Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.2
                                                                  CONFORMED COPY

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                           FIVE-YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  dated as of

                               September 11, 2000

                                     among

                            THE NEW D&B CORPORATION

                    The Borrowing Subsidiaries Party Hereto

                            The Lenders Party Hereto

                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                            as Administrative Agent,

                                CITIBANK, N.A.,
                             as Syndication Agent,

                                      and

                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
                             as Documentation Agent

         $175,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT AND COMPETITIVE ADVANCE FACILITY

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----

                                    ARTICLE 1
                                   DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms ..............................................   1
SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings .....................  24
SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally ............................................  24
SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP .....................................  24
SECTION 1.05. Exchange Rates .............................................  25

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                   THE CREDITS

SECTION 2.01. Commitments ................................................  25
SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings .......................................  26
SECTION 2.03. Requests for Revolving Borrowings ..........................  27
SECTION 2.04. Competitive Bid Procedure ..................................  28
SECTION 2.05. Swingline Loans ............................................  31
SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings ......................................  33
SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections .........................................  34
SECTION 2.08. Termination, Reduction and Increase of Commitments .........  36
SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .......................  37
SECTION 2.10. Prepayment of Loans ........................................  38
SECTION 2.11. Fees .......................................................  40
SECTION 2.12. Interest ...................................................  41
SECTION 2.13. Alternate Rate of Interest .................................  42
SECTION 2.14. Increased Costs ............................................  43
SECTION 2.15. Break Funding Payments .....................................  44
SECTION 2.16. Taxes ......................................................  45
SECTION 2.17. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-
                offs .....................................................  47
SECTION 2.18. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .............  49
SECTION 2.19. Borrowing Subsidiaries .....................................  50

                                    ARTICLE 3
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers .......................................  50
SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability ..............................  50
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                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----

SECTION 3.03.  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts ......................  51
SECTION 3.04.  Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change ...........  51
SECTION 3.05.  Properties ................................................  52
SECTION 3.06.  Litigation and Environmental Matters ......................  52
SECTION 3.07.  Compliance with Laws and Agreements .......................  53
SECTION 3.08.  Investment and Holding Company Status .....................  53
SECTION 3.09.  Taxes .....................................................  53
SECTION 3.10.  ERISA .....................................................  53
SECTION 3.11.  Disclosure ................................................  54
SECTION 3.12.  Subsidiaries ..............................................  54
SECTION 3.13.  Use of Proceeds ...........................................  54
SECTION 3.14.  Solvency ..................................................  54

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                   CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01. Effective Date .............................................  55
SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event ..........................................  57
SECTION 4.03. Each Borrowing Subsidiary Credit Event .....................  57

                                    ARTICLE 5
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

SECTION 5.01.  Financial Statements and Other Information ................  58
SECTION 5.02.  Notices of Material Events ................................  59
SECTION 5.03.  Existence; Conduct of Business ............................  60
SECTION 5.04.  Payment of Obligations ....................................  60
SECTION 5.05.  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance ......................  60
SECTION 5.06.  Books and Records; Inspection Rights ......................  61
SECTION 5.07.  Compliance with Laws ......................................  61
SECTION 5.08.  Use of Proceeds ...........................................  61

                                    ARTICLE 6
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

SECTION 6.01.  Liens .....................................................  62
SECTION 6.02.  Fundamental Changes .......................................  63
SECTION 6.03.  Transactions with Affiliates ..............................  64
SECTION 6.04.  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions ..........................  65
SECTION 6.05.  Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio ................................  65
SECTION 6.06.  Interest Coverage Ratio ...................................  65

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                                                                            PAGE
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                                    ARTICLE 7
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

                                    ARTICLE 8
                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                    GUARANTEE

