition by Borrower of its
capital stock (or any warrant or option for the purchase of any such capital
stock) unless made contemporaneously from the net proceeds of the sale of its
capital stock.

         Documents shall. have the meaning ascribed to the term "documents" in
the UCC

         Dollars and the sign "$" shall refer to currency of the United States
of America.

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         Dominion Account shall mean a special account of CIT established by
Borrower pursuant to the Agreement at a bank selected by Borrower, but
acceptable to CIT in its reasonable discretion, and over which CIT shall have
sole and exclusive access and control for withdrawal purposes.

         Dow shall mean Dow Corning Corporation, a Michigan corporation.

         Early Termination Date shall mean the date on which Borrower terminates
this Agreement which date is prior to the last day of the Original Term.

         Early Termination Fee shall mean the fee payable by Borrower under
Section 6.2.3 hereof in an amount equal to 1% of the maximum amount of the
Revolving Line of Credit if the Early Termination Date occurs after October 15,
2001, but prior to or on the last day of the first year of the Original Term
(June 15, 2001, through June 14, 2002); and .5% of the maximum amount of the
Revolving Line of Credit if the Early Termination Date occurs during the second
year of the Original Term (June 15, 2002, through June 14, 2003).

         EBITDA shall mean for any fiscal quarter of Borrower, without
duplication, the sum of the following for such period determined on a
Consolidated basis: (i) Net Income, plus (ii) depreciation, plus (iii)
amortization, plus (iv) all Interest Expense, plus (v) income tax expense, plus
(vi) other non-cash charges deducted in calculating Net Income (excluding
extraordinary gains and losses).

         Eligible Account shall mean an Account arising in the ordinary course
of Borrower's business from the sale of goods which is payable in Dollars and
which CIT, in its customary credit judgment, deems to be an Eligible Account.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Account shall be an
Eligible Account if: (i) it arises out of a sale made by Borrower to a
subsidiary or an affiliate of Borrower or to a Person controlled by an affiliate
of Borrower; (ii) it is unpaid for more than 60 days after the original due date
shown on the invoice; (iii) it is due or unpaid more than 90 days after the
original invoice date; (iv) 50% or more of the Accounts from the Account Debtor
are not deemed Eligible Accounts hereunder; (v) the total unpaid Eligible
Accounts of any Account Debtor exceeds 20% of the net amount of those Eligible
Accounts the collection of which are not insured (or, if such collections are
insured, CIT has not been named as co-insured or the beneficiary thereof), to
the extent of such excess; (vi) any covenant, representation or warranty
contained in this Agreement with respect to such Account has been breached;
(vii) the Account Debtor is also Borrower's creditor or supplier, or the Account
Debtor has disputed liability with respect to such Account, or the Account
Debtor has made any claim with respect to any other Account due from such
Account Debtor to Borrower, or the Account otherwise is or may become subject to
any rebate (including, without limitation, all rebate reserves as reflected in
Borrower' books and records), right of setoff, counterclaim, reserve or
chargeback, provided that, the Accounts of such Account Debtor shall be
ineligible only to the extent of such rebate (or rebate reserve, as the case may
be), offset, counterclaim, disputed amount, reserve or chargeback; (viii) an
Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Account Debtor (other
than Dow, to the extent the payments of Accounts owing by Dow have
administrative priority in the Dow Insolvency Proceeding) (or the Account Debtor
has failed, suspended business or ceased

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to be solvent; (ix) it arises from a sale to an Account Debtor with its
principal office, assets or place of business outside the United States; (x) it
arises from a sale to the Account Debtor on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale,
sale-or-return, sale-on-approval, consignment or any other repurchase or return
basis, unless CIT shall have received from the Account Debtor written assurances
(in substantially the form of Exhibit E attached hereto) that the Account
arising therefrom is due and payable notwithstanding the fact that it has not
yet received delivery of the goods; (xi) the Account Debtor is the United States
of America or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, unless Borrower
assigns its right to payment of such Account to CIT, in a manner satisfactory to
CIT, so as to comply with the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (31 U.S.C.
ss.3727 and 41 U.S.C. ss.15); (xii) the Account Debtor is located in a state
imposing conditions on the right of a creditor to collect accounts receivable
unless Borrower has either qualified to transact business in such state as a
foreign entity or filed a Notice of Business Activities Report or other required
report with the appropriate officials in those states for the then current year;
(xiii) the Account is subject to an encumbrance other than a Permitted Lien;
(xiv) the goods giving rise to such Account have not been delivered to and
accepted by the Account Debtor or the services giving rise to such Account have
not been performed by Borrower and accepted by the Account Debtor or the Account
otherwise does not represent a final sale; (xv) the Account is evidenced by
chattel paper or an instrument of any kind, or has been reduced to judgment;
(xvi) Borrower has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any deduction
therefrom, except for discounts or allowances which are made in the ordinary
course of business for prompt payment and which discounts or allowances are
reflected in the calculation of the face value of each invoice related to such
Account; (xvii) the Account arises out of a contract or order which, by its
terms, purports to forbid, restrict or make void or unenforceable the assignment
by Borrower to CIT of such Account; (xviii) Borrower has made an agreement with
the Account Debtor to extend the time of payment thereof.

         Eligible Inventory shall mean such Inventory of Borrower (other than
labels and supplies) which CIT, in its customary credit judgment, deems to be
Eligible Inventory. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no
Inventory shall be Eligible Inventory unless: (i) it is raw materials or
finished products; (ii) it is in good, new and saleable condition; (iii) it is
not slow-moving, obsolete or unmerchantable; (iv) it meets all standards imposed
by any governmental agency or authority; (v) it conforms in all respects to the
warranties and representations set forth in this Agreement; (vi) it is at all
times subject to CIT's duly perfected, first priority security interest and no
other encumbrances except for Permitted Liens; (vii) it is in Borrower's
possession and control and is not in transit or outside the continental United
States; and (viii) is situated at a location in compliance with this Agreement
and with respect to which CIT has entered into a Landlord Agreement.

         Equipment shall mean all machinery, apparatus, equipment, fittings,
furniture, fixtures, and other tangible personal Property (other than Inventory)
of every kind and description used in Borrower's business operations or owned by
Borrower or in which Borrower has an interest, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired by Borrower and wherever located, and all parts, accessories and
special tools and all increases and accessions thereto and substitutions and
replacements therefor.

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         ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder from time to time.

         Event(s) of Default shall have the meaning provided for in Section 11
of this Agreement.

         Excess Availability shall mean at any date, the excess, if any, of the
Borrowing Base on such date less: (i) the outstanding principal amount of the
Revolving Loans on such date, plus (ii) the amount of all requested Revolving
Loans and LC Outstandings on such date, plus (iii) the aggregate amount of all
past due accounts payable, rental obligations or other liabilities of Borrower.

         Executive Officers shall mean the Chairman, President, any Vice
President, Treasurer and Secretary.

         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 of Borrower,
whether now owned or hereafter created or acquired by Borrower, including all
choses in action, causes of action, company or other business records, deposit
accounts, inventions, blueprints, designs, patents, patent applications,
trademarks, trademark applications, trade names, trade secrets, service marks,
goodwill, brand names, copyrights, registrations, licenses, franchises, customer
lists, tax refund claims, computer programs, operational manuals, all claims
under guaranties, security interests or other security held by or granted to
Borrower to secure payment of any of the Accounts by an Account Debtor, all
rights to indemnification and all other intangible property of every kind and
nature (other than Accounts).

         Guarantor shall mean any Persons who may at any time hereafter guaranty
all or any part of the Obligations.

         Guaranty Agreement shall mean any guaranty agreement executed by a
Guarantor in favor of CIT and any other guaranty of the Obligations at any time
or times delivered to CIT

         IDB Documents shall mean documents executed and/or delivered by
Borrower in connection with the $6,000,000 State Industrial Development
Authority Taxable Industrial Revenue (Simcala, Inc. Project) Series 1995, dated
as of January 1, 1995, as amended or modified.

         IDB Standby LC shall mean the letter of credit issued by Bank of
America, N.A. for the account of Borrower in the face amount of $6,147,946,
naming Regions Bank as the beneficiary and securing the Obligations of Borrower
under the IDB Documents.

         Indebtedness shall mean, without duplication, all liabilities,
contingent or otherwise, which are any of the following: (a) obligations in
respect of money (borrowed or otherwise due or owing to third parties) or for
the deferred purchase price of property, services or assets, other

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than Inventory, and (b) lease obligations which, in accordance with GAAP, have
been, or which should be capitalized.

         Insolvency Proceeding shall mean any action, case or proceeding
commenced by or against Borrower, or any agreement of Borrower, for (a) the
entry of an order for relief under any chapter of the U. S. Bankruptcy Code or
other insolvency or debt adjustment law (whether state, federal or foreign), (b)
the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or other custodian for such
Person or any part of its Property, (c) an assignment or trust mortgage for the
benefit of creditors of such Person, (d) the calling of a meeting of the
creditors of Borrower for the purpose of compromising the debts of Borrower, or
(e) the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of such Person.

         Instrument shall have the meaning ascribed to the term "instrument" in
the UCC.

         Interest Coverage Ratio shall mean, with respect to any measurement
period, the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such period to (b) cash Interest Expense for
such period with respect to total Indebtedness.

         Interest Expense shall mean for any period the amount which would, in
conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption "interest expense" or
any like caption on an income statement of Borrower.

         Inventory shall mean all of Borrower's present and hereafter acquired
inventory as defined in the UCC and any and all merchandise and goods, and all
additions, substitutions and replacements thereof, wherever located, together
with all goods wherever located, and materials used or usable in manufacturing,
processing, packaging or shipping same; in all stages of production- from raw
materials through work-in-process to finished goods and all proceeds thereof of
whatever sort.

         Investment Property shall mean all Securities (whether certified or
uncertified), security entitlements, securities accounts, commodity contracts
and commodity accounts.

         Issuing Bank shall mean a bank that has issued or been requested to
issue a Letter of Credit for the account of Borrower.

         Landlord Agreement shall mean a written agreement between CIT and
landlords or mortgagees in respect of such leased business locations of Borrower
that CIT may deem necessary or appropriate to assure access to, and the priority
of CIT's lien in, the Collateral located thereon.

         LC Application shall mean an application to an Issuing Bank, in the
form approved by such Issuing Bank and duly executed by Borrower and CIT as
co-applicants, for the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

         LC Conditions shall mean the following conditions, the satisfaction of
each of which is required before CIT shall be obligated to execute any LC
Application in connection with a request to an Issuing Bank for the issuance of
a Letter of Credit: (i) no Default or Event of

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Default exists; (ii) after giving effect to the issuance of the requested Letter
of Credit and each Letter of Credit to be issued and for which an LC Application
has been signed by CIT, the LC Outstandings comprised of standby Letters of
Credit do not exceed $6,147,946, the LC Outstandings comprised of documentary
Letters of Credit do not exceed $500,000, no Out-of-Formula Condition would
exist, and, if no Revolving Loans are outstanding, the LC Outstandings do not
exceed the Borrowing Base; (iii) the expiry date of the Letter of Credit does
not extend beyond 30 days prior to the Termination Date or 30 days prior to the
last day of any renewal period thereafter; and (iv) the currency in which
payment is to be made under the Letter of Credit is Dollars.

         LC Documents shall mean any and all agreements, instruments and
documents (other than an LC Application or an LC Guaranty) required by the
Issuing Bank to be executed by Borrower or any other Person and delivered to
such Issuing Bank for the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

         LC Guaranty shall mean the guaranty delivered by CIT to an Issuing Bank
of Borrower's reimbursement obligation under such Issuing Bank's reimbursement
agreement, application for Letter of Credit or other like document.

         LC Guaranty Fee shall mean the fees payable by Borrower under Section
4.2.4 for: (i) issuing a LC Guaranty and/or (ii) otherwise aiding Borrower in
obtaining Letters of Credit pursuant to section 3.3 hereof.

         LC Outstandings shall mean, on any date of determination thereof, an
amount (in Dollars) equal to the sum of (i) all amounts then due and payable by
Borrower on such date by reason of any payment made on or before such date by
CIT under any LC Guaranty, plus (ii) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Letters
of Credit then outstanding or to be issued by an Issuing Bank under an LC
Application theretofore submitted to such Issuing Bank, less (iii) the amount of
Cash Collateral held by CIT in a Cash Collateral Account with respect thereto.

         LC Request shall mean a written request from Borrower to CIT for CIT to
join with Borrower in the execution of an LC Application for the issuance of a
Letter of Credit, which request shall specify the identity and address of the
intended beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit, the purpose for issuance
of the requested Letter of Credit, the proposed amount, issuance date and expiry
date of the requested Letter of Credit, the conditions to payment under the
requested Letter of Credit, and whether the requested Letter of Credit may be
drawn upon in a single or multiple draws.

         Letter of Credit shall mean a standby or documentary letter of credit
issued with the assistance of CIT by an Issuing Bank for or on behalf of
Borrower pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, including, without limitation, the IDB
Standby LC.

         Lien shall mean any interest in property securing an obligation owed
to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the property, whether such
interest is based on common law, statute or contract. The term "Lien" shall also
include reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way,
covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases and other title exceptions

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and encumbrances affecting property. For the purpose of the Agreement, Borrower
shall be deemed to be the owner of any property which it has acquired or holds
subject to a conditional sale agreement or other arrangement pursuant to which
title to the property has been retained by or vested in some other person for
security purposes.

         Line of Credit Fee shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 4.2.2 of this Agreement.

         Loan Account shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.7 of this
Agreement.

         Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Note, any Guaranty
Agreement, the LC Documents and any other documents and the ancillary loan and
security agreements executed from time to time in connection with this
Agreement, as the same may be renewed, amended, extended, increased or
supplemented from time to time.

         Loans shall mean all loan, advances and the financial accommodations of
any kind made by CIT to Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

         Margin Stock shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Regulation
U and Regulation G of the Board of Governors.

         Material Adverse Effect - the effect of any event or condition which,
alone or when taken together with other events or conditions occurring or
existing concurrently therewith, (a) has a material adverse effect upon the
business, operations, properties, condition (financial or otherwise) or business
prospects of Borrower; (b) has or may be reasonably expected to have any
material adverse effect upon the value of the whole or any material part of the
Collateral, the Liens of CIT with respect to the Collateral or any material part
thereof or the priority of such Liens; (c) materially impairs the ability of
Borrower or Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, including repayment of the Obligations when due; or (d
materially impairs the ability of CIT to enforce or collect the Obligations or
realize upon any of the Collateral in accordance with the Loan Documents and
Applicable Law.

         Maximum Rate shall mean the maximum non-usurious rate of interest
permitted by Applicable Law that at any time, or from time to time, may be
contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the debt in question or,
to the extent that at any time Applicable Law may thereafter permit a higher
maximum non-usurious rate of interest, then such higher rate. Notwithstanding
any other provision hereof, the Maximum Rate shall be calculated on a daily
basis (computed on the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days).

         Money Borrowed shall mean (i) debt arising from the lending of money by
any other person to Borrower; (ii) debt, whether or not in any such case arising
from the lending of money by another person to Borrower, (A) which is
represented by notes payable or drafts accepted that evidence extensions of
credit, (B) which constitutes obligations evidence by bonds, debentures, note or
similar instruments, or (C) upon which interest charges are customarily paid
(other than accounts payable) or that was issued or assumed as full or partial

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payment for property; (iii) debt constituting Capitalized Lease Obligations;
(iv) reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit or guaranties
of letters of credit and (v) debt of Borrower under any guaranty of obligations
that would constitute debt for Money Borrowed under clauses (i) through (iii)
hereof by Borrower.

         Net Income (Loss) shall mean for any applicable period, the aggregate
net income (or loss) of Borrower from continuing operations (excluding any
income (or loss) included therein resulting from extraordinary items) determined
in accordance with GAAP.

         Net Proceeds shall mean, with respect to a disposition of any
Collateral, proceeds (including cash receivable (when received) by way of
deferred payment) received by Borrower from the sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition of any Property, including insurance proceeds and awards of
compensation received with respect to the destruction or condemnation of all or
part of such Property, net of: (i) the reasonable and customary costs of such
sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (including legal fees and sales
commissions); and (ii) amounts applied to repayment of Indebtedness (other than
the Obligations) secured by a Permitted Lien on the Collateral disposed of that
is senior to CIT's Liens with respect to such Collateral.

         Note shall mean the Revolving Credit Note, as hereafter amended,
modified or restated.

         Obligations shall mean all indebtedness owing to CIT by Borrower under
this Agreement, any other Loan Documents or under any other agreement or
arrangement now or hereafter entered into between Borrower and CIT; any and all
indebtedness and obligations which may at any time be owing by Borrower to CIT
howsoever arising, whether now in existence or incurred by Borrower from time to
time hereafter; whether secured by a Lien in any of Borrower's assets or
property or the assets or property of any other Person; whether such
indebtedness is absolute or contingent, joint or several, matured or unmatured,
direct or indirect and whether Borrower is liable to CIT for such indebtedness
as principal, surety, endorser, guarantor or otherwise. Obligations shall also
include indebtedness or obligations incurred by, or imposed on, CIT as a result
of environmental claims arising out of Borrower's operation, premises or waste
disposal practices or sites; Borrower's liability to CIT as maker or endorser on
any promissory note or other instrument for the payment of money; Borrower's
liability to CIT under any instrument of guaranty or indemnity, or arising under
any guaranty, endorsement or undertaking which CIT may make or issue to other
Persons for Borrower's account, including any accommodation extended with
respect to applications for letters of credit, CIT's acceptance of drafts or
CIT's endorsement of notes or other instruments for Borrower's account and
benefit.

         Operating Leases shall mean all leases of property (whether real,
personal or mixed) other than Capital Leases.

         Original Term shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
6.1 hereof.

         Other Collateral shall mean all now owned and hereafter acquired
deposit accounts maintained with any bank or financial institutions representing
the direct or indirect proceeds of Collateral; all cash and other monies and
property in the possession or control of CIT; all

                                       11
<PAGE>   13

books, records, ledger cards, disks and related data processing software at any
time evidencing or containing information relating to any of the Collateral
described herein or otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or
realization thereon, and all cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing.

         Out-of-Formula Condition shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1 of the Agreement.

         Out-of-Formula Loan shall mean a Revolving Loan made when an
Out-of-Formula Condition exists or the amount of any Revolving Loan which when
funded results in an Out-of-Formula Condition.

         Out-of-Pocket Expenses shall mean all of CIT's present and future
reasonable expenses incurred relative to this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents, whether incurred heretofore or hereafter, which expenses shall
include, without being limited to, the cost of record searches, all costs and
expenses incurred by CIT in opening bank accounts, depositing checks, receiving
and transferring funds, and any charges imposed on CIT due to "insufficient
funds" of deposited checks and CIT's standard fee relating thereto, any
applicable counsel fees and disbursements and taxes relative to the filing of
financing statements, and all expenses, costs and fees set forth in Section 4.4
of this Agreement.

         Parent shall mean Simcala Holdings, Inc., a Georgia corporation.

         Participant shall mean each Person who shall be granted the right by
CIT to participate in any of the Loans described in the Agreement and who shall
have entered into a participation agreement in form and substance satisfactory
to CIT.

         Payment Items - all checks, drafts, or other items of payment payable
to a Borrower, including proceeds of any of the Collateral.

