Document:

GUARANTEE
      AGREEMENT

     

    Hallmark
      Financial Services, Inc.

     

    Dated
      as
      of August 23, 2007

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    TABLE
      OF CONTENTS

    

      
        	 	 	
                 Page

              
	 	
                 ARTICLE
                  I

              	 
	 	
                 DEFINITIONS
                  AND INTERPRETATION

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  1.1.

              	
                Definitions
                  and Interpretation

              	
                1

              
	 	 	 
	
              	
                ARTICLE
                  II

              	 
	
              	
                POWERS,
                  DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  2.1.

              	
                Powers
                  and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee

              	
                4

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  2.2.

              	
                Certain
                  Rights of the Guarantee Trustee

              	
                5

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  2.3.

              	
                Not
                  Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee

              	
                7

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  2.4.

              	
                Events
                  of Default; Waiver

              	
                7

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  2.5.

              	
                Events
                  of Default; Notice

              	
                8

              
	 	 	 
	
              	
                 ARTICLE
                  III

              	 
	
              	
                THE
                  GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  3.1.

              	
                The
                  Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility

              	
                8

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  3.2.

              	
                Appointment,
                  Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee

              	
                9

              
	 	 	 
	
              	
                ARTICLE
                  IV

              	 
	
              	
                GUARANTEE

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.1.

              	
                Guarantee

              	
                9

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.2.

              	
                Waiver
                  of Notice and Demand

              	
                10

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.3.

              	
                Obligations
                  Not Affected

              	
                10

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.4.

              	
                Rights
                  of Holders

              	
                11

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.5.

              	
                Guarantee
                  of Payment

              	
                11

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.6.

              	
                Subrogation

              	
                11

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.7.

              	
                Independent
                  Obligations

              	
                12

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  4.8.

              	
                Enforcement

              	
                    12

              

      

       

      
        
          
          

        

        
          -i-

          
            

          

        

        
          
          

        

      

    

     

    TABLE
      OF CONTENTS

    (continued)

     

    
      
        	
              	
                ARTICLE
                  V

              	 
	
              	
                LIMITATION
                  OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  5.1.

              	
                Limitation
                  of Transactions

              	
                12

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  5.2.

              	
                Ranking

              	
                13

              
	 	 	 
	
              	
                ARTICLE
                  VI

              	
                 

              
	
                
                

              	
                TERMINATION

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  6.1.

              	
                Termination

              	
                13

              
	 	 	 
	
              	
                ARTICLE
                  VII

              	
                 

              
	
                
                

              	
                INDEMNIFICATION

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  7.1.

              	
                Exculpation

              	
                14

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  7.2.

              	
                Indemnification

              	
                14

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  7.3.

              	
                Compensation;
                  Reimbursement of Expenses

              	
                15

              
	 	 	 
	
              	
                ARTICLE
                  VIII

              	
                 

              
	
                
                

              	
                MISCELLANEOUS

              	 
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  8.1.

              	
                Successors
                  and Assigns

              	
                16

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  8.2.

              	
                Amendments

              	
                16

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  8.3.

              	
                Notices

              	
                16

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  8.4.

              	
                Benefit

              	
                17

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  8.5.

              	
                Governing
                  Law

              	
                17

              
	 	 	 
	
                SECTION
                  8.6.

              	
                Counterparts

              	
                17

              

      

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -ii-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

    GUARANTEE
      AGREEMENT

     

    This
      GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Guarantee"), dated as of August 23, 2007, is executed
      and delivered by Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the
      "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association,
      as
      trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined
      herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as defined herein) of
      Hallmark Statutory Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust (the
      "Issuer").

     

    WHEREAS,
      pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"),
      dated as of August 23, 2007, among the trustees named therein of the Issuer,
      Hallmark Financial Services, Inc., as sponsor, and the Holders from time to
      time
      of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is
      issuing on the date hereof securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount
      of
      up to $25,000,000, designated the TP Securities (the "Capital Securities");
      and

     

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

     

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

     

    ARTICLE
      I

    DEFINITIONS
      AND INTERPRETATION

     

    
      	SECTION
              1.1. 	
              Definitions
                and Interpretation.