                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION  10.01. Notices ..................................................  73
SECTION  10.02. Waivers; Amendments ......................................  73
SECTION  10.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver .......................  74
SECTION  10.04. Successors and Assigns ...................................  76
SECTION  10.05. Survival .................................................  80
SECTION  10.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness .................  80
SECTION  10.07. Severability .............................................  81
SECTION  10.08. Right of Setoff ..........................................  81
SECTION  10.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of
                  Process ................................................  81
SECTION  10.10. Waiver of Jury Trial .....................................  82
SECTION  10.11. Headings .................................................  82
SECTION  10.12. Confidentiality ..........................................  82
SECTION  10.13. Interest Rate Limitation .................................  83
SECTION  10.14. Conversion of Currencies .................................  83
SECTION  10.15. European Economic and Monetary Union .....................  84

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SCHEDULES:

Schedule 2.0 1(a) --  Lenders and Facility Commitments
Schedule 2.0 1(b) --  Designated Currency Lenders and Designated Currency
                      Commitments
Schedule 2.01(c)  --  Yen Lenders and Yen Commitments
Schedule 2.17     --  Payments on Multicurrency Loans
Schedule 3.06     --  Disclosed Matters
Schedule 3.12     --  Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.01     --  Existing Liens

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A    --  Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B-l  --  Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel
Exhibit B-2  --  Form of Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Exhibit C    --  Form of Opinion of Borrowing Subsidiary's Counsel
Exhibit D    --  Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
Exhibit E    --  Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Termination
Exhibit F    --  Form of Statement Relating to Tax Status
Exhibit G    --  Form of Assumption Agreement

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      CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of September 11, 2000, among THE NEW D&B
CORPORATION, the BORROWING SUBSIDIARIES party hereto, the LENDERS party hereto,
THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Administrative Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., as
Syndication Agent, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Documentation Agent.

      The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                   DEFINITIONS

      SECTION 1.01. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms have the meanings specified below:

      "ABR", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether
such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a
rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

      "Acceptable Insurer" means (i) Lloyd's of London, so long as it is rated
at least 3 crowns by S&P, (ii) an insurance company having an A.M. Best rating
of "A" or better and being in a financial size category of IX or larger (as such
category is defined on the date hereof) or (iii) an insurance company otherwise
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

      "Administrative Agent" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its capacity as
administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

      "Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire in a
form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

      "Affiliate" means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. No SPC of
any Lender shall be an Affiliate of such Lender.

      "Aggregate Utilization Percentage" means, on any date, the percentage
equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of
the Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders and the denominator of which is
the aggregate amount of Facility Commitments on such date of determination;
provided that, if any Revolving Credit Exposures remain outstanding and the
Facility Commitments shall have been terminated, the Aggregate Utilization
Percentage on and after such date shall be deemed to be in excess of 50%.
<PAGE>   7

      "Agreement Currency" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
10.14.

      "Alternate Base Rate" means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the
greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds
Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. Any change in the Alternate
Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate
shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the
Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

      "Applicable Agent" means, (a) with respect to a Loan or Borrowing
denominated in dollars, the Administrative Agent, (b) with respect to a Loan or
Borrowing denominated in Sterling, the London Agent, or (c) with respect to a
Loan or Borrowing denominated in any particular Eligible Currency, such other
Person as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Administrative Agent and
designated in a notice delivered to the Lenders.

      "Applicable Percentage" means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage
of the total Available Facility Commitments represented by such Lender's
Available Facility Commitment. If the Facility Commitments have terminated or
expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Facility
Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

      "Applicable Rate" means, for any day, (i) for the period from the
Effective Date to but excluding the date (the "Determination Date") that is the
earlier of (A) the date on which both S&P and Fitch have in effect a rating for
the CP Index Debt (a "CP Rating") and (B) November 10, 2000, (x) with respect to
any Eurodollar Revolving Loan, a rate per annum of 0.16% and (y) with respect to
the facility fees payable pursuant to Section 2.11, a rate per annum of .09%,
and (ii) on and after the Determination Date, with respect to any Eurocurrency
Revolving Loan, or with respect to the facility fees payable pursuant to Section
2.11, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under
the caption "Eurocurrency Spread" or "Facility Fee Rate", as the case may be,
based upon the CP Rating by S&P and Fitch, respectively, applicable on such date
to the CP Rating; provided that if, at any time, Moody's has in effect a CP
Rating, then all references to Fitch in this definition shall be deemed to be
references to Moody's and all references to Fitch ratings in the following table
shall be deemed to be references to the comparable Moody's ratings:

