Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.26(a)

                                  $350,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

       UNDERWRITERS RE GROUP, INC., UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY and
                          VENTON UNDERWRITING LIMITED,

                                  as Borrowers,

            VENTON UNDERWRITING LIMITED, TALBOT UNDERWRITING LIMITED,
                         UNDERWRITERS RE CAPITAL LTD and
 UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY and certain of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries,

                               as Account Parties,

                                       AND

        UNDERWRITERS RE GROUP, INC. and UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY,

                                 as Guarantors,

                                       AND

                   THE BANKS PARTIES HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME

                                       AND

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,

           as Issuing Bank, as Administrative Agent and as Co-Arranger

                                       AND

                  DRESDNER KLEINWORT BENSON NORTH AMERICA LLC,

                                 as Co-Arranger

                                       AND

           DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH,

                             as Documentation Agent

                                       AND

                           FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK,

                              as Syndication Agent

                                   DATED AS OF

                                November 1, 1999

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                                Table of Contents

<TABLE>
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Section                  Title                                                                    Page
<S>                                                                                               <C>

ARTICLE I                DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION.................................................1

1.01                     Certain Definitions.......................................................1
1.02                     Construction.............................................................16
1.03                     Accounting Principles....................................................16

ARTICLE II               THE LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY............................................16

2.01                     Letters of Credit........................................................16
2.02                     Commitment Fee; Reduction of the Committed Amounts.......................18
2.03                     Procedure for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit................18
2.04                     Letter of Credit Participating Interests.................................19
2.05                     Letter of Credit Drawings and Reimbursements.............................21
2.06                     Equalization.............................................................21
2.07                     Obligations Absolute.....................................................22
2.08                     Unacceptable Credit Rating...............................................22
2.09                     Letter of Credit Applications............................................22
2.10                     Certain Provisions Relating to the Issuing Bank..........................23
2.11                     Payments Generally; Interest and Interest on Overdue
                         Amounts..................................................................24
2.12                     Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances.........................25
2.13                     Taxes....................................................................26
2.14                     Extensions of Expiration Date............................................28
2.15                     Tranches.................................................................28

ARTICLE IIA              REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS...................................................31

2A.1                     Revolving Credit Loans...................................................31
2A.2                     Making of Loans..........................................................32
2A.3                     Interest Rates...........................................................33
2A.4                     Conversion or Renewal of Interest Rate Options...........................35
2A.5                     Prepayments Generally....................................................36
2A.6                     Optional Prepayments.....................................................36
2A.7                     Mandatory Prepayments....................................................36
2A.8                     Interest Payment Dates...................................................36
2A.9                     Pro Rata Treatment and Payments..........................................37
2A.10                    Calculation of Dollar Equivalent.........................................38
2A.11                    Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances, etc. ..................38
2A.12                    Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate...............................40

ARTICLE III              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................................41

3.01                     Corporate Existence and Standing.........................................41
3.02                     Authorization and Validity...............................................41
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<S>                                                                                               <C>
3.03                     Compliance with Laws and Contracts.......................................41
3.04                     Governmental Consents....................................................42
3.05                     Financial Statements.....................................................42
3.06                     Material Adverse Change..................................................42
3.07                     Taxes....................................................................42
3.08                     Litigation...............................................................42
3.09                     Insurance Licenses.......................................................42
3.10                     Use of Proceeds..........................................................43
3.11                     Permits, Licenses and Rights.............................................43
3.12                     Disclosure...............................................................43
3.13                     Environmental Laws.......................................................43
3.14                     Reserves.................................................................44
3.15                     Year 2000 Compliance.....................................................44
3.16                     Capitalization...........................................................44
3.17                     ERISA....................................................................44
3.18                     Defaults.................................................................45
3.19                     Federal Reserve Regulations..............................................45
3.20                     Investment Company; Public Utility Holding Company Act...................45
3.21                     Certain Fees.............................................................45
3.22                     Solvency.................................................................45
3.23                     Ownership of Properties..................................................46
3.24                     Indebtedness.............................................................46
3.25                     Material Agreements......................................................46
3.26                     Insurance................................................................46

ARTICLE IV               CONDITIONS...............................................................46

4.01                     Effectiveness............................................................46
4.02                     Extension of Credit......................................................47

ARTICLE V                GUARANTEE................................................................48

5.01                     The Guarantee............................................................48
5.02                     Obligations Unconditional................................................48
5.03                     Reinstatement............................................................49
5.04                     Remedies.................................................................49
5.05                     Continuing Guarantee.....................................................50
5.06                     No Restrictions..........................................................50

ARTICLE VI               COVENANTS................................................................50

6.01                     Financial Reporting......................................................50
6.02                     Use of Proceeds..........................................................52
6.03                     Notice of Default........................................................52
6.04                     Conduct of Business......................................................53
6.05                     Taxes....................................................................53
6.06                     Insurance................................................................53
6.07                     Compliance with Laws.....................................................54
6.08                     Maintenance of Properties; Year 2000 Compliance..........................54
6.09                     Inspection...............................................................54
6.10                     Capital Stock and Dividends..............................................54
6.11                     Indebtedness.............................................................54
6.12                     Merger...................................................................55
6.13                     Sale of Assets...........................................................55
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<S>                                                                                               <C>
6.14                     Investments and Purchases................................................55
6.15                     Contingent Obligations...................................................57
6.16                     Liens....................................................................57
6.17                     Affiliates...............................................................58
6.18                     Other Indebtedness.......................................................58
6.19                     Environmental Matters....................................................58
6.20                     Change in Corporate Structure; Fiscal Year...............................58
6.21                     Inconsistent Agreements..................................................58
6.22                     Financial Covenants......................................................59
6.23                     Tax Consolidation........................................................59
6.24                     ERISA Compliance.........................................................59

ARTICLE VII              EVENTS OF DEFAULT........................................................60

7.01                     Events of Default........................................................60
7.02                     Consequences of an Event of Default......................................62
7.03                     Certain Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit upon Default.............63

ARTICLE VIII             THE AGENTS...............................................................63

8.01                     Appointment..............................................................63
8.02                     General Nature of Agents' Duties.........................................64
8.03                     Exercise of Powers.......................................................64
8.04                     General Exculpatory Provisions...........................................65
8.05                     Administration by the Agents.............................................65
8.06                     Bank Not Relying on Agent or Other Banks.................................66
8.07                     Indemnification..........................................................66
8.08                     Agents in their Individual Capacities....................................67
8.09                     Successor Agents.........................................................67
8.10                     Additional Administrative Agents.........................................67
8.11                     Calculations.............................................................67
8.12                     Agents' Fees.............................................................68

ARTICLE IX               MISCELLANEOUS............................................................68

9.01                     No Implied Waiver etc....................................................68
9.02                     Set-Off..................................................................68
9.03                     Survival of Provisions...................................................68
9.04                     Expenses and Fees; Indemnity.............................................68
9.05                     Severability.............................................................69
9.06                     Holidays.................................................................69
9.07                     Notices, etc.............................................................70
9.08                     Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction..............................70
9.09                     Waiver of Jury Trial.....................................................70
9.10                     Governing Law............................................................70
9.11                     Validity and Enforceability..............................................70
9.12                     Counterparts.............................................................71
9.13                     Successors and Assigns; Participations; Assignments......................71
9.14                     Amendments and Waivers...................................................73
9.15                     Judgment Currency........................................................74
9.16                     Records..................................................................74
9.17                     Confidentiality..........................................................74
9.18                     Sharing of Collections...................................................75
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<S>               <C>                                                                             <C>
9.19                     Co-Arrangers.............................................................75

Exhibit A         Form of Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement
Exhibit B         Form of Transfer Supplement
Exhibit C         Content of Opinions of Counsel
Exhibit D         Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E         List of Existing Letters of Credit
Exhibit F         Letter of Credit Application
Exhibit G         Form of Account Party Accession Instrument
Exhibit H-1       Form of Note of Underwriters Re Group, Inc.
Exhibit H-2       Form of Note of Underwriters Reinsurance Company
Exhibit H-3       Form of Note of Venton Underwriting Limited

Schedule 2.01(b)           Form of Evergreen Provision
Schedule 3.03              Approvals and Consents
Schedule 3.04              Governmental Consents
Schedule 3.05              Financial Statements
Schedule 3.07              Taxes
Schedule 3.09              Insurance Licenses
Schedule 3.13              Environmental Laws
Schedule 3.16              Capitalization
Schedule 3.17              ERISA
Schedule 3.23              Ownership of Properties
Schedule 3.24              Indebtedness
Schedule 6.14              Investments
Schedule 6.16              Liens
</TABLE>
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         CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 1, 1999, by and among
UNDERWRITERS RE GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation, UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE
COMPANY, a New Hampshire corporation and VENTON UNDERWRITING LIMITED, a Bermuda
exempted limited liability company, as Borrowers; VENTON UNDERWRITING LIMITED,
TALBOT UNDERWRITING LIMITED, an English company, UNDERWRITERS RE CAPITAL LTD, an
English company, UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY and certain of the
wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Underwriters Reinsurance Company, as Account
Parties; UNDERWRITERS RE GROUP, INC. and UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY, as
Guarantors; the Banks (as defined further below) parties hereto from time to
time; MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as Issuing Bank, as
Administrative Agent for the Banks and for the Issuing Bank hereunder, and as a
Co-Arranger; DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH, branches
of a German banking corporation, as Documentation Agent; DRESDNER KLEINWORT
BENSON NORTH AMERICA LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability company, as Co-Arranger;
and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association, as Syndication
Agent.

                              PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

         WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to extend credit to the Credit Parties
upon all of the terms and conditions herein set forth;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual agreements hereinafter
set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Account Parties, the
Borrowers, the Guarantors, the Agents, the Issuing Bank, the Co-Arrangers and
each Bank agree as follows.

                                    ARTICLE I

                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

         1.01. Certain Definitions. In addition to other words and terms defined
elsewhere in this Agreement, as used herein the following words and terms shall
have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context hereof otherwise
clearly requires:

         "Account Parties" shall mean Venton Underwriting Limited, Talbot
Underwriting Limited, Underwriters Re Capital Ltd, URC and any Other Account
Parties, together with their respective successors as permitted by this
Agreement, and "Account Party" shall mean one of them.

         "Account Party Accession Instrument" shall mean an Account Party
Accession Instrument in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G, as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

         "Additional Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.13(a) hereof.
<PAGE>   7

         "Administrative Agent" shall mean Mellon, in its capacity as
Administrative Agent for the Banks and the Issuing Bank hereunder, together with
its successors and assigns in such capacity.

         "Affected Bank" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
2.12 hereof.

         "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. For the
purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to control another Person
if the controlling Person owns 10% or more of any class of voting securities (or
other ownership interests) of the controlled Person or possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of the controlled Person, whether through ownership of stock, by
contract or otherwise.

         "Agents" shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent, and the Syndication Agent and "Agent" shall mean one of
them.

         "Aggregate Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability" at any time shall
mean the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability for all
Letters of Credit at such time.

         "Aggregate Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws" at any time shall mean
the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws for all Letters of
Credit at such time.

         "Agreement" shall mean this Agreement as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time.

         "Agreement Accounting Principles" means generally accepted accounting
principles as in effect in the United States from time to time, applied in a
manner consistent with those used in preparing the financial statements referred
to in Section 3.05, provided, that with respect to the financial covenants
contained in Section 6.22 hereof, the related definitions and the computations
required thereby, such term means generally accepted accounting principles
(except where SAP is applicable) in effect in the United States on the date
hereof applied in a manner consistent with those used in preparing the financial
statements referred to in Section 6.01(a) and (b).

         "Alleghany" means Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

         "Annual Statement" means the annual statutory financial statement of
any Insurance Subsidiary required to be filed with the insurance commissioner
(or similar authority) of its jurisdiction of incorporation, which statement
shall be in the form required by such Insurance Subsidiary's jurisdiction of
incorporation or, if no specific form is so required, in the form of financial
statements permitted by such insurance commissioner (or such similar authority)
to be used for filing annual statutory financial statements and shall contain
the type of information permitted by such insurance commissioner (or such
similar authority) to be disclosed therein, together with all exhibits or
schedules filed therewith.

         "Annual Statement-1998" means the Annual Statement of URC for 1998.

         "Applicable Margin" shall mean 0.50% for each Level One Day, 0.625% for
each Level Two Day, 0.75% for each Level Three Day and 1.00% for each Level Four
Day.

         "Applicable Reimbursement Interest Rate" as used herein with respect to
Letters of Credit, (i) with respect to obligations denominated in Dollars, shall
mean the Prime Rate and (ii) with respect to obligations denominated in Pounds,
shall mean 0.5% per annum in excess of the seven-day rate appearing on the
Telerate Screen page 3750 or any equivalent successor to such page or other page
as appropriate on the Telerate Service or such other service as may, from time
to time, display the British Bankers' Association Interest Settlement Rate for
deposits in Pounds and (iii)

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with respect to obligations denominated in Euros, shall mean 0.5% per annum in
excess of the seven-day rate appearing on the Telerate Screen page 3750 or any
equivalent successor to such page or other page as appropriate on the Telerate
Service or such other service as may, from time to time, display such Settlement
Rate for deposits in Euros.

         "Bank Parties" shall mean the Banks, the Issuing Bank and the Agents.

         "Banks" shall mean the parties listed on the signature pages hereof,
subject to the provisions of Section 9.13 hereof pertaining to Persons becoming
or ceasing to be Banks, and "Bank" shall mean any of them.

         "Base Rate" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
2A.3(a)(i) hereof.

         "Base Rate Loan" shall mean a Loan with respect to which a Borrower has
selected the Base Rate Option.

         "Base Rate Option" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2A.3(a)(i) hereof.

         "Base Rate Portion" of any Loan or Loans shall mean at any time the
portion, including the whole of such Loan or Loans bearing interest at any time
under the Base Rate Option. If no Loan or Loans is specified, "Base Rate
Portion" shall refer to the Base Rate Portion of all Loans outstanding at such
time.

         "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, public
holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other day on which
banking institutions are authorized or obligated to close in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania or London, England and, in the case of the making or payment of
loans or reimbursement obligations denominated in Euros, other than a day which
is not a TARGET Day.

         "Borrowers" shall mean URGI, URC and Venton Underwriting Limited,
together with their respective successors as permitted by this Agreement and
"Borrower" shall mean one of them.

         "Capitalized Lease" of a Person means any lease of Property by such
Person as lessee which would be capitalized on a balance sheet of such Person
prepared in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.

         "Capitalized Lease Obligations" of a Person means the amount of the
obligations of such Person under Capitalized Leases which would be shown as a
liability on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with
Agreement Accounting Principles.

         "Cash Equivalents" means Investments maturing within one year from the
date of investment (excluding (x) Investments as to which the principal amount
to be repaid may be subject to fluctuation and (y) mortgage backed securities
consisting of principal only or interest only strips) in (a) certificates of
deposit, Eurodollar time deposits and other interest bearing deposits or
accounts with United States commercial banks having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $500,000,000 and rated C or better by Thomson BankWatch or
with any Bank, (b) certificates of deposit, other interest bearing accounts or
deposits and demand deposits with other United States commercial banks, which
deposits and accounts are in amounts fully insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, (c) obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by
the United States government or issued by an agency thereof and backed by the
full faith and credit of the United States, (d) direct obligations issued by any
state of the United States or any political subdivision thereof which have the
highest rating obtainable from Standard & Poor's on the date of

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   9
investment, (e) commercial paper rated A-1 or better by Standard & Poor's and
P-1 or better by Moody's or (f) money market mutual funds identified by the
valuation office of the NAIC as requiring no investment reserve.

         "Change in Control" shall mean (a) any Credit Party (other than URGI)
shall cease to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URGI (it being understood that a
merger of a Credit Party into an entity which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of
URGI, to the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement, will not be deemed to
cause such Credit Party to cease to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URGI for
purposes of this definition) or (b) Alleghany shall fail to maintain beneficial
ownership, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Lien, of at least 51 %
of the outstanding voting stock of URGI (unless such failure arises from a
Public Offering and no Person (other than Alleghany) or Persons acting in
concert acquire (either in such Public Offering or thereafter) beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule l3d-3) of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 10% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of URGI), or (c) during any period of 25 consecutive
calendar months, commencing on the date of this Agreement, the ceasing of those
individuals (the "Continuing Directors") who (i) were directors of URGI on the
first day of each such period or (ii) subsequently became directors of URGI and
whose initial election or initial nomination for election subsequent to that
date was approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the board of
directors of URGI, to constitute a majority of the board of directors of the
URGI.

         "Closing Date" shall mean November 4, 1999 or such later date as may be
specified by the Account Parties by one day's written notice to the
Administrative Agent.

         "Co-Arranger" shall mean each of Mellon Bank, N. A. and Dresdner
Kleinwort Benson North America LLC, in each case in its capacity as Co-Arranger
hereunder.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Commitment Banks" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.02(a) hereof.

         "Commitment Percentage" for each Bank shall mean a fraction, expressed
as a percentage, the numerator of which is such Bank's Committed Amount and the
denominator of which is the aggregate Committed Amounts of all the Banks.

         "Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.01(a) hereof.

         "Consolidated" or "consolidated", when used in connection with any
calculation means a calculation to be determined on a consolidated basis for a
Credit Party (and, if no Credit Party is specified, URGI) and its Subsidiaries
in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles.

         "Consolidated Person" means, for the taxable year of reference of
Alleghany, each Person which has joined or which is required to join in the
filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with Alleghany.

         "Consolidated Subsidiaries" of a Person shall mean those Subsidiaries
of such Person the accounts of which are consolidated with the accounts of such
Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect in
the United States.

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         "Contingent Obligation" of a Person means any agreement, undertaking or
arrangement by which such Person assumes, guarantees, endorses, contingently
agrees to purchase or provide funds for the payment of, or otherwise becomes or
is contingently liable upon, the obligation or liability of any other Person, or
agrees to maintain the net worth or working capital or other financial condition
of any other Person, or otherwise assures any creditor of such other Person
against loss, including, without limitation, any comfort letter, operating
agreement or take-or-pay contract.

         "Controlled Group" mean all members of a controlled group of
corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under
common control which, together with the URGI or any of its Subsidiaries, are
treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

         "Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement" shall mean, collectively, one
or more letter of credit agreements executed and delivered by the Account
Parties substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

         "Conversion to Tranche System" shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Corresponding Source of Funds" shall mean in the case of any Funding
Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, the proceeds of hypothetical receipts by a
Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or by a Bank through a Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Office of one or more deposits in Pounds or Euros, as applicable, in the
London interbank market at the beginning of the Euro-Rate Funding Period
corresponding to such Funding Segment having maturities approximately equal to
such Euro-Rate Funding Period and in an aggregate amount approximately equal to
such Bank's pro rata share of such Funding Segment.

         "Credit Extension" shall mean (a) the making of any Loan by any Bank or
(b) the issuance, or extension of the expiration date of, any Letter of Credit
by the Issuing Bank.

         "Credit Parties" means the Account Parties, the Borrowers and the
Guarantors and "Credit Party" means any of them.

         "Current Expiration Date" shall have the meaning assigned to that term
in Section 2.14 hereof.

         "Default" and "Event of Default" shall have the same meaning and shall
mean an event or condition described in Article VII hereof.

         "Designated Extended Maturity Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2A.1(d).

         "Designated Small Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary (other than a
Credit Party) of URGI which has been designated by URGI as a Designated Small
Subsidiary in written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided, that at no
time shall all Designated Small Subsidiaries account, in the aggregate, for more
than 5% of the premiums or 5% of the net income, in each case on a consolidated
basis, of URGI and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Fiscal Year
of URGI. URGI may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, remove a
Subsidiary from the classification as a Designated Small Subsidiary in order to
comply with the proviso to the first sentence of this definition.

         "Documentation Agent" shall mean Dresdner Bank, in its capacity as
Documentation Agent hereunder.

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         "Dollar," "Dollars" and the symbol $ shall mean lawful money of the
United States of America.

         "Dollar Equivalent" of an amount of a currency other than Dollars shall
mean the amount of Dollars which such amount of such currency could purchase at
11:00 o'clock A.M., Pittsburgh time on the date of determination, based upon the
quoted spot rates of the Issuing Bank at which its applicable branch or office
offers to exchange Dollars for such currency in the London foreign exchange
market and "Dollar Equivalent" of an amount denominated in Dollars shall mean
such amount of Dollars. Section 2A.10 hereof contains certain provisions with
respect to calculation of Dollar Equivalent.

         "Domestic Office" when used in connection with the Administrative
Agent, shall mean its office located at One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15258, or such other address of the Administrative Agent or branch,
subsidiary or affiliate thereof as may be designated in writing from time to
time by the Administrative Agent to the Account Parties and the Borrowers.

         "Dresdner Bank" shall mean Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch and Grand
Cayman Branch.

         "Environmental Laws" shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in
Section 3.13 hereof.

         "Environmental Permits" shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in
Section 3.13 hereof.

         "Euro" and "Euros" shall mean the lawful currency of the participating
member states of the European Union that adopt a single currency in accordance
with the Treaty establishing the European Communities, as amended by the Treaty
on European Union.

         "Euro-Rate" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
2A.3(a) hereof.

         "Euro-Rate Funding Period" shall have the meaning assigned to that term
in Section 2A.3(c) hereof.

         "Euro-Rate Loan" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2A.3(a) hereof.

         "Euro-Rate Option" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2A.3(a) hereof.

         "Euro-Rate Portion" of any Loan or Loans shall mean at any time the
portion, including the whole, of such Loan or Loans bearing interest at any time
under the Euro-Rate Option. If no Loan or Loans is specified, "Euro-Rate
Portion" shall refer to the Euro-Rate Portion of all Loans outstanding at such
time.

         "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2A.3(a) hereof.

         "Existing Letters of Credit" shall mean the letters of credit listed on
Exhibit E hereto.

         "Expiration Date" shall mean the Business Day immediately preceding the
first anniversary of the Closing Date, as the same may be extended in accordance
with Section 2.14 hereof.

         "Extension Request" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14
hereof.

         "Financial Statements" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.05
hereof.
                                      -6-
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         "Fiscal Year" means the twelve-month accounting period ending December
31 of each year.

         "Funding Segment" of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans at any time
shall mean the entire principal amount of such Portion to which at the time in
question there is applicable a particular Euro-Rate Funding Period beginning on
a particular day and ending on a particular day. (By definition, each such
Portion is at all times composed of an integral number of discrete Funding
Segments and the sum of the principal amounts of all Funding Segments of any
such Portion at any time equals the principal amount of such Portion at such
time.)

         "Governmental Authority" shall mean any government (foreign or
domestic) or any state or other political subdivision thereof or any
governmental body, agency, authority, department or commission (including
without limitation any board of insurance, insurance department or insurance
commissioner or any taxing authority or political subdivision) or any
instrumentality or officer thereof (including without limitation any court or
tribunal) exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government and any corporation,
partnership or other entity directly or indirectly owned or controlled by or
subject to the control of any of the foregoing.

         "Guaranteed Obligations" shall have the meaning assigned to that term
in Section 5.01 hereof.

         "Guarantors" shall mean URC and URGI, together with their respective
successors as permitted by this Agreement and "Guarantor" shall mean one of
them.

         "Guaranty Equivalents" means, with respect to any Person, without
duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than endorsements in the
ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection)
guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in
any manner, whether direct or indirect, and including without limitation any
obligation, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such Indebtedness or
any property constituting security therefor for the purpose of assuring the
holder of such Indebtedness, (ii) to advance or provide funds or other support
for the payment or purchase of any such Indebtedness or to maintain working
capital, solvency or other balance sheet condition of such other Person
(including without limitation keepwell agreements, maintenance agreements,
comfort letters or similar agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any
holder of Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase
property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the
holder of such Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the
holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount of any
Guaranty Equivalent hereunder shall (subject to any limitations set forth
therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount (or
maximum principal amount, if larger) of the Indebtedness in respect of which
such Guaranty Equivalent is made.

         "Hazardous Materials" shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in
Section 3.13.

         "Indebtedness" of a Person means such Person's (a) obligations for
borrowed money, (b) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of
Property or services (other than accounts payable arising in the ordinary course
of such Person's business payable on terms customary in the trade), (c)
obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by Liens or payable out of the
proceeds or production from Property now or hereafter owned or acquired by such
Person, (d) obligations which are evidenced by notes, acceptances, or similar
instruments, (e) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (f) Rate Hedging Obligations,
(g) Contingent Obligations, (h) obligations for which such Person is obligated
(contingently, including with respect to undrawn amounts of issued letters of
credit, or otherwise) pursuant to or in respect of a letter of credit or similar
instrument which is issued upon the application of such Person or upon which
such Person is an account party

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   13
or for which such Person is in any way liable and (i) repurchase obligations or
liabilities of such Person with respect to accounts or notes receivable sold by
such Person.

         "Insurance Subsidiary" shall mean any direct or indirect present or
future Subsidiary of URGI which is engaged in the insurance business (and shall
in any event include URC), but excluding each of the Venton Entities.

         "Investment" of a Person means any loan, advance (other than
commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the
ordinary course of business), extension of credit (other than accounts
receivable arising in the ordinary course of business on terms customary in the
trade), deposit account or contribution of capital by such Person to any other
Person or any investment in, or purchase or other acquisition, of the stock,
partnership interests, notes, debentures or other securities of any other Person
made by such Person.

         "Issuing Bank" shall mean Mellon, in its capacity as Issuing Bank
hereunder, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.

         "Law" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution, statute,
treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, order, injunction, writ, decree or award of
any Official Body.

         "L/C Termination Date" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Letter of Credit" shall mean each Letter of Credit issued by the
Issuing Bank for the account of one or more of the Account Parties pursuant to
this Agreement and each of the Existing Letters of Credit, each as amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

         "Letter of Credit Application" shall have the meaning given that term
in Section 2.03(a)(ii) hereof.

         "Letter of Credit Exposure" at any time shall mean the sum at such time
of (a) the Aggregate Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws (determined as a Dollar
Equivalent), (b) the Aggregate Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability and (c) the
aggregate Stated Amount (determined as a Dollar Equivalent) of Letters of Credit
which have been requested by an Account Party to be issued hereunder but are not
yet so issued.

         "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning given that term in
Section 2.01(d) hereof.

         "Letter of Credit Participating Interest" shall have the meaning given
that term in Section 2.04(a) hereof.

         "Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment" shall have the
meaning given that term in Section 2.04(a) hereof.

         "Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment Percentage" of any
Bank shall mean the Commitment Percentage of such Bank.

         "Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation" with respect to a Letter of
Credit means the obligation of the applicable Account Party to reimburse the
Issuing Bank for drawings on a Letter of Credit, together with interest thereon,
and "Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations" shall mean all such obligations
with respect to all Letters of Credit.

         "Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability" with respect to a Letter of
Credit at any time shall mean the maximum amount (determined as a Dollar
Equivalent) available to be drawn under such

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   14
Letter of Credit at such time or thereafter, regardless of the existence or
satisfaction of any conditions or limitations on drawing.

         "Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw" with respect to a Letter of Credit
at any time shall mean the amount at such time of a payment made by the Issuing
Bank under such Letter of Credit, to the extent not repaid.

         "Level One Day" shall mean each day on which URC has a Standard &
Poor's claims paying rating and has at least one Tier I Rating and no rating
below a Tier II Rating; "Level Two Day" shall mean each day (which is not a
Level One Day) on which URC has a Standard & Poor's claims paying rating and has
at least one rating which is a Tier III Rating, a Tier II Rating or a Tier I
Rating, and no rating below a Tier IV Rating; "Level Three Day" shall mean each
day (which is not a Level Two Day or a Level One Day) on which URC has a
Standard & Poor's claims paying rating and has at least one Tier V Rating and no
rating below a Tier VI Rating; "Level Four Day" shall mean each day which is not
a Level Three Day, a Level Two Day or a Level One Day.