            

    

     

    In
      this
      Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:

     

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

     

    (b) a
      term
      defined anywhere in this Guarantee has the same meaning throughout;

     

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

     

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

     

    (e) terms
      defined in the Declaration as of the date of execution of this Guarantee have
      the same meanings when used in this Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in
      this
      Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

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

     

    "Beneficiaries"
      means any Person to whom the Issuer is or hereafter becomes indebted or
      liable.

     

    "Corporate
      Trust Office" means the office of the Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate
      trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be
      principally administered.

     

    "Covered
      Person" means any Holder of Capital Securities.

     

    "Debentures"
      means the junior subordinated debentures of Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.,
      designated the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2037, held by the
      Institutional Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the
      Issuer.

     

    "Event
      of
      Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

     

    "Guarantee
      Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication,
      with respect to the Capital Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the
      Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the
      Declaration) which are required to be paid on such Capital Securities to the
      extent the Issuer has funds available in the Property Account (as defined in
      the
      Declaration) therefor at such time, (ii) price payable upon the redemption
      of
      any Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer has funds available in the
      Property Account therefor at such time, with respect to any Capital Securities
      that are (1) called for redemption by the Issuer, or (2) mandatorily redeemed
      by
      the Issuer, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such Capital
      Securities, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution,
      winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the
      distribution of Debentures to the Holders of the Capital Securities in exchange
      therefor as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of
      the
      liquidation amount of the Capital Securities and all accrued and unpaid
      Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date of payment, to the extent
      the Issuer has funds available in the Property Account therefor at such time,
      and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution
      to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer after satisfaction of liabilities to
      creditors of the Issuer as required by applicable law (in either case, the
      "Liquidation Distribution").

     

    "Guarantee
      Trustee" means The Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association, until
      a
      Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment
      pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor
      Guarantee Trustee.

     

    "Holder"
      means any Person in whose name any Capital Securities are registered on the
      books and records of the Issuer; provided, however, that, in determining whether
      the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital Securities have given any
      request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the
      Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.

     

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

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -2-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    "Indenture"
      means the Indenture, dated as of August 23, 2007, between the Guarantor and
      The
      Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association, not in its individual
      capacity but solely as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant
      to which the Debentures are to be issued to the Institutional Trustee of the
      Issuer.

     

    "Liquidation
      Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the definition of "Guarantee
      Payments" herein.

     

    "Majority
      in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities" means Holder(s) of outstanding
      Capital Securities, voting together as a class, but separately from the holders
      of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount
      (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation
      or
      otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to, but excluding, the date
      upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Capital Securities
      then
      outstanding.

     

    "Obligations"
      means any costs, expenses or liabilities (but not including liabilities related
      to taxes) of the Issuer, other than obligations of the Issuer to pay to holders
      of any Trust Securities the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms
      of
      the Trust Securities.

     

    "Officer's
      Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one
      Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer's Certificate delivered with
      respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this
      Guarantee shall include:

     

    (a) a
      statement that each officer signing the Officer's Certificate has read the
      covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto;

     

    (b) a
      brief
      statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken
      by each officer in rendering the Officer's Certificate;

     

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

     

    (d) a
      statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition
      or
      covenant has been complied with.

     

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

     

    "Responsible
      Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the
      Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee with direct responsibility
      for
      the administration of any matters relating to this Guarantee, including any
      vice
      president, any assistant vice president, any secretary, any assistant secretary,
      the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or other officer
      of
      the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee customarily performing
      functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers
      and
      also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other
      officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge
      of
      and familiarity with the particular subject.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -3-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    "Successor
      Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee Trustee possessing the
      qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under Section 3.1.

     

    "Trust
      Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital Securities.

     

    ARTICLE
      II

    POWERS,
      DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

    
       

      
        	SECTION 2.1.	
                Powers
                  and Duties of the Guarantee
                  Trustee.

              

      

    

     

    (a) This
      Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders
      of the Capital Securities, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this
      Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Capital Securities exercising his
      or
      her rights pursuant to Section 4.4(b) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on
      acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as
      Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Guarantee
      Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Guarantee Trustee, and such
      vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing
      documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such
      Successor Guarantee Trustee.

     

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

     

    (c) The
      Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after
      the
      curing or waiving of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall
      undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this
      Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Guarantee against
      the Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not
      been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.4(b)) and is actually known to a
      Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall
      exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee, and
      use
      the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person
      would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her
      own
      affairs.