         Permitted Indebtedness shall mean: (a) current Indebtedness maturing in
less than one year and incurred in the ordinary course of business for raw
materials, supplies, equipment, services, taxes or labor; (b) the Indebtedness
secured by the Purchase Money Liens; (c) Indebtedness of Borrower which is
subordinated to the prior payment and satisfaction of Borrower's Obligations to
CIT by means of a subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
CIT; (d) deferred taxes and other expenses incurred in the ordinary course of
business; (e) other Indebtedness existing on the date of execution of this
Agreement and listed in the most recent financial statement delivered to CIT or
otherwise disclosed to CIT in writing prior to the Closing Date; (f)
Indebtedness for Capital Leases and Capital Expenditures permitted pursuant to
Section 9.4.11 hereof; (g) the replacement, refinancing or renewal of any of the
above so long as the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased; (h)
obligations in respect of performance bonds and completion guarantees provided
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of
business; and (i) other Indebtedness not otherwise permitted by clauses (a)
through (h) above in an amount not exceeding in the aggregate at any time
$500,000.

                                       12
<PAGE>   14

         Permitted Liens shall mean: (a) Liens at any time granted in favor of
CIT; (b) Liens for Taxes (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the
provisions of ERISA) incurred in the ordinary course of Borrower's business and
not yet due or being Properly Contested; (c) Liens arising in the ordinary
course of Borrower's business by operation of law or regulation, but only if
payment in respect of any such Lien is not at the time required or the debt
secured by any such Lien is being Properly Contested and such Liens do not
materially detract from the value of the Property of Borrower or materially
impair the use thereof in the operation of Borrower's business; (d) Purchase
Money Liens securing purchase money indebtedness incurred consistently with the
terms of this Agreement; (e) Liens securing debt of a Subsidiary of Borrower to
Borrower or to another such Subsidiary; (f) Liens arising by virtue of the
rendition, entry or issuance against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any
Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, of any judgment, writ, order,
or decree for so long as each such Lien is in existence for less than 30
consecutive days after it first arises or is being Properly Contested and is at
all times junior in priority to the Liens in favor of CIT; and (g) such other
Liens as appear on Schedule 9.4.5 hereto; (h) such other Liens as CIT may
hereafter approve in writing and (i) Liens not otherwise permitted by clauses
(a) through (h) above which are junior in priority to the Liens in favor of CIT
securing the Obligations and which secure obligations in an amount not exceeding
in the aggregate at any time $100,000.

         Person shall mean an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, land
trust, business trust, unincorporated organization or other form of business
entity, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

         Properly Contested shall mean in the case of any Indebtedness of
Borrower (including any Tax) that is not paid as and when due or payable by
reason of Borrower's bona fide dispute concerning its liability to pay same or
concerning the amount thereof, (i) such Indebtedness and any Liens securing same
are being properly contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly
instituted and diligently conducted; (ii) Borrower has established appropriate
reserves as shall be required in conformity with GAAP; (iii) the non-payment of
such Indebtedness during the period being contested by Borrower will not have a
Material Adverse Effect and does not and will not result in a forfeiture of,
foreclosure upon or loss of any assets of Borrower; (iv) no Lien is imposed upon
any of Borrower's assets with respect to such Indebtedness unless such Lien is
at all times junior and subordinate in priority to the Liens in favor of CIT
(except only with respect to property taxes that have priority as a matter of
applicable state law) and enforcement of such Lien is stayed during the period
prior to the final resolution or disposition of such dispute; (v) if the
Indebtedness results from the entry, rendition or issuance against Borrower or
any of its assets of a judgment, writ, order or decree, such judgment, writ,
order or decree is stayed pending a timely appeal or other judicial review and
Borrower shall have established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP for
such judgment, writ, order or decree or the same is either fully insured against
by an insurer that has not denied or reserved rights with respect to coverage or
has been bonded to CIT's satisfaction; and (vi) if such dispute or contest is
abandoned, settled or determined adversely to Borrower, Borrower forthwith pays
such Indebtedness and all penalties and interest in connection therewith.

                                       13
<PAGE>   15

         Purchase Money Liens shall mean Liens on any item of equipment acquired
after the date of this Agreement provided that (a) each such Lien shall attach
only to the property to be acquired, (b) a description of the property so
acquired is furnished to CIT, and (c) the debt incurred in connection with such
acquisitions shall not exceed in the aggregate the amount permitted by this
Agreement for Capital Expenditures for any fiscal year.

         Renewal Term shall mean any applicable period of the Original Term when
this Agreement shall have been renewed by CIT in its sole discretion.

         Restricted Investment shall mean any acquisition of Property by
Borrower in exchange for cash or other Property, whether in the form of an
acquisition of equity interests or Indebtedness, or the purchase or acquisition
by Borrower of any other Property, or a loan, advance, capital contribution or
subscription, except acquisitions of the following: (i) fixed assets to be used
in the business of Borrower so long as the acquisition costs thereof constitute
Capital Expenditures permitted hereunder; (ii) goods held for sale or lease or
to be used in the manufacture of goods or the provision of services by Borrower
in the ordinary course of business; (iii) current assets (as defined under GAAP)
arising from the sale or lease of goods or the rendition of services in the
ordinary course of business; (iv) investments in Subsidiaries to the extent
existing on the Closing Date; and (v) cash or cash equivalents to the extent
they are not subject to rights of offset in favor of any Person other than CIT.

         Revolving Credit Note shall mean the Revolving Credit Note to be
executed by Borrower on or about the Closing Date in favor of CIT to evidence
the Revolving Credit Loans which shall be in the form of Exhibit A to the
Agreement.

         Revolving Line of Credit shall mean the commitment of CIT to make
Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement, up to an
aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time.

         Revolving Loans shall mean the revolving loans made from time to time
to Borrower by CIT pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

         Secured Obligations shall mean with respect to any period but without
duplication (i) the Obligations, (ii) Indebtedness secured by Purchase Money
Liens, (iii) Indebtedness secured under the IDB Documents, and (iv) all other
Indebtedness secured by any property of Borrower.

         Secured Obligations/EBITDA Ratio shall mean with respect to any fiscal
period of Borrower the ratio of (a) Borrower's total Secured Obligations as of
the last day of such period to (b) EBITDA for such period.

         Security shall have the same meaning as in Section 2(1) of the
Securities Act of 1933.

         Senior Notes shall mean those certain 9 and 5/8ths% Senior Notes due on
or about April 15, 2006 issued by Borrower pursuant to that certain Indenture
dated as of March 31, 1998, among Borrower and the Bank of New York (as the
successor trustee to IBJ Schroeder Bank and Trust Company), as Trustee, in an
original aggregate amount of $75,000,000.

                                       14
<PAGE>   16

         Solvent shall mean, at any date of determination, as to Borrower,
Borrower (i) owns Property whose fair saleable value is greater than the amount
required to pay all of Borrower's Indebtedness (including contingent debts),
(ii) is able to pay all of its Indebtedness as such Indebtedness matures, (iii)
has capital sufficient to carry on its business and transactions and all
business and transactions in which it is about to engage; and (iv) is not
"insolvent" within the meaning of Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code.

         Subordinated Debt shall mean the indebtedness owing by Borrower to the
Subordinating Creditor which has been subordinated to the Obligations pursuant
to written agreements with CIT.

         Taxes shall mean any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
fees, assessments, deductions, withholdings or other charges of whatever nature,
including income, receipts, excise, property, sales, transfer, license, payroll,
withholding, social security and franchise taxes now or hereafter imposed or
levied by the United States, or any state, local or foreign government or by any
department, agency or other political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
therein and all interest, penalties, additions to tax and similar liabilities
with respect thereto.

         Termination Date shall mean the date on which the Agreement is or may
be terminated pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement.

         Total Assets shall mean Borrower's total assets determined in
accordance with GAAP, on a basis consistent with the latest audited statements
of Borrower.

         UCC shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to
time in the State of Georgia.

SECTION 2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         2.1.     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL LOANS. The obligation of CIT
to make the initial Revolving Loan hereunder is subject to the satisfaction of
each of the following conditions precedent, in each case in form and substance
acceptable to CIT:

           2.1.1. Documentation. CIT shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to CIT and its counsel, a duly executed counterpart of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such additional documents,
instruments and certificates as CIT and its counsel shall reasonably require in
connection therewith from time to time.

           2.1.2. Availability. CIT shall have determined that immediately after
CIT has made the initial Loans contemplated hereby, and paid (or made provision
for payment of) all closing costs incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, Excess Availability shall not be less than $1,000,000.

                                       15
<PAGE>   17

           2.1.3. Evidence of Perfection and Priority of Liens in Collateral.
CIT shall have received copies of all filing receipts or acknowledgments issued
by any governmental authority to evidence any filing or recordation necessary to
perfect the Liens of CIT in the Collateral and evidence in form satisfactory to
CIT that such Liens constitute valid and perfected Liens, and that there are no
other Liens upon any Collateral except for Permitted Liens.

           2.1.4. Articles of Incorporation. CIT shall have received a copy of
the Articles or Certificate of Incorporation of Borrower, and all amendments
thereto, certified by the Secretary of State or other appropriate official of
the jurisdiction of Borrower's incorporation.

           2.1.5. Certain Good Standing Certificates. CIT shall have received
good standing certificates for Borrower, issued by the Secretary of State of
Delaware and each other state where Borrower is qualified to do business as a
foreign corporation, including Alabama.

           2.1.6. Opinion Letters. CIT shall have received a favorable, written
opinion of Alston & Bird, LLP, counsel to Borrower, as to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the matters set forth in Exhibit D attached
hereto.

           2.1.7. Insurance. CIT shall have received copies of the casualty
insurance policies of Borrower, together with loss payable endorsements on CIT's
standard form of loss payee endorsement naming CIT as loss payee and copies of
Borrower's liability insurance policies, together with endorsements naming CIT
as a co-insured.

           2.1.8. Financial Statements. CIT shall have received audited,
year-end financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal year ending on or about
December 31, 2000. and interim financial statements of Borrower for the fiscal
quarter ending on or about March 31, 2001.

           2.1.9. Landlord Agreements. CIT shall have received all landlord,
mortgagee waivers or warehouseman agreements with respect to all premises leased
by Borrower and which are disclosed on Schedule 8.1.1 hereto.

           2.1.10. Disbursement Letter; Borrowing Base Certificate. CIT shall
have received written instructions from Borrower directing application of the
proceeds of the Loans made pursuant to this Agreement and an initial Borrowing
Base Certificate from Borrower in form satisfactory to CIT.

           2.1.11. Cash Budget. CIT shall have received and found acceptable a
12 month cash budget of Borrower based on reasonable operating assumptions and
GAAP.

           2.1.12. Cash Collateral. CIT shall have received Cash Collateral in
the Cash Collateral Account in an amount not less than the undrawn principal
amount of the IDB Standby LC or any letter of Credit issued in replacement or
substitution thereof.

           2.1.13. IDB Documentation. CIT and Borrower shall have received such
assurances, consents or acknowledgements from the holder and/or the trustee of
the IDB Document as may

                                       16
<PAGE>   18

be required under the IDB Documents or reasonably requested by CIT in connection
with the issuance of a LC Guaranty in favor of Bank of America, N.A. securing
the IDB Standby LC.

         2.2.     CONDITIONS TO ALL EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT . Except to the extent
expressly set forth in this Agreement, the agreement of CIT to make any
extension of credit requested to be made by it to Borrower on any date
(including without limitation, the initial Revolving Loan) is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

           2.2.1. Accuracy of Representations. Each of the representations and
warranties made by Borrower in or pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and
correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of
such date (except for those which expressly relate to an earlier date and except
for changes in facts or circumstances that make such representations and
warranties untrue but that, in and of themselves, do not constitute, and/or have
not resulted in the occurrence of, a Default or Event of Default).

           2.2.2. No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing on such date or, after giving effect to the extension of
credit requested to be made on such date, would exist or occur.

           2.2.3. No Litigation. No action, proceeding, investigation,
regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed
before any court, governmental agency or legislative body to enjoin, restrain or
prohibit, or to obtain damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises
out of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.

           2.2.4. No Material Adverse Effect. No event shall have occurred and
no condition shall exist which has or may be reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

Each request by Borrower hereunder for a Loan hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by Borrower as of the date of such Loan that each of
the representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement have
been satisfied and are true and correct in all material respects, except as
Borrower and CIT may otherwise agree in writing.

SECTION 3.  CREDIT FACILITIES

         Subject to the terms and conditions of, and in reliance upon the
representations and warranties made in, this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, CIT agrees to make a total credit facility of up to $10,000,000
available upon Borrower's request therefor, as follows:

         3.1.     REVOLVING LOAN FACILITY. CIT agrees, during the term of this
Agreement and for so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to make
Revolving Loans to Borrower from time to time, as requested by Borrower in the
manner set forth in Section 5.1.1 hereof, up to a maximum principal amount at
any time outstanding equal to the Borrowing Base at such time. The proceeds of
the Revolving Loans shall be used by Borrower solely for one or more of the
following purposes: (i) all obligations and expenses owing to Bank of America,
N.A.; (ii) all fees and expenses payable to CIT under the Agreement, and (iii)
after the Closing Date,

                                       17
<PAGE>   19

any debt incurred in the ordinary course of Borrower's business to the extent
not prohibited by this Agreement, Capital Expenditures to the extent permitted
by the Loan Documents, and any of the Obligations. In no event shall any
proceeds of any Revolving Loans be used to purchase or to carry, or to reduce,
retire or refinance any debt incurred to purchase or carry, any Margin Stock.
The Revolving Loans shall be evidenced by the Revolving Credit Note which shall
be executed and delivered by Borrower on the Closing Date. If the unpaid balance
of Revolving Loans outstanding at any time should exceed the Borrowing Base at
such time (an "Out-of-Formula Condition"), such Revolving Loans shall
nevertheless constitute Obligations that are secured by the Collateral and
entitled to all of the benefits of the Loan Documents. In the event that CIT is
willing in its sole and absolute discretion to make Out-of-Formula Loans, such
Out-of-Formula Loans shall be payable on demand and shall bear interest as
provided in this Agreement for Revolving Loans generally or at such higher rate
of interest as CIT may require as a condition to making any such Out-of-Formula
Loans.

         3.2.     [RESERVED]

                                       18
<PAGE>   20

            3.3. LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY. CIT agrees, during the term of this
Agreement and for so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to endeavor
to procure from Issuing Bank one or more Letters of Credit upon Borrower's
request therefor, subject to the following terms and conditions:

           3.3.1 Borrower acknowledges that Issuing Bank's willingness to issue
any Letter of Credit is conditioned upon Issuing Bank's receipt of (a) the LC
Guaranty duly executed and delivered to Issuing Bank by CIT, (b) an LC
Application with respect to the requested Letter of Credit and (c) such other
instruments and agreements as Issuing Bank may customarily require for the
issuance of a letter of credit of equivalent type and amount as the requested
Letter of Credit. CIT shall have no obligation to execute any LC Guaranty or to
join with Borrower in executing an LC Application unless (x) CIT receives from
Borrower, at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date on which Borrower
desires to submit such LC Application to Issuing Bank, an LC Request, and (y)
each of the LC Conditions is satisfied on the date of CIT's receipt of the LC
Request and at the time of the requested execution of the LC Application. In no
event shall CIT have any liability or obligation to Borrower for any failure or
refusal by an Issuing Bank to issue, for such Issuing Bank's delay in issuing,
or for any error of such Issuing Bank in issuing any Letter of Credit.

           3.3.2 Letters of Credit may be requested hereunder by Borrower only
if they are to be used (a) to support obligations of Borrower incurred in the
ordinary course of its business, as presently conducted or (b) for such other
purposes as CIT may approve from time to time.

           3.3.3 Borrower shall comply with all of the terms and conditions
imposed on Borrower by Issuing Bank, whether such terms and conditions are
contained in an LC Application or in any agreement with respect thereto, and
subject to the rights of Issuing Bank, CIT shall have the same rights and
remedies that Issuing Bank has under any agreements that Borrower may have with
Issuing Bank in addition to any rights and remedies contained in any of the Loan
Documents. Borrower agrees to reimburse Issuing Bank for any draw under any
Letter of Credit immediately upon demand, and to pay Issuing Bank the amount of
all other liabilities and obligations payable to Issuing Bank under or in
connection with any Letter of Credit immediately when due, irrespective of any
claim, setoff, defense or other right that Borrower may have at any time against
Issuing Bank or any other Person, but without waiving any claim Borrower may
have against Issuing Bank in connection therewith. If CIT shall pay any amount
under the LC Guaranty with respect to any Letter of Credit, then Borrower shall
be absolutely and unconditionally obligated to pay to CIT, on the first Business
Day following the date on which payment was made by CIT under such LC Guaranty,
an amount equal to the amount paid by CIT under such LC Guaranty together with
interest from and after the date of CIT's payment under such LC Guaranty until
payment in full is made by Borrower at a variable rate per annum in effect from
time to time hereunder for Revolving Loans. Borrower agrees that any claim made
upon CIT by Issuing Bank under an LC Guaranty shall be conclusive on CIT and
Borrower shall forthwith satisfy and discharge any such claim, on demand,
failing which Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse CIT for any payment made
by CIT under an LC Guaranty in connection with such claim as hereinabove
provided.

           3.3.4 Borrower assumes all risks of the acts, omissions or misuses of
any Letter of

                                       19
<PAGE>   21

Credit by the beneficiary thereof. The obligation of Borrower to reimburse
CIT for any payment made by CIT under an LC Guaranty shall be absolute,
unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid without regard to any lack of
validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, the existence of any claim,
setoff, defense or other right which Borrower may have at any time against a
beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or untimely or improper honor by Issuing
Bank of any draw request under a Letter of Credit. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, if presentation of a demand, draft or certificate
or other document does not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit and
Borrower contends that, as a consequence of such noncompliance it has no
obligation to reimburse Issuing Bank for any payment made with respect thereto,
Borrower shall nevertheless be obligated to reimburse CIT for any payment made
under the LC Guaranty with respect to such Letter of Credit, but without waiving
any claim Borrower may have against Issuing Bank in connection therewith.

           3.3.5 If any LC Outstandings, whether or not then due or payable,
shall for any reason be outstanding (i) at any time that an Event of Default
exists, (ii) on any date that an Out-of Formula Condition exists, or (iii) on
the effective date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6
hereof, then Borrower shall, upon demand, forthwith deposit with CIT, in cash,
an amount equal to the maximum aggregate amount of all LC Outstandings then
outstanding or, in the event an Out-of Formula Condition exists, payment to the
extent of the Out-of Formula Condition. If Borrower fails to make such deposit
on CIT's demand therefor, CIT may advance such amount as a Revolving Loan
(whether or not an Out-of-Formula Condition is created thereby). Such cash
(together with any interest accrued thereon) shall be held by CIT in the Cash
Collateral Account and may be invested, in CIT's discretion, in cash or, as
determined by CIT, cash equivalents. Borrower hereby pledges, and grants to CIT
a security interest in, all of Borrower's right, title and interest in the Cash
Collateral Account and all Cash Collateral held in the Cash Collateral Account
from time to time and all proceeds thereof, as security for the payment of the
LC Outstandings, whether or not then due or payable. From time to time after
cash is deposited in the Cash Collateral Account, CIT may apply any Cash
Collateral then held in the Cash Collateral Account to the payment of any
amounts, in such order as CIT may elect, as shall be or shall become due and
payable by Borrower to CIT with respect to the Obligations which may then be
outstanding. Neither Borrower nor any other Person claiming by, through or under
or on behalf of Borrower shall have any right to withdraw any of the funds held
in the Cash Collateral Account, including any accrued interest, provided that
upon termination of all Letters of Credit and the payment and satisfaction in
full of the LC Outstandings, any Cash Collateral remaining in the Cash
Collateral Account shall be returned to Borrower unless an Event of Default then
exists (in which event CIT may apply such funds to the payment of any other
Obligations outstanding) and after payment in full of all Obligations, all such
Cash Collateral shall be refunded to the Borrower. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, CIT shall invest any Cash Collateral in Cash Equivalents mutually
agreed to by CIT and Borrower and, unless an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, CIT shall remit to Borrower on a monthly basis, all interest and
other income earned on such investments, to such account as Borrower shall
direct.

