Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                             Bank One, Springfield
                      Automated Clearing House Agreement

     This Automated Clearing House Agreement ("Agreement"), including Schedules
A, B and C attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference is made by and
between Aegis Mortgage Acceleration Corporation, San Francisco, California
("Company") and Bank One, Springfield, Springfield, Illinois ("Bank One").

                                  Witnesseth
                                  ----------

     WHEREAS, Company wishes to initiate Entries via the automated clearing
house pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and the rules of the National
Automated Clearing House Association, local or regional clearinghouse rules, and
applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and rules (together referred to
as "Rules"); and

     WHEREAS, Bank One desires to receive Company's instructions and is willing
to act as Company's Originating Depository Financial Institution with respect to
such Entries;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable
consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending
to be legally bound, hereby commit and agree as follows:

     1.   Definitions.  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
          -----------
shall have the meanings provided in the Rules and the Illinois Commercial Code
Chapter 810, Act 5, Article 4A. The term "Entries" shall have the meaning
provided in the Rules and shall also mean the data received from Company
hereunder from which Bank One prepares Entries.

     2.   Term.  This Agreement shall have an initial term of two years
          ----
commencing on October 1, 1994 and terminating on September 30, 1996.

     3.   Services.  The Company will deliver to Bank One certain data
          --------
concerning debits or credits to accounts of its customers or employees (the
"Data"), as agreed upon by Bank One and Company. Bank One will provide all the
services to Company as detailed in Schedule A attached (the "Services"). Company
agrees to cooperate as required in said documents.

     4.   Fees.  As compensation for the Services, Company agrees to pay the
          ----
fees in the amount(s) and at the time(s) set forth in Schedule C delivered from
time to time to the Company.

***Confidential treatment has been requested with respect to the information
contained within the "[***]" markings.  Such marked portions have been omitted
from this filing and have been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
<PAGE>

     5.   Compliance with Security Procedures.  If an Entry received by Bank One
          -----------------------------------
purports to have been transmitted or authorized by Company, it will be deemed
effective as Company's Entry and Customer shall be obligated to pay Bank One the
amount of such Entry as provided herein notwithstanding whether the Entry was
not in fact initiated and authorized by Company, provided Bank One acted in
compliance with Schedule B (the Security Procedures) with respect to such Entry.

     6.   Settlement.  In originating Credit Entries, Company shall pay Bank
          ----------
One the amount of each Entry transmitted by Bank One pursuant to this Agreement
at such time on the Settlement Date with respect to such Entry as Bank One, in
its discretion, may determine, and the amount of each On-Us Entry at such time
on the Effective Entry Date of such Entry as Bank One, in its discretion, may
determine.

     Company will receive provisional credit in immediately available funds on
the relevant Settlement Date for each Debit Entry originated by it, subject to
final payment of such Debit Entry. If a Debit Entry originated by Company is
dishonored or returned, Company shall promptly provide to Bank One in available
funds the amount of such Debit Entry.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, Bank One has the right at any time
to require Company to pay Bank One the amount of each Credit Entry transmitted
by Bank One on the date of the transmission by Bank One of such Entry at such
time as Bank One may require in its sole discretion. In addition, Bank One shall
have right at any time to place a percentage of the provisional or final credit
provided to Company for each Debit Entry originated by it in Escrow for a period
of 60 days.

     7.   Inconsistency of Name and Account Numbers.  Company acknowledges and
          -----------------------------------------
agrees that, if an Entry describes the Receiver inconsistently by name and
account number, payment of the Entry transmitted by Bank One to the Receiving
Depository Financial Institution might be made by the Receiving Depository
Financial Institution on the basis of the account number even if it identifies a
person different from the named Receiver, and that Customer's obligation to pay
the amount of the Entry to Bank One is not excused in such circumstances.

     8.   Customer Representations and Agreements.  Company represents to Bank
          ---------------------------------------
One and agrees that (a) each party shown as the Receiver on an Entry received by
Bank One from Company has authorized the initiation and posting of such Entry to
its account in the amount and on the Effective Entry Date shown on such Entry,
(b) such authorization is operative at the time of transmittal or crediting by
Bank One as provided herein, (c) Entries transmitted to Bank One by Company are
limited to those types of Entries set forth in Schedule A, (d) Company shall
perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with all applicable
laws and regulations, and (e) Company shall be bound and comply with the Rules
as in effect from time to time, including without limitation the provision
thereof making payment of an Entry by the Receiving Depository

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

Financial Institution to the Receiver provisional until receipt by the Receiving
Depository Financial Institution of final settlement for such Entry; and
specifically acknowledges that it has received notices of that Rule and of the
fact that if such settlement is not received the Receiving Depository Financial
Institution shall be entitled to a refund from the Receiver of the amount
credited and Company shall not be deemed to have paid the Receiver the amount of
the Entry.

     For any other claim by the Company, Bank One shall only be liable (within
the other limits contained in this Agreement) for gross negligence or willful
misconduct. In no event shall Bank One be directly liable to any of the
Company's customers or employees or to any other party. In no event shall Bank
One's aggregate liability to the Company, its customers and employees, and any
other parties under this Agreement or as a result of providing the Services or
the Software License exceed the actual loss suffered by Company.