         "Leverage Ratio" means, with respect to URGI on a consolidated basis
with its Subsidiaries, at any time, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness to (b) the sum
of Indebtedness plus Net Worth, excluding the impact of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 115. For the purpose of determining this ratio,
Contingent Obligations shall be excluded from Indebtedness to the extent that
they relate to underlying obligations which are included in Indebtedness with
respect to URGI on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries.

         "License" means any license, certificate of authority, permit or other
authorization which is required to be obtained from any Governmental Authority
in connection with the operation, ownership or transaction of insurance
business.

         "Lien" means any security interest, lien (statutory or other),
mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance or
preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of
any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the interest of a
vendor or lessor under any conditional sale, Capitalized Lease or other title
retention agreement).

         "Loan" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2A.1(a)
hereof.

         "Loan Maturity Extension Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2A.1(d).

         "Loan Repayment Obligation" with respect to a Loan means the obligation
of a Borrower to repay the Banks for such Loan, and "Loan Repayment Obligations"
shall mean all such obligations with respect to all Loans.

         "London Office" when used in connection with the Administrative Agent,
shall mean its office located at Princess House, One Suffolk Lane, London EC4R
OAN England, or such other address of the Administrative Agent or branch,
subsidiary or affiliate thereof as may be designated in writing from time to
time by the Administrative Agent to the Account Parties and the Borrowers.

         "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on (a)
the business, Property, condition (financial or other), performance or
operations of URGI and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of
any Credit Party to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents, or (c) the
validity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents or the rights or
remedies of the Agents, the Issuing Bank or the Banks thereunder.

         "Maturity Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2A.1(d).

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   15
         "Mellon" shall mean Mellon Bank, N. A.

         "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, together with any Person succeeding thereto by merger,
consolidation or acquisition of all or substantially all of its assets,
including substantially all of its business of rating securities.

         "Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan maintained pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement which is subject to Title IV of ERISA to which URGI or any
member of the Controlled Group is a party to which more than one employer is
obligated to make contributions.

         "Multi-year Letter of Credit" means a Letter of Credit of which the
expiry date is more than one year after the date of issuance.

         "NAIC" means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any
successor thereto, or in lieu thereof any other association, agency or other
organization performing advisory, coordination or other like functions among
insurance departments, insurance commissioners and similar Governmental
Authorities of the various states of the United States toward the promotion of
uniformity in the practices of such Governmental Authorities.

         "Net Worth" means at any date the stockholders' equity of URGI and its
Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles.

         "Nonextending Bank" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.14 hereof.

         "Note" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2A.1(c)
hereof.

         "Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office" shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 2A.12(a) hereof.

         "Obligations" shall mean, collectively, the Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Obligations, the Loan Repayment Obligations and the obligations of
each and every Account Party and Borrower to pay all fees, indemnities and all
other liabilities of such Account Party or Borrower arising pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents (including without
limitation under Section 7.03 hereof).

         "Official Body" shall have the same meaning as Governmental Authority.

         "Option" shall mean the Base Rate Option or the Euro-Rate Option, as
the case may be.

         "Other Account Parties" means each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URC which
has become a party to this Agreement by the execution and delivery by such
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and URC to the Administrative Agent of an Account Party
Accession Instrument and the other documentation referred to in such Account
Party Accession Instrument.

         "Participant" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 9.13(b)
hereof.

         "Permitted Liens" shall mean the Liens described in paragraphs (a)
through (h) of Section 6.16.

         "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, trust,
unincorporated association, joint venture, joint-stock company, government
(including political subdivisions), official body or agency, or any other
entity.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   16
         "Plan" means an employee pension benefit plan as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA, as to which URGI or any member of the Controlled Group may have
any liability.

         "Portion" shall mean the Base Rate Portion or the Euro-Rate Portion, as
the case may be.

         "Potential Default" shall mean any event or condition referenced in
Article VII hereof which with notice, passage of time or both would constitute
an Event of Default.

         "Pound," "Pounds" and the symbol "pound sterling" shall mean the lawful
money of the United Kingdom.

         "Prime Rate" shall mean the interest rate per annum announced from time
to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate, such rate to change
automatically effective as of the effectiveness of each announced change in such
prime rate (it being understood that such Prime Rate may be greater or less than
other interest rates charged by the Administrative Agent to other borrowers and
is not solely based or dependent upon the interest rate which the Administrative
Agent may charge any particular borrower or class of borrower).

         "Property" of a Person means any and all property, whether real,
personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed, of such Person, or other assets owned,
leased or operated by such Person.

         "Pro Rata" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.15
hereof.

         "Purchase" means any transaction, or any series of related
transactions, consummated on or after the date of this Agreement by which URGI
or any of its Subsidiaries (a) acquires any going business or all or
substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or division or line of
business thereof whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, or (b)
directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent
transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of
votes) of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power for
the election of directors (other than securities having such power only by
reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by percentage or voting
power) of the outstanding partnership interests of a partnership or membership
interests of a limited liability company.

         "Purchasing Bank" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 9.13(c) hereof.

         "Quarterly Statement" means the quarterly statutory financial statement
of any Insurance Subsidiary required to be filed with the insurance commissioner
(or similar authority) of its jurisdiction of incorporation or, if no specific
form is so required, in the form of financial statements permitted by such
insurance commissioner (or such similar authority) to be used for filing
quarterly statutory financial statements and shall contain the type of financial
information permitted by such insurance commissioner (or such similar authority)
to be disclosed therein, together with all exhibits or schedules filed
therewith.

         "Rate Hedging Obligations" of a Person means any and all obligations of
such Person, whether absolute or contingent and however and whenever created,
arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and
modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all
agreements, devices or arrangements designed to protect at least one of the
parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates or
forward rates applicable to such party's assets, liabilities or exchange
transactions, including, but not limited to, dollar-denominated or
cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward currency exchange
agreements, interest rate cap or collar protection agreements, forward rate
currency or interest rate options, puts and warrants, and (b) any and all
cancellations, buybacks, reversals, terminations or assignments of any of the
foregoing.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   17
         "Regular Payment Date" shall mean the last day of each March, June,
September and December after the date hereof, or, if such last day is not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

         "Regulation T" means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and shall include any
successor or other regulation or official interpretation of such Board of
Governors relating to the extension of credit by securities brokers and dealers
for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stocks applicable to such
Persons.

         "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor or other
regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to the
extension of credit by banks for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin
stocks applicable to such Persons.

         "Regulation X" means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and shall include any
successor or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of
Governors relating to the extension of credit by the specified Banks for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stocks applicable to such Persons.

         "Release" is defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 39601 et seq.

         "Replacement Bank" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.14 hereof.

         "Reportable Event" means a reportable event as defined in Section
4043(a) of ERISA and the regulations issued under such section, with respect to
a Plan, excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC has by regulation
unconditionally or conditionally waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of
ERISA that it be notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event;
provided, that a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of
the Code and of Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of
the issuance of any such waiver of the notice requirement in accordance with
either Section 4043(a) of ERISA or Section 412(d) of the Code.

         "Required Banks" shall mean at any time Banks which have at least 51%
of the aggregate Letter of Credit Participating Interests in Letters of Credit
outstanding at such time.

         "Required Commitment Banks" shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 2A.1(a) hereof.

         "Revolving Credit Exposure" of any Bank at any time shall mean the
outstanding principal amount at such time of such Bank's Loans.

         "SAP" shall mean, with respect to any Insurance Subsidiary, the
statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance
commissioner (or other similar authority, including the Council of Lloyd's) in
the jurisdiction of such Insurance Subsidiary for the preparation of annual
statements and other financial reports by insurance companies of the same type
as such Insurance Subsidiary in effect from time to time, applied in a manner
consistent with those used in preparing the financial statements referred to in
Section 3.05; provided, that with respect to the financial covenants contained
in Section 6.22 hereof the related definitions, and the computations required
thereby, "SAP" means such statutory accounting practices (except where

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   18
Agreement Accounting Principles are applicable) in effect on the date hereof
applied in a manner consistent with those used in preparing the financial
statements referred to in Section 3.05.

         "Single Employer Plan" means a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA
maintained by any member of the Controlled Group for employees of any member of
the Controlled Group, other than a Multiemployer Plan.

         "Solvent" means, when used with respect to a Person, that (a) the fair
saleable value of the assets of such Person is in excess of the total amount of
the present value of its liabilities (including for purposes of this definition
all liabilities (including loss reserves as determined by such Person), whether
or not reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles and whether direct or indirect, fixed or contingent,
secured or unsecured, disputed or undisputed), (b) such Person is able to pay
its debts or obligations in the ordinary course as they mature and (c) such
Person does not have unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as
conducted and as proposed to be conducted. "Solvency" shall have a correlative
meaning.

         "Special Expiration Date" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Standard Notice" shall mean an irrevocable notice provided to the
Administrative Agent at no later than 10:00 o'clock a.m., Pittsburgh time, on a
Business Day which is

                  (a) not later than the same day in the case of selection of,
         conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option and not later than one
         day in advance with respect to prepayment of a Base Rate Loan; and

                  (b) at least three Business Days in advance in the case of
         selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Euro-Rate Option or
         prepayment of a Euro-Rate Loan.

Standard Notice shall be in writing (including telex, facsimile or cable
communication) or by telephone (to be subsequently confirmed in writing) in any
such case, effective upon receipt by the Administrative Agent.

         "Stated Amount" shall mean, with respect to a Letter of Credit, the
maximum face or stated amount of such Letter of Credit, irrespective of whether
such maximum amount is available for drawing at the time in question.

         "Statutory Authorized Control Level Risk-Based Capital" means, with
respect to any Insurance Subsidiary at any time, the statutory authorized
control level risk-based capital of such Insurance Subsidiary at such time, as
determined in accordance with SAP (currently "Five Year Historical Data", Line
26 of the Annual Statement-1998), based on methodology of NAIC in effect on the
date hereof.

         "Statutory Net Income" means, with respect to any Insurance Subsidiary
for any computation period, the net income earned by such Person during such
period, as determined in accordance with SAP (currently "Underwriting and
Investment" exhibit, "Statement of Income", Line 16 of the Annual
Statement-1998).

         "Statutory Risk-Based Capital Ratio" means, with respect to URC and its
Insurance Subsidiaries, determined on a combined basis for URC and all of its
Insurance Subsidiaries (without double counting), the ratio of (i) Statutory
Total Adjusted Capital to (ii) Statutory Authorized Control Level Risk-Based
Capital.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   19
         "Statutory Surplus" means, with respect to any Insurance Subsidiary at
any time, the surplus as regards policyholders of such Insurance Subsidiary at
such time, as determined in accordance with SAP (currently "Liabilities, Surplus
and Other Funds" statement, Page 3, Line 25, Column I of the Annual
Statement-1998).

         "Statutory Total Adjusted Capital" means, with respect to any Insurance
Subsidiary at any time, the statutory total adjusted capital of such Insurance
Subsidiary at such time, as determined in accordance with SAP (currently "Five
Year Historical Data," Line 25 of the Annual Statement-1998).

         "Subsidiary" of a Person means (a) any corporation more than 50% of the
outstanding securities having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time
be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or (b) any
partnership, association, joint venture or similar business organization more
than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall
at the time be so owned or controlled. Unless the context otherwise requires,
all references to a "Subsidiary" shall mean a Subsidiary of URGI.

         "Substantial Portion" means, with respect to the Property of URGI and
its Subsidiaries, Property which (a) represents more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of URGI and its Subsidiaries, as would be shown in the
consolidated financial statements of URGI and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
the Fiscal Quarter next preceding the date on which such determination is made,
or (b) is responsible for more than 10% of the consolidated net revenues or of
the consolidated Net Income of URGI and its Subsidiaries for the 12-month period
ending as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter next preceding the date of
determination.

         "Supplement to Tranche System" shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Syndication Agent" shall mean First Union National Bank, in its
capacity as syndication agent hereunder.

         "TARGET" means the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement
Express Transfer payment system.

         "TARGET Day" shall mean any day on which TARGET is open for the
settlement of payment in Euros.

         "Tax Sharing Agreements" means, collectively, that certain Amendment to
Agreement dated as of August 18, 1995 between Alleghany and URGI, that certain
Amendment to Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995 between URGI and URC, that
certain Amendment to Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995 between URGI and URC
Risk Managers., Inc., that certain Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995
between URGI and The Underwriting Center, Inc., that certain Agreement dated as
of December 1, 1995 between The Underwriting Center, Inc. and The Underwriting
Center of Georgia, Inc. (now known as The Center E&S Insurance Services, Inc.),
that certain Amendment to Agreement dated as of December 1, 1995 between URC and
Commercial Underwriters Insurance Company, and that certain Agreement dated as
of December 1, 1995 between URC and Underwriters Insurance Company, as each is
in effect on the date of this Agreement, together with any other agreements
entered into pursuant to Section 6.23, and as any such agreement may be
hereafter amended, subject to compliance with the terms hereof.

         "Termination Event" means, with respect to a Plan which is subject to
Title IV of ERISA, (a) a Reportable Event, (b) the withdrawal of any member of
the Controlled Group from such Plan during a plan year in which such member of
the Controlled Group was a "substantial employer" as defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA or was deemed such under Section 4068(f) of ERISA, (c)

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   20
the termination of such Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate such
Plan or the treatment of an amendment of such Plan as a termination under
Section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to
terminate such Plan or (e) any event or condition which could reasonably be
expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
of or appointment of a trustee to administer, such Plan.

         "Tier I Rating" with respect to Standard & Poor's shall mean a claims
paying rating of at least AA and with respect to Moody's shall mean a solicited
insurance financial strength rating of at least Aa2; "Tier II Rating" with
respect to Standard & Poor's shall mean a claims paying rating of AA- and with
respect to Moody's shall mean a solicited insurance financial strength rating of
Aa3; "Tier III Rating" with respect to Standard & Poor's shall mean a claims
paying rating of A+ and with respect to Moody's shall mean a solicited insurance
financial strength rating of A1; "Tier IV Rating" with respect to Standard &
Poor's shall mean a claims paying rating of A and with respect to Moody's shall
mean a solicited insurance financial strength rating of A2; "Tier V Rating" with
respect to Standard & Poor's shall mean a claims paying rating of A- and with
respect to Moody's shall mean a solicited insurance financial strength rating of
A3; "Tier VI Rating" with respect to Standard & Poor's shall mean a claims
paying rating of BBB+ and with respect to Moody's shall mean a solicited
insurance financial strength rating of Baa1. As used in this definition, a
Moody's rating shall be deemed to be "solicited" only if such rating was
obtained from Moody's upon application by the entity to which such rating
relates.

         "Total Credit Exposure" of any Bank at any time shall mean the sum at
such time of such Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure plus such Lender's Pro Rata
share of the Letter of Credit Exposure.

          "Tranche 1 Bank", "Tranche 1 Letter of Credit", "Tranche 1 Letter of
Credit Participating Interest", "Tranche 2 Bank", "Tranche 2 Letter of Credit",
"Tranche 2 Letter of Credit Participating Interest", "Tranche 2 Letter of Credit
Participating Interest Commitment", "Tranche 2 Letter of Credit Participating
Interest Committed Amount", "Tranche 2 Letter of Credit Participating Interest
Commitment Percentage", "Tranche 3 Letter of Credit", "Tranche 4 Letter of
Credit" and "Tranche X" shall have the respective meanings assigned to those
terms in Section 2.15 hereof.

         "Transaction Document" or "Transaction Documents" shall mean this
Agreement, the Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement, each Letter of Credit
Application, each Letter of Credit, each Note and any other documents or
instruments executed and delivered in connection herewith or therewith.

         "Unfunded Liabilities" means the amount (if any) by which the present
value of all vested and unvested accrued benefits under all Single Employer
Plans exceeds the fair market value of all such Plan assets allocable to such
benefits, all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such
Plans using PBGC actuarial assumptions for single employer plan terminations.

         "Unmatured Default" means an event or condition which but for the lapse
of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a Default.

         "URC" means Underwriters Reinsurance Company, a New Hampshire insurance
company.

         "URGI" means Underwriters Re Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         "Venton" means Underwriters Re LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   21

         "Venton Entities" means, collectively, Venton, Underwriters Re Capital
Ltd, an English company, Venton Underwriting Limited, Talbot Underwriting
Limited and each company which is a Subsidiary of Venton on the date of this
Agreement, together with each permitted successor thereto which does not engage
in any business other than the businesses engaged in by the Venton Entities on
the date of this Agreement.

         "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of a Person means (a) any Subsidiary all of
the outstanding voting securities of which shall at the time be owned or
controlled directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person, or (b) any partnership, association, joint venture
or similar business organization 100% of the ownership interests having ordinary
voting power of which shall at the time be so owned or controlled.

         "Year 2000 Problem" shall mean any significant risk that computer
hardware, software or equipment containing embedded microchips of any Credit
Party or any of its Subsidiaries which is essential to its business or
operations will not, in the case of dates or time periods occurring after
December 31, 1999, function at least as effectively and reliably as in the case
of times or time periods occurring before January 1, 2000, including the making
of accurate leap year calculations.

         1.02. Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise
clearly requires, "or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase
"and/or." References in this Agreement to "determination" by any Agent include
estimates by such Agent in good faith, without gross negligence and without
manifest error (in the case of quantitative determinations) and beliefs held by
such Agent in good faith and without gross negligence (in the case of
qualitative determinations). The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and
similar terms in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to
any particular provision of this Agreement. The section and other headings
contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not
control or affect the construction of this Agreement or the interpretation
hereof in any respect. Section, subsection and exhibit references are to this
Agreement unless otherwise specified.

         1.03. Accounting Principles. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or financial
matters shall be made, and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to
this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with Agreement Accounting
Principles or SAP, as the context requires (including principles of
consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial terms shall
have the meanings ascribed to such terms by Agreement Accounting Principles or
SAP, as appropriate.

                                   ARTICLE II

                          THE LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY

         2.01.  Letters of Credit.

         (a) Letter of Credit Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions
and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the
Issuing Bank agrees to issue Letters of Credit for the account of an Account
Party at any time or from time to time on or after the date hereof and to but
not including the Expiration Date (it being understood that Letters of Credit
may be outstanding for the account of one or more of the Account Parties at any
time). The Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit
if, after such Letter of Credit were issued, the aggregate Total Credit Exposure
of the Banks upon such issuance would exceed the aggregate of the Banks'
Committed

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   22
Amounts (which, on the Closing Date, is $350,000,000). Each Bank's "Committed
Amount" at any time shall be equal to the amount set forth as its "Initial
Committed Amount" below its name on the signature pages hereof, as such amount
may have been reduced under Section 2.02(b) hereof at such time, and subject to
transfer to another Bank as provided in Section 9.13 hereof. The Issuing Bank
shall have no obligation to issue any Multi-year Letter of Credit if the
aggregate Stated Amount of all Multi-year Letters of Credit upon such issuance
would exceed $275,000,000.

         (b) Terms of Letters of Credit. The Account Parties shall not request
to be issued, and the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue, any Letter
of Credit except within the following limitations: (i) each Letter of Credit
shall have an expiration date no later than five years after the date of
issuance thereof; provided, however, any Letter of Credit may have an
"evergreen" provision having substantially the effect set forth on Schedule
2.01(b) hereof, (ii) each Letter of Credit shall be denominated in Dollars,
Pounds or Euros and (iii) each Letter of Credit shall be payable only against
sight drafts (and not time drafts).

         (c) Form of Letters of Credit. The Issuing Bank shall have no
obligation to issue any letter of credit which is unsatisfactory in form,
substance or beneficiary to the Issuing Bank in the exercise of its reasonable
judgment consistent with its customary practice (it being understood that the
standard form of letter of credit required by Lloyd's from time to time will be
found satisfactory by the Issuing Bank unless issuance of a letter of credit in
such form would violate Law). The Issuing Bank may not object to a letter of
credit on account of the fact that it may be presented for drawing at the
Issuing Bank's branch in London, England (or, if the Issuing Bank no longer
maintains such a branch at the time of issuance of a Letter of Credit, at such
other location in London, England as may be commercially reasonable).

         (d) Letter of Credit Fee. Each Account Party shall pay or cause to be
paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Bank, in accordance
with its Commitment Percentage, a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") (based on a
year of 360 days and actual days elapsed), for each Letter of Credit issued for
the account of such Account Party for each day from and including the date of
issuance thereof to and including the date of expiration or termination thereof,
on the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability on such day at a rate per annum
equal to 0.50% for each Level One Day, 0.625% for each Level Two Day, 0.75% for
each Level Three Day and 1.00% for each Level Four Day. Such Letter of Credit
Fee shall be due and payable for the preceding period for which such fee has not
been paid on each of the following dates: (i) each Regular Payment Date, (ii)
the date of each drawing on such Letter of Credit, and (iii) the date of
expiration or termination of such Letter of Credit. For each day on which a
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the rate set forth in the first
sentence of this paragraph shall be increased by 2% per annum. The rate set
forth in the first sentence of this paragraph shall automatically increase by
0.125% per annum on the day after the Expiration Date (or, if the Conversion to
Tranche System occurs, on the date of the Conversion to Tranche System) and by
an additional 0.125% per annum on each anniversary of the Expiration Date (or,
if the Conversion to Tranche System shall have occurred, on each anniversary of
the Conversion to Tranche System).

         (e) Purpose of Letters of Credit. Each Letter of Credit shall be used
by the Account Party for whom it is issued as a standby letter of credit, to
support the Account Party's Lloyds of London underwriting activity or for other
general corporate purposes, all in the ordinary course of business of such
Account Party. The provisions of this Section 2.01(e) represent only an
obligation of the Account Parties to the Issuing Bank and the Banks; the Issuing
Bank shall have no obligation to the Banks to ascertain the purpose of any
Letter of Credit, and, without limiting the generality of the provisions of
Section 2.04(b) hereof, the rights and obligations of the Banks and the Issuing
Bank among themselves shall not be impaired or affected by a breach of this
Section 2.01(e).

         (f) Fronting Fee; Administration Fees. Each Account Party shall pay to
the Administrative Agent, for the sole account of the Issuing Bank, (i) a
fronting fee (the "Fronting Fee") for Letters of

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   23
Credit (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed), for each Letter of
Credit issued for the account of such Account Party for each day from and
including the date of issuance thereof to and including the date of expiration
or termination thereof, on the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability on such day
at a rate per annum equal to 0.10%; and (ii) such other administration,
issuance, maintenance, amendment, drawing and negotiation fees as are
customarily charged by the Issuing Bank to its customers generally at the time
in question (a list of which customary charges as of the date of this Agreement
has been provided by the Issuing Bank to URC) or are otherwise agreed between
the Issuing Bank and URC.

         (g) Administrative Agent's Annual Fee. The Account Parties shall pay to
the Administrative Agent, for its sole account, an annual agent's fee (the
"Administrative Agent's Annual Fee") at the times and in the amounts specified
in a letter agreement between URC and the Administrative Agent.

         2.02.  Commitment Fee; Reduction of the Committed Amounts.

         (a) Commitment Fee. Each Account Party shall pay or cause to be paid to
the Administrative Agent for the account of each Bank a commitment fee (the
"Commitment Fee") for each day during the period from the Closing Date to but
excluding the Expiration Date calculated (based on a year of 360 days and actual
days elapsed) at a per annum rate equal to 0.08% for each Level One Day, 0.10%
for each Level Two Day, 0.125% for each Level Three Day and 0.15% for each Level
Four Day, payable on the unused portion of such Bank's Committed Amount in
effect on such day. Such fee shall be payable on each Regular Payment Date and
on the Expiration Date for the preceding period for which such fee has not been
paid.

         (b) Reduction of the Committed Amounts. URC may at any time or from
time to time reduce Pro Rata the Committed Amounts of the Banks to an aggregate
amount (which may be zero) not less than the aggregate of the Total Credit
Exposure of the Banks. Any reduction of the Committed Amounts shall be in an
aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and in an amount which is an integral
multiple of $1,000,000. Reduction of the Committed Amounts shall be made by
providing not less than three Business Days' notice (which notice shall be
irrevocable) to such effect to the Administrative Agent. After the date
specified in such notice, the Commitment Fee shall be calculated upon the
Committed Amounts as so reduced.

         2.03.  Procedure for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit.

         (a) Request for Issuance. An Account Party may from time to time
request, upon at least three Business Days' notice, the Issuing Bank to issue a
Letter of Credit by:

                  (i) delivering to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative
         Agent a written request to such effect, specifying the date on which
         such Letter of Credit is to be issued, the expiration date thereof, and
         the Stated Amount thereof, and

                  (ii) delivering to the Issuing Bank a completed application,
         in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit F, or in such other form as may
         from time to time be required by the Issuing Bank in accordance with
         its customary practice with respect to its customers generally (the
         "Letter of Credit Application"), together with such other certificates,
         documents and other papers as are specified in such application.

Upon receiving any such notice, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the
Administrative Agent (by telephone or otherwise), and furnish the Administrative
Agent with the proposed form of Letter of Credit to be issued. The
Administrative Agent shall, promptly upon receiving such notice, notify the
Banks of such proposed Letter of Credit (which notice shall specify the Stated
Amount and term of such proposed Letter of Credit), and shall determine, as of
the close of business on the Business Day before such proposed issuance, whether
such proposed Letter of Credit complies with the limitations

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   24
set forth in Section 2.01 hereof. If such limitations set forth in Section 2.01
are not satisfied or if the Required Banks have given notice to the
Administrative Agent to cease issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section
2.03(c)(ii) hereof, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Issuing Bank (in
writing or by telephone promptly confirmed in writing) that the Issuing Bank is
not authorized to issue such Letter of Credit. If the Issuing Bank issues a
Letter of Credit, it shall deliver the original of such Letter of Credit to the
beneficiary thereof or as the Account Party shall otherwise direct, and shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof and furnish a copy thereof to
the Administrative Agent.

         (b)  Request for Extension or Increase. An Account Party may from time
to time request the Issuing Bank to extend the expiration date of an outstanding
Letter of Credit or increase (or, with the consent of the beneficiary, decrease)
the Stated Amount of or the amount available to be drawn on such Letter of
Credit. Such extension or increase shall for all purposes hereunder be treated
as though such Account Party had requested issuance of a replacement Letter of
Credit (except only that the Issuing Bank may, if it elects, issue a notice of
extension or increase in lieu of issuing a new Letter of Credit in substitution
for the outstanding Letter of Credit).

         (c)  Limitations on Issuance, Extension and Amendment.

                  (i) As between the Issuing Bank, on the one hand, and the
         Agents and the Banks, on the other hand, the Issuing Bank shall be
         justified and fully protected in issuing such Letter of Credit after
         receiving authorization from the Administrative Agent as provided in
         Section 2.03(a) hereof, notwithstanding any subsequent notices to the
         Issuing Bank, any knowledge of an Event of Default (unless the Issuing
         Bank shall have received a notice specifying that such Event of Default
         is an "Event of Default" under this Agreement) or Potential Default,
         any knowledge of failure of any condition specified in Section 4.02
         hereof to be satisfied, any other knowledge of the Issuing Bank, or any
         other event, condition or circumstance whatsoever. The Issuing Bank may
         amend, modify or supplement Letters of Credit or Letter of Credit
         Applications, or waive compliance with any condition of issuance or
         payment, without the consent of, and without liability to, any Agent or
         any Bank, provided that any such amendment, modification or supplement
         that extends the expiration date or increases the Stated Amount of or
         the amount available to be drawn on an outstanding Letter of Credit
         shall be subject to Section 2.01.

                  (ii) As between the Administrative Agent, on the one hand, and
         the Banks, on the other hand, the Administrative Agent shall not
         authorize issuance of any Letter of Credit if the Administrative Agent
         shall have received, at least one Business Day before authorizing such
         issuance, from the Required Banks an unrevoked written notice that any
         condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 will not be satisfied as
         of the time of such issuance and expressly requesting that the
         Administrative Agent direct the Issuing Bank to cease to issue Letters
         of Credit. Absent such notice, or unless the Administrative Agent
         determines that the applicable limitations set forth in Section 2.01
         hereof are not satisfied, the Administrative Agent shall be justified
         and fully protected, as against the Banks, in authorizing the Issuing
         Bank to issue such Letter of Credit, notwithstanding any subsequent
         notices to the Administrative Agent, any knowledge of an Event of
         Default or Potential Default, any knowledge of failure of any condition
         specified in Section 4.02 hereof to be satisfied, any other knowledge
         of the Administrative Agent, or any other event, condition or
         circumstance whatsoever.