           3.3.6 No Letter of Credit shall be extended or amended in any respect
that is not solely ministerial, unless all of the LC Conditions are met as
though a new Letter of Credit were being requested and issued.

                                       20
<PAGE>   22

           3.3.7 CIT shall not be responsible for: the existence, character,
quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of the goods purporting
to be represented by any documents; any difference or variation in the
character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery of the goods
from that expressed in the documents; the validity, sufficiency or genuineness
of any documents or of any endorsements thereon, even if such documents should
in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or
forged; the time, place, manner or order in which shipment is made; partial or
incomplete shipment, or failure or omission to ship any or all of the goods
referred to in the Letters of Credit or documents; any deviation from
instructions; delay, default, or fraud by the shipper and/or anyone else in
connection with the Collateral or the shipping thereof; or any breach of
contract between the shipper or vendors and Borrower. Furthermore, without being
limited by the foregoing, CIT shall not be responsible for any act or omission
with respect to or in connection with any Collateral.

           3.3.8 In addition to and without limiting any other right or remedy
of CIT contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, CIT
shall be fully subrogated to the rights and remedies of Issuing Bank under any
agreement made between Borrower and Issuing Bank, including each LC Application,
relating to the issuance of any Letter of Credit, each such agreement being
incorporated herein by reference, and CIT shall be entitled to exercise all such
rights and remedies thereunder and under Applicable Law in such regard as fully
as if it were Issuing Bank. If any Letter of Credit is drawn upon to discharge
any obligation of Borrower to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, in whole
or in part, CIT shall be fully subrogated to the rights of such beneficiary with
respect to the obligation of Borrower to such beneficiary discharged with the
proceeds of such Letter of Credit.

SECTION 4. INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES

         4.1.     INTEREST.

           4.1.1. Rates of Interest. Borrower agrees to pay interest in respect
of all unpaid principal amounts of the Loans from the respective dates such
principal amounts are advanced until paid (whether at stated maturity, on
acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum equal to .25% plus the Chase Bank
Rate in effect from time to time. The applicable rate of interest for all Loans
(or portions thereof) bearing interest based upon the Chase Bank Rate shall be
increased or decreased, as the case may be, by an amount equal to any increase
or decrease in the Chase Bank Rate, with such adjustments to be effective as of
the opening of business on the day that any such change in the Chase Bank Rate
becomes effective. Interest on each Loan shall accrue from and including the
date on which such Loan is made to (but excluding) the date of any repayment
thereof; provided, however, that, if a Revolving Loan is repaid on the same day
it is made, one day's interest shall be paid on such Revolving Loan. The Chase
Bank Rate on the date hereof is 7.0% per annum.

           4.1.2. Default Rate. Interest shall accrue at the Default Rate (i)
with respect to the principal amount of any portion of the Obligations (and, to
the extent permitted by Applicable Law, all past due interest) that is not paid
on the due date thereof (whether due at stated

                                       21
<PAGE>   23

maturity, on demand, upon acceleration or otherwise) until paid in full, and
(ii) with respect to the principal amount of all of the Obligations (and, to the
extent permitted by Applicable Law, all past due interest) upon the earlier to
occur of (x) Borrower's receipt of notice of CIT's election to charge the
Default Rate based upon the existence of any Event of Default or (y) the
commencement by or against Borrower of an Insolvency Proceeding. Borrower
acknowledges that the cost and expense to CIT attendant upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default are difficult to ascertain or estimate and that the Default
Rate is a fair and reasonable estimate to compensate CIT for such added cost and
expense.

         4.2.     FEES.

           4.2.1. Loan Facility Fee. Borrower shall pay to CIT a loan facility
fee of $100,000, which shall be deemed fully earned as of the Closing Date.

           4.2.2. Line of Credit Fee. Borrower shall pay to CIT each month, on
the first day of the month and on the Termination Date, commencing on earlier of
(i) September 1, 2001, or (ii) the first day of the month next following the
date on which a new Letter of Credit is issued securing Borrower's obligations
under the IDB Documents or an LC Guaranty is issued in favor of Bank of America,
N.A. in connection with the IDB Standby LC, a fee equal to .375% per annum of
the amount by which the Average Monthly Loan Balance for the immediately
preceding month is less than the maximum dollar amount of the Revolving Line of
Credit in effect at any date of determination.

           4.2.3. Administrative Management Fee. Borrower shall pay to CIT a
Administrative Management Fee in the amount of $15,000 which shall be deemed
fully earned as of the Closing Date and on each Anniversary Date thereafter.

           4.2.4. LC Guaranty Fees. In addition to Borrower's obligation to pay
to an Issuing Bank all nominal fees and normal and customary charges associated
with the issuance and administration of each Letter of Credit, Borrower shall
pay to CIT:

           (i)    for CIT's LC Guaranty of each standby Letter of Credit, a fee
         equal to 1% per annum of the aggregate face amount of such Letter of
         Credits which are fully cash collateralized and 3% per annum of the
         aggregate face amount of such Letters of Credit which are not fully
         cash collateralized, which fees shall accrue and be payable monthly in
         arrears on the first Business Day of each month after the issuance date
         of such Letter of Credit for so long as such Letter of Credit and any
         renewal or extension thereof remains outstanding; and

           (ii)   for CIT's LC Guaranty of each documentary Letter of Credit, a
         fee equal to 3% per annum of the face amount of each such Letter of
         Credit, and each extension thereof, which fees shall accrue and be
         payable monthly in arrears on the first Business Day of each month
         after the issuance date of such Letter of Credit for so long as such
         Letter of Credit and any renewal or extension thereof remains
         outstanding.

                                       22
<PAGE>   24

           4.2.5. Audit, Appraisal and Other Fees. Borrower shall reimburse CIT
for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by CIT in connection with all
audits and appraisals of Borrower's books and records and such other matters
pertaining to Borrower or any Collateral as CIT shall deem appropriate up to an
amount equal to $750 per day per auditor, provided that for so long as any
Default or Event of Default shall exist, CIT may retain an independent
accounting firm to conduct any such audit or appraisal, and Borrower shall
reimburse CIT for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by CIT in
connection therewith. CIT may retain from time to time an accounting or audit
firm to conduct a physical count of Borrower's Inventory no more frequently than
once during any fiscal year of Borrower and, for so long as no Event of Default
shall exist, Borrower shall have no obligation to reimburse CIT for any charges
or expenses incurred by CIT in connection therewith.

           4.2.6. Collection Monitoring Fee. At all times before the occurrence
of the Conversion Event, Borrower shall pay to CIT on the first day of each
month after the Closing Date a collection monitoring fee in an amount computed
pursuant to the following formula:

                  MC x (Chase Bank Rate + .25%)  multiplied by .5
                  -----------------------------
                               360
                  where

                  MC = aggregate monthly collections of Borrower from Accounts

           From and after the Conversion Event, Borrower shall pay to CIT on the
first day of each month after the occurrence of the Conversion Event a
collection monitoring fee in an amount computed in accordance with the following
formula:

                  MC x (Chase Bank Rate + .25%)
                  -----------------------------
                               360

                  where

                  MC = see above

           4.2.7. General Provisions Relating to Fees. All fees shall be fully
earned by CIT when due and payable and, except as otherwise set forth herein or
required by Applicable Law, shall not be subject to refund, rebate or proration.
All fees provided for in Section 4.2 hereof are and shall be deemed to be for
compensation for services and are not, and shall not be deemed to be, interest
or any other charge for the use, forbearance or detention of money.

         4.3.     COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES. All interest, fees and other
charges hereunder shall be calculated daily and shall be computed on the actual
number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days. For the purpose of computing
interest hereunder, all payments received by CIT shall be deemed applied by CIT
on account of the Obligations (subject to final payment of any Payment Items)
and CIT shall be deemed to have received such payment on the date specified in
Section 5.5 hereof.

                                       23
<PAGE>   25

         4.4.     REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. If, at any time or times regardless
of whether or not an Event of Default then exists, CIT incurs legal or
accounting expenses or any other Out-of-Pocket Expenses in connection with (i)
the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, any amendment of or modification of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents; (ii) the administration of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; (iii)
any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action (whether instituted
by CIT, Borrower or any other Person) in any way relating to the Collateral,
this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or Borrower's affairs; (iv)
any attempt to enforce any rights of CIT against Borrower or any other Person
which may be obligated to CIT by virtue of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, including the Account Debtors; or (v) any attempt to inspect,
verify, protect, preserve, perfect or continue the perfection of CIT's Liens
upon, restore, collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of or realize upon
the Collateral; then all such legal and accounting expenses, other costs and
Out-of-Pocket Expenses shall be charged to Borrower. All amounts chargeable to
Borrower under this Section 4.4 shall be Obligations secured by all of the
Collateral, shall be payable on demand to CIT. Borrower shall also reimburse CIT
for expenses incurred by CIT in its administration of the Collateral to the
extent and in the manner provided in Section 8 hereof.

         4.5.     BANK CHARGES. Borrower shall pay to CIT, on demand, any and
all fees, costs or expenses which CIT pays to a bank or other similar
institution arising out of or in connection with (i) the forwarding to Borrower
or any other Person on behalf of Borrower, by CIT or any Participant, of
proceeds of Loans made by CIT to Borrower pursuant to this Agreement and (ii)
the depositing for collection, by CIT, of any check or item of payment received
or delivered to CIT on account of the Obligations. Borrower acknowledges and
agrees that CIT may charge such costs, fees and expenses to Borrower based upon
CIT's good faith estimate of such costs, fees and expenses as they are incurred
by CIT, subject to later adjustment for the amount actually incurred.

         4.6.     MAXIMUM INTEREST. Regardless of any provision contained in
this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, in no contingency or event
whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts that are contracted for, charged
or received by CIT pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents and that are deemed interest under Applicable Law exceed the
Maximum Rate. No agreements, conditions, provisions or stipulations contained in
this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the exercise by CIT of the
right to accelerate the payment or the maturity of all or any portion of the
Obligations, or the exercise of any option whatsoever contained in any of the
Loan Documents, or the prepayment by Borrower of any of the Obligations, or the
occurrence of any contingency whatsoever, shall entitle CIT to charge or receive
in any event, interest or any charges, amounts, premiums or fees deemed interest
by Applicable Law (such interest, charges, amounts, premiums and fees referred
to herein collectively as "Interest") in excess of the Maximum Rate and in no
event shall Borrower be obligated to pay Interest exceeding such Maximum Rate,
and all agreements, conditions or stipulations, if any, which may in any event
or contingency whatsoever operate to bind, obligate or compel Borrower to pay
Interest exceeding the Maximum Rate shall be without binding force or effect, at
law or in equity, to the extent only of the excess of Interest over such Maximum
Rate. If any Interest is charged or received in excess of the Maximum

                                       24
<PAGE>   26
Rate ("Excess"), Borrower acknowledges and stipulates that any such charge or
receipt shall be the result of an accident and bona fide error, and such Excess,
to the extent received, shall be applied first to reduce the principal
Obligations and the balance, if any, returned to Borrower, it being the intent
of the parties hereto not to enter into a usurious or otherwise illegal
relationship. The right to accelerate the maturity of any of the Obligations
does not include the right to accelerate any interest that has not otherwise
accrued on the date of such acceleration, and CIT does not intend to collect any
unearned interest in the event of any such acceleration. Borrower recognizes
that, with fluctuations in the rates of interest set forth in Section 4.1.1 of
this Agreement, or in the Notes and the Maximum Rate, such an unintentional
result could inadvertently occur. All monies paid to CIT hereunder or under any
of the other Loan Documents, whether at maturity or by prepayment, shall be
subject to any rebate of unearned interest as and to the extent required by
Applicable Law. The provisions of this Section shall be deemed to be
incorporated into every Loan Document (whether or not any provision of this
Section is referred to therein). All such Loan Documents and communications
relating to any Interest owed by Borrower and all figures set forth therein
shall, for the sole purpose of computing the extent of Obligations, be
automatically recomputed by Borrower, and by any court considering the same, to
give effect to the adjustments or credits required by this Section 4.6.

SECTION 5.  LOAN ADMINISTRATION

         5.1.     MANNER OF BORROWING REVOLVING LOANS. Borrowings under the
credit facility established pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof shall be as follows:

           5.1.1. Notice of Borrowing.

                  (i)    Whenever Borrower desires to obtain a Revolving Loan
under Section 3.1 of this Agreement, Borrower shall give CIT prior written
notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of such Borrowing
request (a "Notice of Borrowing") and deliver to CIT an accurate and complete
Borrowing Base Certificate as of such date. Such Notice of Borrowing and
Borrowing Base Certificate shall be given by Borrower to CIT no later than 12:00
noon on the Business Day of the requested funding date of such Borrowing.
Notices received after 12:00 noon shall be deemed received on the next Business
Day. Each Notice of Borrowing (or telephonic notice thereof) shall be
irrevocable and shall specify (a) the principal amount of the requested
Revolving Loan, (b) the date of such Loan (which shall be a Business Day), and
(c) the account of Borrower to which the proceeds of such Loan are to be
disbursed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and after CIT's notice to
Borrower of the occurrence of the Conversion Event, Borrower shall have no
further obligation to deliver to CIT a Borrowing Base Certificate with each
Notice of Borrowing, but in lieu thereof Borrower shall deliver to CIT an
accurate and complete Borrowing Base Certificate on the first Business Day of
each week current through the last Business Day of the preceding week.

                  (ii)   Unless payment is otherwise timely made by Borrower,
the becoming due of any amount required to be paid under this Agreement or any
of the other Loan Documents as principal, accrued interest, fees or other
charges shall be deemed irrevocably to be a request for Revolving Loans on the
due date of, and in an aggregate amount required to

                                       25
<PAGE>   27

pay, such principal, accrued interest, fees or other charges, and the proceeds
of such Revolving Loans may be disbursed by way of direct payment of the
relevant Obligation. CIT shall have no obligation to Borrower to honor any
deemed request for a Revolving Loan, but may do so in its discretion without
regard to the existence or creation of, and without being deemed to have waived,
any Default, Event of Default or Out-of-Formula Condition.

           (iii)  As an accommodation to Borrower, CIT may permit telephonic
requests for Borrowings and electronic transmittal of instructions,
authorizations, agreements or reports to CIT by Borrower. Unless Borrower
specifically directs CIT in writing not to accept or act upon telephonic or
electronic communications from Borrower, CIT shall not have any liability to
Borrower for any loss or damage suffered by Borrower as a result of CIT's
honoring of any requests, execution of any instructions, authorizations or
agreements or reliance on any reports communicated to it telephonically or
electronically and reasonably purporting to have been sent to CIT by Borrower
and CIT shall not have any duty to verify the origin of any such communication
or the identity or authority of the Person sending it.

           5.1.2. Disbursement Authorization. Borrower hereby irrevocably
authorizes CIT to disburse the proceeds of each Revolving Loan requested, or
deemed to be requested pursuant to Section 5.1.1, as follows: (i) the proceeds
of each Revolving Loan requested under Section 5.1.1(i) shall be disbursed by
CIT in accordance with the terms of the written disbursement letter from
Borrower in the case of the initial Borrowing, and, in the case of each
subsequent Borrowing, by wire transfer to such bank account as may be agreed
upon by Borrower and CIT from time to time or elsewhere if pursuant to a written
direction from Borrower; and (ii) the proceeds of each Revolving Loan requested
under Section 5.1.1(ii) shall be disbursed by CIT by way of direct payment of
the relevant interest or other Obligation.

         5.2.     REPAYMENT OF REVOLVING LOANS.

           5.2.1. Payment of Principal. At all times prior to Borrower's receipt
of notice from CIT of the occurrence of the Conversion Event, the outstanding
principal balance of the Revolving Loans shall be due and payable in Dollars,
without any offset or counterclaim by Borrower to CIT immediately upon (a)
receipt by Borrower of any proceeds of any of the Collateral from time to time,
to the extent of the lesser of the (i) outstanding principal balance of the
Revolving Loans or (ii) the amount of such proceeds, and (b) on the Termination
Date. On the Business Day next following Borrower's receipt of notice from CIT
of the occurrence of the Conversion Event and at all times thereafter, the
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans shall be due and payable in
Dollars, without any offset or counterclaim by Borrower to CIT immediately upon
(a) receipt by Borrower or CIT of any proceeds of any of the Collateral from
time to time, to the extent of such proceeds, and (b) the Termination Date.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement,
if an Out-of-Formula Condition shall exist, Borrower shall, on demand, repay the
outstanding Revolving Loans in an amount sufficient to reduce the aggregate
unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Loans by an amount equal to such
excess.

           5.2.2. Payment of Interest. Interest accrued on the Revolving Loans
shall be due and payable on (i) the first calendar day of each month (for the
immediately preceding month),

                                       26
<PAGE>   28

computed through the last calendar day of the preceding month, with respect to
any Revolving Loan and (ii) on the Termination Date.

           5.3.   [RESERVED]

           5.4.   PAYMENT OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS. The balance of the Obligations
requiring the payment of monies shall be payable by Borrower to CIT in Dollars
and without offset, defense or counterclaim, as and when provided in the Loan
Documents, or, if no date of payment is otherwise specified in the Loan
Documents, on demand.

           5.5.   APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND COLLECTIONS. All Payment Items
received by CIT in the Dominion Account by 12:00 noon, New York, New York time,
on any Business Day shall be deemed received and applied to the Loan Account on
that Business Day. All Payment Items received after 12:00 noon, New York, New
York time, on any Business Day shall be deemed received on the following
Business Day. Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of
any and all payments and collections at any time or times hereafter received by
CIT from or on behalf of Borrower, and Borrower does hereby irrevocably agree
that CIT shall have the continuing exclusive right to apply and reapply any and
all such payments and collections received at any time or times hereafter by CIT
or its agent against the Obligations, in such manner as CIT may deem advisable,
notwithstanding any entry by CIT upon any of its books and records. If as the
result of collections as authorized by Section 8.2.6 hereof a credit balance
exists in the Loan Account, such credit balance shall not accrue interest in
favor of Borrower, but shall be available to Borrower at any time or times for
so long as no Default or Event of Default exists.

           5.6.   ALL LOANS TO CONSTITUTE ONE OBLIGATION. The Loans shall
constitute one general Obligation of Borrower and (unless and to the extent
otherwise expressly provided in any of the Security Documents) shall be secured
by CIT's Lien upon all of the Collateral.