     9.   Indemnification.  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold Bank One
          ---------------
harmless from all liabilities, losses, costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorney's fees) incurred by Bank One and caused by, or arising out of, (a) any
breach by the Company of any of its warranties, covenants, or representations
herein or any provision of this Agreement or any agreement by the Company with
any employee/customer with respect to any electronic or paper debit or credit,
(b) any failure by the Company to comply with any applicable Rules in relating
to the Data of the Services, and (c) any claim against Bank One by any person or
company in excess of the limitations of liability set forth in Paragraph 9 above
and caused by or arising out of provision of the Services or the Software
License.

     10.  Software License.  If the Company requests the use of or receives any
          ----------------
software offered by Bank One, then the Company covenants and agrees to the
following (the "Software License"):

          a.   Bank One grants to the Company and the Company accepts a
nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use the computer software and
related documentation offered to and paid for by the Company, including without
limitation, the MERET(R) PC Software (all such software, documentation and
manuals referred to as "the Software").

          b.   The Company acknowledges that Bank One (or another company as
disclosed on the Software) is the owner and licensor of the copyrights to the
Software and that such Software is proprietary and confidential information of
Bank One (or such other company).

          c.   The Company may add information to the Software, provided that
upon discontinuance or termination of the Agreement, the added information will
be

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

removed from the Software. Upon termination of this Agreement, all copies of the
Software will be returned to Bank One.

          d.   The Company will make no copies other than one, as necessary, of
each item of software, and each copy will contain all legends and notices and
will be subject to the same restrictions as the original. The Company will not
transfer or sublicense the Software to any other party.

          e.   As to any Software which is, or in the opinion of Bank One, may
become subject to a claim of infringement or misappropriation, Bank One may
elect in its sole discretion to (i) obtain the right of continued use of the
Software for the Company, (ii) replace or modify the Software to avoid such
claim, or (iii) terminate the Software License. If the Software License is
terminated under this Paragraph 11(e)(iii), no further charges will accrue.

     11.  Confidentiality Agreement.  The Company and Bank One mutually agree
          -------------------------
that each will refrain from knowingly using proprietary information received
from the other party in connection with provision of the Services or the
Software License, and to prevent dissemination to third parties, each party will
exercise the same degree of care as it employs for protection of its own
proprietary information. No obligation will exist under this Agreement with
respect to an item of information (1) known to the recipient prior to receipt
from the other party; (2) after substantially the same information is published
or made available to the general public through no act or failure to act on the
part of the recipient or (3) after substantially the same information becomes
available to the recipient from a third party having no obligation to hold such
information in confidence. Each party will inform its employees of their
obligations under this paragraph and instruct them so as to ensure that such
obligations are met.

     12.  The Account.  Bank One may without prior notice or demand obtain
          -----------
payment of any amount due and payable to it under this Agreement by debiting the
Company's account(s) located at Bank One (the "Account"), and shall post a
credit to the Account for the amount received by Bank One by reason of the
return of an Entry transmitted by Bank One for which Bank One has previously
received payment from Company. Such settlement shall be made as of the day of
such receipt by Bank One. Company shall at all times maintain a balance of
available funds in the Account sufficient to cover its payment obligations under
this Agreement. In the event there are insufficient funds available in the
Account to cover Company's obligations under this Agreement, Company agrees that
Bank One may debit any account maintained by Company with Bank One or any
affiliate of Bank One or that Bank One may set off against any amount it owes to
Company, in order to obtain payment of Company's obligations under this
Agreement.

     13.  Account Reconciliation.  Entries transmitted by Bank One will be
          ----------------------
reflected on Company's periodic statement issued by Bank One with respect to the
Account.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

Company agrees to notify Bank One promptly of any discrepancy between Company's
records and the information shown on any such periodic statement. If Company
fails to notify Bank One of any such discrepancy within thirty (30) days of
receipt of a periodic statement containing such information, Company agrees that
Bank One shall not be liable for any other losses resulting from Company's
failure to give such notice or any loss of interest with respect to an Entry
shown on such periodic statement. If Company fails to notify Bank One of any
such discrepancy within sixty (60) days of receipt of such periodic statement,
Company shall be precluded from asserting such discrepancy against Bank One.

     14.  Notices, Instructions, Etc.  (a) Except as otherwise provided herein,
          --------------------------
Bank One shall not be required to act upon any notice or instruction received
from Company or any other person or to provide any notice or advice to Customer
or any other person with respect to any matter, (b) Bank One shall be entitled
to rely on any written notice or other written communication believed by it in
good faith to be genuine and to have been signed by an Authorized Representative
of Company, and any such communication shall be deemed to have been signed by
such person. Company will provide a list of authorized signers to Bank One.
Company may add or delete any Authorized Representative by written notice to
Bank One signed by an officer of the Company authorized pursuant to Board
Resolutions to do so. Such notices shall be effective on the second business day
following the day Bank One's receipt thereof, and (c) except as otherwise
provided herein, any written notice or other written communication required or
permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be delivered or sent by United
States registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by express carrier, and
if to Bank One, addressed to:

          Bank One, Springfield
          Attn:  Vice President, Corporate Cash Management
          East Old State Capitol Plaza
          Springfield, IL  62701

and if to Company, addressed to their business address on file with Bank One
unless another address is substituted by notice delivered or sent as provided
herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any such notice shall be
deemed given when received.

