Document:

Exhibit 10.8

                    CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

                             MATRIX BANCORP, INC.

                          Dated as of March 28, 2001

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                              TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.....................................1

      SECTION 1.1.  Definitions and Interpretation...........................1

ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT...............................................5

      SECTION 2.1.  Trust Indenture Act; Application.........................5
      SECTION 2.2.  Lists of Holders of Securities...........................5
      SECTION 2.3.  Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee......5
      SECTION 2.4.  Periodic Reports.........................................6
      SECTION 2.5.  Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent.........6
      SECTION 2.6.  Waiver of Events of Default..............................6
      SECTION 2.7.  Notice of Events of Default..............................6
      SECTION 2.8.  Conflicting Interests....................................7

ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE
      TRUSTEE................................................................7

      SECTION 3.1.  Powers and Duties of the Capital Securities Guarantee
                     Trustee.................................................7
      SECTION 3.2.  Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee...9
      SECTION 3.3.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Capital
                     Securities Guarantee...................................11

ARTICLE IV CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE.............................11

      SECTION 4.1.  Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.......11
      SECTION 4.2.  Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Capital
                     Securities Guarantee Trustee...........................11

ARTICLE V GUARANTEE.........................................................12

      SECTION 5.1.  Guarantee...............................................12
      SECTION 5.2.  Waiver of Notice and Demand.............................12
      SECTION 5.3.  Obligations Not Affected................................13
      SECTION 5.4.  Rights of Holders.......................................13
      SECTION 5.5.  Guarantee of Payment....................................14
      SECTION 5.6.  Subrogation.............................................14
      SECTION 5.7.  Independent Obligations.................................14

ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION........................14

      SECTION 6.1.  Limitation of Transactions..............................14
      SECTION 6.2.  Ranking.................................................15
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ARTICLE VII TERMINATION.....................................................16

      SECTION 7.1.  Termination.............................................16

ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION................................................16

      SECTION 8.1.  Exculpation.............................................16
      SECTION 8.2.  Compensation and Indemnification........................16

ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS....................................................17

      SECTION 9.1.  Successors and Assigns..................................17
      SECTION 9.2.  Amendments..............................................17
      SECTION 9.3.  Notices.................................................17
      SECTION 9.4.  Benefit.................................................18
      SECTION 9.5.  Governing Law...........................................19

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CROSS REFERENCE TABLE*

  Section of Trust
  Indenture Act of                                          Section of Guarantee
  1939, as amended                                             Agreement
  ----------------                                          --------------------

    310(a)      ..............................................      4.1(a)
    310(b)      ..............................................    2.8, 4.1(c)
    310(c)      ..............................................        N/A
    311(a)      ..............................................      2.2(b)
    311(b)      ..............................................      2.2(b)
    311 (c)     ..............................................        N/A
    312(a)      ..............................................      2.2(a)
    312(b)      ..............................................      2.2(b)
    312 (c)     ..............................................        N/A
      313       ..............................................        2.3
    314(a)      ..............................................        2.4
    314(b)      ..............................................        N/A
    314(c)      ..............................................        2.5
    314(d)      ..............................................        N/A
    314(e)      ..............................................   1.1, 2.5, 3.2
    314(f)      ..............................................     2.1, 3.2
    315(a)      ..............................................  3.1(d), 3.2(a)
    315(b)      ..............................................        2.7
    315(c)      ..............................................      3.1(c)
    315(d)      ............................................. 3.1(d),3.2(a), 8.1
    315(e)     ...............................................        N/A
    316(a)      ..............................................   1.1, 2.6, 5.4
    316(b)      ..............................................     5.3, 5.4
    316(c)      ..............................................        9.2
    317(a)      ..............................................        N/A
    317(b)      ..............................................        N/A
    318(a)      ..............................................      2.1(a)
    318(b)      ..............................................      2.1(b)
    318(c)      ..............................................      2.1(b)
--------------------------------
*   This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of this Guarantee
    Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its
    terms or provisions.

<PAGE>

                    CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

      This CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Capital Securities
Guarantee"), dated as of March 28, 2001 is executed and delivered by Matrix
Bancorp, Inc., a Colorado corporation (the "Guarantor"), and Wilmington Trust
Company, a Delaware banking corporation, as trustee (the "Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee" or "Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined
herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of
Matrix Bancorp Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust (the
"Issuer").

      WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the
"Declaration"), dated as of March 28, 2001, by and among the trustees of the
Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as sponsor, and the Holders from time to
time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer
(i) is issuing on the date hereof 12,000 capital securities, having an aggregate
liquidation amount of $12,000,000, such capital securities being designated the
10.18% MMCapSSM (collectively, the "Capital Securities").

      WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital Securities,
the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent
set forth in this Capital Securities Guarantee, to pay the Guarantee Payments
(as defined herein) to the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the Guarantor
agrees to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth
herein.

      WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering the Common
Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2001 (the "Common
Securities Guarantee"), for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities
(as defined herein), the terms of which provide that if an Event of Default (as
defined in the Declaration) has occurred and is continuing, the rights of
holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the extent and in the manner set forth
in the Common Securities Guarantee, to the rights of Holders of the Capital
Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Capital Securities
Guarantee.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Capital
Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby acknowledges shall benefit the
Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Capital Securities Guarantee
for the benefit of such Holders.

                                   ARTICLE I
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

SECTION 1.1.      Definitions and Interpretation

      In this Capital Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise
requires:

      (a) capitalized terms used in this Capital Securities Guarantee but not
defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in
this Section 1.1;
<PAGE>

      (b) terms defined in the Declaration as in effect at the date of execution
of this Capital Securities Guarantee have the same meaning when used in this
Capital Securities Guarantee unless otherwise defined in this Capital Securities
Guarantee;

      (c) a term defined anywhere in this Capital Securities Guarantee has the
same meaning throughout;

      (d) all references to "the Capital Securities Guarantee" or "this Capital
Securities Guarantee" are to this Capital Securities Guarantee as modified,
supplemented or amended from time to time;

      (e) all references in this Capital Securities Guarantee to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Capital Securities Guarantee,
unless otherwise specified;

      (f) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when
used in this Capital Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this
Capital Securities Guarantee, or unless the context otherwise requires; and

      (g) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa.

      "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder.

      "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a
day on which banking institutions in Wilmington, Delaware, Denver, Colorado or
New York, New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to
remain closed.

      "Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" shall mean Wilmington Trust
Company, as Trustee under the Capital Securities Guarantee, until a Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment pursuant to the terms of this Capital Securities Guarantee and
thereafter means each such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

      "Common Securities" shall mean the securities representing common
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer.

      "Corporate Trust Office" shall mean the office of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be
principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this
Agreement is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street,
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration.

      "Covered Person" shall mean any Holder or beneficial owner of Capital
Securities.

      "Debentures" shall mean the series of subordinated debt securities of the
Guarantor designated the 10.18% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest
Debentures due June 8, 2031, held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the
Declaration) of the Issuer.
<PAGE>

      "Event of Default" shall mean a default by the Guarantor on any of its
payment or other obligations under this Capital Securities Guarantee;
provided, however, that, except with respect to default in respect of any
Guarantee Payment, no default by the Guarantor hereunder shall constitute an
Event of Default unless the Guarantor shall have received written notice of the
default and shall not have cured such default within 60 days after receipt
thereof.

      "Guarantee Payments" shall mean the following payments or distributions,
without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not
paid or made by or on behalf of the Issuer: (i) any accumulated and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on
such Capital Securities, to the extent the Issuer has funds legally available
therefor at such time, (ii) the redemption price, including all accumulated and
unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price"), to the
extent the Issuer has funds legally available therefor at such time, with
respect to any Capital Securities called for redemption, and (iii) upon a
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Issuer
(other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in
exchange for Capital Securities or in connection with the redemption of the
Capital Securities, in each case as provided in the Declaration),the lesser of
(a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accumulated and unpaid
Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent
the Issuer has funds legally available therefor at such time, and (b) the amount
of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to the Holders
after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by
applicable law (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution"). If an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantee Payments under the Common
Securities Guarantee with respect to the Common Securities or any guarantee
payment under the Common Securities   Guarantee or any Other Common Securities
Guarantee shall be made until the Holders of the Capital Securities shall be
paid in full the Guarantee Payments to which they are entitled under this
Capital Securities Guarantee.

      "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of
the Issuer, of any Capital Securities; provided, however, that, in determining
whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given
any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the
Guarantor or any Person actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee to be an Affiliate of the Guarantor.