           5.7.   LOAN ACCOUNT. CIT shall establish an account on its books (the
"Loan Account") and shall enter all Loans as debits to the Loan Account and
shall also record in the Loan Account all payments made by Borrower on any
Obligations and all proceeds of Collateral which are finally paid to CIT, and
may record therein, in accordance with customary accounting practice, other
debits and credits, including interest and all charges and expenses properly
chargeable to Borrower.

           5.8.   STATEMENTS OF ACCOUNT. CIT will account to Borrower monthly
with a statement of Loans, charges and payments made pursuant to this Agreement,
and such accounting rendered by CIT shall be deemed final, binding and
conclusive upon Borrower unless CIT is notified by Borrower in writing to the
contrary within 30 days after the date each accounting is deemed to have been
sent pursuant to Section 12.9. Such notice shall only be deemed an objection to
those items specifically objected to therein.

                                       27
<PAGE>   29

         5.9. MARSHALLING; PAYMENTS SET ASIDE. CIT shall be under no obligation
to marshall any assets in favor of Borrower or against or in payment of any or
all of the Obligations. To the extent that Borrower makes a payment to CIT or
CIT receives payment from the proceeds of any Collateral or exercises its right
of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff (or
any part thereof) are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or
preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any
other Person, then to the extent of any such recovery, the obligation or part
thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies
therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such
payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred. The
provisions of the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 5.9 shall
survive any termination of this Agreement and payment in full of the
Obligations.

SECTION 6. TERM AND  TERMINATION

         6.1.     TERM OF AGREEMENT. Subject to CIT's right to cease making
Loans to Borrower upon or after the occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default, this Agreement shall be in effect from the date hereof through June 14,
2003 (the "Original Term") , unless sooner terminated as provided in Section 6.2
hereof and this Agreement shall automatically renew itself for one year periods
thereafter ("Renewal Term") unless terminated as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.

         6.2.     TERMINATION.

           6.2.1. Termination by CIT. Upon at least 30 days prior written notice
to Borrower, CIT may terminate this Agreement as of the last day of the Original
Term or any applicable Renewal Term and CIT may terminate this Agreement with or
without notice upon or after the occurrence of an Event of Default. This
Agreement shall automatically terminate as provided in Section 11.2 hereof.

           6.2.2. Termination by Borrower. Upon at least 30 days prior written
notice to CIT, Borrower may, at its option, terminate this Agreement; provided,
however, no such termination by Borrower shall be effective until Borrower has
satisfied all of the Obligations. For purposes hereof, the Obligations shall not
be deemed to have been satisfied until all Obligations for the payment of money
have been paid to CIT in same day funds and all Obligations that are at the time
in question contingent (including, all LC Outstandings that exist by virtue of
an outstanding Letter of Credit) have been cash collateralized in an amount
equal to 110% of the face amount of such contingent Obligations in favor and to
the satisfaction of CIT or CIT has received as beneficiary a letter of credit in
form and from an issuing bank acceptable to CIT and providing for direct payment
to CIT of all such contingent Obligations at the time they become fixed
(including reimbursement of all sums paid by CIT under any LC Guaranty). Any
notice of termination given by Borrower shall be irrevocable unless CIT
otherwise agrees in writing. Borrower may elect to terminate this Agreement in
its entirety only. No section of this Agreement may be terminated singly.

                                       28
<PAGE>   30

           6.2.3. Early Termination Charges. On the effective date of
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2.2, Borrower shall pay to
CIT (in addition to the then outstanding principal, accrued interest, fees and
other charges owing under the terms of this Agreement and any of the other Loan
Documents), as liquidated damages for the loss of the bargain and not as a
penalty, an amount equal to the applicable Early Termination Fee. If termination
occurs prior to October 15, 2001, or on the last day of the Original Term or
thereafter no Early Termination Fee shall be payable.

           6.2.4. Effect of Termination. All of the Obligations shall be
immediately due and payable upon the effective date of termination by CIT or, in
the case of a termination by Borrower, upon the date specified in Borrower's
notice of termination of this Agreement as the effective date of such
termination. On the effective date of any termination (whether by CIT or
Borrower), CIT shall have no obligation to make any Loans, join in any LC
Application or issue any LC Guaranty or otherwise to extend credit to or for the
direct or indirect benefit of Borrower. All undertakings, agreements, covenants,
warranties and representations of Borrower contained in the Loan Documents shall
survive any such termination, and CIT shall retain its Liens in the Collateral
and all of its rights and remedies under the Loan Documents notwithstanding such
termination, until Borrower has satisfied all of the Obligations.
Notwithstanding the payment in full of the Obligations, CIT shall not be
required to terminate its security interests in the Collateral unless, with
respect to any loss or damage CIT may incur as a result of dishonored checks or
instruments received by CIT from Borrower or any Account Debtor and applied to
the Obligations, CIT shall, at its option, (i) have received a written
agreement, executed by Borrower and by any Person whose loans or other advances
to Borrower are used in whole or in part to satisfy the Obligations,
indemnifying CIT from any such loss or damage; or (ii) have retained such
monetary reserves and Liens on the Collateral for such period of time as CIT, in
its reasonable discretion, may deem necessary to protect CIT from any such loss
or damage. All obligations of Borrower pursuant to this Agreement to indemnify
CIT shall in all events survive any termination of this Agreement.

SECTION 7. COLLATERAL SECURITY

      7.1. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN COLLATERAL. To secure the prompt
payment and performance to CIT of all of the Obligations, Borrower hereby grants
to CIT a continuing security interest in and Lien upon all of the following
property and interests in property of Borrower, whether now owned or existing or
hereafter created, acquired or arising and wheresoever located:

                  (a)      All Accounts;

                  (b)      All Inventory;

                  (c)      All Instruments;

                  (d)      All Chattel Paper;

                  (e)      All Documents;

                                       29
<PAGE>   31

                  (f)      All General Intangibles;

                  (g)      All Investment Property (but excluding any portion
         thereof that constitutes Margin Stock);

                  (h)      All monies now or at any time or times hereafter in
         the possession or under the control of CIT or a bailee or affiliate of
         CIT;

                  (i)      All accessions to, substitutions for and all
         replacements, products and cash and non-cash proceeds of (a) through
         (h) above, including proceeds of and unearned premiums with respect to
         insurance policies insuring any of the Collateral; and

                  (j)      All books and records (including customer lists,
         files, correspondence, tapes, computer programs, print-outs, and other
         computer materials and records) of Borrower pertaining to any of (a)
         through (i) above.

     7.2.  LIEN PERFECTION; FURTHER ASSURANCES. Borrower shall execute such
UCC-1 financing statements and such other instruments, assignments or documents
and take such other action as may be reasonably requested by CIT to perfect its
Lien in the Collateral. Unless prohibited by Applicable Law, Borrower hereby
authorizes CIT to execute and file any such financing statement on Borrower's
behalf. The parties agree that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of
this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement and may be filed in
any appropriate office in lieu thereof. At CIT's request, Borrower shall also
promptly execute or cause to be executed and shall deliver to CIT any and all
documents, instruments and agreements deemed necessary by CIT to give effect to
or carry out the terms or intent of the Loan Documents.

SECTION 8. COLLATERAL ADMINISTRATION

         8.1.     GENERAL.

           8.1.1. Location of Collateral. All tangible items of Collateral,
other than Inventory in transit, shall at all times be kept by Borrower and its
Subsidiaries at one or more of the business locations set forth in Schedule
8.1.1 hereto and shall not be moved therefrom, without the prior written consent
of CIT.

           8.1.2. Insurance of Collateral; Insurance and Condemnation Proceeds.

         (i)      Borrower shall maintain and pay for insurance upon all
         Collateral, wherever located, covering casualty, hazard, public
         liability, theft, malicious mischief, and such other risks in such
         amounts and with such insurance companies as are reasonably
         satisfactory to CIT All proceeds payable under each such policy shall
         be payable to CIT. Borrower shall deliver the originals or certified
         copies of such policies to CIT with satisfactory CIT's loss payable
         endorsements reasonably satisfactory to CIT, naming CIT as sole loss
         payee, assignee or additional insured, as appropriate. Each policy of
         insurance or endorsement

                                       30
<PAGE>   32

         shall contain a clause requiring the insurer to give not less than 30
         days prior written notice to CIT in the event of cancellation of the
         policy for any reason whatsoever and a clause specifying that the
         interest of CIT shall not be impaired or invalidated by any act or
         neglect of Borrower or the owner of the Property or by the occupation
         of the premises for purposes more hazardous than are permitted by said
         policy. If Borrower fails to provide and pay for such insurance, CIT
         may, at its option, but shall not be required to, procure the same and
         charge Borrower therefor. Borrower agrees to deliver to CIT, promptly
         as rendered, true copies of all reports made in any reporting forms to
         insurance companies. For so long as no Event of Default exists,
         Borrower shall have the right to settle, adjust and compromise any
         claim with respect to any insurance maintained by Borrower provided
         that all proceeds thereof are applied in the manner specified in this
         Agreement, and CIT agrees promptly to provide any necessary endorsement
         to any checks or drafts issued in payment of any such claim. At any
         time that an Event of Default exists, only CIT shall be authorized to
         settle, adjust and compromise such claims. CIT shall have all rights
         and remedies with respect to such policies of insurance as are provided
         for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

           (ii)   Any proceeds of insurance referred to in this Section 8.1.2
         and any condemnation awards that are paid to CIT in connection with a
         condemnation of any of the Collateral shall be paid to CIT and to the
         payment of the Revolving Loans and then to any other Obligations
         outstanding.

           8.1.3. Protection of Collateral. All expenses of protecting, storing,
warehousing, insuring, handling, maintaining and shipping the Collateral, all
Taxes imposed by any Applicable Law on any of the Collateral or in respect of
the sale thereof, and all other payments required to be made by CIT to any
Person to realize upon any Collateral shall be borne and paid by Borrower. If
Borrower fails to promptly pay any portion thereof when due, CIT may, at its
option, but shall not be required to, pay the same and charge Borrower therefor.
CIT shall not be liable or responsible in any way for the safekeeping of any of
the Collateral or for any loss or damage thereto (except for reasonable care in
the custody thereof while any Collateral is in CIT's actual possession) or for
any diminution in the value thereof, or for any act or default of any
warehouseman, carrier, forwarding agency, or other Person whomsoever, but the
same shall be at Borrower's sole risk.

           8.1.4. Defense of Title to Collateral. Borrower shall at all times
defend Borrower's title to the Collateral and CIT's Liens therein against all
Persons and all claims and demands whatsoever.

         8.2.     ADMINISTRATION OF ACCOUNTS.

           8.2.1. Records, Schedules and Assignments of Accounts. Borrower shall
keep accurate and complete records of its Accounts and all payments and
collections thereon and shall submit to CIT on such periodic basis as CIT shall
request a sales and collections report for the preceding period, in form
satisfactory to CIT On or before the last day of each month from and after the
date hereof, (unless the Conversion Event shall have occurred, in which case, on
or before the 15th day of each month thereafter), Borrower shall deliver to CIT,
in form

                                       31
<PAGE>   33

acceptable to CIT, (i) a detailed aged trial balance of all Accounts existing as
of the last day of the preceding month, specifying the names, addresses, face
value, dates of invoices and due dates for each Account Debtor obligated on an
Account so listed ("Schedule of Accounts"), (ii) a detailed accounts payable
aging, specifying the names, amounts owed and due dates for each account payable
of Borrower so listed, (iii) upon CIT's request therefor, copies of proof of
delivery and the original copy of all documents, including repayment histories
and present status reports relating to the Accounts and accounts payable so
scheduled and (iv) such other matters and information relating to the status of
then existing Accounts and accounts payable as CIT shall reasonably request. At
CIT's request, Borrower shall deliver to CIT copies of invoices or invoice
registers related to all of its Accounts.

           8.2.2. Discounts, Allowances, Disputes. If Borrower grants any
discounts, allowances or credits that are not shown on the face of the invoice
for the Account involved, Borrower shall report such discounts, allowances or
credits, as the case may be, to CIT as part of the next required Schedule of
Accounts. If any amounts due and owing in excess of $50,000 are in dispute
between Borrower and any Account Debtor, Borrower shall provide CIT with written
notice thereof at the time of submission of the next Schedule of Accounts,
explaining in detail the reason for the dispute, all claims related thereto and
the amount in controversy. Upon and after the occurrence of an Event of Default,
CIT shall have the right to settle or adjust all disputes and claims directly
with the Account Debtor and to compromise the amount or extend the time for
payment of the Accounts upon such terms and conditions as CIT may deem
advisable, and to charge the deficiencies, costs and expenses thereof, including
attorneys' fees, to Borrower.

           8.2.3. Taxes. If an Account includes a charge for any Tax payable to
any governmental taxing authority, CIT is authorized, in its sole discretion, to
pay the amount thereof to the proper taxing authority for the account of
Borrower and to charge Borrower therefor; provided, however, that CIT shall not
be liable for any Taxes that may be due by Borrower.

           8.2.4. Account Verification. Whether or not a Default or an Event of
Default exists, any of CIT's officers, employees or agents shall have the right,
at any time or times hereafter, in the name of CIT, any designee of CIT or
Borrower, to verify the validity, amount or any other matter relating to any
Accounts by mail, telephone, telegraph or otherwise in accordance with
Applicable Law. Borrower shall cooperate fully with CIT in an effort to
facilitate and promptly conclude any such verification process.

           8.2.5. Maintenance of Dominion Account. Borrower shall maintain a
Dominion Account pursuant to an arrangement acceptable to CIT and with such
banks as may be selected by Borrower and be acceptable to CIT. Upon notification
from CIT of the occurrence of the Conversion Event, Borrower shall immediately
thereafter issue to each such bank an irrevocable letter of instruction (in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F) directing such bank to
deposit all payments or other remittances received in the lockbox to the
Dominion Account for application on account of the Obligations. All funds
deposited in the Dominion Account shall immediately become the property of CIT
and Borrower shall obtain the agreement by such banks in favor of CIT to waive
any offset rights against the funds so

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<PAGE>   34

deposited. CIT assumes no responsibility for such arrangement, including any
claim of accord and satisfaction or release with respect to deposits accepted by
any bank thereunder.

           8.2.6. Collection of Accounts; Proceeds of Collateral. Borrower and
CIT shall maintain a lockbox arrangement ("Lockbox") with Bank of America, N.A.
("Collecting Bank"). All payment items received by Borrower in respect of
Accounts, together with the proceeds of any other Collateral, shall be held as
CIT's property by Borrower as trustee of an express trust for CIT's benefit and
Borrower shall immediately deposit same in kind in the Lockbox. Borrower and CIT
shall jointly issue to the Collecting Bank a letter of instruction directing the
Collecting Bank to deposit all payments or other remittances received in the
Lockbox to such accounts of Borrower as Borrower may instruct for so long as
such Collecting Bank shall not have received from CIT notice of the occurrence
of a Conversion Event. After receipt of notice from CIT of the occurrence of the
Conversion Event, Collecting Bank shall thereafter deposit all such payments or
other remittances received in the Dominion Account. Promptly after notice from
CIT of the occurrence of the Conversion Event, Borrower shall notify all Account
Debtors to remit all payments due Borrower to the Lockbox. CIT retains the right
at all times after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default to notify
Account Debtors that Accounts have been assigned to CIT and to collect Accounts
directly in its own name and to charge to Borrower the collection costs and
expenses, including attorneys' fees.

     8.3.         ADMINISTRATION OF INVENTORY.

           8.3.1. Records and Reports of Inventory. Borrower shall keep accurate
and complete records of its Inventory. Borrower shall furnish CIT Inventory
reports in form and detail satisfactory to CIT at such times as CIT may request,
but at least once each month, not later than the last day of such month, unless
the Conversion Event shall have occurred, in which case, such report shall be
furnished to CIT on or before the 15th day of each month thereafter. Borrower
shall conduct a physical inventory no less frequently than annually and shall
provide to CIT a report based on each such physical inventory promptly
thereafter, together with such supporting information as CIT shall request.

           8.3.2. Returns of Inventory. Borrower shall not return any Eligible
Inventory to a supplier or vendor thereof, or any other Person, whether for
cash, credit against future purchases or then existing payables, or otherwise,
unless (i) such return is in the ordinary course of business of Borrower and
such Person, (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result
therefrom, (iii) the return of such Inventory will not result in an
Out-of-Formula Condition, or , if an Out-of-Formula Condition exists, there
shall be a concurrent repayment of the Revolving Loans such that the
Out-of-Formula Condition no longer exists, (iv) if the aggregate cost basis of
all Eligible Inventory returned in any month exceeds $50,000, Borrower promptly
notifies CIT thereof, and (v) any payments received by Borrower in connection
with any such return is promptly turned over to CIT for application to the
Obligations.

         8.4.     PAYMENT OF CHARGES. All amounts chargeable to Borrower under
this Section 8 shall be Obligations secured by all of the Collateral and shall
be payable on demand.

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<PAGE>   35

SECTION 9.  REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

         9.1.     GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. To induce CIT to enter
into this Agreement and to make advances hereunder, Borrower warrants and
represents to CIT and covenants with CIT that:

           9.1.1. Incorporation and Qualification. Borrower is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation. Borrower is duly qualified and is authorized
to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each state or
jurisdiction listed on Schedule 9.1.1 hereto and in all other states and
jurisdictions where the character of its Properties or the nature of its
activities make such qualification necessary except where the failure to so
qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

           9.1.2. Corporate Power and Enforceability. Borrower is duly
authorized and empowered to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this
Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party. This
Agreement is, and each of the other Loan Documents when delivered under this
Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding obligation of Borrower enforceable
against it in accordance with their respective terms.

           9.1.3. Corporate Names. Borrower has not been known as or used any
corporate, fictitious or trade names except those listed on Schedule 9.1.3
hereto.

           9.1.4. Business Locations. Borrower's chief executive office and
other places of business are as listed on Schedule 8.1.1 hereto. During the
preceding five-year period, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has had
an office, place of business or agent for service of process other than as
listed on Schedule 8.1.1. Except as shown on Schedule 8.1.1, no Inventory is
stored with a bailee, warehouseman or similar Person, nor is any Inventory
consigned to any Person.

           9.1.5. Title to Properties; Priority of Liens. Borrower has good,
indefeasible and marketable title to and fee simple ownership of, or valid and
subsisting leasehold interests in, all of its real property, and good title to
all of the Collateral and all of its other property, in each case free and clear
of all Liens except Permitted Liens.

           9.1.6. Status of Accounts. To the best of the Borrower's knowledge,
each Account included by Borrower as an Eligible Account in any Borrowing Base
Certificate delivered to CIT enumerated in clauses (i) through (xviii) of the
definition of Eligible Accounts, except as otherwise disclosed in such Borrowing
Base Certificate or as disclosed in a timely manner in a subsequent Borrowing
Base Certificate or otherwise in writing to CIT, is an Eligible Account.

           9.1.7. Solvent Financial Condition. Borrower is now and, after giving
effect to the Loans to be made and each LC Guaranty issued in for of the Issuing
Bank pursuant to this Agreement, and at all times will be, Solvent.

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<PAGE>   36

           9.1.8. Surety Obligations. Neither Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is obligated as surety or indemnitor under any surety or similar
bond or other contract issued or entered into any agreement to assure payment,
performance or completion of performance of any undertaking or obligation of any
Person.