         2.04.  Letter of Credit Participating Interests.

         (a)  Generally. Concurrently with the issuance of each Letter of
Credit, the Issuing Bank automatically shall be deemed, irrevocably and
unconditionally, to have sold, assigned, transferred and conveyed to each other
Bank, and each other Bank automatically shall be deemed, irrevocably and
unconditionally, severally to have purchased, acquired, accepted and assumed
from the Issuing Bank,

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   25
without recourse to, or representation or warranty by, the Issuing Bank, an
undivided interest, in a proportion equal to such Bank's Pro Rata share, in all
of the Issuing Bank's rights and obligations in, to or under such Letter of
Credit, the related Letter of Credit Application, the Letter of Credit
Reimbursement Obligations, and all collateral, guarantees and other rights from
time to time directly or indirectly securing the foregoing (such interest of
each Bank being referred to herein as a "Letter of Credit Participating
Interest", it being understood that the Letter of Credit Participating Interest
of the Issuing Bank is the interest not otherwise attributable to the Letter of
Credit Participating Interests of the other Banks). Each Bank irrevocably and
unconditionally agrees to the immediately preceding sentence, such agreement
being herein referred to as such Bank's "Letter of Credit Participating Interest
Commitment". Amounts other than Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations and
Letter of Credit Fees payable from time to time under or in connection with a
Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Application shall be for the sole account
of the Issuing Bank. On the date that any Purchasing Bank becomes a party to
this Agreement in accordance with Section 9.13(c) hereof, Letter of Credit
Participating Interests in all outstanding Letters of Credit held by the Bank
from which such Purchasing Bank acquired its interest hereunder shall be
proportionately reallocated between such Purchasing Bank and such transferor
Bank (and, to the extent such transferor Bank is the Issuing Bank, the
Purchasing Bank shall be deemed to have acquired a Letter of Credit
Participating Interest from the Issuing Bank to such extent).

         (b)  Maximum Amounts of Funding of Participations.

                  (i) This Section 2.04(b)(i) is applicable if the Conversion to
Tranche System has not occurred. No Bank will be obligated to fund its
Commitment Percentage of a drawing on a Letter of Credit if such funding would
cause the sum of the aggregate amount of outstanding unreimbursed fundings by
such Bank of drawings on Letters of Credit and the aggregate amount of
outstanding principal with respect to Loans made by such Bank to exceed such
Bank's Committed Amount, unless such excess results from the fact, with respect
to a drawing on a Letter of Credit denominated in Pounds or Euros, that the
Dollar Equivalent of one Pound or one Euro, as the case may be, is higher at the
time of such funding than it was at the time of issuance of such Letter of
Credit denominated in Pounds or Euros.

                  (ii) This Section 2.04(b)(ii) is applicable if the Conversion
to Tranche System has occurred. No Tranche 1 Bank, Tranche 2 Bank or Tranche X
Bank, as the case may be, will be obligated to fund its Commitment Percentage of
a drawing on a Tranche 1 Letter of Credit, Tranche 2 Letter of Credit or Tranche
X Letter of Credit, as the case may be, if such funding would cause the sum of
the aggregate amount of outstanding unreimbursed fundings by such Bank of
drawings on Letters of Credit under such applicable Tranche and the aggregate
amount of outstanding principal with respect to Loans made by such Bank to
exceed such Bank's Committed Amount under such applicable Tranche, unless such
excess results from the fact, with respect to a drawing on a Letter of Credit
denominated in Pounds or Euros, that the Dollar Equivalent of one Pound or one
Euro, as the case may be, is higher at the time of such funding than it was at
the time of issuance of such Letter of Credit denominated in Pounds or Euros.

         (c)  Obligations Absolute. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof,
each Bank hereby agrees that its obligation to participate in each Letter of
Credit issued in accordance herewith, its obligation to make the payments
specified in Section 2.05 hereof, and the right of the Issuing Bank to receive
such payments in the manner specified therein, are each absolute, irrevocable
and unconditional and shall not be affected by any event, condition or
circumstance whatever. The failure of any Bank to make any such payment shall
not relieve any other Bank of its funding obligation hereunder on the date due,
but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to meet its
funding obligations hereunder.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   26
         2.05.  Letter of Credit Drawings and Reimbursements.

         (a) Account Party's Reimbursement Obligation. Each Account Party hereby
agrees to reimburse the Issuing Bank, by making payment to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.11(a)
hereof on the date of each payment made by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of
Credit issued for such Account Party's account (but not earlier than the date
which is one Business Day after notice of such payment or of the drawing giving
rise to such payment is given to URC), without, protest or demand, all of which
are hereby waived, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. Each Account
Party agrees that it will make such payment to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the Issuing Bank in the same currency as the currency of the payment
by the Issuing Bank under such Letter of Credit. To the extent such payment is
not timely made, such Account Party hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, on demand, interest on any Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws for each day from and including the date of such
payment by the Issuing Bank until paid (before and after judgment) in accordance
with Section 2.11(a) hereof, at the rate per annum set forth in Section 2.11(b)
hereof.

         (b) Payment by Banks on Account of Unreimbursed Draws. If the Issuing
Bank makes a payment under any Letter of Credit and is not reimbursed in full
therefor on such payment date in accordance with Section 2.05(a) hereof, the
Issuing Bank will promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof (which notice
may be by telephone), and the Administrative Agent shall forthwith notify each
Bank (which notice may be by telephone promptly confirmed in writing) thereof.
No later than the Administrative Agent's close of business on the date such
notice is given (if notice is given by 11:30 o'clock A.M. Pittsburgh time) or
10:00 o'clock A.M. Pittsburgh time the following day (if notice is given after
11:30 o'clock A.M. Pittsburgh time) , each such Bank will pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, in immediately
available funds, an amount equal to such Bank's Pro Rata share of the
unreimbursed portion of such payment by the Issuing Bank. Each Bank agrees that
such payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank
shall be in the same currency as the currency of the payment by the Issuing Bank
under the Letter of Credit. If and to the extent that any Bank fails to make
such payment to the Issuing Bank on such date, such Bank shall pay such amount
on demand, together with interest, for the Issuing Bank's own account, for each
day from and including the date of the Issuing Bank's payment to but not
including the date of repayment to the Issuing Bank (before and after judgment)
at rate per annum for each day from and including the date of such payment by
the Issuing Bank equal to the Applicable Reimbursement Interest Rate.

         (c) Distributions to Banks. If, at any time, after there occurs a
Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw and the Issuing Bank has received from any
Bank such Bank's share of such Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw, and the
Issuing Bank receives any payment or makes any application of funds on account
of the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation arising from such Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draw, the Issuing Bank will pay to the Administrative Agent,
for the account of such Bank, such Bank's Pro Rata share of such payment.

         (d) Rescission. If any amount received by the Issuing Bank on account
of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation shall be avoided, rescinded or
otherwise returned or paid over by the Issuing Bank for any reason at any time,
whether before or after the termination of this Agreement (or the Issuing Bank
believes in good faith that such avoidance, rescission, return or payment is
required, whether or not such matter has been adjudicated), each such Bank will,
promptly upon notice from the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, pay over
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank its Pro Rata
share of such amount, together with its Pro Rata share of any interest or
penalties payable with respect thereto.

         2.06  Equalization. If any Bank receives any payment or makes any
application on account of its Letter of Credit Participating Interest, such Bank
shall forthwith pay over to the Issuing Bank, in

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   27
Dollars and in like kind of funds received or applied by it the amount in excess
of such Bank's ratable share of the amount so received or applied.

         2.07. Obligations Absolute. The payment obligations of the Account
Parties and of the Banks under Section 2.05 shall be unconditional and
irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement under all circumstances, including, without limitation, the following
circumstances:

         (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any
Letter of Credit or any Transaction Document against an Account Party;

         (b) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which
any Account Party, any Guarantor or any other Person may have at any time
against any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons
for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), the Issuing Bank,
any Bank, or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the
transactions contemplated hereby or any unrelated transaction;

         (c) any draft, certificate, statement or other document presented under
any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient
in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
respect;

         (d) payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit against
presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with the terms of
such Letter of Credit, or payment by the Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit
in any other circumstances in which conditions to payment are not met, except
any such wrongful payment to the extent resulting from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank; or

         (e) any other event, condition or circumstance whatever, whether or not
similar to any of the foregoing, except if the same results solely from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank.

Each Account Party bears the risk of, and neither the Issuing Bank, any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents, nor any Bank, shall be liable or
responsible for any of, the foregoing matters, the use which may be made of any
Letter of Credit, or acts or omissions of the beneficiary or any transferee in
connection therewith, except for such person's gross negligence or willful
misconduct (it being understood that this sentence is without prejudice to any
rights which any Account Party may have to assert a claim against the Issuing
Bank for failure of the Issuing Bank to fulfill its obligations to such Account
Party with respect to payment under Letters of Credit).

         2.08. Unacceptable Credit Rating. If the long-term debt credit rating
of any Bank shall decline below the Acceptable Credit Rating (as defined below),
the Issuing Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, to cause such
Bank to be replaced as a party hereto by a Replacement Bank, subject to approval
of such Replacement Bank by each Account Party (which in each case shall not be
unreasonably withheld). In the event that any Bank is to be replaced by a
Replacement Bank, such Bank shall, upon payment to it of all amounts owing to it
on the date of its replacement, assign all of its interests hereunder to such
Replacement Bank in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.13(c) hereof. A
Bank shall have an "Acceptable Credit Rating" if it has both (i) a long-term
debt rating of at least A by Standard & Poor's and (ii) a long-term debt rating
of at least A2 by Moody's. Each Credit Party agrees that it shall cooperate with
the Issuing Bank in connection with the identification of one or more
Replacement Banks if the Issuing Bank exercises its right set forth in the first
sentence of this Section 2.08.

         2.09. Letter of Credit Applications. The representations, warranties
and covenants by the Account Parties under, and the rights and remedies of the
Issuing Bank under, the Continuing Letter of

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   28
Credit Agreement and any Letter of Credit Application relating to any Letter of
Credit are in addition to, and not in limitation or derogation of,
representations, warranties and covenants by the Account Parties under, and
rights and remedies of the Issuing Bank and the Banks under, this Agreement, the
Transaction Documents, and applicable Law. Each Account Party acknowledges and
agrees that all rights of the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit
Application shall inure to the benefit of each Bank to the extent of its
Commitment Percentage as fully as if such Bank was a party to such Letter of
Credit Application. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this
Agreement and any Letter of Credit Application, this Agreement shall prevail.

         2.10.  Certain Provisions Relating to the Issuing Bank.

         (a) General. The Issuing Bank shall have no duties or responsibilities
to the other Bank Parties except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and
the other Transaction Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on
the part of the Issuing Bank shall be read into this Agreement or any
Transaction Document or shall otherwise exist. The duties and responsibilities
of the Issuing Bank to the other Bank Parties under this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents shall be mechanical and administrative in nature, and the
Issuing Bank shall not have a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Bank
Party or any other Person. The Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or
any other Transaction Document, unless caused by its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Issuing Bank shall not be under any obligation to
ascertain, inquire or give any notice to the other Bank Parties relating to (i)
the performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document on the part of any Account Party,
(ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
of the Account Parties or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any Event
of Default or Potential Default. The Issuing Bank shall not be under any
obligation, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Agent or
any Bank with any notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in its
possession presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and other
information expressly required by this Agreement to be so furnished. The Issuing
Bank shall not be responsible for the execution, delivery, effectiveness,
enforceability, genuineness, validity or adequacy of this Agreement or any other
Transaction Document.

         (b) Administration. The Issuing Bank may rely upon any notice or other
communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited to
telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is
made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Transaction
Document) purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and
the Issuing Bank shall not have any duty to verify the identity or authority of
any Person giving such notice or other communication. The Issuing Bank may
consult with legal counsel (including, without limitation, in-house counsel for
the Issuing Bank or in-house or other counsel for the Account Parties),
independent public accountants and any other experts selected by it from time to
time, and the Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted
to be taken in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel,
accountants or experts. Whenever the Issuing Bank shall deem it necessary or
desirable that a matter be proved or established with respect to any Account
Party or Bank Party, such matter may be established by a certificate of such
Account Party or Bank Party, as the case may be, and the Issuing Bank may
conclusively rely upon such certificate. The Issuing Bank shall not be deemed to
have any knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or
Potential Default unless the Issuing Bank has received notice from a Bank or any
Credit Party referring to this Agreement, describing such Event of Default or
Potential Default, and stating that such notice is a "notice of default". If the
Issuing Bank receives such a notice, the Issuing Bank shall give prompt notice
thereof to the Administrative Agent.

         (c) Indemnification of Issuing Bank by Banks. Each Bank hereby agrees
to reimburse and indemnify the Issuing Bank and each of its directors, officers,
employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by the Account Parties and
without limitation of the obligations of the Account Parties to do so), Pro
Rata, from and against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities, claims,
damages, expenses,

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   29
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel (other than in-house counsel) for the Issuing Bank or
such other Person in connection with any investigative, administrative or
judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not the Issuing Bank or
such other Person shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Issuing Bank, in its capacity as
such, or such other Person, as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way
related to or by reason of, this Agreement, any other Transaction Document, any
transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction
financed in whole or in part or directly or indirectly with the proceeds of any
Letter of Credit, provided, that no Bank shall be liable for any portion of such
amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank or such other Person, as
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

         (d) Issuing Bank in its Individual Capacity. With respect to its
Commitments and the Obligations owing to it, the Issuing Bank shall have the
same rights and powers under this Agreement and each other Transaction Document
as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Issuing
Bank, and the term "Banks" and like terms shall include the Issuing Bank in its
individual capacity as such. The Issuing Bank and its affiliates may, without
liability to account, make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire debt or
equity interests in, act as trustee under indentures of, act as agent under
other credit facilities for, and engage in any other business with, any Credit
Party and any stockholder, subsidiary or affiliate of any Credit Party, as
though the Issuing Bank were not the Issuing Bank hereunder.

         2.11. Payments Generally; Interest and Interest on Overdue Amounts.

         (a) Payments Generally. All payments to be made by an Account Party in
respect of fees, indemnity, expenses or other amounts due from such Account
Party hereunder or under any Transaction Document shall be payable in Dollars
(except in the case of payment of reimbursement obligations with respect to
Letters of Credit denominated in Pounds, which shall be payable in Pounds, and
in the case of payment of reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of
Credit denominated in Euros, which shall be payable in Euros) by not later than
2:00 o'clock p.m., Pittsburgh time (or, in the case of payments in Pounds or
Euros, London time), on the day when due without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, and an action
therefor shall immediately accrue, without setoff, counterclaim, withholding or
other deduction of any kind or nature. Except for payments under Sections 2.12,
2.13 and 9.04 hereof, such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at
its Domestic Office in Dollars in funds immediately available at such office or,
in the case of payments in Pounds or Euros, at its London Office in funds
immediately available at such office. Payments under Sections 2.12, 2.13 and
9.04 hereof shall be made to the applicable Bank at such domestic account as it
shall specify to the Account Parties from time to time in funds immediately
available at such account. Any payment or prepayment received by the
Administrative Agent or such Bank after 2:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time or London
time, as applicable, on any day shall be deemed to have been received on the
next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall distribute to the
Banks all such payments received by it from an Account Party as promptly as
practicable after receipt by the Administrative Agent.

         (b) Interest and Interest on Overdue Amounts. Interest on Letter of
Credit Reimbursement Obligations shall accrue at a rate per annum (based on a
year of 360 days (or, in the case of such Obligations denominated in Dollars,
365 or 366 days, as the case may be) and actual days elapsed) which for each day
shall be equal to the then-current Applicable Reimbursement Interest Rate
beginning on the day that the related Letter of Credit payment is made and shall
be due and payable on the day that the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation
is due and payable in accordance with Section 2.05(a) hereof. To the extent
permitted by law, after there shall have become due (by acceleration or
otherwise) fees, indemnity, expenses or any other amounts due from the Account
Parties hereunder or under any other Transaction Document, such amounts shall
bear interest for each

                                      -24-
<PAGE>   30
day until paid (before and after judgment), payable on demand, at a rate per
annum (in each case based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) which
for each day shall be equal to 2% above the then-current Applicable
Reimbursement Interest Rate. To the extent permitted by law, interest accrued on
any amount which has become due hereunder or under any Transaction Document
shall compound on a day-by-day basis, and hence shall be added daily to the
overdue amount to which such interest relates.

         2.12. Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances. If the
introduction of or any change in, or any change in the interpretation or
application of, any Law, regulation or guideline by any Official Body charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request
or directive of any applicable Official Body (whether or not having the force of
law):

                  (i) subjects any Bank to any tax or changes the basis of
         taxation with respect to this Agreement, the Letters of Credit or
         payments by the Account Parties of fees or other amounts due from the
         Account Parties hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents
         (except for taxes on the overall net income or overall gross receipts,
         profits or gains of such Bank imposed by the jurisdictions (federal,
         state and local) in which the Bank's principal office is located),

                  (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
         special deposit or similar requirement against credits or commitments
         to extend credit extended by, assets (funded or contingent) of,
         deposits with or for the account of, other acquisitions of funds by,
         such Bank,

                  (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any capital
         adequacy or similar requirement (A) against assets (funded or
         contingent) of, or credits or commitments to extend credit extended by,
         any Bank or (B) otherwise applicable to the obligations of any Bank
         under this Agreement, or

                  (iv) imposes upon any Bank any other condition or expense with
         respect to this Agreement or the issuance of any Letter of Credit,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Bank or, in the case of clause (iii) hereof, any Person controlling a Bank, with
respect to this Agreement or the issuance of any Letter of Credit (or, in the
case of any capital adequacy or similar requirement, to have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Bank's or controlling Person's capital,
taking into consideration such Bank's or controlling Person's policies with
respect to capital adequacy so long as such policies are reasonable in light of
prevailing market practice at the time) by an amount which such Bank deems to be
material, such Bank may from time to time notify the Account Parties of the
amount determined in good faith (using any averaging and attribution methods) by
such Bank (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be
necessary to compensate such Bank for such increase, reduction or imposition.
Such amount shall be due and payable by any applicable Account Party to such
Bank five Business Days after such notice is given, together with an amount
equal to interest on such amount from the date two Business Days after the date
demanded until such due date at the Prime Rate. Such notice shall set forth in
reasonable detail the calculations upon which such Bank determined such amount.
A certificate by such Bank as to the amount due and payable under this Section
2.12 from time to time and the method of calculating such amount shall be
conclusive absent manifest error. Each Bank agrees that it will use good faith
efforts promptly to notify the Account Parties of the occurrence of any event
that would give rise to a payment under this Section 2.12; provided, however
that, so long as such notice is given within a reasonable period after the
occurrence of such event, any failure of such Bank to give any such notice shall
have no effect on the Account Parties' obligations hereunder. Upon the receipt
by the Account Parties or the Borrowers, as the case may be, from any Bank (an
"Affected Bank") of a claim for compensation under this Section 2.12 or under
Section 2A.11(a) or of a claim for payment of an Additional Amount under Section
2.13, URGI may designate another commercial lending institution satisfactory to
the Issuing Bank to acquire and assume all of

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   31
such Affected Bank's Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment, Letter
of Credit Participating Interest, Loans and Revolving Credit Commitment, and all
other rights and obligations of the Affected Bank hereunder, by giving notice of
the name of such institution to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and
the Affected Bank. Such acquisition and assumption shall be made in accordance
with Section 9.13(c).

         2.13.  Taxes.

         (a) Payments Net of Taxes. All payments made by the Account Parties and
Borrowers under this Agreement, any Note, or any other Transaction Document
shall be made free and clear of, and without reduction or withholding for or on
account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed,
levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Official Body, and all
liabilities with respect thereto, excluding

                  (i) in the case of each Agent and each Bank, income, profits,
         gains or franchise taxes imposed on such Agent or such Bank by the
         jurisdiction under the laws of which such Agent or such Bank is
         organized or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or
         therein or as a result of a connection between such Agent or such Bank
         and any jurisdiction other than a connection resulting solely from this
         Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and

                  (ii) in the case of each Bank, income, profits, gains or
         franchise taxes imposed by any jurisdiction in which such Bank's
         lending offices which issue Letters of Credit or which makes Loans
         hereunder are located or any political subdivision or taxing authority
         thereof or therein

(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings being hereinafter called "Taxes"), unless an Account Party or
Borrower is required by Law to withhold or deduct Taxes. If any Taxes are
required to be withheld or deducted from any amounts payable to any Agent or any
Bank under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, subject to Section
2.13(c) hereof, the applicable Account Party or Borrower shall pay the relevant
amount of such Taxes and the amounts so payable to such Agent or such Bank shall
be increased (the amount of such increase, an "Additional Amount") to the extent
necessary to yield to such Agent or such Bank (after payment of all Taxes)
interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the
amounts specified in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
Whenever any Taxes are paid by an Account Party or a Borrower with respect to
payments made in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document, as promptly as possible thereafter, such Account Party or such
Borrower shall send to such Agent for its own account or to the Administrative
Agent for the account of such Bank, as the case may be, a certified copy of an
original official receipt received by such Account Party or such Borrower
showing payment thereof. If an Agent or a Bank determines in its sole discretion
in good faith that it has received a refund in respect of, or that it has been
able to utilize to offset its liability for Taxes a credit (a "utilized credit")
in respect of, any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by an Account Party
or a Borrower, or with respect to which an Account Party or a Borrower has paid
additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.13, such Agent or such Bank shall
promptly after the date of such receipt pay over the amount of such refund or
utilized credit to such Account Party or such Borrower (but only to the extent
of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by an Account Party or a
Borrower under this Section 2.13 with respect to Taxes giving rise to such
refund or utilized credit and only to the extent that such Agent or such Bank
has determined that the amount of any such refund or utilized credit is directly
attributable to payments made under this Agreement), net of all reasonable
expenses of such Agent or such Bank (including additional Taxes attributable to
such refund or utilized credit, as determined by such Agent or such Bank) and
without interest (other than interest, if any, paid by the relevant Official
Body with respect to such refund or utilized credit). An Account Party or a
Borrower receiving any such payment from an Agent or a Bank shall, upon demand,
pay to such Agent or such Bank any amount paid over to such Account Party or
such

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   32
Borrower by such Agent or such Bank (plus penalties, interest or other charges)
in the event such Agent or such Bank is required to repay any portion of such
refund or utilized credit to such Official Body. Nothing in this Section 2.13(a)
shall entitle an Account Party or a Borrower to have access to the records of
any Agent or any Bank, including, without limitation, tax returns.

         (b) Indemnity. Each Account Party and each Borrower hereby indemnifies
each of the Agents and each of the Banks for the full amount of all Taxes
attributable to payments by or on behalf of such Account Party or such Borrower
hereunder or under any of the other Transaction Documents, any Taxes paid by
such Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, any present or future claims,
liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or
delay in paying any Taxes (including any incremental Taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by such Agent or such Bank as a result of any
failure to pay such Taxes, except by reason of unreasonable delay by such Agent
or Bank in notifying an Account Party or a Borrower in making payment after
payment was received from an Account Party or a Borrower), whether or not such
Taxes were correctly or legally asserted, except to the extent that such Taxes
(x) are required to be paid solely because of failure of such Agent or such Bank
to deliver a form it is required to deliver pursuant to Section 2.13(c) hereof
or solely as a result of such form being incorrect in a material respect and (y)
would not have been required to be paid if such form had been delivered or had
not been incorrect. Such indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the
date such Bank or such Agent, as the case may be, makes written demand therefor.

         (c) Withholding and Backup Withholding. Each Bank and each Agent that
is incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
United States or any State thereof agrees that, on or prior to the date the
first payment is due to be made to it hereunder or under any other Transaction
Document, it will furnish to the Account Parties, the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent:

                  (i) two valid, duly completed copies of United States Internal
         Revenue Service Form 4224 or United States Internal Revenue Form 1001
         or successor applicable form (including proposed Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or
         W-8EXP), as the case may be, certifying in each case that such Bank is
         entitled to receive payments under this Agreement and the other
         Transaction Documents without deduction or withholding of any United
         States federal income taxes and

                  (ii) a valid, duly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8
         or W-9 or successor applicable form (including proposed Form W-8BEN,
         W-8ECI or W-8EXP), as the case may be, to establish an exemption from
         United States backup withholding tax.

Each Bank and each Agent which so delivers to the Account Parties, the Borrowers
and the Administrative Agent a Form 1001 or 4224 and Form W-8 or W-9, or
successor applicable forms, agrees to deliver to the Account Parties, the
Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two further copies of the said Form 1001
or 4224 and Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable forms, or other manner of
certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such form
expires or becomes obsolete or otherwise is required to be resubmitted as a
condition to obtaining an exemption from withholding tax, or after the
occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously
delivered by it, and such extensions or renewals thereof as may reasonably be
requested by the Account Parties, the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent,
certifying in the case of a Form 1001 or Form 4224 that such Bank or Agent is
entitled to receive payments under this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income
taxes, unless in any such cases an event (including any changes in Law) has
occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would otherwise be
required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such
Bank from duly completing and delivering any such letter or form with respect to
it and such Bank advises the Account Parties, the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent that it is not capable of receiving payments without any
deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax, and in the case
of a Form W-8 or W-9, establishing

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   33
an exemption from United States backup withholding tax, in which case Section
2.13(a) and (b) shall apply to all further payments. The Borrowers and the
Account Parties shall not be required to pay any Additional Amount on account of
Taxes to a Bank or Agent (A) that has failed to deliver any of the forms it is
required by this Section 2.13 to deliver, to the extent that deduction or
withholding of the relevant Taxes would not have been required if the form had
been delivered, or (B) that has delivered such a form that is incorrect in any
material respect, to the extent that deduction or withholding of the relevant
Taxes would not have been required if such form had been correct in all material
respects.

         2.14. Extensions of Expiration Date. URGI may, at its option, give the
Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank written notice (an "Extension
Request") at any time not more than ninety days, nor less than forty-five days,
prior to the Expiration Date in effect at such time (the "Current Expiration
Date") of URGI's desire to extend the Expiration Date to a date which is not
later than 364 days after the Current Expiration Date. The Administrative Agent
shall promptly inform the Banks of such Extension Request. Each Bank which
agrees to such Extension Request shall deliver to the Administrative Agent its
express written consent thereto no later than thirty days prior to the Current
Expiration Date. No extension shall become effective unless the express written
consent thereto by the Required Commitment Banks and the Issuing Bank is
received by the Administrative Agent on or before the thirtieth day prior to the
Current Expiration Date. If the Issuing Bank and the Required Commitment Banks,
but not all Commitment Banks, have expressly consented in writing to such
Extension Request by such thirtieth day, then the Administrative Agent shall so
notify URGI and URGI may, effective as of the Current Expiration Date, take one
or both of the following actions: (i) replace any Commitment Bank which has not
agreed to such Extension Request (a "Nonextending Bank") with another commercial
lending institution satisfactory to the Issuing Bank (a "Replacement Bank") by
giving notice of the name of such Replacement Bank to the Administrative Agent
and the Issuing Bank not later than five Business Days prior to the Current
Expiration Date and (ii) elect to implement a Conversion to Tranche System as
contemplated by Section 2.15 hereof (or, if the Conversion to Tranche System has
previously been implemented, elect to implement a Supplement to Tranche System
as contemplated by Section 2.15 hereof). In the event that a Nonextending Bank
is to be replaced by a Replacement Bank, such Nonextending Bank shall, upon
payment to it of all amounts owing to it on the date of its replacement (it
being understood that such payment of the outstanding principal amount of and
accrued interest on Loans will be made by the Replacement Bank in accordance
with Section 9.13(c) hereof), assign all of its interests hereunder to such
Replacement Bank in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.13(c) hereof. If
a Nonextending Bank is not so replaced, such Nonextending Bank shall, in
accordance with Section 2.15 hereof, retain the obligation to fund draws on
Letters of Credit issued prior to the Current Expiration Date, unless such
Letter of Credit shall have been renewed (including, without limitation, renewal
by operation of an evergreen provision) since the Current Expiration Date. If
the Issuing Bank and the Required Commitment Banks shall have consented to such
Extension Request (and, if fewer than all the Banks shall have so consented,
URGI shall have elected to implement a Conversion to Tranche System or
Supplement to Tranche System, as the case may be), then, on the Current
Expiration Date, the Expiration Date shall be deemed to have been extended to,
and shall be, the date specified in such Extension Notice. The Administrative
Agent shall promptly after any such extension advise the Banks of any changes in
the Committed Amounts and the Commitment Percentages, as well as any changes
effected by the election of the Conversion to Tranche System or a Supplement to
Tranche System.