     15.  Authorization.  The Company warrants and represents that there are no
          -------------
provisions of any law, whether federal, state or local, or any certificate of
incorporation, bylaw, or agreement of any kind, nature, or description binding
upon the Company which prohibits the Company from entering into this Agreement,
and that the Company's performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized
and is a binding obligation of the Company.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

     16.  Financial Information.  Company agrees to furnish to Bank One within
          ---------------------
30 days of Bank One's written request to do so, financial information of Company
as Bank One may reasonably request.

     17.  Banking Day.  Company agrees that if any day scheduled for delivery or
          -----------
pickup of Entries is not a "banking day," such pickup or delivery shall be made
on an alternative date to be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Bank One.
For purposes of this Agreement, a "banking day" is a day on which Bank One and
the Federal Reserve Bank are open for carrying on substantially all of its
business (other than a Saturday or Sunday).

     18.  Record of Telephone Requests.  Bank One may, at its election,
          ----------------------------
electronically record all telephone requests received from Company by Bank One.
In the event Bank One does record such requests, it will retain the recording
for a period of 45 days.

     19.  Use of Name.  Company agrees not to use in any of its advertising or
          -----------
promotional activities, the names "MERET(R)," "MERET(R) PC," "Bank One,
Springfield," "BANC ONE CORPORATION" or any other name designated by Bank One as
proprietary without first obtaining the written consent of Bank One.

     20.  Renewal; Termination.  This Agreement shall be automatically
          --------------------
extended for successive one-year periods after the expiration of the initial
term unless the Company notifies Bank One or Bank One notifies the Company of
its intent to terminate the Agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of the
initial term or any one-year extension. Fee Schedules may be adjusted at the end
of the initial term or any extension thereafter. Within thirty (30) days of
being informed of any price increase, Company may elect to cancel this Agreement
by notifying Bank One in writing of its intent to cancel. Such cancellation will
take effect ninety (90) days after Bank One receives the Company's written
notification. The obligations of Company under the following paragraphs will
survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement: Paragraphs 9, 10, 11,
12 and 19.

     21.  Construction; Applicable Law.  This Agreement will be governed and
          ----------------------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. Paragraph
headings are for convenience only and shall not influence the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.

     22.  Binding Agreement; Benefit.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
          --------------------------
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective legal
representatives, successors, and assigns. this Agreement is not for the benefit
of any other person, and no other person shall have any right against Bank One
or Company hereunder.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

     23.  Assignment.  This Agreement shall not be assigned or otherwise
          ----------
transferred by the Company to any other person, corporation, or other entity
without Bank One's prior written consent.

     This Agreement will become effective and binding upon the parties upon the
date of approval and execution of this Agreement by Bank One, Springfield.

Aegis Mortgage Acceleration Corporation                 Bank One, Springfield

By:  /s/ CRAIG M. COMPIANO                              By:  /s/ [ILLEGIBLE]
     --------------------------------                        -------------------

Its: VICE PRESIDENT                                     Its:  Vice President
     --------------------------------                        -------------------

Date: 9/20/94                                           Date: 9/26/94
     --------------------------------                         ------------------

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE A
                                  ----------

                                   SERVICES
                                   --------

     Bank One's MERET(R) System will provide Company with an automated mechanism
to collect mortgage payments from participants in Company's Equity Accelerator
Program. Bank One will perform the following services for Company at the rates
listed on Schedule C attached and Company will assist Bank One by doing those
things stated in #1 and #2 below:

     1.   Company will create computer files containing the appropriate debit
          transaction information. The format of this file will be mutually
          agreed upon between Bank One and Company.

     2.   Company will make available to Bank One by data transmission, the
          computer file referred to in #1 above.

     3.   Bank One will process the information contained on the computer file
          through its MERET System.

     4.   On the effective date supplied by Company, all participant's accounts
          will be debited and Company's account at Bank One will be credited for
          the total amount of the debits.

     5.   Bank One will supply Company with reports showing a complete audit
          trail of all transactions.

     6.   Bank One will resubmit one time any item that is returned for
          insufficient or uncollected funds. Items returned for any other
          reason, or returned for insufficient or uncollected funds a second
          time, will be forwarded to Company via data transmission.

     7.   Company and Bank One will mutually establish procedures to transfer
          payments to respective mortgage payments.

     8.   For additional fees described in Schedule C, Bank One agrees to
          develop and maintain a special "Process Control System" (PCS) to be
          used by Company and certain of its mortgage customers to add an
          additional level of security to the ACH processing environment

          The PCS will help validate the integrity of transaction information
          provided by Company on behalf of its mortgage company customers. Bank
          One will develop and maintain a master file containing appropriate
          information about each participant. Each debit transaction record
          received by Bank One
<PAGE>

          will be compared to this master file to ensure that either the
          participant has a corresponding record in the master file or does not
          have a corresponding record n the master file, depending upon whether
          the individual mortgage company utilizes the PCS.