      "Indemnified Person" shall mean the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
(including in its individual capacity), any Affiliate of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners,
employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee.

      "Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of March 28, 2001, between
Matrix Bancorp, Inc., as issuer of Debentures (the "Debenture Issuer"), and
Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, pursuant to which the Debentures are to be
issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer.

      "Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities" shall mean,
except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of the
Capital Securities, voting
<PAGE>

separately as a class, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount
(including the amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or
otherwise, plus accumulated and unpaid Distributions to but excluding the date
upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Capital
Securities, excluding Capital Securities held by the Guarantor, the Issuer or
any Affiliate thereof.

      "Officers' Certificate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
an Executive or Senior Vice President, a Vice President, the Chief Financial
Officer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any Officers' Certificate
delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for
in this Capital Securities Guarantee shall include:

      (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has
read the covenants or conditions and the definitions relating thereto;

      (b) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or
investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer
to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
has been complied with; and

      (c) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such officer,
such condition or covenant has been complied with.

      "Other Common Securities Guarantees" shall have the same meaning as "Other
Guarantees" in the Common Securities Guarantee.

      "Other Debentures" shall mean all junior subordinated debentures, other
than the Debentures, issued by the Guarantor, from time to time, and sold to
trusts other than the Issuer to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in
each case similar to the Issuer.

      "Other Guarantees" shall mean all guarantees, other than this Capital
Securities Guarantee, to be issued by the Guarantor with respect to capital
securities (if any) similar to the Capital Securities, issued by trusts other
than the Issuer to be established by the Guarantor (if any), in each case
similar to the Issuer.

      "Person" shall mean a legal person, including any individual, corporation,
estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature.

      "Responsible Officer" shall mean, with respect to a Person, any officer
with direct responsibility for the administration of any matters relating to
this Capital Securities Guarantee.

      "Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee" shall mean a successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1.

      "Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended.
<PAGE>

      "Trust Securities" shall mean the Common Securities and the Capital
Securities, collectively.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1.      Trust Indenture Act; Application

      (a) This Capital Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Capital Securities
Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

      (b) If and to the extent that any provision of this Capital Securities
Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 310
to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall
control. If any provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee modifies or
excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or
excluded, the modified or excluded provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be
deemed to apply to this Capital Securities Guarantee as so modified or excluded,
as the case may be.

SECTION 2.2.      Lists of Holders of Securities

      (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
(unless the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is otherwise the registrar of
the Capital Securities) with a list, in such form as the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the
Holders of the Capital Securities ("List of Holders") (i) as of the record date,
within fourteen (14) days after such record date for payment of Distributions
(as defined in the Declaration), and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of
receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date
no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not be
obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does
not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may
destroy any List of Holders previously given to it upon receipt of a new List of
Holders.

      (b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its
obligations under Sections 31l(a), 31l(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 2.3.      Reports by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee

      Within 60 days after the date hereof, and no later than the anniversary
date hereof in each succeeding year, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
shall provide to the Holders of the Capital Securities such reports as are
required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in
the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section
313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act.
<PAGE>

SECTION 2.4.      Periodic Reports

      The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such documents, reports and information as are required by Section 314 (if any)
and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture
Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the
Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is for informational purposes, only and the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute
constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from
information contained therein, including the Guarantor's compliance with any of
its covenants hereunder (as to which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee is
entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

SECTION 2.5.      Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent

      The Guarantor shall provide to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such evidence of compliance with the conditions precedent, if any, provided for
in this Capital Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth
in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion
required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in
the form of an Officers' Certificate.

SECTION 2.6.      Waiver of Events of Default

      The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital Securities
may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive
any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event
of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom
shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Capital Securities
Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or
Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 2.7.      Notice of Events of Default

      (a) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall, within 10 Business
Days after the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has knowledge of the
occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Capital Securities
Guarantee, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to all Holders of the
Capital Securities, notices of all such Events of Default, unless such Events of
Default have been cured before the giving of such notice; provided, however,
that, except in the case of an Event of Default arising from the non-payment of
any Guarantee Payment, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Capital
Securities.