         2.15.  Tranches.

         (a) Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement the following terms
have the meanings ascribed thereto:

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   34
                           "Commitment Banks" at any time means Banks which have
                  Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitments at such
                  time and "Commitment Bank" means any one of them.

                           "Conversion to Tranche System" means the written
                  election by URGI, at a time when URGI has made an Extension
                  Request pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof and such Extension
                  Request has been consented to in writing by the Issuing Bank
                  and the Required Commitment Banks, but not by all of the
                  Commitment Banks, to classify Letters of Credit as Tranche 1
                  Letters of Credit and Tranche 2 Letters of Credit, all in
                  accordance with Section 2.15(b) hereof.

                           "L/C Termination Date" means, with respect to a
                  Letter of Credit, the date which is stated therein to be the
                  last day on which the beneficiary thereof may draw thereon.

                           "Pro Rata" means, with respect to Loans, ratably
                  among the Banks in accordance with the outstanding principal
                  amount thereof and, with respect to Letters of Credit: (i)
                  until the first Special Expiration Date, from and to the Banks
                  in accordance with their respective Letter of Credit
                  Participating Interest Percentages and (ii) thereafter, (x)
                  with respect to Tranche 1 Letters of Credit, from and to the
                  Tranche 1 Banks in accordance with their respective Tranche 1
                  Letter of Credit Participating Interest Percentages, (y) with
                  respect to Tranche 2 Letters of Credit and Tranche 2 Letter of
                  Credit Commitments, from and to the Tranche 2 Banks in
                  accordance with their respective Tranche 2 Letter of Credit
                  Participating Interest Percentages and (z) with respect to
                  each additional Tranche of Letters of Credit (i.e., Tranche 3
                  Letters of Credit, Tranche 4 Letters of Credit, and so on), if
                  any, from and to the Banks which have Letter of Credit
                  Participating Interest Commitments or Letter of Credit
                  Participating Interests, as applicable, with respect to such
                  Tranche in accordance with their respective related Letter of
                  Credit Participating Interest Percentages.

                           "Required Commitment Banks" at any time means
                  Commitment Banks which have, in the aggregate, Committed
                  Amounts in excess of 51% of the total outstanding Committed
                  Amounts at such time.

                           "Special Expiration Date" means the Expiration Date
                  which is in effect at a time when each of the following has
                  occurred: (i) URGI has made an Extension Request pursuant to
                  Section 2.14 hereof, (ii) such Extension Request has been
                  consented to in writing by the Issuing Bank and the Required
                  Commitment Banks, but not by all of the Commitment Banks, and
                  (iii) URGI has elected to implement a Conversion to Tranche
                  System or a Supplement to Tranche System.

                           "Supplement to Tranche System" means the election by
                  URGI at a time when the Conversion to Tranche System has been
                  previously made and when URGI has made an Extension Request
                  pursuant to Section 2.14 hereof and such Extension Request has
                  been consented to in writing by the Issuing Bank and the
                  Required Commitment Banks, but not by all of the Commitment
                  Banks, to classify additional Letters of Credit as Tranche X
                  Letters of Credit.

                           "Tranche 1 Bank" shall mean each Bank which is a Bank
                  immediately prior to the first Special Expiration Date.

                           "Tranche 1 Letter of Credit" means each Letter of
                  Credit which is issued prior to the first Special Expiration
                  Date, but shall not include any such Letter of

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   35
                  Credit as to which the L/C Termination Date has been extended
                  to a date after the L/C Termination Date which was in effect
                  on such first Special Expiration Date.

                           "Tranche 1 Letter of Credit Participating Interest
                  Percentage" for each Tranche 1 Bank means such Bank's Letter
                  of Credit Participating Interest Percentage immediately prior
                  to the first Special Expiration Date.

                           "Tranche 2 Bank" shall mean each Bank which has a
                  Tranche 2 Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment.

                           "Tranche 2 Letter of Credit" means each Letter of
                  Credit which is issued prior to the second Special Expiration
                  Date, but shall not include any such Letter of Credit as to
                  which the L/C Termination Date has been extended to a date
                  after the L/C Termination Date which was in effect on such
                  second Special Expiration Date and shall not include any
                  Tranche 1 Letter of Credit (it being understood that a Letter
                  of Credit may change from a Tranche 1 Letter of Credit to a
                  Tranche 2 Letter of Credit as a result of the extension, after
                  the first Special Expiration Date, of its L/C Termination
                  Date).

                           "Tranche 3 Letter of Credit" and "Tranche 4 Letter of
                  Credit" have the meanings set forth in the definition of the
                  term "Tranche X".

                           "Tranche X" shall mean Tranche 3 if there are
                  existing Tranche 2 Letters of Credit but not Tranche 3 Letters
                  of Credit, Tranche 4 if there are existing Tranche 3 Letters
                  of Credit but not Tranche 4 Letters of Credit, and so on in
                  consecutive integral succession. The terms "Tranche X Bank",
                  "Tranche X Letter of Credit Participating Interest
                  Commitment", "Tranche X Letter of Credit Participating
                  Interest Committed Amount" and "Tranche X Letter of Credit
                  Participating Interest Percentage" shall have comparable
                  meanings. The term "Tranche X Letter of Credit" shall have a
                  comparable meaning, but such meaning shall be consistent with
                  the following: (i) the term "Tranche 3 Letter of Credit" means
                  each Letter of Credit which is issued prior to the third
                  Special Expiration Date, but shall not include any such Letter
                  of Credit as to which the L/C Termination Date has been
                  extended to a date after the L/C Termination Date which was in
                  effect on such third Special Expiration Date and shall not
                  include any Tranche 1 Letter or Credit or any Tranche 2 Letter
                  of Credit; (ii) the term "Tranche 4 Letter of Credit" means
                  each Letter of Credit which is issued prior to the fourth
                  Special Expiration Date, but shall not include any such Letter
                  of Credit as to which the L/C Termination Date has been
                  extended to a date after the L/C Termination Date which was in
                  effect on such fourth Special Expiration Date and shall not
                  include any Tranche 1 Letter of Credit, any Tranche 2 Letter
                  of Credit or any Tranche 3 Letter of Credit; (iii) the terms
                  "Tranche 5 Letter of Credit", "Tranche 6 Letter of Credit",
                  and so on shall have comparable meanings (it being understood
                  that a Letter of Credit can change from one Tranche to another
                  as a result of an extension of its L/C Termination Date).

         (b) Conversion to Tranche System. If URGI elects the Conversion to
Tranche System with respect to an Extension Request, the following shall occur:
(i) the Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitments of Banks which, with
respect to such Extension Request, are Nonextending Banks shall terminate as of
the Special Expiration Date related to such Extension Request, but such
Nonextending Banks (other than Nonextending Banks which have been replaced as
contemplated by Section 2.14 hereof) shall remain parties to this Agreement and
shall retain all of their respective obligations with respect to Tranche 1
Letters of Credit and shall retain their respective Letter of Credit
Participating Interests in and with respect to Tranche 1 Letters of

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   36
Credit; (ii) from and after the Special Expiration Date related to such
Extension Request, the Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment of
each Bank which has consented in writing to such Extension Request shall be a
"Tranche 2 Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment" and the Committed
Amount of such Bank shall be its "Tranche 2 Committed Amount"; (iii) the
"Tranche 2 Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment Percentage" for
each Tranche 2 Bank shall mean a fraction, expressed as a percentage, the
numerator of which is such Tranche 2 Bank's Tranche 2 Committed Amount and the
denominator of which is the aggregate Tranche 2 Committed Amounts of all of the
Tranche 2 Banks; and (iv) the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any
Tranche 2 Letter of Credit (or to permit any Letter of Credit to become a
Tranche 2 Letter of Credit by extension of its L/C Termination Date) if the
Letter of Credit Exposure upon such issuance (or extension) would exceed the
aggregate of the Banks' Tranche 2 Committed Amounts.

         (c) Supplement to Tranche System. If URGI elects a Supplement to
Tranche System with respect to an Extension Request, the following shall occur:
(i) the Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitments of Banks which, with
respect to such Extension Request, are Nonextending Banks shall terminate, but
such Nonextending Banks shall remain parties to this Agreement and shall retain
all of their respective obligations with respect to Letters of Credit under
existing Tranches and shall retain their respective Letter of Credit
Participating Interests in and with respect to existing Letters of Credit; (ii)
from and after the Special Expiration Date related to such Extension Request,
the Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitment of each Bank which has
consented in writing to such Extension Request shall be a "Tranche X Letter of
Credit Participating Interest Commitment" and the Committed Amount of such Bank
shall be its "Tranche X Committed Amount"; (iii) the "Tranche X Letter of Credit
Participating Interest Commitment Percentage" for each Tranche X Bank shall mean
a fraction, expressed as percentage, the numerator of which is such Tranche X
Bank's Tranche X Committed Amount, and the denominator of which is the aggregate
Tranche X Committed Amounts of all of the Tranche X Banks, all as contemplated
by the definition of the term "Tranche X" contained in paragraph (a) of this
Section 2.15; and (iv) the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any
Tranche X Letter of Credit (or to permit any Letter of Credit to become a
Tranche X Letter of Credit by extension of its L/C Termination Date) if the
Letter of Credit Exposure upon such issuance (or extension) would exceed the
aggregate of the Banks' Tranche X Committed Amounts.

                                   ARTICLE IIA

                             REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS

         2A.1.  Revolving Credit Loans.

         (a) Revolving Credit Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions
and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Bank,
severally and not jointly, agrees (such agreement being herein called such
Bank's "Revolving Credit Commitment") to make loans (the "Loans") in Dollars,
Pounds or Euros to a Borrower at any time or from time to time on or after the
Closing Date and to but not including the Expiration Date. A Bank shall have no
obligation to make any Loan to the extent that the Dollar Equivalent of such
Bank's Total Credit Exposure at any time outstanding would exceed such Bank's
Committed Amount at such time. The sum of all of the Banks' Revolving Credit
Exposures shall not exceed $75,000,000 at any time. No Loans shall be requested
or shall be made from and after the date when a Designated Extended Maturity
Date is first in effect.

         (b) Purpose and Nature of Credit. Within the limits of time and amount
set forth in this Section 2A.1, and subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
a Borrower may borrow, repay and

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   37
reborrow Loans hereunder. The failure of any Bank to make a Loan shall not
relieve any other Bank of its obligation to lend hereunder, but neither the
Administrative Agent nor any Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any
other Bank to make a Loan. Each Loan shall be made to a single Borrower and
shall be made in Dollars, Pounds or Euros. Loans shall be used by the Borrowers
for general corporate purposes, including without limitation for temporary
liquidity needs.

         (c) Revolving Credit Notes. The obligation of each Borrower to repay
the unpaid principal amount of the Loans made to it by each Bank and to pay
interest thereon shall be evidenced in part by promissory notes of such
Borrower, one to each Bank, dated the Closing Date (collectively for all
Borrowers and all Banks, the "Notes") in substantially the form attached hereto
as Exhibit H-1, H-2 or H-3, as the case may be, with the blanks appropriately
filled, payable to the order of such Bank.

         (d) Maturity. The Loans shall mature, and be due and payable, on the
Maturity Date. The term "Maturity Date" shall mean (i) if a Designated Extended
Maturity Date is in effect, the Designated Extended Maturity Date, (ii) if no
Designated Extended Maturity Date is in effect and the Conversion to Tranche
System has not occurred, the Expiration Date and (iii) if no Designated Extended
Maturity Date is in effect and the Conversion to Tranche System has occurred,
the Current Expiration Date which was in effect immediately before the
occurrence of the Conversion to Tranche System. The term "Designated Extended
Maturity Date" shall mean the date which is the one year anniversary of the
effective date of a Loan Maturity Extension Notice. The term "Loan Maturity
Extension Notice" shall mean a notice in writing furnished by URGI to the
Administrative Agent to the effect that URGI desires the maturity of all of the
Loans to be extended to the date which is the one year anniversary of the date
which is stated therein to be the proposed effective date of such notice,
provided that such notice shall be effective only if the conditions of lending
set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied on such proposed effective date and
provided further that the proposed effective date may not be later than ten days
prior to the Expiration Date.

         2A.2 Making of Loans. Whenever any Borrower desires that the Banks make
Loans, such Borrower shall provide Standard Notice to the Administrative Agent
setting forth the following information:

         (a) The name of the Borrower to whom such proposed Loans are to be
made;

         (b) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which such proposed
Loans are to be made;

         (c) The currency, which shall be Dollars, Pounds or Euros, in which
such Loans are to be made;

         (d) The aggregate principal amount of such proposed Loans, which shall
be the sum of the principal amounts selected pursuant to clause (e) of this
Section 2A.2; and

         (e) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance with
Section 2A.3(a) hereof and the principal amount selected in accordance with
Section 2A.3(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each Funding Segment of the
Euro-Rate Portion of such proposed Loans and (f) with respect to each such
Funding Segment of such proposed Loans, the Funding Period to apply to such
Funding Segment selected in accordance with Section 2A.3(c) hereof. The
Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to each Bank of the information
contained in such notice and of the amount of such Bank's Loan. Unless any
applicable condition specified in Article IV hereof has not been satisfied on
the proposed borrowing date specified in such Standard Notice, each Bank shall
make the proceeds of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent (a) with
respect to

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   38
Dollars, at the Administrative Agent's Domestic Office, no later than 12:00
o'clock Noon, Pittsburgh time, and (b) with respect to Pounds or Euros, at the
Administrative Agent's London Office, no later than 12:00 o'clock Noon, London
time, on the date specified in such notice, in funds immediately available at
such office. The Administrative Agent will make the funds so received available
to such Borrower in funds immediately available at the Administrative Agent's
Domestic Office or at the Administrative Agent's London Office, as the case may
be.

         2A.3  Interest Rates.

         (a) Optional Bases of Borrowing. The unpaid principal amount of the
Loans shall bear interest for each day until due on one or more bases selected
by a Borrower from among the interest rate Options set forth below. Subject to
the provisions of this Agreement a Borrower may select different Options to
apply simultaneously to different Portions of the Loans and may select different
Funding Segments to apply simultaneously to different parts of the Euro-Rate
Portion of the Loans, it being understood that the Base Rate Option may not be
selected for Loans denominated in Pounds or Euros.

                  (i) Base Rate Option: A rate per annum (computed on the basis
         of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days
         elapsed) for each day equal to the Base Rate for such day. The "Base
         Rate" for any day shall mean the greater of (A) the Prime Rate for such
         day or (B) the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day plus .50%,
         such interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective
         as of the effective date of each change in the Prime Rate or the
         Federal Funds Effective Rate

                  (ii) Euro-Rate Option: A rate per annum (based on a year of
         360 days and actual days elapsed) for each day equal to the Euro-Rate
         for such day plus the Applicable Margin for such day plus, if a
         Designated Extended Maturity Date is in effect, 0.125%. "Euro-Rate" for
         any day, as used herein, shall mean for each Funding Segment of the
         Euro-Rate Portion corresponding to a proposed or existing Euro-Rate
         Funding Period the rate per annum determined by the Administrative
         Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient to be rounded upward to the
         nearest 1/100 of 1%) (A) the rate of interest (which shall be the same
         for each day in such Euro-Rate Funding Period) determined in good faith
         by the Administrative Agent in accordance with its usual procedures for
         determination of London interbank market-based interest rates for
         borrowers in general by reference to the applicable Telerate Screen
         page or other similar source (which determination shall be conclusive
         absent manifest error) to be the average of the rates per annum for
         deposits in Dollars, Pounds or Euros, as applicable, offered to major
         money center banks in the London interbank market (or, to the extent
         consistent with the Administrative Agent's usual procedures, the
         interbank market for the Euro zone) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London
         time (or, in the case of Euros, to the extent consistent with the
         Administrative Agent's usual procedures, Brussels time), two Business
         Days prior to the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding Period for
         delivery on the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding Period in amounts
         comparable to such Funding Segment and having maturities comparable to
         such Funding Period by (B) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate
         Reserve Percentage.

                  The "Euro-Rate" may also be expressed by the following
formula:

                                   [average of the rates offered to major money]
                                   [center banks in the London (or Euro zone)
                                     interbank market]
                  Euro-Rate =      [determined by the Administrative Agent per
                                     subsection (A)]
                                   [1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage]

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   39
         "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" for any day shall mean the percentage
(expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%), as
determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall
be conclusive absent manifest error), which is in effect on such day as
prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
successor) representing the maximum reserve requirement (including, without
limitation, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements) with
respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency
liabilities") of a member bank in such System. The Euro-Rate shall be adjusted
automatically as of the effective date of each change in the Euro-Rate Reserve
Percentage. The Euro-Rate Option shall be calculated in accordance with the
foregoing whether or not any Bank is actually required to hold reserves in
connection with its eurocurrency funding or, if required to hold such reserves,
is required to hold reserves at the "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" as herein
defined.

         The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower and
to the Banks of the Euro-Rate determined or adjusted in accordance with the
definition of the Euro-Rate, which determination or adjustment shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error, if made in good faith.

         (b) Rate Increase. At any time as it is necessary for any Bank to
access funding through the Federal Reserve System "Century Date Change Special
Liquidity Facility Program" due to the unavailability of funds through
traditional sources, the per annum interest rate applicable to such Bank's Loans
for any day shall be equal to the Applicable Margin for such day plus 1.50% plus
the Federal Open Market Committee's target Federal Funds rate as publicly
announced from time to time.

         (c) Funding Periods. At any time when a Borrower shall select, convert
to or renew the Euro-Rate Option to apply to any part of its Loans, the Borrower
shall specify one or more periods (the "Euro-Rate Funding Periods") during which
such Option shall apply, such Euro-Rate Funding Periods being one, two, three or
six months; provided, that (i) each Euro-Rate Funding Period shall begin on a
Business Day, and the term "month", when used in connection with a Euro-Rate
Funding Period, shall be construed in accordance with prevailing practices in
the London interbank market at the commencement of such Euro-Rate Funding
Period, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent (which
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) and (ii) such Borrower
may not select a Euro-Rate Funding Period that would end after the Maturity
Date.

         (d) Transactional Amounts. Every selection of, conversion from,
conversion to or renewal of an interest rate Option and every payment or
prepayment of any Loans shall be in a principal amount such that after giving
effect thereto the aggregate principal amount of the Base Rate Portion of such
Loans or the aggregate principal amount of each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion of such Loans shall be as set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTION OR FUNDING SEGMENT                 ALLOWABLE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS
--------------------------                 -------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>
 Base Rate Portion                         Any

 Each Funding Segment of                   Integral multiples of $1,000,000,
   the Euro-Rate Portion                   pound sterling 1,000,000 or
                                           EU1,000,000 not less than $5,000,000,
                                           pound sterling 5,000,000 or
                                           EU5,000,000, as the case may be.
</TABLE>

         (e)      Euro-Rate Unascertainable.  If

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   40
                  (i) on any date on which a Euro-Rate would otherwise be set
         the Administrative Agent shall have determined in good faith (which
         determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that:

                           (A) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
                  ascertaining such Euro-Rate,

                           (B) a contingency has occurred which materially and
                  adversely affects the London interbank market (or, if
                  applicable, the interbank market for the Euro zone) for
                  deposits in the relevant currency, or

                           (C) the effective cost to Banks having more than half
                  of the Committed Amounts of funding a proposed Funding Segment
                  of the Euro-Rate Portion from a Corresponding Source of Funds
                  shall exceed the Euro-Rate plus the Applicable Margin
                  applicable to such Funding Segment, or

                  (ii) at any time any Bank shall have determined in good faith
         (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that
         the making, maintenance or funding of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion
         has been made unlawful by compliance by such Bank or a Notional
         Euro-Rate Funding Office in good faith with any Law or guideline or
         interpretation or administration thereof by any Official Body charged
         with the interpretation or administration thereof or with any request
         or directive of any such Official Body;

         then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent or such Bank, as
the case may be, may notify the Borrower of such determination (and any Bank
giving such notice shall notify the Administrative Agent). Upon such date as
shall be specified in such notice (which shall not be earlier than the date such
notice is given), the obligation of each of the Banks (or, in the case of clause
(ii), of the Bank giving such notice) to allow the Borrower to select, convert
to or renew the Euro-Rate Option shall be suspended until the Administrative
Agent or such Bank, as the case may be, shall have later notified the Borrower
(and any Bank giving such notice shall notify the Administrative Agent) of the
Administrative Agent's or such Bank's determination in good faith (which
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that the circumstance
giving rise to such previous determination no longer exists.

         If any Bank notifies the Borrower of a determination under subsection
(ii) of this Section 2A.3(e), the Euro-Rate Portion of the Dollar-denominated
Loans of such Bank (the "Affected Bank") shall automatically be converted to the
Base Rate Option as of the date specified in such notice.

         If at the time the Administrative Agent or a Bank makes a determination
under subsection (i) or (ii) of this Section 2A.3(e) the Borrower previously has
notified the Administrative Agent that it wishes to select, convert to or renew
the Euro-Rate Option with respect to any proposed Loans but such Loans have not
yet been made, such notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of,
conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option instead of the Euro-Rate Option
with respect to such Loans or, in the case of a determination by a Bank, such
Loans of such Bank.

         2A.4  Conversion or Renewal of Interest Rate Options.

         (a) Conversion or Renewal. Subject to the provisions of Section
2A.11(b) hereof, a Borrower may convert any part of its Loans from any interest
rate Option or Options to one or more different interest rate Options and may
renew the Euro-Rate Option as to any Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion:
(i) at any time with respect to conversion from the Base Rate Option; or (ii) at
the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to conversions from or

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   41
renewals of the Euro-Rate Option as to the Funding Segment corresponding to such
expiring Funding Period. Whenever a Borrower desires to convert or renew any
interest rate Option or Options, such Borrower shall provide to the
Administrative Agent Standard Notice setting forth the following information:
(1) the Loans to which such conversion or renewal is to apply; (2) the date,
which shall be a Business Day, on which the proposed conversion or renewal is to
be made; (3) the principal amounts selected in accordance with Section 2A.3(d)
hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion to be converted from or renewed; (4) the interest rate Option or Options
selected in accordance with Section 2A.3(a) hereof and the principal amounts
selected in accordance with Section 2A.3(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and
each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be converted to; and (5) with
respect to each Funding Segment to be converted to or renewed, the Funding
Period selected in accordance with Section 2A.3(c) hereof to apply to such
Funding Segment. Standard Notice having been so provided, after the date
specified in such Standard Notice, interest shall be calculated upon the
principal amount of the Loans as so converted or renewed.

         (b) Failure to Convert or Renew. Absent due notice from a Borrower of
conversion or renewal in the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first
sentence of Section 2A.4(a) hereof, any part of the Euro-Rate Portion for which
such notice is not received shall be (i) converted automatically to the Base
Rate Option on the last day of the expiring Funding Period if such Euro-Rate
Portion is in Dollars or (ii) renewed automatically for one month on the last
day of the expiring Funding Period if such Euro-Rate Portion is in Pounds or
Euros.

         2A.5. Prepayments Generally. Whenever a Borrower desires or is required
to prepay any part of its Loans, it shall provide Standard Notice to the
Administrative Agent setting forth the following information: (a) the date,
which shall be a Business Day, on which the proposed prepayment is to be made;
(b) subject to Section 2A.9, the currency, which shall be either Dollars, Pounds
or Euros, in which such proposed prepayment is to be made, (c) the total
principal amount of such prepayment, which shall be the sum of the principal
amounts selected pursuant to clause (d) of this Section 2A.5 and (d) the
principal amounts selected in accordance with Section 2A.3(d) hereof of the Base
Rate Portion and each part of each Funding Segment of Euro-Rate Portion to be
prepaid. Standard Notice having been so provided, on the date specified in such
Standard Notice, the principal amounts of the Base Rate Portion and each part of
the Euro-Rate Portion specified in such notice, together with interest on each
such principal amount to such date, shall be due and payable.

         2A.6. Optional Prepayments. A Borrower shall have the right at its
option from time to time voluntarily to prepay its Loans in whole or part
without premium or penalty (subject, however, to Section 2A.11(b) hereof) at any
time. Any such prepayment shall be made in accordance with Section 2A.5 hereof.

         2A.7. Mandatory Prepayments. If the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate
Total Credit Exposure of the Banks exceeds the aggregate of the Banks' Committed
Amounts at any time, then the Borrowers shall, upon receipt of notice of such
excess from the Administrative Agent (and, if the amount of such excess is equal
to or less than $3,500,000 upon the expiration of a period of ten days at the
end of which period any excess remains outstanding), immediately prepay a
principal amount of Loans (subject to Section 2A.11(b)) so as to reduce the
Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate Total Credit Exposures of the Banks by such
excess.

         2A.8. Interest Payment Dates. Interest on the Base Rate Portion shall
be due and payable on each Regular Payment Date. Interest on each Funding
Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion shall be due and payable on the last day of the
corresponding Euro-Rate Funding Period and also, if such Funding Period is
longer than three months, every three months during such Funding Period. After
maturity of any part of the Loans (by acceleration or otherwise), interest on
such part of the Loans shall be due and payable on demand.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   42
         2A.9.  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments.

         (a) Each borrowing from the Banks and each payment or prepayment to the
Banks under this Article IIA (except as specifically provided in Sections 2A.11,
2A.12 and 2A.13) and all fees payable by the Borrowers hereunder shall be made
Pro Rata in accordance with each Bank's Commitment Percentage and from and to
each Bank on the same date.

         (b) The parties agree that (i) all payments of principal, interest and
other amounts in connection with Loans denominated in Dollars and all fees shall
be made in Dollars and (ii) all payments of principal, interest and other
amounts (other than fees) in connection with Loans denominated in Pounds or
Euros shall be made in such currency.

         (c) All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal,
interest, fees or other amounts due from the Borrowers in Dollars shall be
payable by 2:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time, on the day when due without presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived,
and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. Such payments shall be made to
the Administrative Agent at its Domestic Office in Dollars in funds immediately
available at such office without setoff, counterclaim or other deduction of any
nature. The Administrative Agent shall make the funds so received available to
each Bank in funds immediately available at the Administrative Agent's Domestic
Office.

         (d) All payments and prepayments to be made in respect of principal,
interest fees or other amounts due from a Borrower in any Pounds or Euros shall
be payable by 2:00 p.m., London time, on the day when due without presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived,
and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. Such payments shall be made to
the Administrative Agent at its London Office in such currency in funds
immediately available at such office without setoff, counterclaim or other
deduction of any nature. The Administrative Agent shall promptly make the funds
so received available to each Bank in funds immediately available at each Bank's
office designated in writing to the Administrative Agent.