           9.1.9. Taxes. Borrower's federal tax identification number is
34-1780941. Borrower has filed all federal, state and local tax returns,
information returns and other reports it is required by law to file and has
paid, or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes upon it, its income and
properties as and when such Taxes are due and payable, except to the extent
being Properly Contested.

           9.1.10. Brokers. There are no claims for brokerage commissions,
finder's fees or investment banking fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

           9.1.11. Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses. All the
patents, trademarks, service marks, tradenames, copyrights, licenses and other
similar rights owned by Borrower are listed on Schedule 9.1.11 hereto.

           9.1.12. Compliance with Laws. Borrower has duly complied with, and
its properties, business operations and leaseholds are in compliance in all
material respects with, the provisions of all Applicable Law (except to the
extent that any such noncompliance with Applicable Law would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) and there have been no citations,
notices or orders of noncompliance issued to Borrower under any such law, rule
or regulation. No Inventory has been produced in violation of the Fair Labor
Standards Act (29 U.S.C. ss. 201 et seq.), as amended.

           9.1.13. Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 9.1.13 hereto,
there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending, or to the
knowledge of Borrower, threatened, against or affecting Borrower, or the
business, operations, properties, prospects, profits or condition of Borrower,
none of which if resolved adversely to Borrower would have Material Adverse
Effect. Borrower is not in default with respect to any order, writ, injunction,
judgment, decree or rule of any court, governmental authority or arbitration
board or tribunal.

           9.1.14. No Defaults. No event has occurred and no condition exists
which would, upon or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
Borrower's performance hereunder, constitute a Default or an Event of Default.
Borrower is not in default, and no event has occurred and no condition exists
which constitutes, or which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or
both would constitute, a default in the payment of any debt to any Person for
Money Borrowed.

         9.2.     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. During the term of this Agreement, and
thereafter for so long as there are any Obligations to CIT, Borrower covenants
that, unless otherwise consented to by CIT in writing, it shall:

           9.2.1. Visits and Inspections. Permit representatives of CIT, from
time to time, as often as may be reasonably requested, but only during normal
business hours, to visit and

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<PAGE>   37

inspect the Collateral, inspect, audit and make extracts from Borrower's books
and records, and discuss with Borrower's officers, its employees and its
independent accountant, Borrower's business, assets, liabilities, financial
condition, business prospects and results of operations.

           9.2.2. Notices. Notify CIT in writing promptly after Borrower's
obtaining knowledge thereof (i) of the occurrence of any event or the existence
of any fact which renders any representation or warranty in this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents inaccurate, incomplete or misleading in any
material respect; (ii) of the commencement of any litigation affecting Borrower
or any of its properties, whether or not the claim is considered by Borrower to
be covered by insurance, and of the institution of any administrative proceeding
which if determined adversely to Borrower would have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) at least 60 days prior thereto, of Borrower's opening of any new office or
place of business or Borrower's closing of any existing office or place of
business; (iv) of any labor dispute to which Borrower may become a party, any
strikes or walkouts relating to any of its plants or other facilities, and the
expiration of any labor contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound;
(v) of any material default by Borrower under any note, indenture, loan
agreement, mortgage, lease, deed, guaranty or other similar agreement relating
to any debt of Borrower exceeding $250,000; or (vi) of the existence of any
Default or Event of Default. Borrower also agrees to advise CIT promptly in
writing of any notices Borrower receives from any local, state or federal
authority advising Borrower of any material environmental liability (actual or
potential) stemming from Borrower's operations, its premises, its waste disposal
practices, or waste disposal sites used by Borrower and to provide CIT with
copies of all such notices. Upon receipt by Borrower of any such notice CIT
shall be entitled to establish an additional Availability Reserve in such amount
as CIT may deem reasonably appropriate.

           9.2.3. Taxes. Pay and discharge all Taxes prior to the date on which
such Taxes become delinquent or penalties attach thereto, except and to the
extent only that such Taxes are being Properly Contested.

           9.2.4. Compliance with Laws. Comply with all Applicable Law,
including all laws, statutes, regulations and ordinances regarding the
collection, payment and deposit of Taxes, and all ERISA and environmental laws,
and obtain and keep in force any and all governmental approvals necessary to the
ownership of its properties or to the conduct of its business, which violation
or failure to obtain might have a Material Adverse Effect.

           9.2.3. Maintenance of Cash Collateral. Maintain in the Cash
Collateral Account at all times Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover
all undrawn balances under the IDB Standby LC.

     9.3.         DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; ETC.

           9.3.1. Financial Statements. Until termination of this Agreement and
payment and satisfaction of all Obligations due hereunder, Borrower shall
deliver to CIT: (a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of
Borrower, a Consolidated Balance Sheet and statements of profit and loss, cash
flow and reconciliation of surplus of Borrower and all consolidated subsidiaries
as at the close of such year, audited by independent public accountants selected
by

                                       36
<PAGE>   38

Borrower and satisfactory to CIT; (b) within 60 days after the end of each
fiscal year of Borrower, a Consolidated Balance Sheet and statements of profit
and loss, cash flow and reconciliation of surplus of Borrower and all
consolidated subsidiaries as at the close of such year, as prepared internally
by Borrower; (c) within 30 days after the end of each month (i) a Consolidated
Balance Sheet as at the end of such month and statements of profit and loss,
cash flow and surplus of Borrower and all subsidiaries for such month, certified
by an authorized financial or accounting officer of Borrower and (ii) a
Borrowing Base Certificate, or if Borrower issued a Borrowing Base Certificate
during such month, a reconciliation from the most recent Borrowing Base
Certificate issued to CIT during such month with the interim financial statement
issued with respect to such month; (d) promptly after the sending or filing
thereof, as the case may be, copies of any proxy statements, financial
statements or reports which Borrower has made generally available to its
shareholders and copies of any regular, periodic and special reports or
registration statements which Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange
commission or any other governmental authority which may be substituted
therefor, or any national securities exchange; and (e) from time to time, such
further information regarding the business affairs and financial condition of
Borrower as CIT may reasonably request, including without limitation annual cash
flow projections and related items in form satisfactory to CIT.

           9.3.2. Compliance Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of
financial statements pursuant to Section 9.3.1 above, Borrower shall deliver to
CIT a completed Compliance Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit C
attached hereto, signed by an Executive Officer.

         9.4.     NEGATIVE COVENANTS. During the term of this Agreement, and
thereafter for so long as there are any Obligations to CIT, Borrower covenants
that, unless CIT has first consented thereto in writing, it shall not:

           9.4.1. Fundamental Changes. Enter into any transaction to merge,
reorganize, consolidate or amalgamate with any Person, or liquidate, wind up or
dissolve itself.

           9.4.2. Loans. Make any loans or other advances of money to any Person
other than to an officer, director or employee of Borrower for salary, travel
advances, advances against commissions and other similar advances in the
ordinary course of business.

           9.4.3. Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist any
Indebtedness except Permitted Indebtedness.

           9.4.4. Affiliate Transactions. Enter into, or be a party to any
transaction with any affiliate or stockholder, except (i) the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents; (ii) payment of customary directors' fees
and indemnities; (iii) transactions with affiliates that were consummated prior
to the date hereof and have been disclosed to CIT prior to the Closing Date; and
(iv) in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of
Borrower's business and upon fair and reasonable terms which are fully disclosed
to CIT, consistent with past practices and are no less favorable to Borrower
than would obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an
affiliate or stockholder of Borrower.

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<PAGE>   39

           9.4.5. Limitation on Liens. Create or suffer to exist any Lien upon
any of its property, income or profits, whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
except for Permitted Liens.

           9.4.6. Distributions. Declare or make any Distributions, except (i)
payments to the Parent pursuant to a tax sharing agreement under which the
Borrower is allocated its proportionate share of the tax liability of the
affiliated group of corporations that file consolidated federal income tax
returns (or that file state or local income tax returns on a consolidated
basis), (ii) provided that no Default or Event of Default exists either before
or after giving effect thereto, (A) payments to the Parent in an amount not to
exceed the amount of the Borrower's federal and state income tax liability that
the Borrower would owe if it were filing a separate income tax return as a stand
alone company (or, if there any Subsidiaries of the Borrower, the amount of the
federal and state income tax liability for which the Borrower and such
Subsidiaries would be liable if the Borrower and such subsidiaries were filing a
separate consolidated (or combined) income tax return); provided, that any such
payment shall not exceed the tax liability of the Parent that is actually then
due and payable, (B) loans, advances, dividends or distributions by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries to the Parent to pay for corporate, administrative
and operating expenses in the ordinary course of business, including payment of
directors' and officers' liability insurance premiums, directors' fees in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 in any fiscal year and (C) loans,
advances, dividends or distributions by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
to the Parent not to exceed an amount necessary to permit the Parent to pay its
costs (including all professional fees and expenses) incurred to comply with its
reporting obligations under federal or state laws or in connection with
reporting or other obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents in an
aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000 in any fiscal year.

           9.4.7. Disposition of Assets. Sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any
of its properties, including any disposition of property as part of a sale and
leaseback transaction, except (i) sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of
business for so long as no Event of Default exists hereunder, (ii) other
dispositions expressly authorized by the Loan Documents, (iii) sales of absolete
or unnecessary equipment, and (iv) for so long as no Event of Default exists or
would be caused thereby, sales or dispositions of other property of Borrower not
comprising Collateral and not to exceed $1,000,000 in fair market value during
any fiscal year of Borrower.

           9.4.8. Bill-and-Hold Sales, Etc. Make a sale to any customer on a
bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale and return, sale on approval or consignment
basis, or any sale on a repurchase or return basis, which sales are designated
as being billed but unshipped in all appropriate Borrowing Base Certificates
submitted to CIT.

           9.4.9. Tax Consolidation. File or consent to the filing of any
consolidated income tax return with any Person other than Parent.

           9.4.10. Fiscal Year. Establish a fiscal year different from the
fiscal year utilized as of the date of this Agreement.

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<PAGE>   40

           9.4.11. Leases and Capital Expenditures. Contract for, purchase, make
expenditures for, lease pursuant to a Capital Lease or otherwise incur Capital
Expenditures in excess of $3,000,000 in the aggregate during any fiscal year of
Borrower; provided, however, that if, at the end of any fiscal year of Borrower
(a "Base Year"), the amount of Capital Expenditures made by Borrower during such
Base Year is less than $3,000,000 (the amount of such difference being the
"Carryover Amount"), Borrower shall be entitled to make additional Capital
Expenditures in its next succeeding fiscal year in an amount equal to the lesser
of (i) the Carryover Amount and (ii) $1,000,000.

           9.4.12. Conduct of Business. Engage in any business other than the
business engaged in by it on the Closing Date and any business or activities
which are substantially similar, related or incidental thereto.

           9.4.13. Restricted Investments. Make any Restricted Investment, other
than investments consisting of capital stock, obligations, securities or other
property received by Borrower in settlement of Accounts from bankrupt Account
Debtors.

           9.4.14. Senior Notes. Agree to, consent or permit any amendment or
modification to any of the provisions of the Senior Notes or to the Indenture
pursuant to which they were issued.

SECTION 10.   FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

         During the term of this Agreement, and thereafter for so long as there
are any Obligations outstanding, Borrower covenants that it shall:

         10.1.    INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Not permit Borrower's Interest
Coverage Ratio to be less than (i) .60 to 1.0 as of the last day of the fiscal
quarter of Borrower ending June 30, 2001, (ii) .75 to 1.0 as of the last day of
the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending September 30, 2001, (iii) .85 to 1.0 as of
the last day of the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending December 31, 2001, and on
the last day of each fiscal quarter of Borrower thereafter through and including
the last day of the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2003, and (iv) 1.0 to 1.0 as
of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending June 30, 2003, and on
the last day of each fiscal quarter of Borrower thereafter. On any applicable
date, Borrower's Interest Coverage Ratio shall be measured over the period of
four (4) fiscal quarters ending on such date.

         10.2.    SECURED OBLIGATIONS/EBITDA RATIO. Permit Borrower's Secured
Obligations/EBITDA Ratio to be greater than 2.25 to 1.0 as of the last day of
the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending June 30, 2001, (ii) 2.0 to 1.0 as of the
last day of the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending September 30, 2001, (iii) 1.5
to 1.0 as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of Borrower ending December 31,
2001, and on the last day of each fiscal quarter of Borrower thereafter. On any
applicable date, Borrower's Secured Obligations/EBITDA Ratio shall be measured
over the period of four (4) fiscal quarters ending on such date.

SECTION 11.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

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<PAGE>   41

         11.1.     EVENTS OF DEFAULT. The occurrence of any one or more of the
following events or conditions shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this
Agreement:

           11.1.1. The failure of Borrower to pay any of the Obligations on or
within five (5) days of the due date thereof, provided that nothing contained
herein shall prohibit CIT from charging such amounts to Borrower's Loan Account
on the due date thereof;

           11.1.2. Any representation, warranty or other statement made or
furnished to CIT by or on behalf of Borrower in this Agreement, any of the other
Loan Documents or any instrument, certificate or financial statement furnished
in compliance with or in reference thereto proves to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when made or furnished or when reaffirmed
pursuant to this Agreement.

           11.1.3. The commencement by or against Borrower of any Insolvency
Proceeding;

           11.1.4. Borrower shall fail or neglect to perform, keep or observe
any covenant contained in Sections 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 9.2.1, 9.3, 9.4 or 10 of this
Agreement or Borrower shall fail or neglect to perform, keep or observe any
other covenant contained in this Agreement (other than a covenant a default in
the performance or observance of which is dealt with specifically elsewhere in
this Section 11.1) and the breach of such other covenant is not cured to CIT's
reasonable satisfaction within 15 days after the sooner to occur of Borrower's
receipt of notice of such breach from CIT or the date on which such failure or
neglect first becomes known to any Executive Officer of Borrower, provided,
however, that such notice and opportunity to cure shall not apply in the case of
any failure to perform, keep or observe any covenant which is not capable of
being cured at all or within such 15-day period or which is a willful and
knowing breach by Borrower.

           11.1.5. Borrower shall (i) engage in any "prohibited transaction" as
defined in ERISA, (ii) have any "accumulated funding deficiency" as defined in
ERISA, (iii) have any Reportable Event as defined in ERISA, (iv) terminate any
defined benefit Plan, as defined in ERISA, to the extent such termination gives
rise to any funding obligations or penalties which are not timely paid, or (v)
be engaged in any proceeding in which the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
shall seek appointment, or is appointed, as trustee or administrator of any such
Plan, as defined in ERISA, and with respect to this Section 11.1.5 such event or
condition (x) remains uncured for a period of thirty (30) days from date of
occurrence and (y) could, in the reasonable opinion of CIT, subject Borrower to
any tax, penalty or other liability material to the business, operations or
financial condition of Borrower;

           11.1.6. The occurrence of an event of default pursuant to (i) any of
the other Loan Documents and such default shall continue beyond any applicable
grace period; or (ii) any other document or agreement of Borrower evidencing
Indebtedness of Borrower for Money Borrowed in excess of the amount of $250,000;

           11.1.7. Any material loss, theft, damage or destruction of any of the
Collateral not fully covered (subject to such deductibles as CIT shall have
permitted) by insurance.

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<PAGE>   42

           11.1.8. There shall occur a cessation of a substantial part of the
business of Borrower for a period which may be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect; or Borrower shall suffer the loss or revocation of any
material license or permit now held or hereafter acquired by Borrower; or
Borrower shall be enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by court,
governmental or administrative order from conducting all or any material part of
its business affairs; or any material part of the Collateral shall be taken
through condemnation or the value of such property shall be materially impaired
through condemnation.

           11.1.9.  Borrower or any affiliate, shall challenge or contest in any
action, suit or proceeding the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or
any of the other Loan Documents, the legality or enforceability of any of the
Obligations or the perfection or priority of any Lien or security interest
granted to CIT.

           11.1.10. Any Executive Officers of Borrower shall be criminally
indicted or convicted under any law that could reasonably be expected to lead to
a forfeiture of any material portion of the property of Borrower.

           11.1.11. A judgment or order for the payment of money in an amount
that exceeds the uncontested insurance available therefore, if any, by $100,000
or more shall be entered against the Borrower by an court and such judgment or
order shall either continue undischarged, unstayed or unbonded for 30 days (or
such longer period as may be expressly permitted by Applicable Law) or shall
result in the creation of a Lien upon any asset of Borrower that is not a
Permitted Lien.

           11.1.12. The occurrence of an "Event of Default" under and as defined
in the Senior Notes or the Indenture pursuant to which they were issued.

         11.2.    ACCELERATION; TERMINATION. Without in any way limiting the
right of CIT to demand payment of any portion of the Obligations payable on
demand in accordance with Section 5.2 hereof, upon or at any time after the
occurrence of an Event of Default and for so long as such Event of Default shall
exist, CIT may in its discretion declare the principal of and any accrued
interest on the Loans and all other Obligations to be, whereupon the same shall
become without further notice or demand (all of which further notice and demand
Borrower expressly waives), forthwith due and payable and Borrower shall
forthwith pay to CIT the entire principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on
the Loans and other Obligations plus reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses if
such principal and interest are collected by or through an attorney-at-law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
specified in Section 11.1.3 hereof all of the Obligations shall become
automatically due and payable without declaration, notice or demand by CIT and
this Agreement shall automatically terminate as if terminated by CIT pursuant to
Section 6.2.1 and with the effect set forth in Section 6.2.4 hereof.

         11.3.    OTHER REMEDIES. Immediately upon the occurrence of any Event
of Default, CIT may to the extent permitted by law: (a) remove from any premises
where same may be located any and all documents, instruments, files and records,
and any receptacles or cabinets containing same, relating to the Accounts, or
CIT may use, at Borrower's expense, such of

                                       41
<PAGE>   43

Borrower's personnel, supplies or space at Borrower's places of business or
otherwise, as may be necessary to properly administer and control the Accounts
or the handling of collections and realizations thereon; (b) bring suit, in the
name of Borrower or CIT, and generally shall have all other rights respecting
said Accounts, including without limitation the right to: accelerate or extend
the time of payment, settle, compromise, release in whole or in part any amounts
owing on any Accounts and issue credits in the name of Borrower or CIT; (c)
sell, assign and deliver the Collateral and any returned, reclaimed or
repossessed merchandise, with or without advertisement, at public or private
sale, for cash, on credit or otherwise, at CIT's sole option and discretion, and
CIT may bid or become a purchaser at any such sale, free from any right of
redemption, which right is hereby expressly waived by Borrower; (d) foreclose
the security interests created herein by any available judicial procedure, or to
take possession of any or all of the Inventory without judicial process, and to
enter any premises where any Inventory may be located for the purpose of taking
possession of or removing the same; (e) require Borrower to deposit with CIT
funds equal to the LC Outstandings and, if Borrower fails promptly to make such
deposit, CIT may advance such amount as a Revolving Loan (whether or not an
Out-of-Formula Condition exists or is created thereby); and (f) exercise any
other rights and remedies provided in law, in equity, by contract or otherwise.
Any such deposit or advance shall be held by CIT as a reserve to fund future
payments on the LC Guaranty. At such time as all LC Guaranties have been paid or
terminated and all Letters of Credit have been drawn upon or expired, any
amounts remaining in such reserve shall be applied against any outstanding
Obligations, or, if all Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full,
returned to Borrower. CIT shall have the right, without notice or advertisement,
to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral
whether in its then condition or after further preparation or processing, in the
name of Borrower or CIT, or in the name of such other party as CIT may
designate, either at public or private sale or at any broker's board, in lots or
in bulk, for cash or for credit, with or without warranties or representations,
and upon such other terms and conditions as CIT in its sole discretion may deem
advisable, and CIT shall have the right to purchase at any such sale. If any
Inventory shall require rebuilding, repairing, maintenance or preparation, CIT
shall have the right, at its option, to do such of the aforesaid as is
necessary, for the purpose of putting the Inventory in such saleable form as CIT
shall deem appropriate. Borrower agrees, at the request of CIT, to assemble the
Inventory and to make it available to CIT at premises of Borrower or elsewhere
and to make available to CIT the premises and facilities of Borrower for the
purpose of CIT's taking possession of, removing or putting the Inventory in
saleable form. However, if notice of intended disposition of any Collateral is
required by law, it is agreed that ten (10) days notice shall constitute
reasonable notification and full compliance with the law. The net cash proceeds
resulting from CIT's exercise of any of the foregoing rights, (after deducting
all charges, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees) shall be
applied by CIT to the payment of the Obligations, whether due or to become due,
in such order as CIT may elect, and Borrower shall remain liable to CIT for any
deficiencies, and CIT in turn agrees to remit to Borrower or its successors or
assigns, any surplus resulting therefrom. The enumeration of the foregoing
rights is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise of any right shall not
preclude the exercise of any other rights, all of which shall be cumulative.