          More detailed specifications for the PCS are contained in separate
          written correspondence between Company and Bank One.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE B
                                  ----------

                           AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE
                           ------------------------

                              SECURITY PROCEDURES
                              -------------------

1.   Schedules.
     ---------

     Company shall provide to Bank One a schedule of all dates that Customer
     anticipates it will originate Entries within 15 business days from the date
     of this Agreement for the remaining calendar year and by December 15 of
     each year for the following calendar year. Bank One will provide a list of
     "nonbanking days" for the current year within 15 business days from the
     date of this Agreement and by December 15 of each year for the following
     calendar year. Periodic updates to these schedules will be accepted in
     writing from the other party.

     If Bank One has not received Entries from Company on scheduled delivery
     dates and times, Bank One may contact Company for additional information on
     the status of the Entries. It shall be within Bank One's sole discretion to
     accept Entries which are not received on the scheduled delivery date and
     time. If Bank One does choose to accept such Entries, it may require a call
     back to verify the contents of the Entries received. If Bank One cannot
     obtain such verification, it is under no obligation to process the Entries.

2.   Notification.
     ------------

     If Entries are sent to Bank One by magnetic tape or other media, Company
     will provide a transmittal from detailing the number of Entries and total
     dollars contained in each file and deliver this transmittal with the tape
     and other media. This transmittal must be signed by an authorized
     representative of Company.

     If Entries are sent to Bank One through electronic transmission, Company
     will contact Bank One and provide the number of Entries and total dollars
     contained in each file of the transmission. If mutually agreed upon,
     Company can transmit this information in a separate computer file.

     If Company does not provide Bank One with this information, Bank One will
     attempt to contact Company for this information. If Bank One is unable to
     obtain this information, Bank One may elect not to process this file until
     confirmation is received.
<PAGE>

3.   Limits.
     ------

     Bank One may set a maximum dollar limit on each Entry contained within a
     file of Entries or may set a maximum dollar limit on any particular file of
     Entries sent to Bank One on any business day. If either the file or Entry
     exceeds the designated dollar limit, Bank One may elect not to process this
     file.

4.   Security Codes.
     --------------

     Bank One may elect to establish a unique security code which shall be
     assigned to Company exclusively and shall be used to establish
     authentication for Entries sent to Bank One by Company according to the
     conditions set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement. For each batch or file
     of Entries sent by Company, Company shall supply Bank One with this unique
     security code as well as the information set forth in Section 2 of this
     Schedule B. Company may be requested to provide dial back numbers in order
     to initiate electronic transmission of files.

     When sending Entries by electronic transmission, Company must provide the
     necessary codes as determined by Bank One's data processing security system
     in order to establish the necessary communication link.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE C
                                  ----------

                          TRANSACTION PROCESSING FEES
                          ---------------------------

[***]

[***]  Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this
document
<PAGE>

[***]

[***]  Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this
document<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                            1993 STOCK OPTION PLAN

     1.  Purpose.  The purpose of this Stock Option Plan ("Plan") is to provide
         -------
additional incentive, in the form of stock options which may be either incentive
stock options or non-qualified stock options, to employees, officers, employee
directors, out-side directors, advisors and consultants (as described in Section
4 hereof) of Enviromatix, Inc., Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and
its subsidiaries whose judgment, initiative and efforts contribute significantly
to the successful operation of the corporation's business, and to increase their
proprietary interest in the success of the enterprise to the benefit of the
Corporation and its stockholders.

     2.  Definitions.  When used in this Plan, unless the context otherwise
         -----------
requires:

         (a)  "ISO" shall mean a stock option which, at the time such option is
granted, qualifies as an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code").

         (b)  "NQSO" shall mean a stock option which, at the time such option is
granted, does not qualify as an ISO as defined in the Code.

         (c)  "Options" shall mean all ISOs and NQSOs which from time to time
may be granted under this Plan.

         (d)  "Share" shall mean a share of the Common Stock, no par value, of
the Corporation.

         (e)  "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporate subsidiary of the
Corporation, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

     3.  Administration.  The Plan shall be administered by a committee
         --------------
("Committee") of the Board of Directors, which shall consist of not less than
two directors of the Corporation, who shall be appointed by, and shall serve at
the pleasure of, the Corporation's Board of Directors ("Board").  Each member of
such Committee, while serving as such, shall be deemed
<PAGE>

to be acting in his capacity as a director of the Corporation. Until the
Committee has been appointed, all of the members of the Board shall constitute
the Committee.

     Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority
to select the persons to whom ISOs or NQSOs may be granted under the Plan, to
grant options on behalf of the Corporation, to condition the grant of any such
Options upon the exchange of existing Options held by an Optionee, and to set
the number of Shares to be covered by such Options, the times and dates at which
such Options shall be granted and exercisable and the other terms of such
Options.  The Committee also shall have the authority to establish such rules
and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, for the
proper administration of the Plan, and to amend, modify or rescind any such
rules and regulations, and to make such determinations and interpretations
under, or in connection with, the Plan, as it deems necessary or advisable.  All
such rules, regulations, determinations and interpretations shall be binding and
conclusive upon the Corporation, its stockholders and all employees, and upon
their respective legal representatives, beneficiaries, successors and assigns
and upon all other persons claiming under or through any of them.

     No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Option granted
under it.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to expand the person liability of a
member of the Board or Committee beyond that which may arise under any
applicable standards set forth in the Corporation's by-laws and Pennsylvania
law, nor shall anything herein limit any rights to indemnification or
advancement of expenses to which any member of the Board or the Committee may be
entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of the stockholders or directors, or
otherwise.

     4.  Eligibility.  The class of persons who shall be eligible to receive
         -----------
ISOs under the Plan shall be the employees (including any directors who also are
employees).  All other directors, ad all advisors and consultants shall be
eligible to receive NQSO's of the

                                       2
<PAGE>

Corporation or of any Subsidiary who, from time to time, or determined by the
Committee, contribute significantly to the management and growth of the business
of the Corporation or of such Subsidiaries. No consultant or advisor located in
Pennsylvania shall be eligible to receive ISOs or NQSOs under the Plan unless
the Committee receives an opinion of counsel that granting of options under the
Plan would be in compliance with the Pennsylvania Securities Act and the
regulations thereunder. More than one Option may be granted to an employee under
the Plan.

     The Committee may require that the exercise of the Option shall be subject
to the satisfaction of conditions relating to the Optionee's position and duties
with the Corporation and the performance thereof.

     5.  Amount of Stock.  The stock to be offered for purchase pursuant to
         ---------------
Options granted under this Plan shall be treasury or authorized but unissued
Shares, and the total number of such Shares which may be issued pursuant to
Options under this Plan shall not exceed 3,550,000 Shares, subject to adjustment
as provided in Section 17 hereof.  If any unexercised Options are exchanged for
new Options, lapse or terminate for any reason, the Shares covered thereby may
again be optioned.

     6.  Stock Option Agreement.  Each Option granted under this Plan shall be
         ----------------------
evidenced by an appropriate stock option agreement ("Agreement"), which
Agreement shall expressly specify whether such Option is an ISO or NQSO and
shall be executed by the Corporation and by the person to whom the Option is
granted ("Optionee").  The Agreement shall contain such terms and provisions,
not inconsistent with the Plan, as shall be determined by the Board of
Directors.  Such terms and provisions may vary between Optionees or as to the
same Optionee to whom more than one Option may be granted.

     7.  Option Price.  The exercise price under each Option granted hereunder
         ------------
shall be determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion, provided,
however, that the exercise price of an ISO shall in no event be less than an
amount equal to the fair market value of the

                                       3
<PAGE>

Shares subject to the ISO on the date of grant, as the fair market value may be
determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

     8.  Ten Percent Stockholders.  If an Optionee owns more than ten percent of
         ------------------------
the total combined voting power of all shares of stock of the Corporation or of
a Parent or Subsidiary at the time an ISO is granted to him, the Option price
for the ISO shall be not less than 110% of the fair market value of the Shares
subject to the ISO on the date the ISO is granted, and such ISO, by its terms,
shall not be exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date the
ISO is granted.  The conditions set forth in this Section 8 shall not apply to
NQSOs.

     9.  Term and Exercise of Option.  Each Option shall expire on such date as
         ---------------------------
may be determined by the Committee with respect to such Option, but in no event
shall any Option expire more than ten years from the date it is granted. The
date on which an Option shall be granted shall be the date of the Committee's
authorization of the Option or such later date as may be determined by the
Committee at the time the Option is authorized.

     Options shall be exercisable in such installments and on such dates, and/or
upon the occurrence of such events, as the Committee may specify.  The Committee
may accelerate the exercise date of any outstanding Options, in its discretion,
if it deems such acceleration to be desirable.  In addition, the exercise date
of all outstanding Options shall automatically accelerate, and all such Options
shall become fully vested and exercisable, upon a Change in Control, as defined
in paragraph (b) below.  Except as provided in Section 11, no Option shall be
exercised unless at the time of such exercise the Optionee is then an employee
of the Corporation or any Subsidiary.  Exercisable Options may be exercised, in
whole or in part, from time to time, by giving written notice of exercise to the
Corporation at its principal office, specifying the number of Shares to be
purchased and accompanied by payment in full of the aggregate Option price for
such Shares.  Only full Shares shall be issued under the Plan, and any
fractional Share which might otherwise be issuable upon exercise of an Option
granted hereunder shall be forfeited.