         (e) To the extent permitted by law, after there shall have become due
(by acceleration or otherwise) interest, funding fees or any other amounts due
from a Borrower hereunder or under its Notes (excluding overdue principal, which
shall bear interest as described in the immediately-following sentence), such
amounts shall bear interest for each day until paid (before and after judgment),
payable on demand, at a rate per annum (based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as
the case may be, with respect to Loans bearing interest at the Base Rate Option
and based on a year of 360 days with respect to Loans bearing interest at the
Euro-Rate Option) equal to the following: (i) in the case of any part of the
Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans, (A) until the end of the applicable then-current
Euro-Rate Funding Period, at a rate per annum 2 % above the rate otherwise
applicable to such part, and (B) thereafter, in accordance with the following
clause (ii); and (ii) otherwise, 2% above the then-current Base Rate Option,
such interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective as of the
effective date of each change in the Base Rate. After the principal amount of
any Loan has become due (by acceleration or otherwise), such Loan shall bear
interest for each day until paid (before and after judgment) at a rate per annum
(based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, with respect to Loans
bearing interest at the Base Rate Option and based on a year of 360 days with
respect to Loans bearing interest at the Euro-Rate Option) which shall be equal
to the following: (i) in the case of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of the
Loans, (A) until the end of the applicable then-current Euro-Rate Funding
Period, at a rate per annum 2 % above the rate otherwise applicable to such
part, and (B) thereafter, in accordance with the following clause (ii); and (ii)
in the case of any other principal amount due, 2 % above the then-current Base
Rate Option, such interest rate to change automatically from time to time
effective as of the effective date of each change in the Base Rate.

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   43
         (f) The provisions of this Section 2A.9 are cumulative and not
exclusive of the other provisions of this Agreement; without limitation, the
increased interest rates provided for herein are cumulative with the adjustments
in interest rates provided for elsewhere in this Agreement (including but not
limited to the adjustments provided for in Sections 2A.3(b)). The Banks and the
Borrowers acknowledge that, in no event shall the interest charged on any Loan
exceed the maximum rate permitted under applicable law. Interest in excess of
the maximum allowed by applicable law will not be collected and, if
inadvertently collected, will be credited as a reduction of principal, effective
as of the date inadvertently collected. Any payment of principal in excess of
the then outstanding principal balance resulting from the inadvertent collection
of interest in excess of the maximum rate allowed by law shall be refunded to
the relevant Borrower, effective as of the date inadvertently collected.

         2A.10  Calculation of Dollar Equivalent.

                  (a) Calculation of Dollar Equivalent. Upon each making and
         upon each payment of a Loan or a Letter of Credit denominated in an
         Pounds or Euros, the Administrative Agent shall calculate the Dollar
         Equivalent of such Loan or Letter of Credit, as the case may be, and
         shall provide written confirmation to the Banks and to URGI.

                  (b) Recalculation of Dollar Equivalent. In determining the
        Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate Total Credit Exposure of the Banks,
        the Administrative Agent may use the respective Dollar Equivalent for
        the Loans and the Letters of Credit calculated in accordance with
        Section 2A.10(a) hereof, unless such Dollar Equivalent so calculated
        exceeds 90% of the aggregate of the Banks' Committed Amounts, in which
        case the Administrative Agent shall recalculate the Dollar Equivalent of
        the Loans and the Letters of Credit outstanding no less frequently than
        once each week. The Administrative Agent may recalculate the Dollar
        Equivalent of each of the Loans and the Letters of Credit as frequently
        as it determines to do so in its discretion, provided, that such
        recalculation shall be made for all of the Loans and the Letters of
        Credit no less frequently than once each week during any period when the
        aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate Total Credit Exposure of
        the Banks exceeds 90% of the aggregate Committed Amounts of the Banks.

         2A.11.  Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances, etc.

         (a) Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting From Taxes, Reserves,
Capital Adequacy Requirements, Expenses, Etc. If the introduction of or any
change in, or any change in the interpretation or application of, any Law,
regulation or guideline by any Official Body charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof or compliance with any request or directive of any
applicable Official Body (whether or not having the force of law):

                  (i) subjects any Bank or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office
         to any tax or changes the basis of taxation with respect to this
         Agreement, the Notes, the Loans or payments by a Borrower of principal,
         interest, commitment fee or other amounts due from such Borrower
         hereunder or under the Notes (except for taxes on the overall net
         income or overall gross receipts of such Bank or such Notional
         Euro-Rate Funding Office imposed by the jurisdictions (federal, state
         and local) in which the Bank's principal office or Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office is located),

                  (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
         special deposit or similar requirement against credits or commitments
         to extend credit extended by, assets (funded or contingent) of,
         deposits with or for the account of, other acquisitions of funds by,
         such Bank or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office (other than
         requirements expressly included herein in the determination of the
         Euro-Rate hereunder),

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   44
                  (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any capital
         adequacy or similar requirement (A) against assets (funded or
         contingent) of, or credits or commitments to extend credit extended by,
         any Bank or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office, or (B) otherwise
         applicable to the obligations of any Bank or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office under this Agreement, or

                  (iv) imposes upon any Bank or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office any other condition or expense with respect to this Agreement,
         the Notes or its making, maintenance or funding of any Loans or any
         security therefor,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Bank, any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or, in the case of clause (iii)
hereof, any person controlling a Bank, with respect to this Agreement, the Notes
or the making, maintenance or funding of any Loan (or, in the case of any
capital adequacy or similar requirement, to have the effect of reducing the rate
of return on such Bank's or controlling person s capital, taking into
consideration such Bank's or controlling person's policies with respect to
capital adequacy) by an amount which such Bank deems to be material (such Bank
being deemed for this purpose to have made, maintained or funded each Funding
Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a Corresponding Source of Funds), such
Bank may from time to time notify such Borrower of the amount determined in good
faith (using any averaging and attribution methods) by such Bank (which
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be necessary to
compensate such Bank or such Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office for such
increase, reduction or imposition. Such amount shall be due and payable by such
Borrower to such Bank five Business Days after such notice is given, together
with an amount equal to interest on such amount from the date two Business Days
after the date demanded until such due date at the Base Rate Option applicable
to Loans. A certificate by such Bank as to the amount due and payable under this
Section 2A.11(a) from time to time and the method of calculating such amount
shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Bank agrees that it will use
good faith efforts to notify each Borrower of the occurrence of any event that
would give rise to a payment by such Borrower under this Section 2A.11(a);
provided, however, that any failure of such Bank to give any such notice shall
have no effect on such Borrower's obligations hereunder.

         (b) Funding Breakage. If (i) any Borrower fails to borrow, convert or
renew any Loan hereunder which would, after such borrowing, conversion or
renewal, have a Euro-Rate Portion, after notice requesting such borrowing,
conversion or renewal has been given by such Borrower (whether such failure
results from failure to satisfy applicable conditions to such borrowing,
conversion, or renewal or otherwise), or (ii) any part of any Funding Segment of
any Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans becomes due (by acceleration or otherwise),
or is paid, prepaid or converted to another interest rate Option (whether or not
such payment, prepayment or conversion is mandatory or automatic and whether or
not such payment or prepayment is then due), on a day other than the last day of
the corresponding Funding Period, such Borrower shall indemnify the Banks on
demand against any loss, liability, cost or expense of any kind or nature which
the Banks may sustain or incur in connection with or as a result of such event.
Such indemnification in any event shall include an amount equal to the excess,
if any, of (i) the aggregate amount of interest which would have accrued on the
amount of the Euro-Rate Portion not so borrowed, converted or renewed, or which
so becomes due, or which is so paid, prepaid or converted, from and including
the date on which such borrowing, conversion or renewal would have been made
pursuant to such notice, or on which such part of such Funding Segment so
becomes due, or on which such part of such Funding Segment is so paid, prepaid
or converted, to the last day of the Funding Period applicable to such amount
(or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or renew, the Funding Period
that would have been applicable to such amount but for such failure) in each
case at the applicable rate of interest for such Euro-Rate Portion provided for
herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any),
over (ii) the aggregate amount of interest (as determined in good faith by the
Administrative Agent with reference to the applicable Telerate

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   45
Screen page or other source and after consultation with the Banks) which would
have accrued to the Banks on such amount for such period by placing such amount
on deposit for such period with leading banks in the London interbank market. A
certificate by the Banks as to any amount that the Banks are entitled to receive
pursuant to this Section 2A.11(b) shall be conclusive absent manifest error if
made in good faith.

         2A.12.  Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

         (a) Notional Funding. Each Bank shall have the right from time to time,
prospectively or retrospectively, without notice to a Borrower, to deem any
branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank to have made, maintained or funded
any part of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time. Any branch, subsidiary or
affiliate so deemed shall be known as a "Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office."
Such Bank shall deem any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans or the
funding therefor to have been transferred to a different Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Office if such transfer would avoid or cure an event or condition
described in Section 2A.3(e)(ii) hereof or would lessen compensation payable by
the Borrower under Section 2A.11(a) hereof, and if such Bank determines in its
sole discretion that such transfer would be practicable and would not have a
material adverse effect on such part of the Loans, such Bank or any Notional
Euro-Rate Funding Office (it being assumed for purposes of such determination
that each part of the Euro-Rate Portion is actually made or maintained by or
funded through the corresponding Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office). Notional
Euro-Rate Funding Offices may be selected by such Bank without regard to such
Bank's actual methods of making, maintaining or funding Loans or any sources of
funding actually used by or available to such Bank.

         (b) Actual Funding. Each Bank shall have the right from time to time to
make or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate Portion by arranging for a branch,
subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank to make or maintain such part of the
Euro-Rate Portion. Such Bank shall have the right to (i) hold any applicable
Note payable to its order for the benefit and account of such branch, subsidiary
or affiliate or (ii) request the Borrower to (A) execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent (for delivery to such branch, subsidiary or affiliate) a
new Note in the principal amount of such Euro-Rate Portion, in substantially the
form of a Note, with the blanks appropriately filled, payable to such branch,
subsidiary or affiliate and with appropriate changes reflecting that the holder
thereof is not obligated to make any additional Loans to a Borrower, and (B)
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to such Bank) a
replacement Note in the principal amount of such Bank's Committed Amount minus
the amount of the new Note under subsection (b)(ii)(A) (such Note to be in
exchange for (and to be delivered against delivery, marked "exchanged" to such
Borrower of), but not in payment of, the Note then held by such Bank). Each such
Note shall be dated as of and be in substantially the form of the predecessor
Note. The Administrative Agent shall mark the predecessor Note "exchanged" and
deliver it to the respective Borrower. Each Borrower agrees to comply promptly
with any request under subsection (b)(ii) of this Section 2A.12. If any Bank
causes a branch, subsidiary or affiliate to make or maintain any part of the
Euro-Rate Portion hereunder, all terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Notes, and any other Transaction Document shall, except where the context
clearly requires otherwise, be applicable to such part of the Euro-Rate Portion
and to any note payable to the order of such branch, subsidiary or affiliate to
the same extent as if such part of the Euro-Rate Portion were made or maintained
and such note were a Note payable to such Bank's order.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   46
                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

                  Each Credit Party represents and warrants to the Issuing Bank,
the Banks and the Agents that:

         3.01. Corporate Existence and Standing. Such Credit Party and each of
its Subsidiaries is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation,
has the power and authority to own its properties and assets, and to carry on
its business as presently conducted, and is duly qualified to conduct business
as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
required, except where the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.02. Authorization and Validity. Such Credit Party and any Subsidiary
of such Credit Party which is also a Credit Party has all requisite corporate
power and authority and legal right to execute and deliver (or file, as the case
may be) this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is a
party, to request the issuance of Letters of Credit or the making of Loans and
to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery
(or filing, as the case may be) by such Credit Party of this Agreement and each
such Transaction Document and the performance of its obligations hereunder and
thereunder have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings and this
Agreement and each such Transaction Document constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of such Credit Party enforceable against such Credit Party in
accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or
similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by
general principles of equity.

         3.03. Compliance with Laws and Contracts. Such Credit Party and its
Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all applicable
statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign
government or any instrumentality or agency thereof having jurisdiction over the
conduct of their respective businesses or the ownership of their respective
properties, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the execution and delivery
by such Credit Party of the Transaction Documents, the issuance or use of the
Letters of Credit, the making of Loans or the use of the proceeds of Loans, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents nor
compliance with the provisions of the Transaction Documents will, or at the
relevant time did, (a) violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree or award binding on such Credit Party or any Subsidiary or
such Credit Party's or any Subsidiary's charter, articles or certificate of
incorporation or by-laws, (b) violate the provisions of or require the approval
or consent of any party to any indenture, instrument or agreement to which such
Credit Party or any Subsidiary is a party or is subject, or by which it, or its
property, is bound, or conflict with or constitute a default thereunder, or
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on the property of
such Credit Party or any Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any such indenture,
instrument or agreement or (c) require any consent of the stockholders of any
Person except for approvals or consents which will be obtained before the
initial Letter of Credit issuance or making of a Loan and are disclosed on
Schedule 3.03, except for any violation of, or failure to obtain an approval or
consent required under, any such law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, award, indenture, instrument or agreement that could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   47
         3.04. Governmental Consents. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.04
hereto, no order, consent, approval, qualification, license, authorization, or
validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, or
other action in respect of, a Governmental Authority, or any subdivision
thereof, any securities exchange or any other Person is or at the relevant time
was required to authorize, or is or at the relevant time was required in
connection with the execution, delivery, consummation or performance of, or the
legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of any of the Transaction
Documents, the issuance or use of the Letters of Credit, the making of Loans or
the use of the proceeds of Loans, or the consummation of any transaction
contemplated in the Transaction Documents.

         3.05. Financial Statements. URC and URGI have heretofore furnished to
the Administrative Agent, with sufficient copies for each Bank, the financial
statements listed on Schedule 3.05 hereto (collectively, the "Financial
Statements"). Each of the Financial Statements was prepared in accordance with
Agreement Accounting Principles or SAP, as applicable, and, together with the
related notes, fairly presents the consolidated financial condition and
operations of the relevant Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, or of the relevant
Insurance Subsidiary, as applicable, at such dates and the consolidated results
of their operations for the respective periods then ended (except, in the case
of such unaudited statements, for normal year-end audit adjustments).

         3.06. Material Adverse Change. No material adverse change in the
business, Property, condition (financial or otherwise), performance or
operations of URC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of URGI and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, has occurred since December 31, 1998.

         3.07. Taxes. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.07 hereto, such Credit
Party and each of its Subsidiaries have filed or caused to be filed on a timely
basis and in correct form all United States federal and applicable state tax
returns and all other material tax returns which are required to be filed by it,
each of Alleghany and each other Consolidated Person has filed or caused to be
filed all United States federal and material applicable state tax returns which
are required to be filed by it on a consolidated or combined basis and which
include URC or any Subsidiary of URC and each of the Credit Parties, the
Subsidiaries, Alleghany and each other Consolidated Person has paid all taxes
due pursuant to said returns or pursuant to any assessment received by such
person, except, in each case, such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good
faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with
Agreement Accounting Principles or SAP, as applicable, and as to which no Lien
exists. From and after October 7, 1993, each of URC and each Subsidiary of URC
has joined in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with
Alleghany. No tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with
respect to any taxes for which any Consolidated Person may be liable which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals
and reserves (a) on the books of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries in
respect of any taxes or other governmental charges and (b) on the books of
Alleghany and such other Consolidated Person in respect of any taxes or other
governmental charges owing with respect to any tax year beginning after December
31, 1992 are in accordance with Agreement Accounting Principles or SAP, as
applicable.

         3.08. Litigation. There is no litigation, arbitration proceeding,
inquiry or governmental investigation pending or, to the knowledge of any of its
officers, threatened against or affecting such Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect if adversely determined.

         3.09. Insurance Licenses. No License, the loss of which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, is the subject of a
proceeding for suspension or revocation. To such Credit Party's knowledge, there
is no sustainable basis for such suspension or revocation, and no such
suspension or revocation has been threatened by any Governmental Authority. No
Insurance Subsidiary has received written notice from any Governmental Authority
that it is

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   48
deemed to be "commercially domiciled" for insurance regulatory purposes in any
jurisdiction other than that indicated on Schedule 3.09. Schedule 3.09 also
indicates the line or lines of insurance in which each Insurance Subsidiary is
engaged and the state or states in which such Insurance Subsidiary is licensed
to engage in any line of insurance in each case as of the date of this
Agreement.

         3.10. Use of Proceeds. Such Credit Party is not engaged in the business
of extending credit to others for the purposes of buying or carrying any "margin
stock."

         3.11. Permits, Licenses and Rights. Such Credit Party and each
Subsidiary of such Credit Party own or possess all the patents, trademarks,
service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises, permits and rights
with respect to the foregoing necessary to own and operate their respective
properties and to carry on their respective businesses as presently conducted
and presently planned to be conducted without, to the best knowledge of such
Credit Party, conflict with the rights of others, except where failure to do so
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.12. Disclosure. None of the (a) information, exhibits or reports
furnished by or on behalf of any Credit Party to any Agent or to any Bank in
connection with this Agreement or the Transaction Documents and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby or (b) representations or warranties of any
Credit Party contained in this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents or any
other document, certificate or written statement furnished to the Agents or the
Banks by or on behalf of any Credit Party for use in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents
contained, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which the same were made and on the date as of which the same
were made; provided, that this Section 3.12 shall not apply to any plan,
forecast, projection or pro forma financial information contained in such
materials that is based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed to be
reasonable at the time made. The pro forma financial information contained in
such materials is based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by
the Credit Parties to be reasonable at the time made. There is no fact known to
any Credit Party (other than matters of a general economic or political nature
and other than matters applicable to the insurance industry generally) that has
had since December 31, 1998 or could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect and that has not been disclosed herein or in such other
documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Agents or Banks for use
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents.

         3.13. Environmental Laws. There are no claims, investigations,
litigation, administrative proceedings, notices, requests for information (each
a "Proceeding"), whether pending or, to such Credit Party's knowledge,
threatened, or judgments or orders asserting violations of applicable federal,
state and local environmental, health and safety statutes, regulations,
ordinances, codes, rules, orders, decrees, directives and standards
("Environmental Laws") or relating to any toxic or hazardous waste, substance or
chemical or any pollutant, contaminant, chemical or other substance defined or
regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law, including, without limitation,
asbestos, petroleum, crude oil or any fraction thereof ("Hazardous Materials")
asserted against such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries which, in any
case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the
date hereof, there are no such Proceedings pending, or to such Credit Party's
knowledge threatened, except as disclosed on Schedule 3.13. Such Credit Party
and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained and are in compliance in all material
respects with all permits, certificates, licenses, approvals and other
authorizations ("Environmental Permits") required for the operation of their
business and have filed all required notifications or reports relating, in each
case, to chemical substances, air emissions, effluent discharges and the
storage, treatment, transport and disposal of Hazardous Materials. As of the
date hereof, such Credit Party and its

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   49
Subsidiaries do not have liabilities exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate for all
of them with respect to compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and
Environmental Permits or related to the generation, treatment, storage,
disposal, release, investigation or cleanup of Hazardous Materials, and, to the
knowledge of such Credit Party, no facts or circumstances exist which could give
rise to such liabilities with respect to compliance with applicable
Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits and the generation, treatment,
storage, disposal, release, investigation or cleanup of Hazardous Materials.

         3.14. Reserves. Each reserve and other liability amount in respect of
the insurance business, including, without limitation reserve and other
liability amounts in respect of insurance policies, established or reflected in
the SAP Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1998 of each
Insurance Subsidiary, was determined in accordance with generally accepted
actuarial standards consistently applied, was fairly stated in accordance with
sound actuarial principles and was in compliance with the requirements of the
insurance laws, rules and regulations of its state of domicile as of the date
thereof. Each Insurance Subsidiary owns assets that qualify as admitted assets
under applicable law in an amount at least equal to the sum of all such reserves
and liability amounts and its minimum statutory capital and surplus as required
by the insurance laws, rules and regulations of its state of domicile.

         3.15. Year 2000 Compliance. Such Credit Party has reviewed its
operations and those of its Subsidiaries with a view to assessing whether its
businesses, or the businesses of any of its Subsidiaries, will be vulnerable to
a Year 2000 Problem or will be vulnerable to the effects of a Year 2000 Problem
suffered by any of such Credit Party's or any of its Subsidiaries' major
commercial counter-parties. Such Credit Party represents and warrants that it
has a reasonable basis to believe that no Year 2000 Problem will cause a
Material Adverse Effect.

         3.16. Capitalization. Schedule 3.16 hereto contains (a) an accurate
description of URGI's capitalization as of September 30, 1999, and (b) an
accurate list of all of such Credit Party's existing Subsidiaries as of the date
of this Agreement, setting forth their respective jurisdictions of incorporation
and the percentage of their capital stock owned by such Credit Party or other
Subsidiaries. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of such
Credit Party and of each Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly
issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and are free and clear of all Liens.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, no authorized but unissued or treasury
shares of capital stock of such Credit Party or any Subsidiary are subject to
any option, warrant, right to call or commitment of any kind or character.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, neither the Credit Party nor any
Subsidiary has any outstanding stock or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for any shares of its capital stock, or any right issued to any
Person (either preemptive or other) to subscribe for or to purchase, or any
options for the purchase of or any agreements providing for the issuance
(contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or claims of any
character relating to any of its capital stock or any stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any of its capital stock other than as
expressly set forth in the certificate or articles of incorporation of such
Credit Party or such Subsidiary. Neither the Credit Party nor any Subsidiary is
subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise
acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock or any convertible securities,
rights or options of the type described in the preceding sentence except as
otherwise set forth on Schedule 3.16. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16 as of
the date hereof such Credit Party does not own or hold, directly or indirectly,
any capital stock or equity security of, or any equity or partnership interest
in any Person other than such Subsidiaries.

         3.17. ERISA. The Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans
maintained by such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries do not in the
aggregate exceed $1,000,000 and the Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer
Plans maintained by the other members of the Controlled Group do not in the
aggregate exceed an amount which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.17 neither such Credit Party
nor any other

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   50
member of the Controlled Group maintains, or is obligated to contribute to, any
Multiemployer Plan. Each Plan complies in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of law and regulations, no Reportable Event has occurred
with respect to any Plan maintained by such Credit Party or any of its
Subsidiaries, no Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan
maintained by any other member of the Controlled Group that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither such Credit Party nor any
Subsidiary has withdrawn from any Multiemployer Plan or initiated steps to do
so, no other member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn from any Multiemployer
Plan resulting in any withdrawal liability that could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect or initiated steps to do so, and no steps have
been taken to reorganize or terminate any Plan by any member of the Controlled
Group or, to such Credit Party's knowledge, by any other Person.

         3.18. Defaults. No Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is
continuing.

         3.19. Federal Reserve Regulations. Neither the Credit Party nor any its
Subsidiaries is engaged, directly or indirectly, principally, or as one of its
important activities, in the business of extending, or arranging for the
extension of credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No
part of the proceeds of any Letter of Credit or Loan will be used in a manner
which would violate, or result in a violation of Regulation T, Regulation U or
Regulation X. Neither the issuance of any Letter of Credit or the making of any
Loan hereunder nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate or conflict with
the provisions of, Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X. Following the
issuance of any Letter of Credit or the making of any Loan, less than 25% of the
value (as determined by any reasonable method) of the assets of such Credit
Party and its Subsidiaries which are subject to any limitation on sale, pledge,
or other restriction hereunder taken as a whole has been, and will continue to
be, represented by Margin Stock.

         3.20. Investment Company; Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither
such Credit Party nor any Subsidiary is, or after giving effect to the issuance
of any Letter of Credit or the making of any Loan will be, an "investment
company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Neither such Credit Party nor
any Subsidiary is a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935, as amended.

         3.21. Certain Fees. No broker's or finder's fee or commission was, is
or will be payable by such Credit Party or any Subsidiary with respect to any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such Credit Party hereby agrees
to indemnify the Agents and the Banks against and agrees that it will hold each
of them harmless from any claim, demand or liability for broker's or finder's
fees or commissions alleged to have been incurred by such Credit Party in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any
expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and time charges of
attorneys for any Agent or any Bank which attorneys may be employees of any
Agent or any Bank) arising in connection with any such claim, demand or
liability. No other similar fee or commissions will be payable by such Credit
Party or any Subsidiary for any other services rendered to such Credit Party or
any Subsidiary ancillary to any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

         3.22. Solvency. As of the date hereof, before and after giving effect
to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents and the payment of all fees, costs and expenses payable by the Credit
Party or its Subsidiaries with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents, each Credit Party (individually and on a consolidated
basis) is Solvent.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   51
         3.23. Ownership of Properties. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.23
hereto, such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries own, free of all Liens, other
than those permitted by Section 6.16 or by any of the other Transaction
Documents, all of the properties and assets reflected in the Financial
Statements as being owned by it, except for assets sold, transferred or
otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date thereof.
To the knowledge of such Credit Party, there are no actual, threatened or
alleged defaults with respect to any leases of real property under which such
Credit Party or any Subsidiary is lessee or lessor which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Such Credit Party and its
Subsidiaries own or possess rights to use all licenses, patents, patent
applications, copyrights, service marks, trademarks and trade names necessary to
continue to conduct their business as heretofore conducted, and no such license,
patent or trademark has been declared invalid or been limited by order of any
court or by agreement or is the subject of any infringement, interference or
similar proceeding or challenge, except for proceedings and challenges which
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.24. Indebtedness. Attached hereto as Schedule 3.24 is a complete and
correct list of all Indebtedness of such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries
outstanding on the date of this Agreement (other than Indebtedness in a
principal amount not exceeding $1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other
currency) for a single item of Indebtedness and $5,000,000 (or its equivalent in
any other currency) in the aggregate for all such Indebtedness), showing the
aggregate principal amount which was outstanding on such date. Such Credit Party
has delivered or caused to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, with
sufficient copies for each of the Banks, a true and complete copy of each
instrument evidencing Indebtedness in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or more
(or its equivalent in any other currency) and of each document pursuant to which
any of such Indebtedness was issued.

         3.25. Material Agreements. Neither such Credit Party nor any Subsidiary
is a party to any agreement or instrument or subject to any charter, bylaw or
other restriction set forth in a similar governing document which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which restricts or
imposes conditions upon the ability of any Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or
make other distributions on its capital stock, (b) make loans or advances to
such Credit Party or (c) repay loans or advances from such Credit Party. Neither
such Credit Party nor any Subsidiary is in default in the performance,
observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions
contained in any agreement to which it is a party, which default could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         3.26 Insurance. Such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries maintain
insurance on their Property with such companies, in such amounts and covering
such risks as is, in each case, consistent with sound business practice.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   CONDITIONS

         4.01. Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement shall be
subject to the following conditions:

         (a) Proceedings and Incumbency. There shall have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent with sufficient copies for each Bank a certificate with
respect to each Credit Party in form and substance satisfactory to each
Co-Arranger dated the Closing Date and signed on behalf of each Credit Party by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Credit Party certifying as to:

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   52
(a) true copies of all corporate action taken by such Credit Party relative to
this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents applicable to it, including
but not limited to that described in Section 3.02 hereof and (b) the names, true
signatures and incumbency of the officer or officers of such Credit Party
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents applicable to it. Each Bank, the Issuing Bank and each Agent may
conclusively rely on such certificates unless and until a later certificate
revising the prior certificate has been furnished to such Person.

         (b) Organizational Documents. There shall have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent with sufficient copies for each Bank (i) certified copies
of the articles of incorporation or memorandum of association and by-laws or
other equivalent organizational documents for each Credit Party and (ii) a
certificate of good standing for each Credit Party certified by the appropriate
Official Body of its place of organization.

         (c) Opinions of Counsel. There shall have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent with sufficient copies for each Bank written opinions
addressed to the Banks, dated the Closing Date, of Messrs. Dewey Ballantine LLP,
counsel for URGI and URC and special English counsel for Talbot Underwriting
Limited and Underwriters Re Capital Ltd, and of Messrs. Conyers, Dill & Pearman,
special Bermuda counsel for Venton Underwriting Limited, in form and substance
satisfactory to each Bank, which together are substantially to the effects set
forth in Exhibit C.