                                       42

<PAGE>   44

SECTION 12.  MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1.    POWER OF ATTORNEY. Borrower hereby constitutes CIT or any
person or agent CIT may designate as its attorney-in-fact, at Borrower's cost
and expense, to exercise all of the following powers, which being coupled with
an interest, shall be irrevocable until all of Borrower's Obligations to CIT
have been paid in full: (a) to receive, take, endorse, sign, assign and deliver,
all in the name of CIT or Borrower, any and all checks, notes, drafts, and other
documents or instruments relating to the Collateral; (b) to receive, open and
dispose of all mail addressed to Borrower and to notify postal authorities to
change the address for delivery thereof to such address as CIT may designate;
(c) to request from customers indebted on Accounts at any time, in the name of
CIT or Borrower or that of CIT's designee, information concerning the amounts
owing on the Accounts; (d) to transmit to customers indebted on Accounts notice
of CIT's interest therein and to notify customers indebted on Accounts to make
payment directly to CIT for Borrower's account; and (e) to take or bring, in the
name of CIT or Borrower, all steps, actions, suits or proceedings deemed by CIT
necessary or desirable to enforce or effect collection of the Accounts.

Notwithstanding anything hereinabove contained to the contrary, the powers set
forth in (b), (d) and (e) above may only be exercised after the occurrence of an
Event of Default.

         12.2.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
together with all other instruments, agreements and certificates executed by the
parties in connection therewith or with reference thereto, embody the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties hereto and thereto with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior agreements,
understandings and inducements, whether express or implied, oral or written.
Each of the Exhibits and Schedules attached hereto are incorporated into this
Agreement and by this reference made a part hereof.

         12.3.    INDEMNITY. Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify and defend CIT
and hold CIT harmless from and against any claims against CIT as the result of
Borrower's failure to observe, perform or discharge Borrower's duties hereunder.
In addition, Borrower shall indemnify and defend CIT against and save CIT
harmless from all claims of any Person with respect to the Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, these indemnities shall extend to any
claims asserted against CIT by any Person under any environmental laws or
similar laws by reason of Borrower's or any other Person's failure to comply
with laws applicable to solid or hazardous waste materials or other toxic
substances. Additionally, if any Taxes (excluding Taxes imposed upon or measured
solely by the net income of CIT, but including, any intangibles tax, stamp tax,
recording tax or franchise tax) shall be payable by CIT or Borrower on account
of the execution or delivery of this Agreement, or the execution, delivery,
issuance or recording of any of the other Loan Documents, or the creation of any
of the Obligations hereunder, by reason of any existing or hereafter enacted
federal, state, foreign or local statute, rule or regulation, Borrower will pay
(or will promptly reimburse CIT for the payment of) all such Taxes, including
any interest and penalties thereon, and will indemnify, defend and hold CIT
harmless from and against liability in connection therewith. Notwithstanding any
contrary provision in this Agreement, the obligation of Borrower under this
Section 13.4 shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the
termination of this Agreement.

                                       43
<PAGE>   45

         12.4.    MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT; SALE OF INTEREST. This Agreement
may not be modified, altered or amended, except by an agreement in writing
signed by Borrower and CIT. Borrower may not sell, assign or transfer any
interest in this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or any of the
Obligations, or any portion thereof, including Borrower's rights, title,
interests, remedies, powers, and duties hereunder or thereunder. Borrower hereby
consents to CIT's participation, sale, assignment, transfer or other
disposition, at any time or times hereafter, of the Obligations, this Agreement
and any of the other Loan Documents, or of any portion hereof or thereof,
including CIT's rights, title, interests, remedies, powers, and duties hereunder
or thereunder.

         12.5.    SEVERABILITY; ETC. Wherever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
Applicable Law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under Applicable Law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement. The provisions of
the other Loan Documents are hereby made cumulative with the provisions of this
Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.2 hereof and except as
otherwise provided in any of the other Loan Documents by specific reference to
the applicable provision of this Agreement, if any provision contained in this
Agreement is in direct conflict with, or inconsistent with, any provision in any
of the other Loan Documents, the provision contained in this Agreement shall
govern and control.

         12.6.    EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall constitute but
one and the same instrument.

         12.7.    CREDIT INQUIRIES. Borrower hereby authorizes CIT (but CIT
shall have no obligation) to respond to usual and customary credit inquiries
from third parties concerning Borrower.

         12.8.    TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents.

         12.9.    NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands to or upon a party
hereto shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified or registered mail,
return receipt requested, personal delivery against receipt or by telecopier or
other facsimile transmission and shall be deemed to have been validly served,
given or delivered when delivered against receipt or three Business Days after
deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of facsimile
transmission, when received at the office where the noticed party's telecopier
is located, addressed as follows:

                                       44
<PAGE>   46

     (a) if to CIT, at:             The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
                                    1200 Ashwood Parkway, Suite 150
                                    Atlanta, Georgia 30338
                                    Attn: Credit Manager
                                    Telecopier No.: 770.522.7673

     (b) if to Borrower at:         Simcala, Inc.
                                    1940 Ohio Ferro Road
                                    Mt. Meigs, Alabama  36057
                                    Attn: Mr. C.E. Boardwine
                                    Telecopier No.: (334) 215-8969

     with a copy to:                Alston & Bird LLP
                                    One Atlantic Center
                                    1201 West Peachtree Street
                                    Atlanta, Georgia 30309
                                    Attn: Sydney Nurkin, Esq.
                                    Telecopier No: (404) 881-7777

or to such other address as each party may designate for itself by like notice
given in accordance with this Section 12.9.

         12.10.   GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN NEGOTIATED, EXECUTED
AND DELIVERED AT AND SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MADE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF ANY OF THE COLLATERAL SHALL BE
LOCATED IN ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN GEORGIA, THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
SHALL GOVERN THE METHOD, MANNER AND PROCEDURE FOR FORECLOSURE OF CIT'S LIEN UPON
SUCH COLLATERAL AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF CIT'S OTHER REMEDIES IN RESPECT OF SUCH
COLLATERAL TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION ARE DIFFERENT FROM
OR INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES
PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH
ACTION OR SUIT AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER
PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO BORROWER AT THE
ADDRESS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED
COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF BORROWER'S ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF OR 3 DAYS AFTER
DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE PREPAID. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO AFFECT THE RIGHT OF CIT TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN
ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

         12.11.   WAIVERS BY BORROWER. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER WAIVES (I) THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY (WHICH CIT HEREBY
ALSO WAIVES) IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATED TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE OBLIGATIONS OR THE
COLLATERAL; (II) PRESENTMENT, DEMAND AND PROTEST AND NOTICE OF PRESENTMENT,
PROTEST, DEFAULT, NON PAYMENT, MATURITY, RELEASE, COMPROMISE, SETTLEMENT,
EXTENSION OR RENEWAL OF ANY OR ALL COMMERCIAL PAPER, ACCOUNTS, CONTRACT RIGHTS,
DOCUMENTS, INSTRUMENTS, CHATTEL PAPER AND GUARANTIES AT ANY TIME HELD BY CIT ON
WHICH

                                       45
<PAGE>   47

BORROWER MAY IN ANY WAY BE LIABLE AND HEREBY RATIFIES AND CONFIRMS WHATEVER CIT
MAY DO IN THIS REGARD; (III) NOTICE PRIOR TO TAKING POSSESSION OR CONTROL OF THE
COLLATERAL OR ANY BOND OR SECURITY WHICH MIGHT BE REQUIRED BY ANY COURT PRIOR TO
ALLOWING CIT TO EXERCISE ANY OF CIT'S REMEDIES; (IV) THE BENEFIT OF ALL
VALUATION, APPRAISEMENT AND EXEMPTION LAWS; AND (V) NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE HEREOF.
BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE FOREGOING WAIVERS ARE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO
CIT'S ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT CIT IS RELYING UPON THE FOREGOING
WAIVERS IN ITS FUTURE DEALINGS WITH BORROWER. BORROWER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS
THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THE FOREGOING WAIVERS WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND HAS
KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVED ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION
WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A
WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

         Upon any disposition of Collateral permitted by this Agreement, CIT
shall execute such UCC partial releases or other quitclaims as Borrower shall
reasonably request to effect such disposition.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the date set
forth above.

                                SIMCALA, INC.

                                By: /s/ R. Myles Cowan
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                      Name: R. Myles Cowan
                                           -----------------------------------
                                         Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                               -------------------------------

                                This Agreement shall not be effective until
                                accepted by CIT in Atlanta, Georgia.

                                THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.

                                By: /s/ Earl Scurlock
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                     Title:  Vice President

                                       46<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

    SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED FINANCING AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

         THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED FINANCING AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of the 8th day of August, 2001,
effective as of June 30, 2001, by and among ARC CAPITAL CORPORATION II, a
Tennessee corporation ("ARCC"), the other Borrowers, if any, listed on the
signature pages hereof (the "Additional Borrower", collectively with the
Original Borrower, the "Borrowers") and WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA, successor by
merger to Bank United, as agent (the "Agent") as agent for itself and the other
lenders who are or shall be from time to time participating as lenders
(collectively, the "Lenders") hereunder pursuant to the Agency Agreements dated
June 8, 1999 and October 1, 1999 or any amendment thereto (as amended, restated
or substituted from time to time the "Agency Agreement").

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Lenders have provided to the Borrowers a credit facility (such
credit facility, as modified, increased, extended, restated or substituted, is
referred to hereinafter as the "Credit Facility" or the "Loan") in the maximum
principal sum of up to $100,000,000 or such greater amount not to exceed
$150,000,000 as the Lenders may from time to time commit to lend pursuant to any
Agency Agreement. Advances or readvances of the Loan have been made pursuant to,
and secured by, the provisions of that certain Amended and Restated Financing
and Security Agreement dated February 11, 2000 by and between the Agent and ARC
Capital Corporation II, a Tennessee corporation (the "Financing Agreement").

         B. The advances under the Loan are evidenced by promissory notes made
or to be made by one or more of the Borrowers for the benefit of each of the
Lenders in the aggregate principal sum of the then-applicable Credit Facility
Committed Amount (as amended, restated, renewed or substituted from time to
time, the "Notes"). Each of the Notes has been amended pursuant to the terms of
a First Amendment to Promissory Note dated November 7, 2000 and is being amended
pursuant to the terms of a Second Amendment to Promissory Note of even date
herewith. The Notes are secured by, among other things, certain Deeds of Trust
(as defined in the Financing Agreement) from the Borrowers in favor of the Agent
for the benefit of the Lenders covering such Borrowers' interest in the Land and
the Improvements for the applicable Facility (as defined in the Financing
Agreement) or certain assignments to the Lenders of Assigned Notes secured by
Deeds of Trust payable to Borrowers in connection with Synthetic Lease
Transactions and Collateral Assignments and such other real and personal
property as shall be therein more particularly set forth (collectively, the
"Property"). The Credit Facility is evidenced, secured and guaranteed by the
Financing Documents (as defined in the Financing Agreement).

<PAGE>   2

         C. The Borrowers obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed
by American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation (the "Guarantor"),
pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment Agreement
dated February 11, 2000 as amended pursuant to the First Amendment to Amended
and Restated Guaranty of Payment Agreement dated November 7, 2000 and the Second
Amendment to Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment Agreement of even date
herewith (as amended, restated, renewed or substituted from time to time, the
"Guaranty").

         D. The Borrowers have requested and the Lenders have agreed to modify
certain provisions of the Financing Agreement and the Guaranty.

         E. The Lenders have required, as a condition to continuing to make
available the Credit Facility, that the Borrowers execute and deliver this
Agreement to the Agent.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and the Agent hereby
agree as follows:

         1. The above Recitals are a part of this Agreement. Unless otherwise
expressly defined in this Agreement, terms defined in the Financing Agreement or
the Construction Agreement shall have the same meaning under this Agreement.

         2. The Financing Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

            (a) Effective as of the date of signature of this Agreement and
continuing through the Revolving Credit Termination Date, amounts repaid under
the Credit Facility may not be reborrowed (including but not limited to any
repayment arising from the Boynton Beach Facility being classified as a Pool B
Project), despite the use of the term "revolving" in the Financing Documents and
no additional advances may be made except advances for working capital where
availability exists in such category under a Total Development Budget. Any
additional Eligible Project provided as Collateral for the Credit Facility will
not create any additional availability under the Borrowing Base. No additional
availability under the Borrowing Base will be allowed from the Santa Catalina
Facility if it qualifies as a Special Eligible Project; provided, however, that
if the Santa Catalina Facility so qualifies, the higher Borrowing Base
availability for Special Eligible Projects shall be used for the sole purpose of
calculations under Section 7.2.5 (Percentage of Stabilized Projects).

            (b) The following definitions in Section 1.1 of the Financing
Agreement are amended and restated in their entirety as follows:

            "Credit Facility Committed Amount" means $93,419,500.

            "Interest Rate Margin" means, effective as of August 1, 2001
         and thereafter, the applicable interest rate margin per annum shall be
         determined in accordance with the following table for the applicable
         time period:

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
         PERIOD                                      INTEREST RATE MARGIN
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>
         August 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001      300 basis points
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
         January 1, 2002 through March 31, 2002        312.5 basis points
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
         April 1, 2002 through June 30, 2002           325 basis points
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
         July 1, 2002 and thereafter until paid in     350 basis points
         full
         ----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  "Revolving Credit Expiration Date" means August 2, 2002, or
         any date to which it may be extended from time to time pursuant to the
         terms of Section 2.6 hereof.

                  "Tangible Net Worth" means, at any time, the sum at such time
         of Net Worth less the total of (a) all assets which would be classified
         as intangible assets under GAAP, including goodwill, trademarks,
         trademark applications, trade names, service marks, patent applications
         and licenses, and deferred charges, (b) pre-opening costs,
         organizational costs and deferred financing costs, and (c) advances or
         loans made to or receivables from any unconsolidated affiliates of
         which the Guarantor owns less than fifty percent (50%) or any
         stockholder of the Guarantor or any affiliate. The following items (a)
         through (e) will also be excluded from Tangible Net Worth: (a) non-cash
         "mark to market" adjustments related to the Guarantor's two existing
         interest rate swap instruments with J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Bank,
         respectively (the "J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Swaps") not to exceed
         $1,200,000 in the aggregate net of taxes over the life of the J. P.
         Morgan and SunTrust Swaps, (b) the $1,227,000 in pre-tax loss for debt
         prepayment penalty and $762,000 pre-tax ordinary loss each in
         connection with the sale of the Rossmoor Regency Facility, (c) the
         one-time $1,200,000 expense for liability insurance "nose coverage"
         paid to Technical Risk, Inc., (d) any gain or loss on the sale of the
         Pecan Park Facility or any other Facility identified to be sold in the
         Capital Formation Plan (as hereinafter defined) during fiscal quarters
         ending June 30, 2001 or September 30, 2001 and (e) extraordinary losses
         arising from prepayments of debt during fiscal quarters ending June 30,
         2001 or September 30, 2001. All assets classified in the Guarantor's
         financial statements as leaseholds of Senior Living Facilities or
         leasehold acquisition costs related to Senior Living Facilities shall
         be included as tangible assets in the calculation of its Tangible Net
         Worth with the exception of leasehold acquisition costs, if any, for
         the Senior Living Facility known as "Freedom Plaza Peoria".

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

            (c) Section 2.1(c) of the Financing Agreement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:

            The conditions precedent for making an advance under the Loan shall
            be as set forth in this Agreement. Sums borrowed and repaid may not
            be readvanced.

            (d) Section 2.5 of the Financing Agreement is hereby intentionally
deleted in its entirety.

            (e) The following new Section 2.7 (Mandatory Prepayment) is hereby
added to the Financing Agreement:

            Section 2.7 Mandatory Prepayment. On or before May 1, 2002, the
         Principal Sum outstanding under the Credit Facility shall be
         permanently reduced by not less than $10,000,000 and such reduced
         Principal Sum shall then constitute the Credit Facility Committed
         Amount. One or more Eligible Projects may be released from the
         Borrowing Base in connection with such prepayment of the Credit
         Facility subject to the Lenders' right to approve the release of an
         Eligible Project pursuant to provisions of Section 4.16 (Consent to
         Releases) hereof.

            (f) Section 4.17 (Operating Deficiency Reserve Account) to the
Financing Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirely as follows:

            Section 4.17 Operating Deficiency Reserve Account.

            In the event that the Agent determines that an Operating Deficiency
         (as hereinafter defined) exists pursuant to the provisions of Section
         4.18(b) below, the Borrowers shall have delivered to the Agent funds
         equal to the then applicable Operating Deficiency (the "Operating
         Deficiency Reserve") to be deposited with the Agent in an account (the
         "Operating Deficiency Reserve Account") pledged to the Agent on behalf
         of the Lenders to secure the Borrowers' Obligations pursuant to the
         Assignment of Deposit Account dated November 7, 2000. The Agent alone
         shall have the authority to make advances from the Operating Deficiency
         Reserve Account pursuant to Section 4.18.

            (g) Section 4.18 (Funding of Operating Deficiencies and Limitations
on Advances) is hereby amended and restated as follows:

            Section 4.18 Funding of Operating Deficiencies and Limitations on
         Advances.

            (a) For all Eligible Projects in the Borrowing Base as of the date
         hereof, no additional availability in the Borrowing Base or
         reimbursement will be given for construction hard or soft costs.

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

            (b) On or before the last Banking Day of each fiscal quarter,
         beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2001, the Borrowers
         shall submit a report projecting the aggregate dollar amount of
         operating deficits until all Eligible Projects reach break-even
         operations, net of aggregate remaining budgeted availability in the
         Credit Facility from such Eligible Projects which are not Stabilized
         Projects. If necessary as a result of such report after review and
         acceptance by the Lenders and based upon the aggregate difference
         between projected operating deficits and remaining budget availability
         (such then applicable amount being referred to herein as an "Operating
         Deficiency"), the amount of Operating Deficiency Reserve will be
         established, replenished and/or increased (as applicable) by the
         Borrowers upon demand by the Agent. Failure to deliver such funds to
         the Agent within three (3) Banking Days of demand shall constitute an
         Event of Default under the Financing Documents.