     

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

     

    (i) prior
      to
      the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all
      Events of Default that may have occurred:

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -4-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

     

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

    
      
         

        
          	SECTION 2.2.	
                  Certain
                    Rights of the Guarantee
                    Trustee.

                

        

      

    

     

    (a) Subject
      to the provisions of Section 2.1:

     

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

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -5-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    (ii) Any
      direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Guarantee shall be
      sufficiently evidenced by an Officer's Certificate.

     

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

     

    (iv) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or
      registration of any instrument or other writing (or any rerecording, refiling
      or
      reregistration thereof).

     

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

     

    (vi) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
      or
      powers vested in it by this Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder,
      unless such Holder shall have provided to the Guarantee Trustee such security
      and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the
      costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of
      the
      Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might
      be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such
      reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee Trustee; provided,
      however,
      that
      nothing contained in this Section 2.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the
      Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation
      to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Guarantee.

     

    (vii) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts
      or
      matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
      report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note,
      other
      evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Guarantee Trustee,
      in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such
      facts or matters as it may see fit.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -6-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

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

     

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

     

    (x) Whenever
      in the administration of this Guarantee the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it
      desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right
      or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (A) may request
      instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
      Securities, (B) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such
      other action until such instructions are received and (C) shall be protected
      in
      conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such
      instructions.

     

    (xi) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted
      to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized
      or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this
      Guarantee.

     

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

    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                         

                        
                          	SECTION
                                  2.3.	Not Responsible
                                  for Recitals or Issuance of
                                  Guarantee.

                        

                      

                    

                     

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

                  

                

              

            

          

        

      

    

    
      
        
           

          
            	SECTION 2.4.
	
                    Events
                      of Default;
                      Waiver.

                  

          

        

      

    

     

    (a) An
      Event
      of Default under this Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Guarantor
      to
      perform any of its payment or other obligations hereunder.

     

    (b) The
      Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities may,
      voting or consenting as a class, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Capital
      Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such
      waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and shall be deemed
      to
      have been cured, for every purpose of this Guarantee, but no such waiver shall
      extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any
      right consequent thereon.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -7-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

      
        
          
            
               

              
                	SECTION
                        2.5. 	
                        Events
                          of Default;
                          Notice.

                      

              

            

          

        

         

      

    

    (a) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of
      Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the
      Capital Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a
      Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been
      cured before the giving of such notice; provided,
      however,
      that
      the Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and
      so
      long as a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines
      that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the
      Capital Securities.

     

    (b) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default
      unless the Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from
      the
      Guarantor or a Holder of the Capital Securities, or a Responsible Officer of
      the
      Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of this Guarantee shall have
      actual knowledge thereof.

     

    ARTICLE
      III

    THE
      GUARANTEE TRUSTEE

    
      
        
          
            
               

              
                	SECTION
                        3.1.	
                         The
                          Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.

                      

              

               

            

          

        

      

    

    (a) There
      shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which shall:

     

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

     

    (ii) be
      a
      corporation or national association organized and doing business under the
      laws
      of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the
      District of Columbia, or Person authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
      trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million
      U.S.
      dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal,
      state, territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation or
      national association publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
      to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred
      to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 3.1(a)(ii), the combined
      capital and surplus of such corporation or national association shall be deemed
      to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report
      of
      condition so published.

     

    (b) If
      at any
      time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section
      3.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with
      the effect set forth in Section 3.2(c).

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -8-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    (c) If
      the
      Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest' within the
      meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee
      shall either eliminate such interest or resign to the extent and in the manner
      provided by, and subject to, this Guarantee.

    
      
         

        
          	SECTION 3.2.	
                  Appointment,
                    Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee
                    Trustee.

                

        

      

    

     

    (a) Subject
      to Section 3.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without
      cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of
      Default.

     

    (b) The
      Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 3.2(a) until
      a
      Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment
      by written instrument executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered
      to the Guarantor.

     

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

     

    (d) If
      no
      Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment
      as provided in this Section 3.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument
      of removal or resignation, the Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed
      may
      petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor
      Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice,
      if
      any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Guarantee Trustee.

     

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

     

    (f) Upon
      termination of this Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Guarantee Trustee
      pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee
      all amounts owing to the Guarantee Trustee under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 accrued
      to
      the date of such termination, removal or resignation.