     The Option price shall be payable (a) in cash or its equivalent; (b) in the
discretion of the Committee, in Shares previously acquired by the Optionee,
provided that if

                                       4
<PAGE>

such Shares were acquired through exercise of an ISO, such Shares have been held
by the Optionee for a period of not less than the holding period described in
Section 422(a)(1) of the Code on the date of exercise, or if such Shares were
acquired through exercise of an NQSO or of an option under a similar plan, such
Shares have been held by the Optionee for a period of more than one year on the
date of exercise, and further provided that the Optionee shall not have tendered
Shares in payment of the exercise price of any other Option under the Plan or
any other stock option plan of the Corporation within six calendar months of the
date of exercise; (c) in the discretion of the Committee, in any combination of
(a) and (b) above. In the event the Option price is paid, in whole or in part,
with Shares, the portion of the Option price so paid shall be equal to the "fair
market value" on the date of tender of the Shares so tendered in payment of such
Option price.

          (b)  For purposes of this Plan, a "Change in Control" with respect to
the Corporation shall mean any of the following events:

               (A)  a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other
     corporation, other than a merger or consolidation resulting in the voting
     power of the securities (as described in clause (D) below) of the
     Corporation outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent
     (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting stock of
     the surviving entity) more than a majority of the combined voting power of
     the securities of the Corporation (or such surviving entity) outstanding
     immediately after such merger of consolidation;

               (B)  any sale, lease, exchange, or other transfer (in one
     transaction or in a series of related transactions) of all, or
     substantially all, of the assets of the Corporation;

               (C)  the dissolution and liquidation of the Corporation; or

               (D)  any person or "group" (other than a benefit plan sponsored
     by either the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation and other than
     Technology Leaders LP., Technology Leaders Offshore C.V. and Allied
     Resources Corporation), becoming after December 31, 1996 the "beneficial
     owner," "directly or indirectly, of securities representing a majority of
     the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities of the
     Corporation ordinarily (and apart from the rights accruing under special
     circumstances) having the right to vote in the election of directors
     (calculated as provided in paragraph (d) of Rule 13d-3 in the case of
     rights to acquire such securities). None of the Corporation's shareholders
     at December 31, 1996 shall be deemed to constitute a group for purposes of
     this paragraph (D).

          (c)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph
(b) above, the completion of an initial public offering by the Corporation in
which the Corporation registers shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall not result in a "Change in Control"
for purposes of this Plan.

          (d)  For purposes hereof, the terms "group" and "beneficial owner"
shall have the meanings given to them in Rule 3d-3; and Rule 13d-3 shall mean
Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934."

     10.  Maximum Value of ISOs.  The aggregate fair market value of the Shares,
          ---------------------
determined as of the date of grant, with respect to which ISOs first become
exercisable during any calendar year by an Optionee (under this Plan and any
other plan of the Corporation or any parent or Subsidiary) shall not exceed
$100,000.

     11.  Termination of Employment.
          -------------------------

          (a)  Except as set forth below, in the event of termination by the
Corporation of an employee Optionee's employment with the Corporation or in the
event that a non-employee director's membership on the Board of Directors, any
unexercised Option shall be exercisable by the Optionee not later than 90 days
after the date of such termination but only to the extent such option was
exercisable on the date of such termination. In ho event shall such unexercised
Option be exercisable after the expiration of its term.

          (b)  If, however, the termination of employment or Board membership is
due to the disability of the Optionee (to an extent and in a manner as shall be
determined in each case by the Committee in its sole discretion), the Optionee
shall have the privilege of exercising the unexercised Option to the extent such
option was exercisable on the date of such

                                       5
<PAGE>

termination, not later than one year of such date, but in no event shall any
Option be exercisable after the expiration of its term.

          (c)  If, however, the termination of employment or Board membership is
due to death of the Optionee while in the employ of the Corporation or a
Subsidiary, the estate of the holder or the person or persons who acquired the
right to exercise such Option by bequest or inheritance, shall have the
privilege of exercising the unexpired Option, to the extent such option was
exercisable on the date of such termination due to death, not later than one
year of such date, but in no event shall any Option be exercisable after the
expiration of its term.

          (d)  If, however, after full consideration of the facts presented on
behalf of both the Corporation and the Optionee, that the Optionee has been
discharged from employment or service with the Corporation for Cause, such
Option shall terminate immediately. For the purpose of this paragraph, "Cause"
shall have the mean: (A) a pattern of gross negligence or an act of willful
misconduct by Optionee in the performance of his duties to the Corporation which
has a material adverse effect on the Corporation's reputation, business,
properties or business relationships; or (B) Optionee's conviction of a felony
or of misappropriation of funds of the Corporation; or (C) Optionee's
appropriation to himself of a corporate opportunity of the Corporation which
Optionee fails to make available to the Corporation within 30 days after notice
thereof to Optionee from the Corporation; or (D) the material breach by Optionee
of his obligations under any provision of his employment agreement or service
contract with the Corporation, and the failure by Optionee to remedy such breach
within thirty (30) days after notice thereof to Optionee. In the event of a
finding that the Optionee has been discharged for Cause, then in addition to
immediate termination of the Option, the Optionee shall automatically forfeit
all Option Shares for which the Corporation has not yet delivered the share
certificates upon refund of the Option price; or (E) such conduct or the
occurrence of such thing as shall entitle the Corporation to discharge the

                                       6
<PAGE>

Optionee under an employment agreement (if any) which he has entered into with
the Corporation and which provides for a discharge "for cause".