      (b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall have received written notice, or a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the
Declaration shall have actual knowledge, of such Event of Default.
<PAGE>

SECTION 2.8.      Conflicting Interests

      The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this
Capital Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso
contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

                                  ARTICLE III

                          POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF
                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 3.1.      Powers  and  Duties of the  Capital  Securities  Guarantee
                  Trustee

      (a) This Capital Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital
Securities, and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
Capital Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of the Capital
Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a
Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and succession of title
shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and
delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee.

      (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Capital Securities Guarantee for
the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.

      (c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any
Event of Default (of which, other than a default in respect of any Guarantee
Payment, a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and
after the curing of all such Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be
read into this Capital Securities Guarantee against the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been
cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible
Officer of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by
this Capital Securities Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in
its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

      (d) No provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee shall be construed
to relieve the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
<PAGE>

      (i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default (of which, other than
a default in respect of any Guarantee Payment, a Responsible Officer of the
Property Trustee has actual knowledge) and after the curing or waiving of all
such Events of Default that may have occurred:

      (A) the duties and obligations of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Capital Securities
Guarantee, and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically
set forth in this Capital Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Capital Securities Guarantee against the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; and

      (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may conclusively
rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Capital
Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that in the case of any such
certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required
to be furnished to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to
determine whether or not on their face they conform to the requirements of this
Capital Securities Guarantee;

      (ii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any
errors of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee or such Responsible Officer was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made;

      (iii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with
respect to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the direction of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount
of the Capital Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee under this Capital Securities Guarantee; and

      (iv) no provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee shall require the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its
duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that
the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under
the terms of this Capital Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably
satisfactory to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or
liability is not reasonably assured to it.
<PAGE>

SECTION 3.2.      Certain Rights of Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee

(a)   Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1:

      (i) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and
shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice,
request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties;

      (ii) any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Capital
Securities Guarantee may be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate;

      (iii) whenever, in the administration of this Capital Securities
Guarantee, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that
a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any
action hereunder, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (unless other
evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on
its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate, which,
upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor;

      (iv) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to
any recording, filing or registration of any instrument or other document (or
any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof);

      (v) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of
its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal
matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
accordance with such advice or opinion; and such counsel may be counsel to the
Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees; and the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek
instructions concerning the administration of this Capital Securities Guarantee
from any court of competent jurisdiction;

      (vi) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation
to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Capital Securities
Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall
have provided to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee such security and
indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee,
against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the
expenses of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or
custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such
request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, provided, however, that nothing
contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its
obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Capital
Securities Guarantee;
<PAGE>

      (vii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have no obligation to
make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution,
certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other
paper or document, but the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, in its
discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
matters as it may see fit;

      (viii) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by
or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on
the part of any such person appointed with due care by it hereunder;

      (ix) any action taken by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or its
agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the
signature of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall
be sufficient and effective to perform any such action; and no third party shall
be required to inquire as to the authority of the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions
of this Capital Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively
evidenced by the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking
such action;

      (x) whenever in the administration of this Capital Securities Guarantee
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive
instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other
action hereunder, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee (i) may request
instructions from the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such
other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected
in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions; and

      (xi) the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any
action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith, without
negligence, and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the
discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Capital Securities
Guarantee.

      (b) No provision of this Capital Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to
perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation
conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or
in which the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or
incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts
or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or
authority available to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be
construed to be a duty.
<PAGE>

SECTION 3.3.      Not  Responsible  for  Recitals  or  Issuance  of  Capital
                  Securities Guarantee

      The recitals contained in this Capital Securities Guarantee shall be taken
as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of
this Capital Securities Guarantee.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                      CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

SECTION 4.1.      Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

      (a) There shall at all times be a Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
that shall

          (i)  not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and

          (ii) be a corporation or other Person organized and doing business
     under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory
     thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person
     permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an indenture
     trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to
     exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of
     at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to
     supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial or District of
     Columbia authority; it being understood that if such corporation or other
     Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or
     to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to
     above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii) to the extent
     permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of
     such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
     set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.

      (b) If at any time the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall cease to
be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in
Section 4.2(c).

      (c) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust
Indenture Act, the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in
all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act.

SECTION 4.2.      Appointment,  Removal and Resignation of Capital Securities
                  Guarantee Trustee

      (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except
during an Event of Default.
<PAGE>

      (b) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written
instrument executed by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and
delivered to the Guarantor.