     

    ARTICLE
      IV

    GUARANTEE

    
      
        
           

          
            	SECTION 4.1.	
                     Guarantee.

                  

          

        

      

    

     

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

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -9-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    (b) The
      Guarantor hereby also agrees to assume any and all Obligations of the Issuer
      and
      in the event any such Obligation is not so assumed, subject to the terms and
      conditions hereof, the Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
      guarantees to each Beneficiary the full payment, when and as due, of any and
      all
      Obligations to such Beneficiaries. This Guarantee is intended to be for the
      Beneficiaries who have received notice hereof.

    
      
        
          
             

            
              	SECTION
                      4.2.	
                       Waiver
                        of Notice and
                        Demand.

                    

            

          

        

      

    

     

    The
      Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Guarantee and of any
      liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment,
      any
      right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or any other Person
      before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice
      of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and
      demands.

    
      
        
          
            
               

              
                	SECTION
                        4.3.	
                         Obligations
                          Not
                          Affected.

                      

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

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

     

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

     

    (b) the
      extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the
      Distributions, the price payable upon the redemption of the Capital Securities,
      the Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the
      Capital Securities or the extension of time for the performance of any other
      obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital Securities
      (other than an extension of time for the payment of the Distributions, the
      price
      payable upon the redemption of the Capital Securities, the Liquidation
      Distribution or other sums payable that results from the extension of any
      interest payment period on the Debentures);

     

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

     

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

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -10-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

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

     

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

     

    (g) any
      other
      circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
      discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.3
      that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and
      unconditional under any and all circumstances.

     

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

    
      
        
          
            
              
                 

                
                  	SECTION
                          4.4.	
                           Rights
                            of
                            Holders.

                        

                

              

            

          

        

      

       

    

    (a) The
      Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities have
      the
      right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
      any
      remedy available to the Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee or to
      direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee
      under this Guarantee; provided,
      however,
      that
      (subject to Sections 2.1 and 2.2) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the right
      to
      decline to follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee shall determine
      that the actions so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not
      taking part in such direction or if the Guarantee Trustee being advised by
      legal
      counsel determines that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully
      be
      taken or if the Guarantee Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or
      trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors or trustees
      and/or Responsible Officers shall determine that the action or proceeding so
      directed would involve the Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.

     

    (b) Any
      Holder of Capital Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against
      the Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Guarantee,
      without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee
      Trustee or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require
      that any such action be brought first against the Issuer, the Guarantee Trustee
      or any other Person before so proceeding directly against the
      Guarantor.

    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                   

                  
                    	SECTION
                            4.5. 	
                            Guarantee
                              of
                              Payment.

                          

                  

                

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

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

    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                     

                    
                      	SECTION
                              4.6.	
                               Subrogation.

                            

                    

                  

                

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

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

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -11-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                         

                        
                          	SECTION
                                  4.7.	
                                   Independent
                                    Obligations.

                                

                        

                      

                    

                  

                

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

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

    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                         

                        
                          	SECTION
                                  4.8. 	
                                  Enforcement.

                                

                        

                      

                    

                  

                

              

            

          

        

      

       

    

    A
      Beneficiary may enforce the Obligations of the Guarantor contained in
      Section 4.1(b) directly against the Guarantor, and the Guarantor waives any
      right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the Issuer or
      any
      other person or entity before proceeding against the Guarantor.

     

    The
      Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of any Beneficiary against
      the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the Beneficiaries by the Guarantor
      under this Guarantee; provided,
      however,
      that
      the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by applicable provisions
      of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that it may acquire by
      way
      of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases
      as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, after giving effect to such
      payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee.

     

    ARTICLE
      V

    LIMITATION
      OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION

    
      
        
          
            
              
                
                  
                    
                      
                        
                           

                          
                            	SECTION
                                    5.1. 	
                                    Limitation
                                      of
                                      Transactions.