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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================================================
                     Category 1      Category 2     Category 3    Category 4     Category 5    Category 6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>
CP Rating:          A-1+ and F-1+    A-1 and F-1    A-1 or F-1    A-2 and F-2    A-2 or F-2    Lower than
                                                                                               both A-2 and
                                                                                                    F-2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Facility Fee Rate       .070%           .080%         .090%          .100%         .125%           .150%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eurocurrency            .130%           .145%         .160%          .200%         .275%           .350%
Spread
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE>

      For purposes of the foregoing, (i) it on or after the Determination Date,
either S&P or Fitch shall not have in effect a CP Rating (other than by reason
of the circumstances referred to in the last sentence of this paragraph), then
the Applicable Rate shall be the rate set forth in the Category that is one
number higher than the Category applicable to the rating in effect; (ii) if, on
or after the Determination Date, neither S&P nor Fitch shall have in effect a CP
Rating (other than by reason of the circumstances referred to in the last
sentence of this paragraph), then the Applicable Rate shall be the rate set
forth in Category 6; and (iii) it on or after the Determination Date, the CP
Ratings established by S&P and Fitch shall be changed (other than as a result of
a change in the rating system of S&P or Fitch), such change shall be effective
as of the date on which it is first announced by the applicable rating agency.
Each change in the Applicable Rate shall apply (other than as described in the
immediately succeeding sentence) during the period commencing on the effective
date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective
date of the next such change. If the rating system of S&P or Fitch shall change,
or if either such rating agency shall cease to be in the business of rating
corporate debt obligations, the Company and the Lenders shall negotiate in good
faith to amend this definition to reflect such changed rating system or the
unavailability of ratings from such rating agency and, pending the effectiveness
of any such amendment, the Applicable Rate shall be determined by reference to
the rating most recently in effect prior to such change or cessation.

      "Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance entered
into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is
required by Section 10.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the
form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

      "Assumption Agreement" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.08(d).

      "Available Facility Commitment" means, with respect to any Lender at any
time, an amount equal to such Lender's Facility Commitment at such time

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minus such Lender's Funded Revolving Credit Exposure at such time. If the
Facility Commitments have terminated or expired, the Available Facility
Commitments shall be determined based upon the Facility Commitments most
recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.

      "Availability Period" means with respect to the Facility Commitments, the
Designated Currency Commitments or the Yen Commitments, as the case may be, the
period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the
Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Facility Commitments, the
Designated Currency Commitments or the Yen Commitments, respectively, pursuant
to Section 2.08 or Article 7.

      "Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
United States of America.

      "Borrower" means the Company or any Borrowing Subsidiary.

      "Borrowing" means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Type and currency, made,
converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans,
as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Competitive Loan or
group of Competitive Loans of the same Type made on the same date and as to
which a single Interest Period is in effect or (c) a Swingline Loan.

      "Borrowing Date" means any Business Day specified in a notice pursuant to
Section 2.03, 2.04 or 2.05 as a date on which the relevant Borrower requests
Loans to be made hereunder.

      "Borrowing Minimum" means (a) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in
dollars, $5,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in any
Eligible Currency, the smallest amount of such Eligible Currency that (i) is an
integral multiple of 1,000,000 units (or, in the case of Pounds Sterling,
500,000 units) of such currency and (ii) has a Dollar Equivalent in excess of
$5,000,000.

      "Borrowing Multiple" means (a) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in
dollars, $1,000,000 and (b) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in any
Eligible Currency, 1,000,000 units (or, in the case of Pounds Sterling, 500,000
units) of such currency.

      "Borrowing Request" means a request for a Revolving Borrowing in
accordance with Section 2.03.