      (c) The Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall hold office until a
Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed,
subject to Section 4.1, or until its removal or resignation. The Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or
subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation
shall not take effect until a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee has
been appointed, subject to Section 4.1, and has accepted such appointment by
instrument in writing executed by such Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee.

      (d) If no Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60
days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if
any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee.

      (e) No Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts
or omissions to act of any Successor Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.

      (f) Upon termination of this Capital Securities Guarantee or removal or
resignation of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section
4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee all
amounts due to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee accrued to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    GUARANTEE

SECTION 5.1.      Guarantee

      The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the
Holders the Guarantee   Payments   (without   duplication   of amounts
theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense,
right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The
Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct
payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing
the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders.

SECTION 5.2.      Waiver of Notice and Demand

      The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Capital
Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply,
presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against
the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the
<PAGE>

Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of
redemption and all other notices and demands.

SECTION 5.3.      Obligations Not Affected

      The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under
this Capital Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by
reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following:

      (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the
performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement,
covenant, term or condition relating to the Capital Securities to be performed
or observed by the Issuer;

      (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any
portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any
other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities or the extension of
time for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in
connection with, the Capital Securities;

      (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the
Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy
conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Capital Securities, or any
action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;

      (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any
collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of
creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of,
or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the
Issuer;

      (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Capital Securities;

      (f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or
hereby incurred; or

      (g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor;

it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor
with respect to the Guarantee Payments shall be absolute and unconditional under
any and all circumstances.

      There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain
consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing.

SECTION 5.4.      Rights of Holders

      (a) The Holders of a Majority in Liquidation Amount of the Capital
Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
in respect of this Capital Securities
<PAGE>

Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee under this Capital Securities Guarantee.

      (b) If the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce this
Capital Securities Guarantee, any Holder of the Capital Securities may institute
a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Capital Securities Guarantee,
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the
rights of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee to enforce this Guarantee
Agreement, if the Guarantor has failed to make a Guarantee Payment, any Holder
of the Capital Securities may directly institute a proceeding against the
Guarantor for enforcement of this Capital Securities Guarantee for such payment,
without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Capital
Securities Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives
any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the
Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the
Guarantor.

SECTION 5.5.      Guarantee of Payment

      This Capital Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not
of collection.

SECTION 5.6.      Subrogation

      The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of
Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such
Holders by the Guarantor under this Capital Securities Guarantee; provided,
however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by
mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that
it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Capital Securities
Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid
under this Capital Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the
Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold
such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.

SECTION 5.7.      Independent Obligations

      The Guarantor   acknowledges   that its   obligations   hereunder
are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital
Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Capital
Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in
subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                    LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

SECTION 6.1.      Limitation of Transactions

      So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, the Guarantor shall
not (i) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase,
acquire, or make a liquidation
<PAGE>

payment with respect to, any of the Guarantor's capital stock, (ii) make any
payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase
or redeem any debt securities of the Guarantor (including Other Debentures) that
rank pari passu with or junior in right of payment to the Debentures or (iii)
make any guarantee payments with respect to any guarantee by the Guarantor of
the debt securities of any subsidiary of the Guarantor (including Other
Guarantees) if such guarantee ranks pari passu with or junior in right of
payment to the Debentures (other than (a) dividends or distributions in shares
of, or options, warrants, rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, common
stock of the Guarantor, (b) any declaration of a dividend in connection with the
implementation of a stockholders' rights plan, or the issuance of stock under
any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights
pursuant thereto, (c) payments under this Capital Securities Guarantee, (d) as a
result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or
the conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for
another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock, (e) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being
converted or exchanged, and (f) purchases of common stock related to the
issuance of common stock or rights under any of the Guarantor's benefit or
compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees or any of the
Guarantor's dividend reinvestment plans) if at such time (l) there shall have
occurred any event of which the Guarantor has actual knowledge that (A) is a
Default or Event of Default (each as defined in the Indenture) and (B) in
respect of which the Guarantor shall not have taken reasonable steps to cure,
(2) the Debentures are held by the Property Trustee, the Guarantor shall be in
default with respect to its payment of any obligations under this Capital
Securities Guarantee or (3) the Guarantor shall have given notice of its
election of the exercise of its right to commence an Extended Interest Payment
Period as provided in the Indenture and shall not have rescinded such notice,
and such Extended Interest Payment Period, or an extension thereof, shall have
commenced and be continuing.