         (d) Details, Proceedings and Documents. All legal details and
proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be reasonably satisfactory to each Bank, and each Bank shall have received
all such counterpart originals or certified or other copies of this Agreement
and the other the Transaction Documents and such other documents and proceedings
in connection with such transactions, in form and substance satisfactory to it,
as such Bank has reasonably requested.

         (e) Fees and Expenses. Each Credit Party shall have paid all fees and
other compensation to be paid by it hereunder, or with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby, on or prior to the Closing Date.

         (f) Representation and Warranties. The representations and warranties
contained in Article III hereof shall be true on and as of the Closing Date with
the same effect as though made on and as of the Closing Date.

         (g) Letter of Credit Agreement and Notes. The Continuing Letter of
Credit Agreement shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Issuing Bank, duly executed by each Account Party, and the Notes shall have been
delivered to the Administrative Agent, duly executed by each Borrower.

         (h) Other Certificates, Opinions or Documents. There shall have been
delivered to the Administrative Agent with sufficient copies for each Bank such
other certificates, opinions or documents as may be reasonably requested by the
Co-Arrangers.

         (i) Licenses; Regulatory Approvals. Each Credit Party shall have
obtained all licenses and regulatory approvals, if any, which are necessary to
complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents.

         4.02. Extension of Credit. The obligation of the Issuing Bank and the
Banks to make any Credit Extension hereunder is subject to the accuracy as of
the date hereof of the representations and warranties herein contained, to the
performance by each Credit Party of its obligations to be performed hereunder on
or before the date of such Credit Extension and to the satisfaction of the
following further conditions:

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   53
         (a) Representations and Warranties; Events of Default and Unmatured
Defaults. The representations and warranties contained in Article III hereof
shall be true on and as of the date of each Credit Extension made hereunder with
the same effect as though made on and as of each such date, and on the date of
each Credit Extension made hereunder no Default and no Unmatured Default shall
have occurred and be continuing or exist or shall occur or exist after giving
effect to the Credit Extension to be made on such date. Failure of the
Administrative Agent to receive notice from the applicable Credit Party to the
contrary before any Credit Extension is made hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty that: (i) the representations and warranties
contained in Article III hereof are true and correct on and as of the date of
such Credit Extension with the same effect as though made on and as of such date
and (ii) on the date of such Credit Extension no Default or Unmatured Default
has occurred and is continuing or exists or will occur or exist after giving
effect to such Credit Extension.

         (b) Commitment. The fact that, immediately after the making of such
Credit Extension, the aggregate outstanding Total Credit Exposure hereunder will
not exceed the aggregate amount of the Committed Amounts.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                    GUARANTEE

         5.01. The Guarantee. Each of the Guarantors hereby irrevocably,
unconditionally and absolutely guarantees to the Agents, the Issuing Bank and
the Banks, and becomes surety for, the prompt payment of the Obligations of the
Account Parties and the Borrowers (the "Guaranteed Obligations") in full when
due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise) strictly in
accordance with the terms thereof. Each Guarantor hereby further agrees, as a
primary obligor, that if any of the Guaranteed Obligations are not paid in full
when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, or otherwise and whether
or not such payments would not be permitted under any applicable bankruptcy or
similar law), the Guarantor will promptly pay the same, without any demand or
notice whatsoever (except as expressly provided herein), and that in the case of
any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at
extended maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of
such extension or renewal.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other
of the Transaction Documents, to the extent the obligations of either Guarantor
shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including,
without limitation, because of any applicable law, including the insolvency
laws, relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the obligations of
such Guarantor hereunder automatically shall be limited to the maximum amount
that is permissible under applicable law.

         5.02. Obligations Unconditional. The obligations of each Guarantor
under this Article are irrevocable, absolute and unconditional (to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law), irrespective of the value, genuineness,
validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Transaction Documents, or
any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any substitution,
release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the
Guaranteed Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor,
it being the intent of this Article that the obligations of each Guarantor
hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.
Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation,
indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against any Account Party or any
Borrower, for amounts paid under this Article V until such time as the Banks
have been paid in full, no Guaranteed Obligation is outstanding, the

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   54
Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitments under this Agreement have
been terminated and no Person or Official Body shall have any right to request
any return or reimbursement of funds from any Bank in connection with monies
received under the Transaction Documents. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the
liability of either Guarantor hereunder which shall remain irrevocable, absolute
and unconditional as described above:

                  (i) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the
         Guarantors, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of
         the Guaranteed Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or
         compliance shall be waived;

                  (ii) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any
         of the Transaction Documents, or any other agreement or instrument
         referred to in the Transaction Documents shall be done or omitted;

                  (iii) the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall
         be accelerated, or any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be modified,
         supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the
         Transaction Documents, or any other agreement or instrument referred to
         in the Transaction Documents shall be waived or any other guarantee of
         any of the Guaranteed Obligations or any security therefor shall be
         released or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

                  (iv) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, any Agent or any
         Bank as security for any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be void or
         violable, or shall fail to attach or be perfected or any Agent or any
         Bank shall fail to realize on any collateral security; or

                  (v) any of the Guaranteed Obligations shall be determined to
         be void or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of
         any creditor of either Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the
         claims of any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of
         either Guarantor).

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly
waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices
whatsoever (except notices expressly required hereunder), and any requirement
that the Banks exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person
under any of the Transaction Documents, or any other agreement or instrument
referred to in the Transaction Documents, or against any other Person under any
other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Guaranteed Obligations. This is
a guarantee of payment and not merely of collection.

         5.03. Reinstatement. The obligations of the Guarantors under this
Article shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any
reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Guaranteed
Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of
the Guaranteed Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in
bankruptcy, receivership, or reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor
agrees that it will indemnify the Agents and the Banks on demand for all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by any Agent or any Bank in
connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such reasonable
costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such
payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under
any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar law.

         5.04. Remedies. Each Guarantor agrees that, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the
Agents and the Banks, on the other hand,

                                      -49-
<PAGE>   55
the Guaranteed Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as
provided in Section 7.01 hereof (and shall be deemed to have become
automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Section
7.01) for purposes of Section 5.01 hereof notwithstanding any stay, injunction
or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Guaranteed
Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as to any other Person
and that, in the event of such declaration (or Guaranteed Obligations being
deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Guaranteed Obligations
(whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due
and payable by such Guarantor for purposes of said Section 5.01.

         5.05. Continuing Guarantee. The guarantee in this Article is a
continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all of the Guaranteed Obligations
whenever arising.

         5.06. No Restrictions. Except for restrictions under the Transaction
Documents, neither Guarantor shall be or become subject to any restriction of
any nature (whether arising by operation of Law, by agreement, by its articles
of incorporation, by-laws or other constituent documents of such Guarantor, or
otherwise) on the right of such Guarantor from time to time to (x) pay any
indebtedness, obligations or liabilities from time to time owed to any Account
Party or any Borrower, (y) make loans or advances to any Account Party or any
Borrower, or (z) transfer any of its properties or assets to any Account Party
or any Borrower.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

                  So long as any Letter of Credit or Loan is outstanding, any
Obligation is outstanding, the Issuing Bank has any obligation to issue, or the
Banks have any obligation to participate in, Letters of Credit, or the Banks
have any obligation to make any Loan:

                  6.01. Financial Reporting. Each Credit Party will maintain,
for itself and each Subsidiary, a system of accounting established and
administered in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied, and will furnish to the Banks:

                  (a) As soon as practicable and in any event within 90 days
after the close of each of its Fiscal Years, an unqualified (except for
qualifications relating to changes in accounting principles or practices
reflecting changes in generally accepted accounting principles and required or
approved by the independent certified public accountants of URGI or of Venton,
as the case may be) audit report certified by independent certified public
accountants, acceptable to the Banks, prepared in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles on a consolidated and consolidating basis (consolidating
statements need not be certified by such accountants) for URGI and its
Subsidiaries and for Venton and its Subsidiaries, including balance sheets as of
the end of such period and related statements of income, retained earnings and
cash flows accompanied by (i) any control letter prepared by said accountants
addressed to the audit committee of the board of directors of URGI or Venton, as
the case may be, (ii) a certificate of said accountants that, in the course of
the examination necessary for their certification of the foregoing. they have
obtained no knowledge of any Default or Unmatured Default, or if in the opinion
of such accountants, any Default or Unmatured Default shall exist, stating the
nature and status thereof and (iii) a letter from said accountants addressed to
the Banks acknowledging that the Banks are relying on such certificate as part
of their credit consideration of the transactions hereby contemplated and
authorizing such reliance.

                  (b) As soon as practicable and in any event within 45 days
after the close of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each of its Fiscal Years,
commencing September 30, 1999, for URGI and its Subsidiaries, consolidated and
consolidating unaudited balance sheets as at the close of

                                      -50-
<PAGE>   56
each such period and consolidated and consolidating statements of income,
retained earnings and cash flows for the period from the beginning of such
Fiscal Year to the end of such quarter, all certified by its chief financial
officer.

                  (c) (i) Upon the earlier of (A) fifteen days after the
regulatory filing date or (B) 75 days after the close of each Fiscal Year of
each Insurance Subsidiary, copies of the unaudited Annual Statement of such
Insurance Subsidiary, certified by the chief financial officer of such Insurance
Subsidiary, all such statements to be prepared in accordance with SAP and (ii)
no later than each June 15, copies of such Annual Statements audited and
certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized annual
standing.

                  (d) Upon the earlier of (i) ten days after the regulatory
filing date or (ii) 60 days after the close of each of the first three Fiscal
Quarters of each Fiscal Year of each Insurance Subsidiary, copies of the
Quarterly Statement of each of the Insurance Subsidiaries, certified by the
chief financial officer of such Insurance Subsidiary, all such statements to be
prepared in accordance with SAP.

                  (e) Promptly and in any event within ten days after (i)
learning thereof, notification of any changes after the date hereof in the
rating given by (A) A.M. Best & Co. or Standard & Poor's in respect of any
Insurance Subsidiary or (B) Standard & Poor's or Moody's in respect of the
senior Indebtedness of any Credit Party and (ii) receipt thereof, copies of any
ratings analysis by (A) A.M. Best & Co. or Standard & Poor's relating to any
Insurance Subsidiary or (B) Standard & Poor's or Moody's in respect of the
senior Indebtedness of any Credit Party.

                  (f) Copies of any actuarial certificates prepared with respect
to any Insurance Subsidiary by an employee of or an actuary engaged by such
Insurance Subsidiary, promptly after the receipt thereof.

                  (g) As soon as available but in any event not later than the
last Business Day in February of each year, a copy of the plan and forecast
(including a projected consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income
statement and funds flow statement) of URGI and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal
Year.

                  (h) Together with the financial statements required by clauses
(a) and (b) above, a compliance certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit
D hereto signed by the chief financial officer of URGI showing the calculations
necessary to determine compliance with this Agreement and stating that no
Default or Unmatured Default exists, or if any Default or Unmatured Default
exists, stating the nature and status thereof.

                  (i) Within 270 days after the close of each Fiscal Year, a
statement of the Unfunded Liabilities of each Single Employer Plan, if any,
certified as correct by an actuary enrolled under ERISA.

                  (j) As soon as possible and in any event within ten days after
any Credit Party knows that any Termination Event has occurred with respect to
any Plan, a statement, signed by the chief financial officer of URGI, describing
said Termination Event and the action which such Credit Party proposes to take
with respect thereto and as soon as possible and in any event within ten days
after learning thereof notification of any lien imposed by the PBGC or the IRS
on the assets of any member of the Controlled Group in respect of any Plan
maintained by any such member (or any other employee pension benefit plan as to
which any such member may be liable) which relates to liabilities in excess of
ten percent of the net worth (determined according to generally accepted
accounting principles and without reduction for any reserve for such
liabilities) of Alleghany and its Subsidiaries.

                                       -51-
<PAGE>   57

               (k) As soon as possible and in any event within ten days after
receipt by any Credit Party, a copy of (i) any notice, claim, complaint or order
to the effect that a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or may be liable
to any Person as a result of the release by such Credit Party, any of its
Subsidiaries, or any other Person of any Hazardous Materials into the
environment or requiring that action be taken to respond to or clean up a
Release of Hazardous Materials into the environment. and (ii) any notice,
complaint or citation alleging any violation of any Environmental Law or
Environmental Permit by such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries. Within ten
days of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary having knowledge of the proposal,
enactment or promulgation of any Environmental Law which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, URGI or URC shall provide the
Administrative Agent with written notice thereof.

               (1) Promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration
statements and annual, quarterly, monthly or other regular reports which any
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries files with the NAIC or any insurance
commission or department or analogous Governmental Authority (including without
limitation, any filing made by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary pursuant to
any insurance holding company act or related rules or regulations), but
excluding routine or non-material filings with the NAIC, any insurance
commissioner or department or analogous Governmental Authority.

               (m) Promptly and in any event within ten days after learning
thereof, notification of (i) any tax assessments demand, notice of proposed
deficiency or notice of deficiency received by Alleghany or any other
Consolidated Person or (ii) the filing of any tax Lien or commencement of any
judicial proceeding by or against any such Consolidated Person, of any such
assessment, demand, notice, Lien or judicial proceeding relates to tax
liabilities in excess of ten percent (10%) of the net worth (determined
according to generally accepted accounting standards and without reduction for
any reserve for such liabilities) of Alleghany and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.

               (n) Such other information (including, without limitation, the
annual Best's Advance Report Service report prepared with respect to each
Insurance Subsidiary rated by A.M. Best & Co.) as any Agent or any Bank may from
time to time reasonably request.

               6.02. Use of Proceeds. Each Account Party and each Borrower will,
and will cause each Subsidiary to, use the Credit Extensions made hereunder for
its general corporate purposes; provided, that each Account Party will use
Multi-year Letters of Credit only in connection with its business relating to
Lloyd's. No Account Party or Borrower will permit a Credit Extension in
connection with the purchase or carrying of any Margin Stock or in connection
with the Purchase of any Person which Purchase has not been approved and
recommended by the board of directors (or functional equivalent thereof) of such
Person.

               6.03. Notice of Default. The Credit Parties will, and will cause
each Subsidiary to, give prompt notice in writing to the Banks of (a) the
occurrence of any Default or Unmatured Default, (b) the occurrence of any other
development, financial or other, relating specifically to any Credit Party or
any of its Subsidiaries (and not of a general economic or political nature)
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) the
receipt of any notice from any Governmental Authority of the expiration without
renewal, revocation or suspension of or the institution of any proceedings to
revoke or suspend any License now or hereafter held by any Insurance Subsidiary
which is required to conduct insurance business in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations and the expiration, revocation or suspension of
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (d) the
receipt of any notice from any Governmental Authority of the institution of any
disciplinary proceedings against or in respect of any Insurance Subsidiary, or
the issuance of any order, the taking of any action or any request for an
extraordinary audit for cause by any Governmental Authority which, if

                                    -52-
<PAGE>   58

adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, (e) any judicial or administrative order limiting or controlling the
insurance business of any Insurance Subsidiary (and not the insurance industry
generally) which has been issued or adopted and which has had, or could
reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, or (f) the
commencement of any litigation which could reasonably be expected to create a
Material Adverse Effect.

               6.04. Conduct of Business. Each Credit Party will, and will cause
each Subsidiary to, (a) carry on and conduct its business only in substantially
the same manner as it is presently conducted, (b)(i) with respect to URGI, only
engage in the business of a holding company owning entities engaged in the
business of insurance or reasonably incidental activities, (ii) with respect to
each Insurance Subsidiary, only engage in the insurance business in which it is
engaged or licensed as of the date hereof if it is an Insurance Subsidiary as of
such date, or as of the date of its Purchase, if hereafter acquired, or only
engage in the insurance business for which it is formed, if hereafter formed,
and (iii) with respect to each other Subsidiary, only engage in the business in
which it is engaged as of the date hereof if it is a Subsidiary as of such date,
or as of the date of its Purchase if hereafter acquired, or only engage in the
business for which it is formed, if hereafter formed, (c) do all things
necessary to remain duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing in
its jurisdiction of incorporation and its jurisdiction of domicile and maintain
all requisite qualification to conduct business in each other jurisdiction in
which such qualification is required, except where the failure to maintain such
qualification could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, and (d) do all things necessary to renew, extend and continue in effect
all Licenses which may at any time and from time to time be necessary for any
Insurance Subsidiary to operate its insurance business in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations; provided, that (i) any Insurance Subsidiary may
withdraw from one or more states (other than its state of domicile) as an
admitted insurer if such withdrawal is determined by the board of directors or
management of such Insurance Subsidiary to be in the best interest of such
Insurance Subsidiary and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect and (ii) any Subsidiary that is not actively engaged in business
may be dissolved, if such dissolution is determined by URGI's board of directors
to be in the best interest of the Credit Parties and could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Insurance Subsidiary shall change
its state of domicile or incorporation without the prior written consent of the
Required Banks. Each Wholly-Owned Subsidiary in existence as of the date of this
Agreement shall continue to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary except as permitted by
Section 6.12. It is understood that a merger of a Subsidiary of URC into an
entity which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URC, to the extent otherwise
permitted by this Agreement, will not be deemed to violate this Section 6.04. It
is also understood that a merger of a Subsidiary of URGI (which is not a
Subsidiary of URC) into an entity which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URGI, to
the extent otherwise permitted by this Agreement, will not be deemed to violate
this Section 6.04.

               6.05. Taxes. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each
Subsidiary to, timely file United States federal and applicable foreign, state
and local tax returns required to be filed by it that are true and correct in
all material respects, and each of each Credit Party, their respective
Subsidiaries, Alleghany and each other Consolidated Person will pay when due all
taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies upon it or its income,
profits or Property, except, in each case those which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which adequate
reserves have been set aside in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles or SAP, as applicable.

               6.06. Insurance. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each
Subsidiary to, maintain insurance on all their Property with such companies, in
such amounts and covering such risks as is, in each case, consistent with sound
business practice, and the Credit Parties will furnish to any Agent and any Bank
upon request all information as to the insurance carried.

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   59

               6.07. Compliance with Laws. Each Credit Party will, and will
cause each Subsidiary to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, orders,
writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject, the
failure to comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

               6.08. Maintenance of Properties; Year 2000 Compliance. (a) Each
Credit Party will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, do all things necessary to
maintain, preserve, protect and keep its Property in good repair, working order
and condition except for ordinary wear and tear, and make all necessary and
proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that its business carried on in
connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times; provided, that any
Credit Party or any Subsidiary may, subject to Section 6.13, dispose of any
Property that such Person deems unnecessary for the conduct of its business.

               (b) Each Credit Party shall take all actions necessary and commit
adequate resources to assure that its computer-based and other systems (and
those of all Subsidiaries) are able to effectively process data, including dates
before, on and after January 1, 2000, without experiencing any Year 2000 Problem
that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect. At the
request of the Administrative Agent, each Credit Party will provide the
Administrative Agent with assurances and substantiations (including, but not
limited to, the results of internal or external audit reports prepared in the
ordinary course of business) reasonably acceptable to the Required Banks as to
the capability of such Credit Party and its Subsidiaries to conduct its and
their businesses and operations before, on and after January 1, 2000 without
experiencing a Year 2000 Problem that could reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect.

               6.09. Inspection. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each
Subsidiary to, permit the Agents and the Banks, by their respective
representatives and agents, to inspect any of the Property, corporate books and
financial records of such Credit Party and each Subsidiary, to examine and make
copies of the books of accounts and other financial records of such Credit Party
and each Subsidiary, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of such
Credit Party and each Subsidiary with, and to be advised as to the same by,
their respective officers at such reasonable times and intervals as the Banks
may designate. Each Credit Party will keep or cause to be kept, and cause each
Subsidiary to keep or cause to be kept, appropriate records and books of account
in which complete entries are to be made reflecting its and their business and
financial transactions, such entries to be made in accordance with Agreement
Accounting Principles or SAP, as applicable, consistently applied.

               6.10. Capital Stock and Dividends. No Credit Party will, nor will
it permit any Subsidiary to, (a) issue any capital stock or equity securities of
any kind if as a result thereof a Change in Control would occur, or (b) declare
or pay any dividends or make any distributions on its capital stock (other than
dividends payable in its own capital stock) or redeem, repurchase or otherwise
acquire or retire any of its capital stock or any options or other rights in
respect thereof at any time outstanding if a Default or Unmatured Default has
occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect thereto
(determined with respect to the covenants set forth in Section 6.22 on a pro
forma basis as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter),
except that any Subsidiary of URC may declare and pay dividends or make
distributions to URC or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URC.

               6.11.  Indebtedness.  No Credit Party will, nor will it permit
any Subsidiary to, create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

               (a)  the Obligations;

                                     -54-
<PAGE>   60

               (b) Indebtedness existing (or committed to) on the date hereof
and described in Schedule 3.24 hereto;

               (c) Rate Hedging Obligations related to the loans described in
item 3 of Schedule 3.24;

               (d) Contingent Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 6.15;
and

               (e) additional Indebtedness of URGI in an aggregate principal
amount not exceeding $25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency), so
long as no Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing or would
occur after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (determined
with respect to the covenants set forth in Section 6.22 on a pro forma basis as
of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter).

               6.12. Merger. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any
Subsidiary to, merge or consolidate with or into any other Person except that
(a) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of URC may merge into URC or any Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of URC and (b) any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of effecting a
transaction permitted under Section 6.14(a)(iv) or (b)(v) may merge with another
entity if required to consummate such transaction.

               6.13. Sale of Assets. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit
any Subsidiary to, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of its Property to
any other Person except for (a) sales of Investments in the ordinary course of
business by a Credit Party or any Insurance Subsidiary, including without
limitation, transactions undertaken for the purpose of restructuring all or a
part of the portfolio of Investments owned by such Credit Party or Insurance
Subsidiary and (b) leases, sales, transfers or other dispositions of its
Property that together with all other Property of its Subsidiaries previously
leased, sold or disposed of (other than Investments sold in the ordinary course
of business by Insurance Subsidiaries) as permitted by this Section 6.13 since
the date hereof do not constitute a Substantial Portion of the Property of URGI
and its Subsidiaries.

               6.14. Investments and Purchases. (a) URGI will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary or other Credit Party which is not an Insurance Subsidiary
to, make or suffer to exist any Investments (including, without limitation,
loans and advances to, and other Investments in, Subsidiaries), or commitments
therefor, or to create any Subsidiary or to become or remain a partner in any
partnership or joint venture, or to make any Purchases, except:

                      (i)  Cash and Cash Equivalents;

                      (ii) Investments in existence as of the Closing Date
               (including Investments in Subsidiaries as of such date) and
               described in Schedule 6.14 hereto;

                      (iii) Investments in debt securities rated BBB- or better
               by Standard & Poor's, Baa-3 or better by Moody's or NAIC-2 or
               better by the NAIC; provided, that any such Investment which, at
               any time after which it is made, ceases to meet such rating
               requirements shall (A) cease to be permitted hereby if then
               permitted by Section 6.14(a)(vi) and (B) if not then permitted by
               Section 6.14(a)(vi) remain permitted hereby until the earlier of
               the time it is permitted under Section 6.14(a)(vi) and the date
               which is 30 days after the date on which such rating requirement
               is no longer met;

                      (iv) Purchases of businesses or entities engaged in the
               insurance business or businesses reasonably incident thereto
               which do not constitute hostile takeovers (including the creation
               of Subsidiaries in connection therewith) so long as no Default or
               Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur
               after

                                      -55-
<PAGE>   61

               giving effect to such Purchase or creation (determined with
               respect to the covenants set forth in Section 6.22 on a pro forma
               basis as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal
               Quarter);

                      (v) Other Investments by URGI in any Person which is a
               Subsidiary as of the date hereof so long as no Default or
               Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur
               after giving effect to such investment (determined with respect
               to the covenants set forth in Section 6.22 on a pro forma basis
               as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter);
               and

                      (vi) Other Investments by URGI in an amount not exceeding
               $40,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) (including
               the creation of Subsidiaries and Investments therein and
               Investments in any partnership or joint venture) so long as at
               the time of such Investment no Default or Unmatured Default has
               occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to
               such Investment (determined with respect to the covenants set
               forth in Section 6.22 on a pro forma basis as of the last day of
               the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter).

               (b) The Credit Parties will not permit any Insurance Subsidiary
to make or suffer to exist any Investments (including, without limitation, loans
and advances to and other Investments in Subsidiaries), or commitments therefor,
or to create any Subsidiary or to become or remain a partner in any partnership
or joint venture or to make any Purchases, except:

                      (i)  Cash and Cash Equivalents;

                      (ii) Investments in debt securities rated BBB- or better
               by Standard & Poor's, Baa-3 or better by Moody's or NAIC-2 or
               better by the NAIC, provided, that any such Investment which. at
               any time after which it is made, ceases to meet such rating
               requirements shall (A) cease to be permitted hereby if then
               permitted by Section 6.14(b)(vi) and (B) if not then permitted by
               Section 6.14(b)(vi) remain permitted hereby until the earlier of
               the time it is permitted under Section 6.14(b)(vi) and the date
               which is 30 days after the date on which such rating requirement
               is no longer met;

                      (iii) Existing Investments in Subsidiaries and other
               Investments in existence on the date hereof;

                      (iv) Other Investments in any Person which is a Subsidiary
               as of the date hereof so long as no Default or Unmatured Default
               has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect
               to such Investment (determined with respect to the covenants set
               forth in Section 6.22 on a pro forma basis as of the last day of
               the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter);

                      (v) Purchases of businesses or entities engaged in the
               insurance business which do not constitute hostile takeovers
               (including the creation of Subsidiaries in connection therewith)
               made after the date of this Agreement for an aggregate
               consideration not to exceed $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in any
               other currency), so long as no Default or Unmatured Default has
               occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect
               thereto (determined with respect to the covenants set forth in
               Section 6.22 on a pro forma basis as of the last day of the
               immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter); and

                      (vi) Other Investments (including the creation of
               Subsidiaries and Investments therein and Investments in any
               partnership or joint venture but

                                      -56-
<PAGE>   62

               excluding any Investment of the type described in clause (b)(v)
               above) of a type acceptable to the insurance commissioner in the
               respective domiciliary state of such Insurance Subsidiary,
               provided, that such Investments do not exceed, in the aggregate
               at any one time outstanding, an amount equal to the Total
               Admitted Assets (as presented on the "Assets" statement,
               currently Page 2, Line 22 of the Annual Statement-1998) of all
               Insurance Subsidiaries (determined, where applicable, on a
               combined basis by reference to the comparable line in the
               combined Annual Statement) less 125% of the aggregate Total
               Required Liabilities (as presented on the "Liabilities, Surplus
               and Other Funds" statement, currently Page 3, Line 23 of the
               Annual Statement-1998) of all Insurance Subsidiaries (determined,
               where applicable, on a combined basis by reference to the
               comparable line in the combined Annual Statement); provided,
               further, that the fair market value of the Investment in
               Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation held by URGI and its
               Insurance Subsidiaries shall be subtracted from such amount for
               so long as such Investment exists.

               6.15. Contingent Obligations. No Credit Party will, nor will it
permit any Subsidiary to, make or suffer to exist any Contingent Obligation
(including, without limitation, any Contingent Obligation with respect to the
obligations of a Subsidiary), except (a) the Contingent Obligations described on
Schedule 3.24, (b) Contingent Obligations incurred under insurance contracts or
policies or under reinsurance contracts or policies issued in the ordinary
course of business, (c) Contingent Obligations in respect of the extension of
guaranties in the ordinary course of business to insureds of the obligations of
insurers under insurance policies or contracts or under reinsurance policies or
contracts, (d) Contingent Obligations in respect of the endorsement of
instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business and (e)
the Obligations.