            (c) At such time or times as an Operating Deficiency Reserve has
         been posted, the Borrowers may request advances from the Operating
         Reserve Deficiency Account (without eligibility for reimbursement under
         the Credit Facility) until it is exhausted.

            (h) Section 4.19 (Release of Operating Deficit Reserve) is hereby
intentionally deleted from the Financing Agreement.

            (i) The following new Section 7.34 (Capital Formation Plan) is
hereby added to the Financing Agreement:

            7.34 Capital Formation Plan.

            Not later than the close of business on September 1, 2001, the
         Borrowers shall deliver to the Lenders a written plan describing the
         amount of capital to be raised by the Borrowers, the Guarantor and
         their Affiliates and describing the methods by which such capital shall
         be raised from real estate assets and equity sources (the "Capital
         Formation Plan"). The Capital Formation Plan shall be in a form and
         with sufficient detail to allow the Lenders to analyze and evaluate
         Borrower's capital formation plans. Without limiting the generality of
         the foregoing, the Capital Formation Plan shall include detailed
         descriptions of the actions planned and the dates by which such actions
         shall be taken. The Capital Formation Plan shall demonstrate that
         $30,000,000 in capital will be raised by January 31, 2002. The
         Borrowers, the Guarantor and their Affiliates shall consummate the
         Capital Formation Plan to the extent necessary to raise $30,000,000 by
         January 31, 2002. Simultaneously with the delivery of the Capital
         Formation Plan, the Borrowers shall deliver to the Lenders a pro forma
         balance sheet, income projection and pro forma covenant compliance
         certificates in form and detail satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders
         reflecting the projected impact of successful completion of the Capital
         Formation Plan for each applicable fiscal quarter. The Borrowers shall
         also deliver to the Lenders every sixty (60)

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

         days, beginning November 1, 2001, an updated, written status report of
         steps taken in furtherance of the Capital Formation Plan since the last
         status report.

            (j) The following new Section 7.35 (Payment of Bonds) is hereby
added to the Financing Agreement:

            Section 7.35 Payment of Bonds.

            The Borrowers shall provide to the Lenders evidence by July 1, 2002
         satisfactory to the Agent that the Guarantor has repaid its convertible
         subordinated debentures due October 1, 2002 or has sufficient capital
         resources (cash and cash equivalents) to repay such convertible
         subordinated debentures prior to their maturity.

            (k) The Guarantor Certificate and Attachments 1 through 6 attached
to Exhibit E to the Financing Agreement are hereby replaced by the amended and
restated schedules attached hereto as Exhibit B to be completed by the Guarantor
and delivered to the Agent at the times required by the Financing Agreement.

         3. The agreements of the Agent under this Agreement are subject to the
following terms and conditions, time being of the essence:

            (a) Execution and delivery by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor as
applicable of each of the following documents (collectively the "Modification
Agreements"):

                (i) This Agreement;

                (ii) The Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Guaranty of
         Payment Agreement;

                (iii) A Second Amendment to Promissory Note for each of the
         Notes.

            (b) Payment by the Borrowers to the Lenders of their pro rata share
of a fee in consideration for the Modification Agreements of .125% of the Credit
Facility Committed Amount.

            (c) The Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel for the
Borrowers and Guarantor in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and all
due diligence items listed on the closing checklist.

            (d) The Borrowers have paid all costs and expenses of the agent and
the other Lenders, including, but not limited to, legal fees in connection with
the preparation and execution of Modification Agreements.

         4. Release of Claims. The Borrowers and the Guarantor, for themselves
and for each of their respective successors and assigns, hereby release and
waive all claims and/or defenses they now or hereafter may have against the
Lenders and their successors and assigns on account

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

of any occurrence relating to the Credit Facility, the Financing Documents
and/or the Property which accrued prior to the date hereof, including, but not
limited to, any claim that the Lenders (a) breached any obligation to the
Borrowers and/or the Guarantor in connection with the Credit Facility, (b) was
or is in any way involved with the Borrowers and/or the Guarantor as a partner,
joint venturer, or in any other capacity whatsoever other than as a lender, (c)
failed to fund any portion of the Loan or any other sums as required under any
document or agreement in reference thereto, or (d) failed to timely respond to
any offers to cure any defaults under any document or agreement executed by the
Borrowers, the Guarantor or any third party or parties in favor of the Lenders
(INCLUDING ANY ACT OR OMISSION CONSTITUTING, CAUSED BY OR RESULTING FROM THE
ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE LENDERS). This release and waiver shall be effective
as of the date of this Agreement and shall be binding upon the Borrowers and the
Guarantor and each of their respective successors and assigns, and shall inure
to the benefit of the Lenders and their successors and assigns. The term
"Lenders" as used herein shall include, but shall not be limited to, their
present and former officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys.

         5. Except as specifically set forth herein, the terms, provisions and
covenants of the Financing Agreement are hereby ratified and confirmed and
remain in full force and effect.

         6. This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals
or counterparts, each of such duplicate originals or counterparts shall be
deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.

         7. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to principles of
choice of law.

                         [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered under seal by their duly authorized representatives as of
the date and year first written above.

                                    BORROWER:

WITNESS/ATTEST:                     ARC CAPITAL CORPORATION II
                                    a Tennessee corporation

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
-----------------------                 ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

WITNESS/ATTEST:                     ARC CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE, INC,
                                    a Tennessee corporation

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
-----------------------                 ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

WITNESS/ATTEST:                     ARC SANTA CATALINA, INC., a Tennessee
                                    corporation

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
-----------------------                 ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

                                    AGENT:

WITNESS/ATTEST:                     WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA,
                                    as Agent for the Lenders

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
-----------------------                 ----------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                             AGREEMENT OF GUARANTOR

         The undersigned is the "Guarantor" under an Amended and Restated Master
Guaranty of Payment Agreement, dated February 11, 2000 as amended pursuant to
the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment Agreement dated
November 7, 2000 and the Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Guaranty of
Payment Agreement of even date herewith (as amended, modified, substituted,
extended and renewed from time to time, the "Guaranty"), in favor of the Agent
on behalf of the Lenders. In order to induce the Lender to enter into the
foregoing Agreement, the undersigned (a) consents to the transactions
contemplated by, and agreements made by the Borrower under, the foregoing
Agreement, and (b) ratifies, confirms and reissues the terms, conditions,
promises, covenants, grants, assignments, security agreements, agreements,
representations, warranties and provisions contained in the Guaranty, and the
other Financing Documents entered into by the Guarantor.

         WITNESS signature and seal of the undersigned as of the date of the
Agreement.

WITNESS/ATTEST:                     AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION
                                    a Tennessee corporation

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
-----------------------                 ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

                                    Exhibit A

          List of Eligible Projects Not Stabilized as of August 1, 2001

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Project Name                                    Location
      ------------                                    --------

<S>                                          <C>
1. Greenwood Village                         Greenwood Village, Colorado,
                                             Arapahoe County,

2. Homewood Residence at Boynton Beach       Boynton Beach, Florida Palm Beach
                                             County

3. Homewood Residence at Coconut Creek       Coconut Creek, Florida Broward
                                             County

4. Homewood Residence at Richmond Heights    Richmond Heights, Ohio, Cuyahoga
                                             County

5. Homewood Residence at Delray              Delray Beach, Florida, Palm Beach

6. Broadway Plaza at Pecan Park
   (Padgett Place)                           Arlington, Texas, Tarrant County

7. Homewood Residence at Shavano Park        Shavano Park, Texas, Bexar County
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   11
                                    EXHIBIT B

                              GUARANTOR CERTIFICATE

         The undersigned, being the duly elected, qualified and acting
______________ of the Guarantor, on behalf of the Guarantor, hereby certifies
and warrants that:

         1. He or she is the _____________ of the Guarantor and that, as such,
he or she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Guarantor.

         2. As of the (fiscal quarter) (fiscal year) ending as of
________________, ____:

            (a)      The Guarantor is not in default of any of the provisions of
                     the Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment dated February
                     11, 2000, as amended, modified or restated from time to
                     time;

            (b)      The Guarantor's Tangible Net Worth was $_______________ as
                     computed on Attachment 1 hereto;

            (c)      The Guarantor's ratio of Total Funded Debt to Total Capital
                     was ____% as computed on Attachment 2 hereto;

            (d)      The Guarantor's ratio of Funded Debt to Adjusted Total
                     Capital was ___% as computed on Attachment 3 hereto;

            (e)      The Guarantor's ratio of EBITDAR to Interest and Rent was
                     __________ to 1.0 on a rolling four (4) quarters basis as
                     computed on Attachment 4 hereto;

            (f)      The Guarantor's ratio of EBITDAR to Interest and Rent was
                     _____ to 1.0 on a single quarter basis as computed on
                     attached 4 hereto.

            (g)      The Guarantor's Current Ratio was _____ as computed on
                     Attachment 5 hereto.

            (h)      The value of the Guarantor's Liquid Assets was $_____ as
                     computed on Attachment 6 hereto.

            (i)      The Guarantor's Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was ____ to 1.0
                     as computed on Attachment 7 hereto.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this
certificate, this ______ day of ______________, 200_.

                                    GUARANTOR:

                                    AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION

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

<PAGE>   12

ATTACHMENT 1

                                                Period Ending:  __________, 200_
Tangible Net Worth*:

1. Net Worth                                            $__________
   less

2. (a)      all intangible assets                       $__________

   (b)      pre-opening costs, organization costs
            and deferred financing costs                $__________

   (c)      loans to or receivables from
            unconsolidated affiliates                   $__________

Actual Tangible Net Worth = $_______________

Required Tangible Net Worth = $88,000,000 as of June 30, 2001, and beginning
with the quarter ending September 30, 2001 = $88,000,000 plus 50% of Guarantor's
Net Income (if positive) of $__________, plus seventy-five percent (75%) of the
net proceeds to Guarantor of any equity capital (or equity equivalent)
securities offering received during such period ($_______ x .75 = $_________)
(subject to deductions permitted under the definition of Tangible Net Worth but
in no event less than $75,000,000).

"Tangible Net Worth" means, at any time, the sum at such time of Net Worth less
the total of (a) all assets which would be classified as intangible assets under
GAAP, including goodwill, trademarks, trademark applications, trade names,
service marks, patent applications and licenses, and deferred charges, (b)
pre-opening costs, organizational costs and deferred financing costs, and (c)
advances or loans made to or receivables from any unconsolidated affiliates of
which the Guarantor owns less than fifty percent (50%) or any stockholder of the
Guarantor or any affiliate. The following items (a) through (e) will also be
excluded from Tangible Net Worth (provided, however, that after deduction
therefor, Tangible Net Worth shall not be less than $75,000,000): (a) non-cash
"mark to market" adjustments related to the Guarantor's two existing interest
rate swap instruments obtained from J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Bank, respectively
(the "J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Swaps") not to exceed $1,200,000 in the
aggregate, net of taxes, over the life of the J. P. Morgan and SunTrust Swaps,
(b) the $1,227,000 in pre-tax loss for debt prepayment penalty and $762,000
pre-tax ordinary loss each in connection with the sale of the Rossmoor Regency
Facility, (c) the one-time $1,200,000 expense for liability insurance "nose
coverage" paid to Technical Risk, Inc., (d) any gain or loss on the sale of the
Pecan Park Facility or any other Facility identified to be sold in the Capital
Formation Plan (as defined in the Financing Agreement) during the fiscal
quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30, 2001 and (e) extraordinary losses
arising from prepayments of debt during fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2001 or
September 30, 2001. All assets classified in the Guarantor's financial
statements as leaseholds of Senior Living Facilities or leasehold acquisition
costs related to Senior Living Facilities shall be included as tangible assets
in the calculation of its Tangible Net Worth with the exception of leasehold
acquisition costs, if any, for the Senior Living Facility known as "Freedom
Plaza Peoria".

<PAGE>   13

ATTACHMENT 2

Period Ending: ______________, 200_

Ratio of Total Funded Debt to Total Capital

         1.       Total Funded Debt         $___________*

         2.       Total Capital             $___________**

Ratio:   _____%

Required Ratio:   not greater than 70%

* "Total Funded Debt" means the sum of the following but shall exclude trade and
other accounts payable in the ordinary course of business in accordance with
customary trade terms and which are not overdue (as determined in accordance
with customary trade practices) or which are being disputed in good faith by the
Guarantor and for which adequate reserves are being provided on the books of the
Guarantor in accordance with GAAP:

(a)      indebtedness for borrowed money ($______) or for the
         deferred purchase price of property, or services ($________)  $________

(b)      obligations in respect of letters of credit, banker's or other
         acceptances or similar obligations issued or created for the
         account of the Guarantor                                      $________

(c)      lease obligations which have been or should be, in accordance
         with GAAP, capitalized on the books of the Guarantor          $________

(d)      liabilities secured by any property owned by the Guarantor
         to the extent attached to the Guarantor's interest in such
         property even though Guarantor is not liable for the payment
         thereof                                                       $________

(e)      any obligation of the Guarantor or a commonly Controlled
         Entity to a Multiemployer Plan                                $________

(f)      Synthetic Lease Funded Debt (as defined in the Financing
         Agreement)                                                    $________

(g)      all liabilities of a joint venture whether such joint
         venture is consolidated or unconsolidated                     $________

(h)      Contingent Funded Debt (as defined in the Financing
         Agreement)                                                    $________

<PAGE>   14

** "Total Capital" means the sum of the following:

(a)      Net Worth                                                     $________

(b)      Total Funded Debt                                             $________

(c)      Subordinated Debt                                             $________

(d)      Value of Assets Associated with Contingent Debt               $________

<PAGE>   15

ATTACHMENT 3

Period Ending: ___________, 200__

Ratio of Funded Debt* to Adjusted Total Capital

         1.       Funded Debt                        $__________*
         2.       Adjusted Total Capital             $__________**

Ratio:   _____%

Required Ratio:   not greater than 70%

* "Funded Debt" means the sum of the following but shall exclude trade and other
accounts payable in the ordinary course of business in accordance with customary
trade terms and which are not overdue (as determined in accordance with
customary trade practices) or which are being disputed in good faith by the
Guarantor and for which adequate reserves are being provided on the books of the
Guarantor in accordance with GAAP:

(a)      indebtedness for borrowed money ($______) or for the
         deferred purchase price of property, or services ($________)  $________

(b)      obligations in respect of letters of credit, banker's or other
         acceptances or similar obligations issued or created for the
         account of the Guarantor                                      $________

(c)      lease obligations which have been or should be, in accordance
         with GAAP, capitalized on the books of the Guarantor          $________

(d)      liabilities secured by any property owned by the Guarantor
         to the extent attached to the Guarantor's interest in such
         property even though Guarantor is not liable for the payment
         thereof                                                       $________

(e)      any obligation of the Guarantor or a commonly Controlled
         Entity to a Multiemployer Plan                                $________

(f)      all liabilities of a joint venture whether such joint
         venture is consolidated or unconsolidated                     $________

** "Adjusted Total Capital" means the sum of the following:

(a)      Net Worth                                                     $________

(b)      Funded Debt                                                   $________

(c)      Subordinated Debt                                             $________

<PAGE>   16

ATTACHMENT 4

A.       Four (4) consecutive quarters ending: _______________, 200__

Ratio of EBITDAR, to Interest plus Rent

         1.       EBITDAR* $____________ (calculated as follows)

                  Net Income                 $_____________
                  Plus Net Interest          $_____________
                  Plus Taxes                 $_____________
                  Plus Depreciation          $_____________
                  Plus Amortization          $_____________
                  Plus Rent                  $_____________

         2.       Interest $__________________
                  (Interest expense [excluding amortization of prepaid financing
costs] of $_______ net of interest income of $_________ equals $______________.)

                  Rent              $_________
Total of Interest plus Rent         $_________

Ratio:   _____ to 1.0

Required Ratio:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                      Period Ending                            Ratio
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
                      June 30, 2001                        1.10 to 1.00
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                    September 30, 2001                     1.15 to 1.00
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                    December 31, 2001                      1.20 to 1.00
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                      March 31, 2002                       1.30 to 1.00
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                      June 30, 2002                        1.40 to 1.00
                 ----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

B.       One (1) quarter ending: ____________, 200__ Ratio of EBITDAR to
         Interest Plus Rent:

         1.       EBITDAR* $____________ (calculated as follows)

                  Net Income                 $_____________
                  Plus Net Interest          $_____________
                  Plus Taxes                 $_____________
                  Plus Depreciation          $_____________
                  Plus Amortization          $_____________
                  Plus Rent                  $_____________

<PAGE>   17

         2.       Interest $__________________
                  (Interest expense [excluding amortization of prepaid financing
costs] of $_______ net of interest income of $_________ equals $______________.)

                  Rent              $_________
Total of Interest plus Rent         $_________

Ratio:   _____ to 1.0

Required Ratio:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                          Period Ending                             Ratio
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>
                          June 30, 2001                         1.15 to 1.00
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                        September 30, 2001                      1.20 to 1.00
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                        December 31, 2001                       1.30 to 1.00
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                          March 31, 2002                        1.40 to 1.00
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                          June 30, 2002                         1.50 to 1.00
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*EBITDAR means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and
Rent. Any calculation of such ratio shall at all times (i) exclude non-cash
reserves for general and/or professional liability claims and the costs
associated therewith, (ii) exclude all non-cash income arising from the
contribution of assets to a joint venture, (iii) except as provided in (vi)
hereafter, include cash payments made for general and/or professional liability
claims and the costs associated therewith (iv) exclude non-cash "mark to market"
adjustments related to the J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Swaps not to exceed
$1,200,000 in the aggregate, net of taxes, over the life of the J.P. Morgan and
SunTrust Swaps, (v) exclude the $1,227,000 in pre-tax loss for debt prepayment
penalty and $762,000 pre-tax ordinary loss each in connection with the sale of
the Rossmoor Regency Facility, (vi) exclude the one-time $1,200,000 expense for
liability insurance "nose coverage" paid to Technical Risk, Inc., (vii) exclude
any gain or loss on the sale of the Pecan Park Facility or any other Facility
identified to be sold in the Capital Formation Plan (as defined in the Financing
Agreement) during the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30, 2001
and (viii) exclude extraordinary losses arising from prepayments of debt during
fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30, 2001.

<PAGE>   18

ATTACHMENT 5

Period Ending: ________, 200__

Current Ratio

         1.       Current Assets                     $____________*

         2.       Current Liabilities                $____________**

Ratio of Current assets to Current Liabilities: ____ to ____

Required Ratio: not less than 1.0 to 1.0

* "Current Assets" means at the date hereof, the amount which, in conformity
with GAAP, would be set forth opposite the caption "total current assets" (or
any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor, excluding
inventory, Prepaids (as defined by GAAP) and Restricted Cash (as defined by
GAAP).

** "Current Liabilities" means at the date hereof, the amount which, in
conformity with GAAP, would be set forth opposite the caption "total current
liabilities" (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Guarantor, excluding balloon payments of principal greater than 300% of the
regularly scheduled amortization payment in connection with such indebtedness,
provided such indebtedness is refinanced within ninety (90) days of such balloon
payment.