SECTION 6.2.      Ranking

      This Capital   Securities   Guarantee will   constitute an unsecured
obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Allocable Amounts (as defined in the Indenture) in respect of
Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture), to the same extent and in the
same manner that the   Debentures are   subordinated   to Senior
Indebtedness pursuant to the Indenture, it being understood that the terms of
Article XV of the Indenture shall apply to the obligations of the Guarantor
under this Capital Securities Guarantee as if such Article XV were set forth
herein in full, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference
stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any Other Guarantee and,
except to the extent set forth therein, the Common Securities Guarantee, any
Other Common Securities Guarantee, and any guarantee now or hereafter entered
into by the Guarantor in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any
Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's common stock.
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                   TERMINATION

SECTION 7.1.      Termination

      This Capital Securities Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further
force and effect upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Capital
Securities, (ii) dissolution, winding up or liquidation of the Issuer,
immediately following the full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with
the Declaration, or (iii) the distribution of all of the Debentures to the
Holders of the Trust Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Capital
Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore
payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or under this Capital
Securities Guarantee.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 8.1.      Exculpation

      (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in
damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage
or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such
Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Capital Securities
Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be
within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this
Capital Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall
be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such
Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts
or omissions.

      (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good
faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the
Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's
professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care
by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or
statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits,
losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from
which Distributions to Holders of Capital Securities might properly be paid.

SECTION 8.2.      Compensation and Indemnification

      The Guarantor agrees to pay to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee
such compensation for its services as shall be mutually agreed upon by the
Guarantor and the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee. The Guarantor shall
reimburse the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee upon request for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it, including the reasonable
compensation and expenses of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee's agents
and counsel, except any expense as may be attributable to the negligence or bad
faith of the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee.
<PAGE>

      The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold
each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage,
action, suit, claim or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its
part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of
the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or
investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The provisions of this
Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Capital Securities Guarantee
and shall survive the resignation or removal of the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.1.      Successors and Assigns

      All guarantees and agreements contained in this Capital Securities
Guarantee shall bind the successors,   assigns, receivers, trustees and
representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders
of the Capital Securities then outstanding.

SECTION 9.2.      Amendments
                  -----------

      Except with respect to any changes that do not materially adversely affect
the rights of Holders of the Capital Securities (in which case no consent of
such Holders will be required), this Capital Securities Guarantee may only be
amended with the prior approval of the Holders of a Majority in Liquidation
Amount of the Capital Securities. The provisions of Section 12.2 of the
Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Trust Securities apply to
the giving of such approval. This Capital Securities Guarantee may not be
amended, and no amendment hereof that affects the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee's rights, duties or immunities hereunder or otherwise, shall be
effective, unless such amendment is executed by the Capital Securities Guarantee
Trustee (which shall have no obligation to execute any such amendment, but may
do so in its sole discretion).

SECTION 9.3.      Notices

      All notices provided for in this Capital Securities Guarantee shall be in
writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:

      (a) If given to the Issuer, in care of the Administrative Trustee at the
Issuer's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Issuer
may give notice of to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Holders
of the Capital Securities):
<PAGE>

            Matrix Bancorp Capital Trust II
            c/o Matrix Bancorp, Inc.
            1380 Lawrence Street
            Suite 1400
            Denver, Colorado 80204
            Telephone: (303) 595-9898
            Telecopier: (303) 390-0952

If given to the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee, at the Capital Securities
Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as
the Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of
the Capital Securities):

            Wilmington Trust Company
            Rodney Square North
            1100 North Market Street
            Wilmington, Delaware  19890-0001
            Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration
            Telephone: (302) 651-1000
            Telecopier: (302) 651-8882

      (b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set
forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the
Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee and the Holders of the Capital Securities):

            Matrix Bancorp, Inc.
            1380 Lawrence Street
            Suite 1400
            Denver, Colorado
            Telephone: (303) 595-9898
            Telecopier: (303) 390-0952

      (c) If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at the address set
forth on the books and records of the Issuer.

      All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in
person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or
cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given,
such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date
of such refusal or inability to deliver.

SECTION 9.4.      Benefit

      This Capital Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders
of the Capital Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately
transferable from the Capital Securities.
<PAGE>

SECTION 9.5.      Governing Law

      THIS CAPITAL SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD
TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

<PAGE>

      This Capital Securities Guarantee is executed as of the day and year first
above written.