               6.16. Liens. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any
Subsidiary to, create, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien in, of or on the
Property of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except Liens in favor
of the Bank Parties to secure obligations hereunder and except:

               (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
levies on its Property if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or
thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with
generally accepted principles of accounting or SAP, as applicable, shall have
been set aside on its books;

               (b) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', warehousemen's and
mechanics' liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of
business which secure the payment of obligations not more than 60 days past due
or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for
which adequate reserves shall have been set aside on its books;

               (c) Liens arising out of pledges or deposits under worker's
compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social
security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation;

               (d) Utility easements, building restrictions and such other
encumbrances or charges against real property as are of a nature generally
existing with respect to properties of a similar character and which do not in
any material way affect the marketability of the same or interfere with the use
thereof in the business of such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries;

               (e) Deposits made by any Insurance Subsidiary with the insurance
regulatory authority in its jurisdiction of domicile or other statutory liens or
liens or claims imposed or required by applicable insurance law or regulation
against the assets of any Insurance Subsidiary,

                                      -57-
<PAGE>   63

in each case in favor of all policyholders of such Insurance Subsidiary and in
the ordinary course of such Insurance Subsidiary's business;

               (f) Rights of third parties with respect to amounts deposited
with or for the benefit of any Insurance Subsidiary in trust to secure
obligations owed to any Insurance Subsidiary under contracts of reinsurance
entered into in the ordinary course of such Insurance Subsidiary's business;

               (g) Liens existing on the date hereof and described in Schedule
6.16 hereto; and

               (h) Other Liens securing Indebtedness or obligations with an
aggregate principal amount not in excess of $1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any
other currency) at any time outstanding.

               6.17. Affiliates. No Credit Party will, nor shall it permit any
Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction (including, without limitation, the
purchase or sale of any Property or service) with, or make any payment or
transfer to, any Affiliate of such Credit Party (other than URC Barbados Holding
Corp. and entities owned by it) except in the ordinary course of business and
pursuant to the reasonable requirements of such Credit Party's or such
Subsidiary's business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to
such Credit Party or such Subsidiary than the Credit Party or such Subsidiary
would obtain in a comparable arm's-length transaction.

               6.18. Other Indebtedness. No Credit Party will, nor will it
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or
in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, any
Indebtedness prior to the date when due (other than the Obligations) while a
Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing.

               6.19. Environmental Matters. Each Credit Party shall and shall
cause each of its Subsidiaries to (a) at all times comply in all material
respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and (b) promptly take any and
all commercially reasonable transactions in response to the presence, storage,
use, disposal, transportation or Release of any Hazardous Materials on, under or
about any real property owned, leased or operated by such Credit Party or any of
its Subsidiaries.

               6.20. Change in Corporate Structure; Fiscal Year. No Credit Party
shall, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, (a) permit any amendment or
modification to be made to its certificate or articles of incorporation or
by-laws which is materially adverse to the interests of the Banks (provided that
such Credit Party shall notify the Administrative Agent of any other amendment
or modification thereto as soon as practicable thereafter) or (b) change its
Fiscal Year to end on any date other than December 31 of each year, except that
the Venton Entities may change their fiscal year to the twelve months ending
September 30.

               6.21. Inconsistent Agreements. No Credit Party shall, nor shall
it permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any indenture, agreement, instrument or
other arrangement which, (a) directly or indirectly prohibits or restrains, or
has the effect of prohibiting or restraining, or imposes materially adverse
conditions upon, the incurrence of the Obligations, the amending of the
Transaction Documents or the ability of any Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or
make other distributions on its capital stock, (ii) make loans or advances to a
Credit Party of which it is a Subsidiary or (iii) repay loans or advances from a
Credit Party or (b) contains any provision which would be violated or breached
by the issuance of Letters of Credit or by the performance by any Credit Party
of any of its obligations under any Loan Document.

                                      -58-
<PAGE>   64

               6.22.  Financial Covenants.  The Credit Parties shall:

               (a) Minimum Statutory Surplus. At all times after the date
hereof, cause URC and its Insurance Subsidiaries, as determined on a combined
basis for URC and all of its Insurance Subsidiaries (without double counting) as
of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, to maintain a minimum Statutory Surplus
at least equal to the sum of (i) $555,000,000, plus (ii) 100% of any capital
contributions made to URC or to any of its Insurance Subsidiaries after June 30,
1999 (without double counting), plus (iii) 35% of positive Statutory Net Income,
if any, for each Fiscal Quarter ending after January 1, 1999, and on or prior to
the time of determination.

               (b) Leverage Ratio. At all times after the date hereof determined
as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter, cause URGI and its Subsidiaries to
maintain a Leverage Ratio of not more than 0.50 to 1.0.

               (c) URC Risk-Based Capital Ratio. At all times after the date
hereof determined as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter cause URC and its
Insurance Subsidiaries to maintain a Statutory Risk-Based Capital Ratio of not
less than 3.15 to 1.0.

               6.23. Tax Consolidation. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, file or consent to the filing of any consolidated,
combined or unitary income tax return with any Person (other than any of its
Subsidiaries, Alleghany or any other Consolidated Person), except as required by
law. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter
into any tax sharing agreement with any Person (other than Alleghany, another
Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries) without the written consent of the
Required Banks. Each Credit Party will cause each Subsidiary (including any
newly acquired or newly created Subsidiary) to enter into a tax sharing
agreement with such Subsidiary's immediate parent corporation, which tax sharing
agreement shall obligate such Subsidiary to pay to such Subsidiary's immediate
parent corporation an amount of tax substantially equal to the amount of tax
such parent corporation is required to pay to Alleghany (or to a Subsidiary of
Alleghany) by reason of the taxable income of such Subsidiary. No Tax Sharing
Agreement or other agreement described above may be amended to provide for any
payments to be made to Alleghany in an amount substantially in excess of the
amount of tax which Alleghany is required to pay by reason of the taxable income
of URGI and its Subsidiaries.

               6.24.  ERISA Compliance.

               With respect to any Plan neither any Credit Party nor any
Subsidiary shall:

             (a) engage in any "prohibited transaction" (as such term is defined
in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) for which a civil penalty
pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax pursuant to Section 4975 of the
Code in excess of $1,000,000 could be imposed;

             (b) permit to be incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as
such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA) in excess of $1,000,000, whether
or not waived;

             (c) permit the occurrence of any Termination Event which could
result in a liability to any member of the Controlled Group in excess of
$1,000,000;

             (d) be an "employer" (as such term is defined in Section 3(5) of
ERISA) required to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan or a "substantial
employer" (as such term in defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) required to
contribute to any Multiemployer Plan; or

             (e) permit the establishment, or amendment of any Plan or fail to
comply with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code with respect to any
Plan which could reasonably be

                                      -59-
<PAGE>   65
expected to result in liability to any member of the Controlled Group which,
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

        7.01. Events of Default. The occurrence or existence of one or more of
the following events or conditions (for any reason, whether voluntary,
involuntary or effected or required by Law) shall be a Default:

        (a) The principal amount of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation
with respect to any Letter of Credit shall not be paid when due hereunder;

        (b) Any interest, fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be
paid when due and shall remain unpaid for a period of five days from the due
date thereof;

        (c) Any Credit Party shall default in the observance, performance or
fulfillment of any covenant contained in Section 6.02, Section 6.03(a) or
Sections 6.10 through 6.24 hereof;

        (d) Any Credit Party shall default in the observance, performance or
fulfillment of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof and such
default shall not be remedied for a period of thirty days after written notice
thereof to such Credit Party from any Agent or any Bank;

        (e) The default by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party
in the performance of any term, provision or condition contained in any
agreement or agreements under which any Indebtedness aggregating in excess of
$5,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) was created or is governed,
or the occurrence of any other event or existence of any other condition, the
effect of any of which is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such
Indebtedness to cause, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated
maturity, or any such Indebtedness of a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries
shall be declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid (other than by
a regularly scheduled payment) prior to the stated maturity thereof;

        (f) Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party (other than a
Designated Small Subsidiary) shall (i) have an order for relief entered with
respect to it under the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect,
(ii) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) apply for, seek,
consent to, or acquiesce in, the appointment of a receiver, custodian, trustee,
examiner, liquidator or similar official for it or any Substantial Portion of
its Property, (iv) institute any proceeding seeking an order for relief under
the Federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect or seeking to
adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking dissolution, winding up,
liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its
debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or
relief of debtors or fail to file an answer or other pleading denying the
material allegations of any such proceeding filed against it, (v) take any
corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing actions set forth
in this Section 7.01(f), (vi) fail to contest in good faith any appointment or
proceeding described in Section 7.01(g) or (vii) become unable to pay, not pay,
or admit in writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become
due;

        (g) Without the application, approval or consent of a Credit Party or
any of its Subsidiaries, a receiver, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar
official shall be appointed for such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or
any Substantial Portion of its Property, or a proceeding

                                      -60-
<PAGE>   66

described in Section 7.01(f)(iv) shall be instituted against any Credit Party or
any Subsidiary or a Credit Party and such appointment continues undischarged or
such proceeding continues undismissed or unstayed for a period of forty-five
consecutive days;

        (h) Any court, government or governmental agency shall condemn, seize or
otherwise appropriate, or take custody or control of (each a "Condemnation"),
all or any portion of the Property of any Credit Party or its Subsidiaries
which, when taken together with all other Property of URGI and its Subsidiaries
so condemned, seized, appropriated, or taken custody or control of, during the
twelve-month period ending with the month in which any such Condemnation occurs,
constitutes a Substantial Portion;

        (i) Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party shall fail
within thirty days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge any judgment or order for
the payment of money in excess of $500,000 (or multiple judgments or orders for
the payment of an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000) (or, in each case,
its equivalent in any other currency), which is not stayed on appeal or
otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith and as to which no
enforcement actions have been commenced;

        (j) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf
of any Credit Party to the Banks, the Issuing Bank or the Agents under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or any
certificate or material information delivered in connection with this Agreement
or any other Transaction Document, shall prove to have been false in any
material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made;

        (k)  A Change in Control shall occur;

        (l) The guarantee contained in Article V hereof shall terminate or
cease, in whole or material part, to be a legally valid and binding obligation
of URGI or URC, or any Credit Party or any Person acting for or on behalf of any
of such parties contests such validity or binding nature of such guarantee, or
any such Person shall assert any of the foregoing;

        (m) URC shall fail to maintain an A.M. Best claims paying rating of at
least A-;

        (n) Any License of any Insurance Subsidiary (a) shall be revoked by the
Governmental Authority which issued such License, or any action (administrative
or judicial) to revoke such License shall have been commenced against such
Insurance Subsidiary and shall not have been dismissed within 60 days after the
commencement thereof, (b) shall be suspended by such Governmental Authority for
a period in excess of 60 days or (c) shall not be reissued or renewed by such
Governmental Authority upon the expiration thereof following application for
such reissuance or renewal of such Insurance Subsidiary and, in any such case,
the Required Banks shall have determined in good faith that, individually or in
the aggregate, such event or events could have a Material Adverse Effect;

        (o) Any Insurance Subsidiary shall be the subject of a final
non-appealable order imposing a fine in an amount in excess of $250,000 (or its
equivalent in any other currency) in any single instance or other such orders
imposing fines in excess of $1,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency)
in the aggregate after the date of this Agreement by or at the request of any
state insurance regulatory agency as a result of the violation by such Insurance
Subsidiary of such state's applicable insurance laws or the regulations
promulgated in connection therewith and, in any such case, the Required Banks
shall have determined in good faith that, individually or in the aggregate, such
event or events could have a Material Adverse Effect;

        (p) Any Insurance Subsidiary shall become subject to (i) any
conservation or liquidation order, directive or mandate issued by any
Governmental Authority or (ii) any other directive or

                                      -61-
<PAGE>   67

mandate issued by any Governmental Authority which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect which in either case is not stayed within
thirty days;

        (q) Any Credit Party, any Subsidiary of a Credit Party, Alleghany or any
other Consolidated Person shall receive any tax assessment, demand or notice of
deficiency or have any tax liens filed or any judicial proceeding relating to
any tax matter commenced against it which, in any such case, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or any tax lien shall be filed
against any property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary relating to the tax
liabilities of any Person if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or
thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with
generally accepted principles of accounting or SAP, as applicable, shall have
been set aside on its books; and

        (r) (i) the unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans maintained
by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary or a Credit Party shall exceed in the
aggregate $1,000,000 or a Reportable Event shall occur in connection with any
Plan maintained by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary or a Credit Party, (ii)
the Unfunded Liabilities of all Single Employer Plans maintained by members of
the Controlled Group shall exceed an amount which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect or any Reportable Event shall occur in
connection with any Plan maintained by members of the Controlled Group which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) any Lien
shall be imposed by the PBGC or the IRS against any assets of any Credit Party
or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party with respect to a Plan maintained by any
other member of the Controlled Group (or any other employee pension benefit plan
as to which any such member may be liable).

        7.02.  Consequences of an Event of Default.

        (a) If an Event of Default specified in subsections (a) through (e) or
(h) through (r) of Section 7.01 hereof shall occur or exist, then, in addition
to all other rights and remedies which the Administrative Agent, any Bank or the
Issuing Bank may have hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise, the Banks shall
be under no obligation to make Loans and the Issuing Bank shall be under no
obligation to issue Letters of Credit, and the Administrative Agent may, and
upon the written request of the Required Banks shall, by notice to URGI, from
time to time do any or all of the following:

               (i) Declare the Revolving Credit Commitments and the commitment
        of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit terminated, whereupon the
        Revolving Credit Commitments and such commitment to issue Letters of
        Credit will terminate and any accrued Commitment Fees hereunder shall be
        immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or
        further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an
        action therefor shall immediately accrue,

               (ii) Declare the unpaid principal amount of the Notes, interest
        accrued thereon and all other obligations of any of the Credit Parties
        hereunder to be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
        protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived,
        and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.

        (b) If an Event of Default specified in subsection (f) or (g) of Section
7.01 hereof shall occur or exist, then, in addition to all other rights and
remedies which the Administrative Agent, any Bank or the Issuing Bank may have
hereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise, the Banks shall be under no further
obligation to make Loans and the Issuing Bank shall be under no further
obligation to issue Letters of Credit, and the following provisions shall
automatically apply:

                                      -62-
<PAGE>   68

               (i) The Revolving Credit Commitments and the commitment to issue
        Letters of Credit shall terminate, and any accrued Commitment Fees
        hereunder shall be immediately due and payable without presentment,
        demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
        waived, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.

               (ii) The unpaid principal amount of the Notes, interest accrued
        thereon and all other obligations of any of the Credit Parties hereunder
        shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
        protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived,
        and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.

        7.03 Certain Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit upon Default. If
any Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall exist, the
Administrative Agent may, and at the direction of the Required Banks shall,
irrespective of whether it is taking any other action with respect to such
Default or otherwise and without limiting the generality of Section 7.02, make
demand upon the applicable Account Party to, and forthwith upon such demand each
applicable Account Party will, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the
Issuing Bank and the Banks in same day funds at the Administrative Agent's
Domestic Office, for deposit to the Cash Collateral Account, an amount equal to
the aggregate Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability of all Letters of Credit
then outstanding. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that any
funds held in the Cash Collateral Account are subject to any right or claim of
any Person other than the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Banks,
or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate Letter of
Credit Undrawn Availability of all Letters of Credit then outstanding, the
Account Parties will, forthwith upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to
the Administrative Agent, as additional funds to be deposited and held in the
Cash Collateral Account, an amount equal to the excess of such aggregate Letter
of Credit Undrawn Availability over the total amount of funds, if any, then held
in the Cash Collateral Account that the Administrative Agent determines to be
free and clear of any such right and claim. As used herein, the term "Cash
Collateral Account" shall mean a cash collateral account opened by the
Administrative Agent in the name of the Account Parties but under the sole
dominion and control of the Administrative Agent and subject to the terms of
this Agreement. Each Account Party hereby grants to the Administrative Agent,
for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Banks, to secure payment of the
Obligations, a security interest in the Cash Collateral Account, all funds held
therein and all certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time
representing or evidencing the Cash Collateral Account. Amounts on deposit in
the Cash Collateral Account shall bear interest at the lowest customary rate
payable at the time in question by the Administrative Agent for overnight
deposits of a comparable amount and such interest shall be retained in and added
to the Cash Collateral Account. URC shall not have an obligation to make any
payment required by this Section 7.03 to the extent making such payment would
violate applicable Law. URC agrees to use it best efforts, at its own expense
and without regard to the amount of such expense, to assure that the making by
it of all payments otherwise required by this Section 7.03 will not violate
applicable Law, including without limitation the seeking of any required
regulatory approvals, the contesting of any regulatory disapprovals to the
extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Banks
and the taking of all other actions reasonably requested by the Administrative
Agent or the Required Banks.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   THE AGENTS

        8.01. Appointment. Each Bank hereby irrevocably appoints Mellon Bank,
N.A. to act as Administrative Agent, and Dresdner Bank AG, New York Branch and
Grand Cayman Branch, to act as

                                      -63-
<PAGE>   69

Documentation Agent, for such Bank under this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents, subject to Section 8.09 hereof. Each Bank hereby
irrevocably authorizes each of the Agents to take such action on behalf of such
Bank under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents,
and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties, as are expressly
delegated to or required of each such Agent by the terms hereof or thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Mellon Bank,
N.A. hereby agrees to act as Administrative Agent, and Dresdner Bank hereby
agrees to act as Documentation Agent, on behalf of the Banks on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents,
subject to the right of each Agent to resign as provided in Section 8.09 hereof.
Each Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and
deliver each of the Transaction Documents and to accept delivery of such of the
other Transaction Documents as may not require execution by the Administrative
Agent. Each Bank agrees that the rights and remedies granted to each of the
Agents under the Transaction Documents shall be exercised exclusively by the
Agents, and that no Bank shall have any right individually to exercise any such
right or remedy, except to the extent expressly provided herein or therein.

        8.02. General Nature of Agents' Duties. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document:

        (a) No Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities except those
expressly set forth in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and
no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of any Agent shall be read
into this Agreement or any Transaction Document or shall otherwise exist.
Neither the Documentation Agent nor the Syndication Agent shall have any duties
or responsibilities in its capacity as such (as opposed to its capacity as a
Bank) under this Agreement.

        (b) The duties and responsibilities of each of the Agents under this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents shall be mechanical and
administrative in nature, and no Agent shall have a fiduciary relationship in
respect of any Bank.

        (c) Each Agent is and shall be solely the agent of the Banks. No Agent
assumes, and shall not at any time be deemed to have, any relationship of agency
or trust with or for, or any other duty or responsibility to, any other Person
(except only for its relationship as agent for, and its express duties and
responsibilities to, the Banks as provided in this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents).

        (d) No Agent shall be under any obligation to take any action hereunder
or under any other Transaction Document if such Agent believes in good faith
that taking such action may conflict with any Law or any provision of this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document, or may require such Agent to
qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified.

        8.03. Exercise of Powers. Each of the Agents shall take any action of
the type specified in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document as being
within such Agent's rights, powers or discretion in accordance with directions
from the Required Banks (or, to the extent this Agreement or such Transaction
Document expressly requires the direction or consent of some other Person or set
of Persons, then instead in accordance with the directions of such other Person
or set of Persons). In the absence of such directions, such Agent shall have the
authority (but under no circumstances shall be obligated), in its sole
discretion, to take any such action, except to the extent this Agreement or such
Transaction Document expressly requires the direction or consent of the Required
Banks (or some other Person or set of Persons), in which case such Agent shall
not take such action absent such direction or consent. Any action or inaction
pursuant to such direction, discretion or consent shall be binding on all the
Banks. No Agent shall have any liability to any Person as a result of (x) such
Agent acting or refraining from acting in accordance with the directions of the
Required Banks (or other

                                      -64-
<PAGE>   70

applicable Person or set of Persons), (y) such Agent refraining from acting in
the absence of instructions to act from the Required Banks (or other applicable
Person or set of Persons), whether or not such Agent has discretionary power to
take such action, or (z) such Agent taking discretionary action it is authorized
to take under this Section (subject, in the case of this clause (z), to the
provisions of Section 8.04(a) hereof).

        8.04.  General Exculpatory Provisions.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary elsewhere in this Agreement or any other Transaction Document:

        (a) No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken
by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document, unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

        (b) No Agent shall be responsible for (i) the execution, delivery,
effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or adequacy of this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document, (ii) any recital, representation,
warranty, document, certificate, report or statement in, provided for in, or
received under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document, (iii) any failure of any Credit Party or Bank to perform any of their
respective obligations under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document,
or (iv) the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation,
priority, adequacy or value, now or hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or
indirect security afforded or purported to be afforded by any of the Transaction
Documents or otherwise from time to time.

        (c) No Agent shall be under any obligation to ascertain, inquire or give
any notice relating to (i) the performance or observance of any of the terms or
conditions of this Agreement or any other Transaction Document on the part of
any Credit Party, (ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of any Credit Party or any other Person, or (iii) except
to the extent set forth in Section 8.05(f) hereof, the existence of any Event of
Default or Potential Default.

        (d) No Agent shall be under any obligation, either initially or on a
continuing basis, to provide any Bank with any notices, reports or information
of any nature, whether in its possession presently or hereafter, except for such
notices, reports and other information expressly required by this Agreement or
any other Transaction Document to be furnished by such Agent to such Bank.

        8.05.  Administration by the Agents.

        (a) Each of the Agents may rely upon any notice or other communication
of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited to telephone
conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is made in a
manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Transaction Document)
purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and such Agent
shall not have any duty to verify the identity or authority of any Person giving
such notice or other communication.

        (b) Each of the Agents may consult with legal counsel (including,
without limitation, in-house counsel for such Agent or in-house or other counsel
for any Credit Party), independent public accountants and any other experts
selected by it from time to time, and such Agent shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the
advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

        (c) Each of the Agents may conclusively rely upon the truth of the
statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed in any certificates or
opinions furnished to such Agent in accordance with the requirements of this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document. Whenever such Agent shall deem it
necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established with respect to
any Credit Party or Bank, such matter may be established by a certificate of
such Credit Party or Bank,

                                      -65-
<PAGE>   71

as the case may be, and such Agent may conclusively rely upon such certificate
(unless other evidence with respect to such matter is specifically prescribed in
this Agreement or another Transaction Document).

        (d) Each of the Agents may fail or refuse to take any action unless it
shall be indemnified to its satisfaction from time to time against any and all
amounts, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature which
may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent by reason of
taking or continuing to take any such action.

        (e) Each of the Agents may perform any of its duties under this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document by or through agents or
attorneys-in-fact. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in fact selected by it with reasonable
care.

        (f) No Agent shall be deemed to have any knowledge or notice of the
occurrence of any Event of Default or Potential Default unless such Agent has
received notice from a Bank or any Credit Party referring to this Agreement,
describing such Event of Default or Potential Default, and stating that such
notice is a "notice of default". If any Agent receives such a notice, such Agent
shall give prompt notice thereof to each Bank.

        8.06. Bank Not Relying on Agent or Other Banks. Each Bank acknowledges
as follows: (a) neither any Agent nor any other Bank has made any
representations or warranties to it, and no act taken hereafter by any Agent or
any other Bank shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by
such Agent or such other Bank to it; (b) it has, independently and without
reliance upon any Agent or any other Bank, and based upon such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit and legal analysis
and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;
and (c) it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other
Bank, and based upon such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, make its own decisions to take or not take action under or in
connection with this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

        8.07. Indemnification. Each Bank agrees to reimburse and indemnify each
Agent and its directors, officers, employees and agents (to the extent not
reimbursed by a Credit Party and without limitation of the obligations of the
Credit Parties to do so), ratably in accordance with their respective Total
Credit Exposures, from and against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities,
claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs or disbursements of any kind or nature (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for such Agent or such other Person
in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened, whether or not such Agent or such other Person shall be
designated a party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against such Agent or such other Person as a result of, or arising out
of, or in any way related to or by reason of, this Agreement, any other
Transaction Document, any transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or
thereby, or any transaction to which a Letter of Credit directly or indirectly
relates, provided that no Bank shall be liable for any portion of such amounts,
losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements to the extent resulting from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent or such other Person, as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Payments under this Section
shall be due and payable on demand, and to the extent that any Bank fails to pay
any such amount on demand, such amount shall bear interest for each day from the
date of demand until paid (before and after judgment) at a rate per annum
(calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) which
for each day shall be equal to 2% over the interest rate per annum announced by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or otherwise determined by such Agent to be
applicable for such day to overnight federal funds transactions arranged by
federal funds brokers on the previous trading day. If an Agent receives from a
Bank interest for any day on a payment due under this Section, as contemplated
by the immediately

                                      -66-
<PAGE>   72

preceding sentence, and subsequently receives interest from a Credit Party for
such day with respect to the cost, expense or other item giving rise to such
payment, the amount of such interest received by such Agent from a Credit Party
shall be forthwith paid to such Bank.

        8.08. Agents in their Individual Capacities. With respect to its
Commitments and the Obligations owing to each Agent, such Agent shall have the
same rights and powers under this Agreement and each other Transaction Document
as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and
the terms "Banks" and like terms shall include such Agent in its individual
capacity as such. Each Agent and its affiliates may, without liability to
account, make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire debt or equity interests
in, act as trustee under indentures of, act as agent under other credit
facilities for, and engage in any other business with, any Credit Party and any
stockholder, subsidiary or affiliate of any Credit Party, as though such Agent
were not an Agent hereunder.

        8.09. Successor Agents. Any Agent may resign at any time by giving 10
days' prior written notice thereof to the Banks, the Borrowers and the Account
Parties. Any Agent may be removed by the Required Banks at any time by giving 10
days' prior written notice thereof to such Agent, the other Banks, the Borrowers
and the Account Parties. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required
Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent
shall have been so appointed and consented to, and shall have accepted such
appointment, within 30 days after such notice of resignation or removal, then
such retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent. Each
successor Agent shall be a commercial bank or trust company organized or
licensed under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof and
having a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000. Upon the
acceptance by a successor Agent of its appointment as an Agent hereunder, such
successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
properties, rights, powers, privileges and duties of the former Agent, without
further act, deed or conveyance. Upon the effective date of resignation or
removal of a retiring Agent, such Agent shall be discharged from its duties
under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, but the provisions of
this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by
it while it was an Agent under this Agreement. If and so long as no successor
Agent shall have been appointed, then any notice or other communication required
or permitted to be given by such Agent shall be sufficiently given if given by
the Required Banks, all notices or other communications required or permitted to
be given to such Agent shall be given to each Bank, and all payments to be made
to such Agent shall be made directly to the Account Parties, Borrowers or Bank
for whose account such payment is made.

        8.10. Additional Administrative Agents. If the Administrative Agent
shall from time to time deem it necessary or advisable, for its own protection
in the performance of its duties hereunder or in the interest of the Banks, the
Administrative Agent, the Borrowers and the Account Parties shall execute and
deliver a supplemental agreement and all other instruments and agreements
necessary or advisable, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to
constitute another commercial bank or trust company, or one or more other
Persons approved by the Administrative Agent, to act as co-Administrative Agent
or agent with such powers of the Administrative Agent as may be provided in such
supplemental agreement and to vest in such bank, trust company or Person as such
co-Administrative Agent or separate agent, as the case may be, any properties,
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the Administrative Agent under this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document.

        8.11. Calculations. No Agent shall be liable for any calculation,
apportionment or distribution of payments made by it in good faith. If such
calculation, apportionment or distribution is subsequently determined to have
been made in error, the sole recourse of any Bank to whom payment was due but
not made shall be to recover from the other Banks any payment in excess of the
amount to which they are determined to be entitled or, if the amount due was not
paid by the appropriate Account Party or Borrower, to recover such amount from
the appropriate Account Party or Borrower.

                                      -67-
<PAGE>   73

        8.12. Agents' Fees. Each Account Party and each Borrower agrees to pay
to each Agent, for its individual account, a nonrefundable Administrative
Agent's fee or Documentation Agent's fee, as the case may be, in an amount and
at such time or times as such Agent, the Borrowers and the Account Parties have
heretofore agreed.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

        9.01. No Implied Waiver etc. No delay or failure of any Agent or any
Bank in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall affect such
right, power or privilege; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or
privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies hereunder of the Agents and the Banks are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which, it or they would
otherwise have. Any amendment, waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind
or character on the part of an Agent or a Bank of any breach or default under
this Agreement or any such waiver of any provision or condition of this
Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent in such
writing specifically set forth.