                                  

                          

                        

                      

                    

                  

                

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

    So
      long
      as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (a) there shall have occurred
      and be continuing an Event of Default or (b) the Guarantor shall have selected
      an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration and such period, or any
      extension thereof, shall have commenced and be continuing, then the Guarantor
      may not (x) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem,
      purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the
      Guarantor's capital stock or (y) make any payment of principal of or interest
      or
      premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities of the
      Guarantor that rank pari
      passu
      in all
      respects with or junior in interest to the Debentures (other than (i) payments
      under this Guarantee, (ii) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of
      shares of capital stock of the Guarantor (A) in connection with any employment
      contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit
      of
      one or more employees, officers, directors, or consultants, (B) in connection
      with a dividend reinvestment or stockholder stock purchase plan or (C) in
      connection with the issuance of capital stock of the Guarantor (or securities
      convertible into or exercisable for such capital stock), as consideration in
      an
      acquisition transaction entered into prior to the occurrence of the Event of
      Default or the applicable Extension Period, (iii) as a result of any exchange,
      reclassification, combination or conversion of any class or series of the
      Guarantor's capital stock (or any capital stock of a subsidiary of the
      Guarantor) for any class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or of any
      class or series of the Guarantor's indebtedness for any class or series of
      the
      Guarantor's capital stock, (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares
      of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange
      provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged,
      (v) any declaration of a dividend in connection with any stockholder's rights
      plan, or the issuance of rights, stock or other property under any stockholder's
      rights plan, or the redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant thereto, or
      (vi)
      any dividend in the form of stock, warrants, options or other rights where
      the
      dividend stock or the stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, options
      or
      other rights is the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid
      or
      ranks pari
      passu
      with or
      junior to such stock).

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -12-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    
      	SECTION
              5.2. 	
              Ranking.

            

    

     

    This
      Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will
      rank
      subordinate and junior in right of payment to all present and future Senior
      Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the Guarantor. By their acceptance
      thereof, each Holder of Capital Securities agrees to the foregoing provisions
      of
      this Guarantee and the other terms set forth herein.

     

    The
      right
      of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its
      subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or
      otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except
      to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a creditor of that
      subsidiary. Accordingly, the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee will
      be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of the
      Guarantor’s subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to the assets of the
      Guarantor for payments thereunder. This Guarantee does not limit the incurrence
      or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the Guarantor, including
      Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, under any indenture or agreement that
      the
      Guarantor may enter into in the future or otherwise.

     

    ARTICLE
      VI

    TERMINATION

    
       

      
        	SECTION
                6.1. 	
                Termination.

              

      

       

    

    This
      Guarantee shall terminate as to the Capital Securities (i) upon full payment
      of
      the price payable upon redemption of all Capital Securities then outstanding,
      (ii) upon the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders of all of
      the
      Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in
      accordance with the Declaration upon dissolution of the Issuer. This Guarantee
      will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if
      at
      any time any Holder of Capital Securities must restore payment of any sums
      paid
      under the Capital Securities or under this Guarantee.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -13-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    ARTICLE
      VII

    INDEMNIFICATION

    
      
         

        
          	SECTION 7.1.	
                  Exculpation.

                

        

      

    

     

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

     

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

    
      
        
           

          
            	SECTION 7.2.	
                    Indemnification.

                  

          

        

      

       

    

    (a) The
      Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each
      Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim
      or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on the part of
      the
      Indemnified Person, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or
      administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including but not limited
      to
      the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of the
      Indemnified Person defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or
      liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the
      Indemnified Person's powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify
      as
      set forth in this Section 7.2 shall survive the resignation or removal of the
      Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

     

    (b) Promptly
      after receipt by an Indemnified Person under this Section 7.2 of notice of
      the
      commencement of any action, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect
      thereof is to be made against the Guarantor under this Section 7.2, notify
      the
      Guarantor in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify
      the Guarantor (i) will not relieve the Guarantor from liability under paragraph
      (a) above unless and to the extent that the Guarantor did not otherwise learn
      of
      such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Guarantor of
      substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the
      Guarantor from any obligations to any Indemnified Person other than the
      indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) above. The Guarantor shall
      be entitled to appoint counsel of the Guarantor's choice at the Guarantor's
      expense to represent the Indemnified Person in any action for which
      indemnification is sought (in which case the Guarantor shall not thereafter
      be
      responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the
      Indemnified Person or Persons except as set forth below); provided,
      however,
      that
      such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person.
      Notwithstanding the Guarantor's election to appoint counsel to represent the
      Indemnified Person in any action, the Indemnified Person shall have the right
      to
      employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the Guarantor shall
      bear
      the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel (and local
      counsel), if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Guarantor to represent the
      Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a conflict of interest,
      (ii)
      the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include
      both the Indemnified Person and the Guarantor and the Indemnified Person shall
      have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it
      and/or other Indemnified Persons which are different from or additional to
      those
      available to the Guarantor, (iii) the Guarantor shall not have employed counsel
      reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified
      Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action
      or (iv) the Guarantor shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate
      counsel at the expense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor will not, without the
      prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons, settle or compromise or
      consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened
      claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or
      contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Persons
      are
      actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement,
      compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified
      Person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or
      proceeding.