                                 MATRIX BANCORP, INC.,
                                 as Guarantor

                                 By:
                                   ------------------------------------
                                    Richard V. Schmitz
                                    Chairman of the Board

                                 WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY,
                                 as Capital Securities Guarantee Trustee

                                 By:
                                    ------------------------------------------
                                    Name:
                                    Title:Exhibit 10.13

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of March 24, 2001, is
entered into between Bio-Medical Automation, Inc. (the "Company" or
"Bio-Medical"), located at 10 South Street, Suite 202, Ridgefield, Connecticut
06877, and Steven N. Bronson ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              ---------------------

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Employee and to be assured of
his services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

     WHEREAS, the Employee is willing to accept such employment on such terms
and conditions.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set
forth in this Agreement, the Company and the Employee hereby agree as follows:

1. Employment. The Company hereby employs the Employee as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and the Employee accepts
such employment, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on March 25, 2001, and
terminate on March 24, 2002 (the "Term"), subject to earlier termination
pursuant to the provisions of Section 7 hereof.

3. Duties. During the term of this Agreement, the Employee shall serve as the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and shall perform all
duties commensurate with his position (including, but not limited to, those
heretofore performed by the Employee) and as may be assigned to him by the Board
of Directors of the Company and subject to the control of the Board of Directors
of the Company. It is understood that Employee will not devote his full business
time and energies to the business and affairs of the Company, however Employee
shall use his best efforts, skills and abilities to promote the interests of the
Company and to diligently and competently perform the duties of his position.

4. Compensation, Benefits, Options and Incentive Bonus.

     4.1 Base Salary. During the term of this Agreement, as compensation for the
proper and satisfactory performance of all duties to be performed by Employee
hereunder, the Company shall pay to Employee a base salary of $48,000.00 per
annum for the term of this Employment Agreement, payable in equal bi-weekly
installments of $2,000.00 each, payable on the first and fifteenth day of each

<PAGE>

month, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, Social
Security, and other employee taxes.

     4.2 Bonus Compensation. Employee shall be entitled to earn and receive
bonus compensation provided that certain performance goals are achieved by the
Company. Bonuses shall be granted in accordance with a bonus plan to be adopted
by the Company, the terms and conditions of which shall be determined by the
Board of Directors of Bio-Medical.

     4.3 Employee Benefit Plans. At all times during the term of this Agreement
the Employee shall be provided the opportunity to participate in all health,
pension and welfare plans, programs and benefits (the "Plans") offered generally
to all employees of Bio-Medical.

5. Reimbursement of Business Expenses. During the term of this Agreement, upon
submission of proper invoices, receipts or other supporting documentation
satisfactory to the Company and in specific accordance with such guidelines as
may be established from time to time by the Company's Board of Directors, the
Employee shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable business expenses
actually and necessarily incurred by the Employee on behalf of the Company in
connection with the performance of services under this Agreement.

6. Representations.

     6.1 Employability. The Employee represents and warrants that he is not
party to, or bound by, any agreement or commitment, or subject to any
restriction, including, but not limited to agreements related to previous
employment containing confidentiality or non-compete covenants, which in the
future may have a possibility of adversely affecting the business of the Company
or the performance by the Employee of his duties under this Agreement.

     6.2 Awareness of Certain Employment Regulations. The Employee represents
and warrants that he is aware that there are laws and regulations that prohibit
discrimination in the workplace based upon, among other things, race, religion,
gender, and national origin such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
42 U.S.C. Section 2000e et. seq., and similar laws adopted by the states (the
"Discrimination Laws"). Employee represents and warrants that he will abide by
the Discrimination Laws in the performance of his duties under this Agreement.
The Employee, further, represents and warrants that if he becomes aware of any
violation or potential violation of the Discrimination Laws that he will
immediately notify the Company, in writing, of any such violation or potential
violation of the Discrimination Laws.

<PAGE>

7. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated prior to the expiration of the
Term set forth in Section 2 upon the occurrence of any of the events set forth
in, and subject to the terms of, this Section 7.

(a) Death. This Agreement will terminate immediately and automatically upon the
death of the Employee.