          (e)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs 11(a), 11(b) and
11(c) above, the Committee may determine with respect to any Option granted
under the Plan, that the Option shall terminate at a time prior to the
expiration of such time periods. With respect to Options granted under the Plan
that are not intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, the Committee
may determine that such Options shall terminate at a time later than the
expiration of such time periods, as set forth in an executed Stock Option
Agreement.

     12.  Withholding and Use of Shares to Satisfy Tax Obligations.  The
          --------------------------------------------------------
obligation of the Corporation to deliver Shares upon the exercise of any Option
shall be subject to applicable federal, state and local tax withholding
requirements.

     If the exercise of any Option is subject to the withholding requirements of
applicable federal tax laws, the Committee, in its discretion (and subject to
such withholding rules ("Withholding Rules") as shall be adopted by the
Committee), may permit the Optionee to satisfy the federal withholding tax, in
whole or in part, by electing to have the Corporation withhold (or by returning
to the Corporation) Shares, which Shares shall be valued, for this purpose, at
their fair market value on the date the amount of tax required to be withheld is
determined (the "Determination Date").  Such election must be made in compliance
with and subject to the Withholding Rules, and the Committee may not withhold
Shares in excess of the number necessary to satisfy the minimum federal income
tax withholding requirements.  In the event Shares acquired under the exercise
of an ISO are used to satisfy such withholding requirement, such Shares must
have been held by the Optionee for a period of not less than the holding period
described in Section 422(a)(1) of the code on the Determination Date.  In the
event Shares acquired through exercise of an NQSO or of an option under a
similar plan are used to satisfy such withholding requirement, such Shares must
have been held by the Optionee for a period of more than one year on the
Determination Date.

                                       7
<PAGE>

     13.  Non-Assignability.  Each Option granted under the Plan shall be non-
          -----------------
transferable by the Optionee except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and each Option shall be exercisable during the Optionee's
lifetime only by him.

     14.  Restrictions on Transfer.
          ------------------------

          (a)  The Corporation shall have the right of first refusal to re-
purchase any Shares offered for sale or transfer by the Optionee, his executor,
administrator, or beneficiaries, which Shares were issued to the Optionee
pursuant to one or more Options granted to the Optionee under this Plan. Such
offer shall be communicated to the Corporation by written notice, stipulating
the terms and conditions of such offer therein, forwarded by registered or
certified mail. The Corporation shall exercise its right to repurchase (or to
designate a third party to repurchase) by giving written notice thereof by
registered or certified mail to the Optionee, his executor, administrator or
beneficiaries no later than 30 days after the date of the receipt of the offer.
Within 30 days after receipt of such notice, the Optionee, his executor,
administrator or beneficiaries shall deliver a certificate or certificates for
the Shares being sold, together with appropriate duly signed stock powers
transferring such Shares to the Corporation, and the Corporation shall deliver
to the Optionee, his executor, administrator or beneficiaries the Corporation's
check in the amount of the purchase price for the Shares being sold.

     In the event that such offer shall not be accepted by the Corporation
in the manner set forth above, the Optionee, his executor, administrator or
beneficiaries may dispose of the Shares offered to any other person, firm or
corporation, without restriction (subject to the requirements of applicable
securities laws) except that the transfer of such Shares to any such purchaser
shall not be on terms more favorable than the terms upon which the Shares were
originally offered to the Corporation. If, within 60 days after the expiration
of the 30 day period of any offer made hereunder, the Optionee, his executor,
administrator, or beneficiaries offering to sell any Shares issued hereunder,
shall fail to consummate a sale thereof to any

                                       8
<PAGE>

other purchaser, then no sale of such Shares may be made thereafter without
again reoffering the same to the Corporation in accordance with the provisions
of this subparagraph.

          (b)  In the event of the Optionee's termination of employment, the
Corporation shall have the right to repurchase all Shares issued or to be issued
to the Optionee under this Plan at their fair market value, which, in the
absence of an agreement between the Corporation and the Optionee shall be the
net book value per share as hereinafter defined, but not less than Optionee's
cost.

     The net book value of the Corporation's Common Stock shall be determined as
of the end of the Corporation's fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of
termination hereof. Net book value of the Corporation's Common Stock shall be
that amount computed by deducting the sum of total liabilities and the
liquidation value of any Preferred Stock from total assets, as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied,
and as shows on the financial statements of the Corporation as of the end of the
applicable fiscal quarter. The net book value per share of the Corporation's
Common Stock shall be determined by dividing the remainder by the number of
Shares of the Corporation's Common Stock issued and outstanding as of such date.

          (c)  The right of first refusal and buy-back rights shall terminate
when the Corporation has made a public offering of its Common Stock pursuant to
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          (d)  The right of first refusal and buy-back rights granted to the
Corporation pursuant to subparagraphs 14(a) and 14(b) above are separate and
independent obligations of the Optionee and shall survive any termination of
employment. Furthermore, such rights shall not be construed as an absolute
obligation on the part of the Corporation to repurchase any Shares tendered.