    
      
        
          
             

            
              
                
                

              

              
                -14-

                
                  

                

              

              
                
                

              

               

            

            
              	SECTION
                      7.3.	
                      Compensation;
                        Reimbursement of
                        Expenses.

                    

            

          

        

      

    

     

    The
      Guarantor agrees:

     

    (a) to
      pay to
      the Guarantee Trustee from time to time such compensation for all services
      rendered by it hereunder as the parties shall agree to from time to time (which
      compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
      compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and

     

    (b) except
      as
      otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon
      request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or
      made
      by it in accordance with any provision of this Guarantee (including the
      reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and
      counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
      attributable to the negligence or willful misconduct of the Guarantee
      Trustee.

     

    The
      provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the resignation or removal of
      the
      Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this Guarantee.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -15-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

    ARTICLE
      VIII

    MISCELLANEOUS

    
      
        
          
            
               

              
                	SECTION
                        8.1.	
                         Successors
                          and
                          Assigns.

                      

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

    All
      guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee shall bind the successors,
      assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall
      inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities then outstanding.
      Except in connection with any merger or consolidation of the Guarantor with
      or
      into another entity or any sale, transfer or lease of the Guarantor's assets
      or
      capital stock to another entity, in each case to the extent permitted under
      the
      Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign its rights or delegate its obligations
      under this Guarantee without the prior approval of the Holders of not less
      than
      a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities.

    
      
        
          
            
              
                 

                
                  	SECTION
                          8.2.	
                          Amendments.

                        

                

              

            

          

        

      

       

    

    Except
      with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the powers,
      preferences, rights or interests of Holders of the Capital Securities in any
      material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this
      Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the Holders of a
      Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities. The provisions of
      the
      Declaration with respect to amendments thereof shall apply equally with respect
      to amendments of the Guarantee.

    
      
        
          
            
              
                 

                
                  	SECTION
                          8.3.	
                          Notices.

                        

                

              

            

          

        

      

       

    

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

     

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

     

    The
      Bank
      of New York Trust Company, National Association

    601
      Travis Street, 16th
      Floor

    Houston,
      Texas 77002

    Attention:
      Global Corporate Trust - Hallmark Statutory Trust II

    Telephone:
      (713) 483-6029

    

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

     

    Hallmark
      Financial Services, Inc.

    777
      Main
      Street, Suite 1000

    Fort
      Worth, Texas 76102

    Attention:
      Mark Morrison

    Telecopy:
      (817) 348-1815

    Telephone:
      (817) 348-1728

    

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -16-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

       

    

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

     

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

    
      
        
          
            
              
                 

                
                  	
                          SECTION
                            8.4. 

                        	
                          Benefit.

                        

                

              

            

          

        

      

    

     

    This
      Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities
      and, subject to Section 2.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Capital
      Securities.

    
      
        
          
            
              
                 

                
                  	SECTION
                          8.5.	
                          Governing
                            Law.

                        

                

              

            

          

        

      

       

    

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

    
      
        
          
            
              
                 

                
                  	SECTION
                          8.6. 	
                          Counterparts.

                        

                

              

            

          

        

      

       

    

    This
      Guarantee may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this
      Guarantee may be executed by the affixing of the signature of the Guarantor
      and
      the Guarantee Trustee to any of such counterpart signature pages. All of such
      counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have
      the
      same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature
      page.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        -17-

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

    THIS
      GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written.