<PAGE>   19

ATTACHMENT 6

Period Ending: ________, 200__

Liquid Assets

Value of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities $_______________

Required Value: not less than the greater of (a) ten percent (10%) of Tangible
Net Worth (as computed on Attachment 1) or (b) $13,514,000 as of June 30, 2001
plus (c) $.50 for every $1.00 (the "Additional Required Liquidity") of net
equity capital that is invested after the date hereof by the Guarantor or its
Subsidiaries in any of the new investments described in subparts (i) through (v)
below (individually, a "New Investment" or, collectively, the "New
Investments").

         (i) acquisition of Guarantor's convertible subordinated debentures
                                                                     $__________

         (ii) voluntary prepayments of debt balances other than payments
currently scheduled or required pursuant to the terms of the documents
evidencing such indebtedness (including without limitation, prepayments
associated with the sale or refinancing of assets)                   $__________

         (iii) acquisitions of Senior Living Facilities              $__________

         (iv) the dollar amount spent on new (i.e., first initiated after the
effective dated hereof) construction either for expansion of existing or
development of new Senior Living Facilities                          $__________

         (v) the dollar amount spent to acquire the ownership of "black box"
Synthetic Lessees                                                    $__________

         The foregoing notwithstanding the following limitations shall apply to
the Additional Required Liquidity: (1) New Investments must exceed $500,000 in a
fiscal quarter in order to give rise to commensurate Additional Required
Liquidity and thereafter, the Additional Required Liquidity shall be calculated
on the amount of New Investments in excess of $500,000 in such quarter (Dollar
amount of New Investments this period $_______); and (2) in all events, the
minimum Liquid Assets requirement shall not exceed $25,000,000 (except to the
extent 10% of the Guarantor's Tangible Net Worth exceeds $25,000,000).

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following New Investments shall not
give rise to any Additional Required Liquidity: (1) the acquisition by the
Guarantor or any Subsidiary of any Senior Living Facility which is currently a
leasehold (except as provided in (v) above) (Dollar amount this period
$________); or (2) the cost of proposed expansion of the Senior Living Facility
knows as "Park Regency" (Dollar amount this period $________).

         In addition, with regard to the sale of an asset the proceeds of which
are invested in a new asset pursuant to a 1031 exchange transaction, only 50% of
the net capital in excess of the 1031 sale proceeds included in the New
Investment will be subject to the Additional Required Liquidity (Dollar amount
of Net Capital in excess of 1031 proceeds this period $__________).

<PAGE>   20

ATTACHMENT 7

Four (4) Consecutive Quarters Ending ________, 200__.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

Ratio of EBITDAR                    $________

to

Interest                            $________

plus

Scheduled or Required

Principal Payments                  $________

Rent                                $________
Total of Interest Plus
Scheduled or Required
Principal Payments Rent             $________

Ratio:  ____ to 1.0

Required Ratio: 1.05 to 1.0

*EBITDAR has been calculated in the same way as described on Attachment 4.

<PAGE>   21
                         SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND
                     RESTATED GUARANTY OF PAYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY OF PAYMENT
AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made this 8th day of August, 2001, effective as
of June 30, 2001 by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION, a Tennessee
corporation (the "Guarantor") and WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA, successor by
merger to Bank United (the "Agent") as agent for itself and the other lenders
who are or shall be from time to time participating as lenders (collectively,
the "Lenders") hereunder pursuant to the Agency Agreement dated June 8, 1999 and
October 1, 1999 or any amendment thereto (as amended, restated or substituted
from time to time the "Agency Agreement").

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Lenders have provided to ARC Capital Corporation II, a Tennessee
corporation, and the other Borrowers a credit facility (such credit facility, as
modified, increased, extended, restated or substituted, is referred to
hereinafter as the "Credit Facility" or the "Loan") in the maximum principal sum
of up to $100,000,000 or such greater amount not to exceed $150,000,000 as the
Lenders may from time to time commit to lend pursuant to any Agency Agreement.
Advances or readvances of the Loan have been made pursuant to, and secured by,
the provisions of that certain Amended and Restated Financing and Security
Agreement dated February 11, 2000 by and between the Agent and the Borrowers, as
amended pursuant to the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Financing and
Security Agreement dated November 7, 2001 and the Second Amendment to Amended
and Restated Financing and Security Agreement of even date herewith (as further
amended, restated, renewed or substituted from time to time, the "Financing
Agreement").

         B. The advances under the Loan are evidenced by promissory notes made
by one or more of the Borrowers for the benefit of each of the Lenders in the
aggregate principal sum of the then-applicable Credit Facility Committed Amount
(as amended, restated, renewed or substituted from time to time, the "Notes").
Each of the Notes has been amended pursuant to the terms of a First Amendment to
Promissory Note dated November 7, 2000 and is being amended pursuant to the
terms of a Second Amendment to Promissory Note of even date herewith. The Notes
are secured by, among other things, certain Deeds of Trust (as defined in the
Financing Agreement) from the Borrowers in favor of the Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders covering such Borrowers' interest in the Land and the Improvements
for the applicable Facility (as defined in the Financing Agreement) or certain
assignments to the Lenders of Assigned Notes secured by Deeds of Trust payable
to Borrowers in connection with Synthetic Lease Transactions and Collateral
Assignments and such other real and personal property as shall be therein more
particularly set forth (collectively, the "Property"). The Credit Facility is
evidenced, secured and guaranteed by the Financing Documents (as defined in the
Financing Agreement).

         C. The Borrowers obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed
by the Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Guaranty of
Payment Agreement dated February 11, 2000 as amended pursuant to the First
Amendment to Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment Agreement dated November
7, 2000 (the "Guaranty").

<PAGE>   22

         D. The Borrowers have requested and the Lenders have agreed to modify
certain provisions of the Financing Agreement and the Guaranty.

         E. The Lenders have required, as a condition to continuing to make
available the Credit Facility, that the Guarantor execute and deliver this
Agreement to the Agent.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower and the Agent hereby
agree as follows:

         1. The above Recitals are a part of this Agreement. Unless otherwise
expressly defined in this Agreement, terms defined in the Financing Agreement or
the Guaranty shall have the same meaning under this Agreement.

         2. The Guaranty is hereby amended as follows: Subsections (a), (d) and
(f) of Section 3.2 of the Guaranty are hereby amended and restated in their
entirety as follows:

                  (a) Minimum Tangible Net Worth. Maintain, on a consolidated
         basis with all subsidiaries, at all times during the term of the Credit
         Facility measured quarterly, a minimum Tangible Net Worth of not less
         than $88,000,000 as of June 30, 2001 and beginning with the quarter
         ending September 30, 2001 a minimum Tangible Net Worth of not less than
         the sum of $88,000,000 plus fifty percent (50%) of the Guarantor's net
         income (if positive) for each subsequent quarter plus seventy-five
         (75%) of the net cash proceeds to the Guarantor of any equity capital
         (or equity equivalent) securities offering received during such
         quarter, excluding the dollar amount of any such equity offering issued
         in connection with any acquisition, merger or business combination
         which is attributed to the purchase of the goodwill of the acquired
         entity. "Tangible Net Worth" means, at any time, the sum at such time
         of Net Worth less the total of (a) all assets which would be classified
         as intangible assets under GAAP, including goodwill, trademarks,
         trademark applications, trade names, service marks, patent applications
         and licenses, and deferred charges, (b) pre-opening costs,
         organizational costs and deferred financing costs, and (c) advances or
         loans made to or receivables from any unconsolidated affiliates of
         which the Guarantor owns less than fifty percent (50%) or any
         stockholder of the Guarantor or any affiliate. The following items (a)
         through (e) will also be excluded from Tangible Net Worth (provided,
         however, that after deduction therefor, Tangible Net Worth shall not be
         less than $75,000,000): (a) non-cash "mark to market" adjustments
         related to the Guarantor's two existing interest rate swap instruments
         obtained from J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Bank, respectively (the "J.P.
         Morgan and SunTrust Swaps") not to exceed $1,200,000 in the aggregate,
         net of taxes, over the life of the J. P. Morgan and SunTrust Swaps, (b)
         the $1,227,000 in pre-tax loss for debt prepayment penalty and $762,000
         pre-tax ordinary loss each in connection with the sale of the Rossmoor
         Regency Facility, (c) the one-time $1,200,000 expense for liability
         insurance "nose coverage" paid to Technical Risk, Inc., (d) any gain or
         loss on the sale of the Pecan Park Facility or any other Facility
         identified to be sold in the Capital Formation Plan (as defined in the
         Financing Agreement)

                                       2
<PAGE>   23
         during fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30, 2001 and
         (e) extraordinary losses arising from prepayments of debt during fiscal
         quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30, 2001. All assets
         classified in the Guarantor's financial statements as leaseholds of
         Senior Living Facilities or leasehold acquisition costs related to
         Senior Living Facilities shall be included as tangible assets in the
         calculation of its Tangible Net Worth except leasehold acquisition
         costs, if any, for the Senior Living Facility known as "Freedom Plaza
         Peoria".

                  (d) Ratio of EBITDAR to Interest and Rent. Maintain on a
         consolidated basis a minimum ratio of EBITDAR to the sum of Interest
         plus Rent as shown below for the period or periods indicated; provided,
         however, that any calculation of such ratio shall at all times (i)
         exclude non-cash reserves for general and/or professional liability
         claims and the costs associated therewith, (ii) exclude all non-cash
         income arising from the contribution of assets to a joint venture,
         (iii) except as provided in (vi) hereafter, include cash payments made
         for general and/or professional liability claims and the costs
         associated therewith, (iv) exclude non-cash "mark to market"
         adjustments related to the J.P. Morgan and SunTrust Swaps not to exceed
         $1,200,000 in the aggregate, net of taxes, over the life of the J.P.
         Morgan and SunTrust Swaps, (v) exclude the $1,227,000 in pre-tax loss
         for debt prepayment penalty and $762,000 pre-tax ordinary loss each in
         connection with the sale of the Rossmoor Regency Facility, (vi) exclude
         the one-time $1,200,000 expense for liability insurance "nose coverage"
         paid to Technical Risk, Inc., (vii) exclude any gain or loss on the
         sale of the Pecan Park Facility or any other Facility identified to be
         sold in the Capital Formation Plan (as defined in the Financing
         Agreement) during fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30,
         2001 and (viii) exclude extraordinary losses arising from prepayments
         of debt during fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2001 or September 30,
         2001.

                  (i) Measured on a rolling four (4) fiscal quarter basis as
         follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Period Ending                                Ratio
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
                  June 30, 2001                            1.10 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                September 30, 2001                         1.15 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                December 31, 2001                          1.20 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  March 31, 2002                           1.30 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  June 30, 2002                            1.40 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>   24

                  (ii) Measured on a single fiscal quarter basis as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Period Ending                                Ratio
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>
                  June 30, 2001                            1.15 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                September 30, 2001                         1.20 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                December 31, 2001                          1.30 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  March 31, 2002                           1.40 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  June 30, 2002                            1.50 to 1.00
         ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                  (f) Minimum Liquidity. Maintain on a consolidated basis Liquid
         Assets of not less than the greater of (i) (aa) ten percent (10%) of
         its Tangible Net Worth or (bb) $13,514,000 as of June 30, 2001,
         measured quarterly plus (ii) $.50 for every $1.00 (the "Additional
         Required Liquidity") of net equity capital that is invested after the
         date hereof by the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries in any of the new
         investments described in subparts (i) through (v) below (individually,
         a "New Investment" or, collectively, the "New Investments"):

                  (i) acquisition of Guarantor's convertible subordinated
         debentures,

                  (ii) voluntary prepayments of debt balances, other than
         payments currently scheduled or required pursuant to the terms of the
         documents evidencing such indebtedness (including, without limitation,
         prepayments associated with the sale or refinancing of assets),

                  (iii) acquisitions of Senior Living Facilities;

                  (iv) the dollar amount spent on new (i.e., first initiated
         after September 30, 2000) construction either for expansion of existing
         or development of new Senior Living Facilities; and

                  (v) the dollar amount of cash spent to acquire the ownership
         of "black box" Synthetic Lessees.

                  The foregoing notwithstanding, the following limitations shall
         apply to the Additional Required Liquidity: (1) New Investments must
         exceed $500,000 in a fiscal quarter in order to give rise to
         commensurate Additional Required Liquidity and thereafter, the
         Additional Required Liquidity shall be calculated on the amount of New
         Investments in excess of $500,000 in such quarter; and (2) in all
         events, the minimum Liquid Assets requirement shall not exceed
         $25,000,000 (except to the extent 10% of the Guarantor's Tangible Net
         Worth exceeds $25,000,000).

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following New Investments
         shall not give rise to any Additional Required Liquidity: (1) the
         acquisition by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary of any Senior Living
         Facility which is currently a

                                       4
<PAGE>   25

         leasehold (except as provided in Section 3.2(f)(v)); or (2) the cost of
         proposed expansion of the Senior Living Facility knows as "Park
         Regency".

                  In addition, with regard to the sale of an asset the proceeds
         of which are invested in a new asset pursuant to a 1031 exchange
         transaction, only 50% of the net capital in excess of the 1031 sale
         proceeds included in the New Investment will be subject to the
         Additional Required Liquidity.

         3. Except as specifically set forth herein, the terms, provisions and
covenants of the Guaranty are hereby ratified and confirmed and remain in full
force and effect.

         4. This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals
or counterparts, each of such duplicate originals or counterparts shall be
deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument.

                                       5
<PAGE>   26

         WITNESS the signatures and seals of the Guarantor and the Agent on
behalf of the Lenders under seal by their duly authorized representatives as of
the day and year first above written.

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                  AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION,
                                    a Tennessee corporation

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
------------------------                ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

STATE/COMMONWEALTH OF _______________
COUNTY/CITY OF ______________, TO WIT:

         I HEREBY CERTIFY, that on this ___ day of August, 2001, before me, the
undersigned Notary Public of said State/Commonwealth, personally appeared George
T. Hicks, who acknowledged himself to be the Executive Vice President of
American Retirement Corporation, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be
the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged
that he executed the same for the purposes therein contained as the duly
authorized officer of said corporation by signing the name of the corporation by
himself as Executive Vice President.

         WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal.

                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Notary Public

My Commission Expires:

                                       6
<PAGE>   27

WITNESS:                            WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA,
                                    as Agent on behalf of the Lenders

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
------------------------                ----------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

STATE/COMMONWEALTH OF _______________
COUNTY/CITY OF ______________, TO WIT:

         I HEREBY CERTIFY, that on this ___ day of August, 2001, before me, the
undersigned Notary Public of said State/Commonwealth, personally appeared
____________________, who acknowledged himself to be the ______________________
of Washington Mutual Bank, FA, known to me (or satisfactorily proven) to be the
person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument, and acknowledged that
he executed the same for the purposes therein contained as the duly authorized
officer of said bank by signing the name of the bank by himself as ____________.

         WITNESS my hand and Notarial Seal.

                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Notary Public

                                       7

<PAGE>   28
                       SECOND AMENDMENT TO PROMISSORY NOTE

         THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO PROMISSORY NOTE (this "Agreement") is made as
of August 8, 2001, but shall be effective as of June 30, 2001 by ARC CAPITAL
CORPORATION II, a Tennessee corporation, ARC SANTA CATALINA, INC., a Tennessee
corporation and ARC CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE, INC, a Tennessee corporation
(collectively, the "Borrowers") and WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA, successor by
merger to Bank United (the "Lender").

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Borrowers and the Lender are parties to that certain Amended and
Restated Financing and Security Agreement dated February 11, 2000 by and between
Bank United as Agent, the Lenders party thereto and the Borrowers (the
"Financing Agreement") pursuant to which the Lenders party thereto extended to
the Borrowers a credit facility (such credit facility, as modified, increased,
extended, restated or substituted, is referred to hereinafter as the "Loan") in
the maximum principal sum of up to $100,000,000 or such greater amount not to
exceed $150,000,000 as the Lenders may from time to time commit to lend pursuant
to any Agency Agreement (as defined in the Financing Agreement).

         B. The advances of the Loan made by the Lender are evidenced by the
Borrowers' Promissory Note dated June 8, 1999 as amended pursuant to the First
Amendment to Promissory Note dated November 7, 2000 (the same, as further
amended, modified, restated, substituted, extended, and renewed from time to
time, the "Note").

         C. The Borrowers have requested modifications to certain provisions of
the Financing Agreement and the Guaranty.

         D. The Agent and the Lenders have agreed to modify certain provisions
of the Financing Agreement and the Guaranty on the condition, among others, that
the Borrowers execute and deliver this Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENTS

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the mutual agreements
herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrowers and the Lender
hereby agree as follows:

         1. The Borrowers and the Lender agree that the Recitals above are a
part of this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Agreement,
terms defined in the Financing Agreement shall have the same meaning under this
Agreement.

         2. Section 1 (Interest) of the Note is hereby amended and restated in
its entirety effective as of August 1, 2001:

<PAGE>   29

                  "1. Interest.

                  Interest on the outstanding Principal Sum shall accrue and be
         calculated based upon the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Financing
         Agreement) for periods of thirty (30) days each (each a "Eurodollar
         Period"), which rate shall be adjusted for any Federal Reserve Board
         reserve requirements imposed upon the Lender from time to time, plus
         the then applicable Interest Rate Margin (as defined in the Financing
         Agreement) determined pursuant to the terms of the Financing Agreement
         but in no event shall the interest rate payable hereunder be less than
         6.75% per annum. Interest shall be computed for the actual number of
         days which have elapsed from the date of each advance of a portion of
         the Principal Sum calculated on the basis of a 360-day year. The
         Eurodollar Rate and the rate of interest applicable to this Note shall
         be determined on the date of this Note and shall be in effect to the
         end of and including such calendar month and shall be recalculated on
         the first (1st) day of each successive calendar month and remain in
         effect to and including the last date of each such calendar month."

         3. Section 2(d) of the Note is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:

                  (d) Unless otherwise extended pursuant to terms hereof, the
         Credit Facility shall mature and the entire outstanding principal
         balance of the Loan, together with all accrued and unpaid interest
         thereon, shall be due and payable on August 2, 2002 (the "Maturity
         Date").

         4. The Borrowers and the Lender agree that this Agreement is not
intended to and shall not cause a novation with respect to the Loan and/or any
or all of the other obligations evidenced or secured by the Financing Documents
(as defined in the Financing Agreement). Except as expressly modified herein,
the terms, provisions and covenants of the Note are in all other respects hereby
ratified and confirmed and remain in full force and effect.

         5. This Agreement may be executed in any number of duplicate originals
or counterparts, each of such duplicate originals or counterparts shall be
deemed to be an original and all taken together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument. The Borrowers agree that the Lender may rely on a telecopy of
any signature of any Borrower. The Lender agrees that the Borrower may rely on a
telecopy of this Agreement executed by the Lender.

                         [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

                                       2
<PAGE>   30

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed and sealed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.

WITNESS:                            WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA,
                                    successor by merger to Bank United

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
------------------------                ----------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

WITNESS OR ATTEST:                  ARC CAPITAL CORPORATION II

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
------------------------                ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

WITNESS:                            ARC CARRIAGE CLUB OF JACKSONVILLE, INC.

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
------------------------                ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

WITNESS/ATTEST:                     ARC SANTA CATALINA, INC., a Tennessee
                                    corporation

                                    By:                                   (SEAL)
------------------------                ----------------------------------
                                        George T. Hicks
                                        Executive Vice President

                                       3

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