        9.02. Set-Off. In case any one or more of the Events of Default
described in Article VII hereof shall occur, each Bank shall have the right, in
addition to all other rights and remedies available to it, to set-off against
the unpaid balance of its interests in any Letter of Credit Reimbursement
Obligations or Loan Repayment Obligations any debt owing by such Bank to the
applicable Credit Party, including without limitation any funds in any deposit
account maintained by such Credit Party with such Bank. Nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed any waiver or prohibition of any right of banker's
lien or set-off under applicable Law.

        9.03. Survival of Provisions. Each of the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements of the Credit Parties contained herein or made in
writing in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, and the making of any Credit Extension hereunder.

        9.04.  Expenses and Fees; Indemnity.

        (a) Each Account Party and each Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be
paid and to save each of the Agents, the Co-Arrangers and (in the case of clause
(iv) below) each of the Banks harmless against liability for the payment of all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, including local counsel, auditors, and
all other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting costs) incurred by
such Agent or such Bank from time to time arising from or relating to (i) the
negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, administration and performance of
this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, (ii) any syndication of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, (iii)
any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents requested by any
Credit Party (whether or not ultimately entered into or granted) to this
Agreement or any Transaction Document, and (iv) the enforcement or preservation
of rights under this Agreement or any Transaction Document (including but not
limited to the fees and expenses of special counsel to the Co-Arrangers and
Banks and any such costs or expenses arising from or relating to (A) collection
or enforcement of any other amount owing hereunder or thereunder by any Agent or
any Bank and (B) any litigation, proceeding, dispute, work-out, restructuring or
rescheduling related in any way to this Agreement or the Transaction Documents).

                                      -68-
<PAGE>   74
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Credit Party shall be required to pay costs
and expenses of a Bank (in its capacity as such) which were incurred by such
Bank in connection with any litigation, proceeding or other dispute relating
solely to a claim made against such Bank by one or more of the other Banks. Each
Credit Party hereby agrees to pay all stamp, document, transfer, recording,
filing, registration, search, sales and excise fees and taxes and all similar
impositions now or hereafter determined by any Agent or any Bank to be payable
in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents or any
other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in connection
herewith or therewith, and each such Account Party and each such Borrower agrees
to save each Agent and each Bank harmless from and against any and all present
or future claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any
omission to pay or delay in paying any such fees.

         (b) Each Account Party and each Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse and
indemnify each Agent, the Co-Arrangers and each Bank and their respective
directors, officers, employees and agents (the "Indemnified Parties") from and
against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Indemnified Parties in connection with any investigative,
administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not
such Indemnified Party shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time
be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by such Indemnified Party as a
result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of, this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document, any transaction from time to time
contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction to which any Letter of Credit
directly or indirectly relates (and without in any way limiting the generality
of the foregoing, including any violation or breach of any Law by any Credit
Party or any exercise by any Agent or any Bank of any of its rights or remedies
under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; any breach of any
representation or warranty, covenant or agreement of any Credit Party); but
excluding any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements to the extent
resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified
Party, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. If and to the
extent that the foregoing obligations of the Account Parties and Borrowers under
this Section 9.04, or any other indemnification obligation of the Account
Parties or Borrowers hereunder or under any other Transaction Document, are
unenforceable for any reason, the Account Parties and the Borrowers hereby agree
to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such
obligations which is permissible under applicable Law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Account Party or Borrower shall be required to pay costs and
expenses of a Bank or a Participant (in its capacity as such) which were
incurred by such Bank or Participant in connection with any litigation,
proceeding or other dispute relating solely to a claim made against such Bank or
Participant by one or more of the other Banks or Participants.

         9.05. Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement or in any other Transaction Document should be held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor in
good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as
possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

         9.06. Holidays. Unless otherwise specified herein, whenever any payment
or action to be made or taken hereunder shall be stated to be due on a Saturday,
Sunday or public holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next succeeding Business
Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing
interest, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

                                      -69-
<PAGE>   75
         9.07. Notices, etc. Any notice or other communication in connection
with this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given or made when received by
the party to whom directed. All such notices and other communications shall be
in writing unless otherwise provided herein and shall be directed, if to a Bank,
at such Bank's address on the signature pages hereof, if to the Administrative
Agent at Three Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15259, Attention:
Loan Administration, with a copy to Institutional Banking, Room 4401, One Mellon
Bank Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15258; if to the Issuing Bank at Three Mellon Bank
Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15259, Attention: Letter of Credit Department
with a copy to Institutional Banking, Room 4401, One Mellon Bank Center,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258 and if to any Credit Party, to the Chief
Financial Officer of URGI at 26050 Mureau Road, Calabasas, California 91302, or
in accordance with the latest unrevoked written direction from any party to the
other parties hereto. For the purposes of both receiving information from any
Agent or any Bank or providing information to any Agent or any Bank, URGI shall
act as the agent for each other Credit Party.

         9.08. FORUM SELECTION AND CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. ANY LITIGATION BASED
HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, OR ANY OTHER
MATTER RELATED THERETO MAY BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED IN THE COURTS OF
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA OR IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA OR IN THE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. EACH CREDIT
PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS
OF COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK FOR THE PURPOSE OF
ANY SUCH LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY
JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LITIGATION, SUBJECT TO ANY
GENERAL RIGHT OF APPEAL. EACH CREDIT PARTY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE
SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE ADDRESS PROVIDED
IN THIS AGREEMENT.

         9.09. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT LITIGATION HEREUNDER IS
BROUGHT BEFORE A COURT IN THE UNITED STATES, THE PARTIES HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY.
EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT
CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH OTHER PROVISIONS OF EACH OTHER
DOCUMENT HERETO TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY) AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT FOR EACH AGENT AND EACH BANK ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND RELATED
AGREEMENTS.

         9.10. Governing Law. This Agreement and any other documents delivered
in connection herewith and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto and
thereto shall for all purposes be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the substantive law of the State of New York without giving
effect to conflict of laws principles.

         9.11 Validity and Enforceability. If any stamp tax, levy, duty or fee
is imposed or payable in respect to this Agreement or the transaction
contemplated hereby or is necessary or advisable to ensure the legality,
validity or enforceability of the documents in this transaction, the Account
Parties and Borrowers shall promptly pay such stamp tax, levy, duty or fee. No
government approval or consent is necessary for the execution, delivery and
performance of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement.

                                      -70-
<PAGE>   76
         9.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one (1) and the same instrument.

         9.13.  Successors and Assigns; Participations; Assignments.

         (a) Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Account Parties, the Borrowers, the
Banks, all future holders of the Notes, the Agents, and their respective
successors and assigns, except that no Credit Party may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or duties under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of each of the Agents and each of the Banks, and any purported
assignment without such consent shall be void.

         (b) Participations. Any Bank may, in the ordinary course of its
commercial banking business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time
sell participations to one or more commercial banks or other Persons (each a
"Participant") in a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, all or a
portion of its Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitments and Letter of
Credit Participating Interest and the Loans owing to it and any Note held by
it); provided, that

                  (i) any such participation sold to a Participant which is not
         a Bank, an affiliate of a Bank or a Federal Reserve Bank shall be made
         only with the consent (which in each case shall not be unreasonably
         withheld) of the Issuing Bank,

                  (ii) any such Bank's obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Transaction Documents shall remain unchanged,

                  (iii) such Bank shall remain solely responsible to the other
         parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,

                  (iv) the parties hereto shall continue to deal solely and
         directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's rights and
         obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Transaction
         Documents,

                  (v) such Participant shall be bound by the provisions of
         Section 9.13 hereof, and the Bank selling such participation shall
         obtain from such Participant a written confirmation of its agreement to
         be so bound,

                  (vi) no Participant (unless such Participant is an affiliate
         of such Bank, or is itself a Bank) shall be entitled to require such
         Bank to take or refrain from taking action under this Agreement or
         under any other Transaction Document, except that such Bank may agree
         with such Participant that such Bank will not, without such
         Participant's consent, take action of the type described in subsections
         (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of Section 9.14 hereof, and

                  (vii) a Participant shall have the right to vote regarding
         amendments to this Agreement only in connection with amendments which
         effect changes in the amount of Letter of Credit Participating Interest
         Commitments, Letter of Credit Participating Interests, Revolving Credit
         Commitments, Loans, fees payable hereunder and the Expiration Date.

Each Account Party and each Borrower agrees that any such Participant shall be
entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2A.11 and 9.04(b) with respect to its
participation in the Letter of Credit

                                      -71-
<PAGE>   77
Commitments, the Letters of Credit, the Revolving Credit Commitments and the
Loans outstanding from time to time; provided, that no such Participant shall be
entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to such Sections than the
transferor Bank would have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of
the participation transferred to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.

         (c) Assignments. Any Bank may, in the ordinary course of its commercial
banking business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time assign all
or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its
Letter of Credit Participating Interest Commitments and Letter of Credit
Participating Interests, and all or any portion of its Revolving Credit
Commitments, Loans owing to it and any Note held by it) to any Bank, any
affiliate of a Bank or to one or more additional commercial banks or other
Persons (each a "Purchasing Bank"); provided, that

                  (i) any such assignment shall be made only with the consent
         (which in each case shall not be unreasonably withheld) of the Credit
         Parties and the Issuing Bank, unless an Event of Default has occurred
         and is continuing or exists, in which case the consent of the Credit
         Parties shall not be required,

                  (ii) if a Bank makes such an assignment of less than all of
         its then remaining rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Transaction Documents, such assignment shall be in a minimum
         aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000 of the Letter of Credit
         Participating Interest Commitments, Letter of Credit Participating
         Interests, Revolving Credit Commitments and Loans then outstanding,

                  (iii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a
         varying, percentage of each Letter of Credit Commitment and Revolving
         Credit Commitment of the transferor Bank and of all of the transferor
         Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other
         Transaction Documents, and

                  (iv) each such assignment shall be made pursuant to a Transfer
         Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement,
         duly completed (a "Transfer Supplement").

             In order to effect any such assignment, the transferor Bank and the
    Purchasing Bank shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a duly
    completed Transfer Supplement (including the consents required by clause (i)
    of the preceding sentence) with respect to such assignment, together with
    any Note subject to such assignment, and a processing and recording fee of
    $2,500; and, upon receipt thereof, the Administrative Agent shall accept
    such Transfer Supplement; provided, however, that no such processing and
    recording fee shall be due if such assignment is to an affiliate of a Bank
    or a Federal Reserve Bank. Upon receipt of the Purchase Price Receipt Notice
    pursuant to such Transfer Supplement, the Administrative Agent shall record
    such acceptance in the Register. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance
    and recording, from and after the close of business at the Administrative
    Agent's Domestic Office on the Transfer Effective Date specified in such
    Transfer Supplement:

                  (x) the Purchasing Bank shall be a party hereto and, to the
         extent provided in such Transfer Supplement, shall have the rights and
         obligations of a Bank hereunder, and

                  (y) the transferor Bank thereunder shall be released from its
         obligations under this Agreement to the extent so transferred (and, in
         the case of an Transfer Supplement covering all or the remaining
         portion of a transferor Bank's rights and obligations under this
         Agreement, such transferor Bank shall cease to be a party to this
         Agreement) from and after the Transfer Effective Date.

                                      -72-
<PAGE>   78
On or prior to the Transfer Effective Date specified in a Transfer Supplement
pursuant to which any Revolving Credit Commitment or Loan is assigned, the
Borrowers shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to
the Purchasing Bank) new Notes evidencing such Purchasing Bank's assigned
Revolving Credit Commitments or Loans and (for delivery to the transferor Bank)
replacement Notes in the principal amount of the Loans or Revolving Credit
Commitments retained by the transferor Bank (such Notes to be in exchange for
(and deliverable against delivery, marked "exchanged" of), but not in payment
of, those Notes then held by such transferor Bank). Each such Note shall be
dated the date and be substantially in the form of the predecessor Note. The
Administrative Agent shall mark the predecessor Notes "exchanged" and deliver
them to the Borrowers. Accrued interest and accrued fees shall be paid to the
Purchasing Bank at the same time or times provided in the predecessor Notes and
this Agreement.

         (d) Register. The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its office a
copy of each Transfer Supplement delivered to it and a register (the "Register")
for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the Letter of
Credit Participating Interest Commitment of, the amount of the Letter of Credit
Participating Interests of, the Revolving Credit Commitment of and the amount of
the Loans of, each Bank from time to time. The entries in the Register shall be
conclusive absent manifest error and the Account Parties, the Borrowers, the
Agents and the Banks may treat each person whose name is recorded in the
Register as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of the Agreement. The Register
shall be available for inspection by any Account Party, Borrower or Bank at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

         (e) Financial and Other Information. Each Credit Party authorizes each
Agent and each Bank to disclose to any Participant or Purchasing Bank (each, a
"Transferee") and any prospective transferee any and all financial and other
information in such Person's possession concerning the Credit Parties and their
affiliates which has been or may be delivered to such Person by or on behalf of
the Credit Parties in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction
Document or such Person's credit evaluation of the Credit Parties and their
affiliates, subject to the agreement of the Transferee or prospective Transferee
to be bound by Section 9.17 hereof with respect to confidentiality. At the
request of any Bank, a Credit Party, at a Credit Party's expense, shall provide
to each prospective transferee the conformed copies of documents referred to in
Section 4 of the form of Transfer Supplement.

         9.14. Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement nor any
Transaction Document may be amended, modified or supplemented except in
accordance with the provisions of this Section. The Agents and the Credit
Parties may from time to time amend, modify or supplement the provisions of this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document for the purpose of amending, adding
to, or waiving any provisions or changing in any manner the rights and duties of
any Credit Party, any Agent or any Bank. Any such amendment, modification or
supplement made by the Credit Parties and the Agents in accordance with the
provisions of this Section shall be binding upon the Credit Parties, each Bank
and each Agent. The Agents shall enter into such amendments, modifications or
supplements from time to time as directed by the Required Banks, and only as so
directed, provided, that no such amendment, modification or supplement may be
made which will:

         (a) Increase the Committed Amount of any Bank over the amount thereof
then in effect, or extend the Expiration Date or Maturity Date, without the
written consent of each Bank affected thereby;

         (b) Reduce the principal amount of or extend the scheduled final
maturity or time for any scheduled payment of principal of any Loan, or reduce
the rate of interest or extend the time for payment of interest borne by any
Loan (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any increase in
interest rates applicable to overdue amounts), without the written consent of
each Bank affected thereby;

                                      -73-
<PAGE>   79
         (c) Reduce the amount of or postpone the date for payment of any
Commitment Fee or Letter of Credit Fee or reduce or postpone the date for
payment of any other fees, expenses, indemnities or amounts payable under any
Transaction Document, without the written consent of each Bank affected thereby;

         (d) Change the definition of "Required Banks" or amend this Section
9.14, without the written consent of all the Banks;

         (e) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article IX hereof, or
impose additional duties upon any Agent or otherwise adversely affect the
rights, interests or obligations of any Agent, without the written consent of
such Agent;

         (f) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article V or release any
Guarantor from its obligations hereunder without the written consent of all the
Banks;

and provided further, that Transfer Supplements may be entered into in the
manner provided in Section 9.13 hereof. Any such amendment, modification or
supplement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent set
forth in such writing. Any Event of Default or Potential Default waived or
consented to in any such amendment, modification or supplement shall be deemed
to be cured and not continuing to the extent and for the period set forth in
such waiver or consent, but no such waiver or consent shall extend to any other
or subsequent Event of Default or Potential Default or impair any right
consequent thereto.

         9.15. Judgment Currency. In the event of a judgment or order being
rendered by any court or tribunal for the payment of any amounts owing to the
Banks or any of them under this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or
for the payment of damages in respect of any breach of this Agreement or any
other Transaction Document or under or in respect of a judgment or order of
another court or tribunal for the payment of such amounts or damages, such
judgment or order being expressed in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other
than Dollars the party against whom the judgment or order is made shall
indemnify and hold the Banks harmless against any deficiency in terms of Dollars
in the amounts received by the Banks arising or resulting from any variations as
between (i) the exchange rate at which Dollars are converted into the Judgment
Currency for the purposes of such judgment or order and (ii) the exchange rate
at which each Bank is able to purchase Dollars with the amount of the Judgment
Currency actually received by the Banks on the date of such receipt. The
indemnity in this section shall constitute a separate and independent obligation
from the other obligations of the Account Parties and Borrowers hereunder and
shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by the Banks.

         9.16. Records. The amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, each Bank's
Letter of Credit Participating Interest Committed Amount and the accrued and
unpaid Commitment Fees shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the
Administrative Agent, which shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

         9.17 Confidentiality. Each of the Agents and the Banks agree to keep
confidential any information relating to the Credit Parties received by it
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement which is (a) information which
such Agent and such Bank reasonably expects that the applicable Credit Party
would want to keep confidential or (b) information which is clearly marked
"CONFIDENTIAL"; provided, however, that this Section 9.17 shall not be construed
to prevent any Agent or any Bank from disclosing such information (i) to any
affiliate that shall agree in writing for the benefit of the Credit Parties to
be bound by this obligation of confidentiality, (ii) upon the order of any court
or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction, (iii) upon the request or
demand of any regulatory agency or authority having jurisdiction over such Agent
or such Bank which request or demand has the force of Law or is made by a bank
regulatory agency, (iv) that has been publicly disclosed, other than from a
breach of this provision by any Agent or

                                      -74-
<PAGE>   80
any Bank, (v) that has been obtained from any person that is neither a party to
this Agreement nor an affiliate of any such party, but only to the extent that
such Bank does not know or have reason to know that such disclosure violates a
confidentiality agreement between such person and the applicable Credit Party
(vi) in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under
any other Transaction Document, (vii) as expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or any other Transaction Document or (viii) to any prospective
purchaser of all or any part of the interest of any Bank which shall agree in
writing for the benefit of the Credit Parties to be bound by the obligation of
confidentiality in this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents if such
prospective purchaser is a financial institution or has been consented to by the
Account Parties and the Borrowers, which consent will not be withheld if such
purchaser is not a competitor of any Account Party or Borrower or an affiliate
of a competitor of any Account Party or Borrower.

         9.18. Sharing of Collections. The Banks hereby agree among themselves
that if any Bank shall receive (by voluntary payment, realization upon security,
set-off or from any other source) any amount on account of any Obligation
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents to be made by
an Account Party or Borrower pro rata to all Banks in greater proportion than
any such amount received by any other Bank, then the Bank receiving such
proportionately greater payment shall notify each other Bank and the
Administrative Agent of such receipt, and equitable adjustment will be made in
the manner stated in this Section 9.18 so that, in effect, all such excess
amounts will be shared ratably among all of the Banks. The Bank receiving such
excess amount shall purchase (which it shall be deemed to have done
simultaneously upon the receipt of such excess amount) for cash from the other
Banks a participation in the applicable Obligations owed to such other Banks in
such amount as shall result in a ratable sharing by all Banks of such excess
amount (and to such extent the receiving Bank shall be a Participant). If all or
any portion of such excess amount is thereafter recovered from the Bank making
such purchase, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored
to the extent of such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any,
required by Law to be paid by the Bank making such purchase. The Account Parties
and Borrowers hereby consent to and confirm the foregoing arrangements. Each
Participant shall be bound by this Section 9.18 as fully as if it were a Bank
hereunder.

         9.19. Co-Arrangers. The Co-Arrangers shall have no obligations in their
capacity as such under this Agreement.

                                      -75-
<PAGE>   81
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized, have executed this Agreement as of the day and year
first above written.

UNDERWRITERS RE GROUP, INC., AS A BORROWER AND A GUARANTOR

By:   /s/ Stephen C. Kolakowski
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name: Stephen C. Kolakowski
     -----------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer and
       Treasurer
      -----------------------------

UNDERWRITERS REINSURANCE COMPANY, AS A BORROWER,
AN ACCOUNT PARTY AND A GUARANTOR

By:   /s/ Stephen C. Kolakowski
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  Stephen C. Kolakowski
     -----------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President and
       Chief Financial Officer
      -----------------------------

VENTON UNDERWRITING LIMITED, AS A BORROWER AND AN ACCOUNT PARTY

By:    /s/ D.M. Slade
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  D.M. Slade
     -----------------------------
Title: Director
      -----------------------------

TALBOT UNDERWRITING LIMITED, AS AN ACCOUNT PARTY

By:    /s/ D.M. Slade
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  D.M. Slade
     -----------------------------
Title: Director
      -----------------------------

UNDERWRITERS RE CAPITAL LTD, AS AN ACCOUNT PARTY

By:   /s/ D.M. Slade
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  D.M. Slade
     -----------------------------
Title: Director
      -----------------------------

                                      -76-
<PAGE>   82
MELLON BANK, N.A., AS A BANK, AS ISSUING BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,
AND AS CO-ARRANGER

By:    /s/ Karla K. Maloof
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  Karla K. Maloof
     -----------------------------
Title: Vice President
      -----------------------------
Initial Committed Amount:  $42,500,000

Notice Address:

Institutional Banking Department
One Mellon Bank Center, Room 4401
Pittsburgh, PA 15258
Attn:  Karla Maloof

with a copy to:
Manager, Letter of Credit Operations
Three Mellon Bank Center, 23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15259

DRESDNER BANK AG, NEW YORK BRANCH AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCH, AS DOCUMENTATION
AGENT AND AS A BANK

By:    /s/ S. Kovach                         By:   /s/ George T. Ferguson, IV
   -----------------------------                -----------------------------
   (Signature)                                  (Signature)
Name:  S. Kovach                             Name:  George T. Ferguson, IV
     -----------------------------                  ---------------------------
Title: Assistant Vice President              Title: Assistant Vice President
      -----------------------------                 ---------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $42,500,000

Notice Address:  Financial Institutions Sector
                 75 Wall Street
                 New York, New York  10005
                 Attn:

                                      -77-
<PAGE>   83
DRESDNER KLEINWORT BENSON NORTH AMERICA LLC AS CO-ARRANGER

By:     /s/ Andrew Dubin                     By:     /s/ J. Curtin Beaudouin
   -----------------------------                   ---------------------------
   (Signature)                                     (Signature)
Name:   Andrew Dubin                         Name:   J. Curtin Beaudouin
     -----------------------------                  --------------------------
Title:  Vice President                       Title:  First Vice President
      -----------------------------                 ---------------------------

Notice Address:  Financial Institutions Sector

                    75 Wall Street
                    New York, New York  10005
                    Attn:

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK, AS SYNDICATION AGENT AND AS A BANK

By:   /s/ Thomas L. Stitchberry
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  Thomas L. Stitchberry
     -----------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
      -----------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $40,000,000

Notice Address:

First Union National Bank
Capital Markets Corp.
NC0735
One First Union Center
301 South College Street
Charlotte, North Carolina 28266-0735
Attn:  Thomas Stichberry

                                      -78-
<PAGE>   84
HSBC BANK PLC

By:    /s/ James Wade
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)
Name:  James Wade
     -----------------------------
Title: Relationship Manager
      -----------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $40,000,000

Notice Address:

HSBC BANK Plc
Corporate and Institutional Banking
P0 Box 181
27-32 Poultry
London EC2P 2BX
Attn:  Andrew Moquet

                                      -79-
<PAGE>   85
NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC
LONDON BRANCH

By:  /s/Ian Grimsley
   -----------------------------
     (Signature)
Name:   Ian Grimsley
     -----------------------------
Title:  Head of Lloyd's Team
      -----------------------------

NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC               NATIONAL WESTMINSTER BANK PLC
NEW YORK BRANCH                             NASSAU BRANCH

By:   /s/ Ian Grimsley                    By:    /s/ Ian Grimsley
   -----------------------------               -----------------------------
   (Signature)                                 (Signature)

Name:     Ian Grimsley                    Name:      Ian Grimsley
     ----------------------------               ------------------------------
Title:    Head of Lloyd's Team            Title:     Head of Lloyd's Team
      -----------------------------               -----------------------------
Initial Committed Amount (jointly and severally among National Westminster Bank
Plc, London Branch, New York Branch and Nassau Branch): $35,000,000

Notice Address:

National Westminster Bank Plc,       National Westminster Bank, Plc, New York
London Branch                        Branch and Nassau Branch
P.O.Box 12264, 3rd Floor             65 East 55th Street
One Princes Street                   24th Floor
London EC2R 8PD                      New York, NY 10022
Attn:  John Mallett                  Attn:  Sattie Chinapen

                                      -80-
<PAGE>   86
BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS

By:  /s/ Veonique Marcus                      By:    /s/ L. Vanderzyppe
   -----------------------------                   -----------------------------
   (Signature)                                     (Signature)

Name:   Vernique Marcus                       Name:   Laurent Vanderzyppe
     -----------------------------                  ---------------------------
Title:  Vice Predident                        Title:  Vice President
      -----------------------------                  --------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $30,000,000

Notice Address:

Banque Nationale De Paris
New York Branch
499 Park Avenue
New York, New York  10022-1278
Attn:  Phil Truesdale

CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH

By:  /s/ S. Rocco
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)

Name:  Sebastian Rocco
     -----------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
      -----------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $30,000,000

Notice Address:

Credit Lyonnais New York Branch
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10019-6022
Attn:  Sebastian Rocco

                                      -81-
<PAGE>   87
DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK AND/OR
CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCHES

By:  /s/ G.W. Korchowsky                 /s/ Susan A. Maros
   -----------------------------         ---------------------
   (Signature)

Name:   George Korchowsky                    Susan A. Maros
     -----------------------------       ----------------------
Title:  Vice President                       Managing Director
      -----------------------------      ----------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $30,000,000

Notice Address:

Deutsche Bank AG
31 West 52nd Street
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  George W. Korchowsky

SANWA BANK CALIFORNIA

By: /s/ Robsinson Kaspar
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)

Name:   Robinson Kaspar
     -----------------------------
Title:  Vice President
      -----------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $30,000,000

Notice Address:

Sanwa Bank California
Sanwa Bank Plaza
601 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA  90017
Attn:  Dirk A. Price

                                      -82-
<PAGE>   88
BANK ONE, NA (Main Office Chicago)

By: /s/ Thomas A. Kiepura II
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)

Name:  Thomas A. Kiepura
     -----------------------------
Title: Assistant Vice President
      -----------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $20,000,000

Notice Address:

Bank One, NA
1 Bank One Plaza
Suite 0085
Chicago, IL  60670
Attn:  Thomas W. Doddridge

THE BANK OF BERMUDA LIMITED

By: /s/ Hanne Frost
   -----------------------------
   (Signature)

Name:  Hanne Frost
     -----------------------------
Title: Vice President
      -----------------------------

Initial Committed Amount:  $10,000,000

Notice Address:

The Bank of Bermuda Limited
6 Front Street
Hamilton HM 11
PO Box HM 1020
Hamilton HM DX, Bermuda
Attn:  Michael W. Collins

                                      -83-<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.26(b)

                                List of Exhibits

                                     to the

                          Underwriters Credit Agreement

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Number            Description
--------------            -----------

<S>                       <C>
         A                Form of Continuing Letter of Credit Agreement

         B                Form of Transfer Supplement

         C                Contents of Opinions of Counsel

         D                Form of Compliance Certificate

         E                List of Existing Letters of Credit

         F                Letter of Credit Application

         G                Form of Account Party Accession Instrument

         H-1              Form of Note of Underwriters Re Group, Inc.

         H-2              Form of Note of Underwriters Reinsurance Company

         H-3              Form of Note of Venton Underwriting Limited

       2.01(b)            Form of Evergreen Provision

       3.03               Approvals and Consents

       3.04               Governmental Consents

       3.05               Financial Statements

       3.07               Taxes

       3.09               Insurance Licenses

       3.13               Environmental Laws

       3.16               Capitalization

       3.17               ERISA
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2
<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>
       3.23               Ownership of Properties

       3.24               Indebtedness

       6.14               Investments

       6.16               Liens

</TABLE>

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