     

    
      	 	 	 
	 	
              HALLMARK
                FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                as Guarantor

            
	 
 	 
 	 
 
	
            	
              By:  

            	______________________________________________________
	 	
              Name:

            	 ______________________________________________________
	 	
              Title:

            	 ______________________________________________________

    

    
       

      
        
          	 	 	 
	 	
                  
                    THE
                      BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Guarantee
                      Trustee

                  

                
	 
 	 
 	 
 
	
                	
                  By:  

                	______________________________________________________
	 	
                  Name:

                	 ______________________________________________________
	 	
                  Title:

                	 ______________________________________________________LOCK-UP
      AGREEMENT

     

    __________,
      2007

     

    ProElite,
      Inc.

    12121
      Wilshire Boulevard, Suite1001

    Los
      Angeles, CA 90025

    
      	Attention:	
               Chief
                Executive Officer

               Chief
                Financial Officer

            

    

     

    Gentlemen:

     

    This
      Lock-Up Agreement is entered into by the undersigned for the benefit of Hunter
      World Markets, Inc. The undersigned is the owner of [an
      option
      to purchase _____shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, at $______per
      share under
      the
      2006 Stock Option Plan]1[a
      warrant
      to purchase ______shares of common stock, par value $0.0001, at an exercise
      price of $____ per share]2[
      _____
      shares of common stock, par value $0.0001]
      3
      (the
“Covered
      Securities”)
      of
      ProElite, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the “Company”).

     

    The
      undersigned hereby agrees that, during the period beginning on the date hereof
       (the
      “Effective
      Date”)
      and
      ending on the date that is 18 months after the date the Company receives
      notification by the Securities and Exchange Commission that the registration
      statement required to be filed by the Company pursuant to that certain
      Registration Rights Agreement between the Company and the investors of the
      Company’s private placement offering on June 30, 2007 (the “Registration
      Statement”)
      has
      been declared effective (the
      “Lock-Up
      Period”),
      the
      undersigned will not: (1) sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate any
      Covered Securities, unless it is to an individual, entity or charity that agrees
      to be subject to the terms and conditions of this Lock-Up Agreement or (2)
      subject the Covered Securities to any hedging, short sale, derivative, put,
      or
      call transactions that would result in the effective economic disposition of
      the
      Covered Securities by any person (the “Lock-Up”).

     

    Notwithstanding
      the foregoing:

     

    1.    The
      Lock-Up shall not apply during the period that the sales price per share of
      common stock is at least $15.00, provided (A) the Registration Statement has
      been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is then
      still effective and (B) the shares of the Company’s common stock are then listed
      on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the American Stock Exchange.

     

    2.    The
      Lock-Up shall not prevent transactions where the transferee agrees to be bound
      by the terms of this Lock-Up Agreement.

     

    
      

    

    1
      For
      option holders only

    2
      For
      warrant holders

    3
      Only
      applicable to the shareholders in the initial lock-up.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    [3.   This
      Lock-Up Agreement shall terminate upon receipt of a written notice from Hunter
      World Markets, Inc. requesting the Company to release a portion or all of the
      Covered Securities from the provisions of this Lock-Up Agreement. Such notice
      shall be attached to this Lock-Up Agreement.]4

     

    The
      obligations of the undersigned that are contained in this letter agreement
      also
      apply (i) to all Covered Securities that the undersigned may receive as a
      stock dividend or other distribution on the Covered Securities and (ii) to
      all other securities of the Company that the undersigned may receive in a
      recapitalization or similar transaction in exchange for Covered Securities
      acquired by the undersigned.

     

    The
      undersigned consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the
      Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the Covered
      Securities except in compliance with the preceding provisions of this Lock-Up
      Agreement. The undersigned also consents to the placement of the following
      legend on any and all stock certificates that evidence the Covered Securities
      which are the subject of this Lock-Up Agreement:

     

    “THE
      SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THAT CERTAIN
      LOCK-UP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS NAMED THEREIN, DATED
      AS OF [_______], 2007. A COPY OF THE LOCK-UP AGREEMENT MAY BE INSPECTED AT
      THE
      PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY.”

     

    
      

    

    4
      Only
      applicable to the shareholders in the initial lock-up.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        2

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

     

    
      	 	 	 	
              Very
                truly yours,

            
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	Shareholder
              Name:
	 	 	 	
              Number
                of Covered Securities:

            
	ACCEPTED: 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	ProElite,
              Inc. 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	By:	 	 	 
	 	
              Douglas
                DeLuca, Chief Executive Officer 

            	 	 

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        3

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