(b) Disability. This Agreement may be terminated at the Company's option,
immediately upon notice to the Employee, if the Employee shall suffer a
permanent disability. For the purposes of this Agreement, the term "permanent
disability" shall mean the Employee's inability to perform his duties under this
Agreement for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days due to illness, accident
or any other physical or mental incapacity, as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company. In the event that a dispute arises with respect to the
disability of the Employee, the parties shall each select a duly licensed
medical doctor to make such a determination. If the two doctors so selected
cannot agree on a determination, they will mutually select a third duly licensed
medical doctor and the decision of the majority of the three doctors will be
binding.

(c) Cause. This Agreement may be terminated at the Company's option, immediately
upon notice to the Employee, upon: (1) breach by the Employee of any material
provision of this Agreement; (2) breach by the Employee of any fiduciary duty to
the Company, or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries; (3) gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Employee in connection with the performance of his
duties under this Agreement; (4) Employee's failure to perform (i) any of his
duties or responsibilities required pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) any
reasonable directive of the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors of the
Company; (5) fraud, criminal conduct, dishonesty or embezzlement by the
Employee; or (6) Employee's misappropriation for personal use of any assets
(having in excess of nominal value) or business opportunities of the Company;
provided that in any such case with respect to any such breach that is capable
of being cured, the Employee is afforded a ten (10)-day cure period for such
monetary breaches and a thirty (30)-day cure period for such non-monetary
breaches.

(d) Termination by Employee. This Agreement may be terminated by Employee prior
to the expiration of the Term set forth in Section 2 upon three (3) months
written notice to the Company, which notice may not be given prior to nine (9)
months following the date hereof.

(e) Effect of Termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
this Section 7, the Employee shall be entitled to his Compensation to the date
of termination as set forth in this Section 7, and after such date shall not be
entitled to any Compensation, benefits or other rights granted herein to the
Employee.

<PAGE>

8. Miscellaneous.

     (a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of
the parties and merges and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous agreements
between the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

     (b) Modification. This Agreement may not be modified or terminated orally,
and no modification, termination or attempted waiver of any of the provisions
hereof shall be binding unless in writing and signed by the party against whom
the same is sought to be enforced.

     (c) Waiver. Failure of a party to enforce one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement or to require at any time performance of any of the obligations
hereof shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions by such party
nor to in any way affect the validity of this Agreement or such party's right
thereafter to enforce any provision of this Agreement, nor to preclude such
party from taking any other action at any time which it would legally be
entitled to take.

     (d) Successors and Assigns. Neither party shall have the right to assign
this Agreement, or any rights or obligations hereunder, without the consent of
the other party; provided, however, that upon the sale of all or substantially
all of the assets, business and goodwill of the Company to another company, or
upon the merger or consolidation of the Company with another company, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, both Employee and
the company purchasing such assets, business and goodwill, or surviving such
merger or consolidation, as the case may be, in the same manner and to the same
extent as though such other company were the Company; and provided, further,
that the Company shall have the right to assign this Agreement to any affiliate
or subsidiary of the Company or Bio-Medical. Subject to the foregoing, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto
and their legal representatives, heirs, successors and assigns.

     (e) Communications. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given
at the time personally delivered or when mailed in any United States post office
enclosed in a registered or certified postage prepaid envelope and addressed to
the addresses set forth below, or to such other address as any party may specify
by notice to the other party; provided, however, that any notice of change of
address shall be effective only upon receipt.

                  To the Company:   Bio-Medical.com, Inc.
                                    10 South Street, Suite 202
                                    Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877

                  To the Employee:  Mr. Steven N. Bronson
                                    10 South Street, Suite 202
                                    Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877

<PAGE>

     (f) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid
or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unenforceability shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the other
provisions of this Agreement and the provision held to be invalid or
unenforceable shall be enforced as nearly as possible according to its original
terms and intent to eliminate such invalidity or unenforceability.

     (g) Governing Law. This Agreement is made and executed and shall be
governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts
of law principles thereof.

     (h) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Each of the provisions of this Agreement
is for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and shall not be
deemed for the benefit of any other person or entity.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the date set forth above.

                                       Bio-Medical Automation, Inc.

                                       By: /s/ Leonard Hagan
                                           ------------------------------
                                           Leonard Hagan
                                           Title: Director

                                       EMPLOYEE

                                       /s/ Steven N. Bronson
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Steven N. Bronson

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