                                       9
<PAGE>

          (e)  Each certificate for Shares issued by the Corporation to the
Optionee shall bear an appropriate legend that the transfer of such Shares is
restricted by the provisions of this Plan.

     15.  Issuance of Shares and Compliance with Securities Acts.  Within a
          ------------------------------------------------------
reasonable time after exercise of an Option, the Corporation shall cause to be
delivered to the Optionee a certificate for the Shares purchased pursuant to the
exercise of the Option.  At the time of any exercise of any Option, the
Corporation may, if it shall deem it necessary and desirable for any reason
connected with any law or regulation of any governmental authority relative to
the regulation of securities, require the Optionee to represent in writing to
the Corporation that it is his then intention to acquire the Common Stock for
investment and not with a view to distribution thereof and that such Optionee
will not dispose of such Shares in any manner that would involve a violation of
applicable securities laws  In such event, no Shares shall be issued to such
holder unless and until the Corporation is satisfied with such representation.
Certificates for Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of Options may bear an
appropriate securities law legend.

     16.  Rights as a Stockholder.  An Optionee shall have no rights as a
          -----------------------
stockholder with respect to Shares covered by his Option until the date of the
issuance or transfer of the Shares to him and only after such Shares are fully
paid. No adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the
record date is prior to the date of such issuance or transfer.

     17.  Stock Adjustments.  In the event of a reorganization,
          -----------------
recapitalization, change of shares, stock split, or spinoff, stock dividend,
reclassification, subdivision or combination of shares, merger, consolidation,
rights offering, or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the
Corporation, the Committee shall make such adjustment as it, in its sole
discretion, deems appropriate in the number and kind of shares authorized by the
Plan, in the number and kind of shares covered by grants made under the Plan or
in the purchase prices of outstanding Options, and such adjustments shall be
effective and binding on the Optionee and

                                       10
<PAGE>

the Corporation for all purposes of the Plan, provided, however, that no such
adjustments shall be made to any ISO without the Optionee's consent if such
adjustment would cause such ISO to fail to qualify as such under Section 422 of
the Code.

     In the event of a corporate transaction (as that term is described in
Section 424(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder as,
for example, a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock,
separation, reorganization, or liquidation), each outstanding Option shall be
assumed b the surviving or successor corporation, provided, however, that in the
event of a proposed corporate transaction, the Committee may terminate all or a
portion of the outstanding Options if it determines that such termination is in
the vest interests of the Corporation.  If the Committee decides to terminate
outstanding Options, the Committee shall give each Optionee holding an Option to
be terminated not less than seven days' notice prior to any such termination by
reason of such a corporate transaction, and any such outstanding Option which is
to be so terminated may be exercised (if and only to the extent that it is then
exercisable) up to and including the date immediately preceding such
termination.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, as provided in Section 9
hereof, the Committee, in its discretion, may accelerate, in whole or in part,
the date on which any or all Options become exercisable.

     18.  Adoption by Board and Approval by Stockholders.  This Plan becomes
          ----------------------------------------------
effective upon adoption by the Board of Directors and approval by the
stockholders of the Corporation.

     19.  Termination and Amendment of the Plan.  Subject to the right of the
          -------------------------------------
Board to terminate the Plan prior thereto, the Plan shall terminate on and no
Options shall be granted hereunder after January 15, 2003. The Board shall have
power at any time, in its discretion, to amend, abandon or terminate the Plan,
in whole or in part, provided that no such action shall affect any Options
theretofore granted and then outstanding under the Plan. Nothing contained in
this Section 19, however shall terminate or affect the continued existence of
rights

                                       11
<PAGE>

created under Options issued hereunder and outstanding on January 15, 2003,
which by their terms extend beyond such date.

     Any Plan amendment which (1) materially reduces the price at which Options
may be granted, (2) materially increases the number of Shares which may be
issued under the Plan, except pursuant to paragraph 17 above, (3) materially
modifies the requirement as to persons eligible to receive Options, or (4)
materially increases the benefits accruing to participants under the Plan shall
not be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Corporation at any
meeting called for such purpose or by the consent of the stockholders.

     20.  Interpretation.  A determination of the Committee as to any question
          --------------
which may arise with respect to the interpretation of the provisions of this
Plan or any Options shall be final and conclusive and nothing in this Plan, or
in any regulation hereunder, shall be deemed to give any Optionee, his legal
representatives, assigns or any other person any right to participate therein
except to such extent, if any, as the Committee may have determined or approved
pursuant to this Plan. The Committee may consult with legal counsel who may be
counsel to the Corporation and shall not incur any liability for any action
taken in good faith in reliance upon the advice of such counsel.

    21.  Governing Law.  With respect to any ISOs granted pursuant to the Plan
         -------------
and the Agreements thereunder, the Plan, such Agreements and any ISOs granted
pursuant thereto shall be governed by the applicable Code provisions to the
maximum extent possible. Otherwise, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
shall govern the operation of, and the rights of Optionees under, the Plan, the
Agreements and any Options granted thereunder.

                                       12

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00007-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00007-of-00352.parquet"}]]