      "Borrowing Subsidiary" means, at any time, any Subsidiary of the Company
designated as a Borrowing Subsidiary by the Company pursuant to

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Section 2.19 that has not ceased to be a Borrowing Subsidiary pursuant to such
Section or Article 7.

      "Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement" means a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

      "Borrowing Subsidiary Termination" means a Borrowing Subsidiary
Termination substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

      "Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to
remain closed; provided that (i) when used in connection with a Eurocurrency
Loan, the term "Business Day" shall also exclude any day on which banks are not
open for dealings in deposits in the applicable currency in the London interbank
market, (ii) when such term is used in connection with a Revolving Designated
Currency Loan comprised of Euros, references to "Business Day" shall be deemed
to be references to any Target Operating Day on which banks are open for general
banking business in the jurisdiction of the relevant funding office of the
designated Applicable Agent and (iii) when used in connection with notices or
payments to or from an Applicable Agent, such term shall also exclude any day on
which the Applicable Agent is not open.

      "Calculation Date" means the last Business Day of each calendar month and
such other Business Days during such calendar month as may be notified by the
Company to the Administrative Agent, provided that there shall be no more than
three Calculation Dates in any calendar month.

      "Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such
Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement
conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof,
which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital
leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such
obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance
with GAAP.

      "Change in Control" means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or
indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the
meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities
and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of shares
representing more than 30% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by
the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company; or (b) occupation of a
majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the
Company by Persons who were not (i) nominated by the board of directors of the

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Company, (ii) appointed in connection with the Spin-off or (iii) appointed by
directors so nominated or appointed.

      "Change in Law" means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation
after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation
or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority
after the date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender (or, for
purposes of Section 2.14(c), by any lending office of such Lender or by such
Lender's holding company, if any) with any request, guideline or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or
issued after the date of this Agreement.

      "Class", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Dollar
Loans, Revolving Designated Currency Loans, Revolving Yen Loans, Competitive
Loans or Swingline Loans.

      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.

      "Commitment" means a Facility Commitment, a Designated Currency Commitment
or a Yen Commitment.

      "Company" means The New D&B Corporation, a Delaware corporation (which
will be renamed The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation in connection with the
Spin-off), and its successors.

      "Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Lender to make a Competitive Loan in
accordance with Section 2.04.

      "Competitive Bid Rate" means, with respect to any Competitive Bid, the
Margin or the Fixed Rate, as applicable, offered by the Lender making such
Competitive Bid.

      "Competitive Bid Request" means a request for Competitive Bids in
accordance with Section 2.04.

      "Competitive Loan" means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.04.

      "Competitive Loan Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at any time,
the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's Competitive Loans
(or the Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of a Competitive Loan in an
Eligible Currency) at such time.

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<PAGE>   12

      "Control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether
through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.
"Controlling" and "Controlled" have meanings correlative thereto.

      "CP Index Debt" means unsecured commercial paper of the Company that is
not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.

      "D&B" means The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, a Delaware corporation
(which will be renamed Moody's Corporation in connection with the Spin-off), and
its successors.

      "Default" means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of
Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or
waived, become an Event of Default.

      "Designated Currency" means Pounds Sterling, Euros and any other Eligible
Currency that shall be designated by the Company in a notice delivered to the
Administrative Agent and approved by the Administrative Agent and all the
Designated Currency Lenders as a Designated Currency. The Company may specify in
any notice delivered to the Administrative Agent with respect to the designation
of any Eligible Currency one or more locations from which a Borrower may make
payments of principal of or interest on any Multicurrency Loans in such Eligible
Currency. Subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and all the
Designated Currency Lenders, Schedule 2.17 shall be deemed to have been amended
to add each such location for payments with respect to Multicurrency Loans in
such Eligible Currency (but not any other Loans).

      "Designated Currency Commitment" means, with respect to each Designated
Currency Lender, the commitment of such Designated Currency Lender to make
Revolving Designated Currency Loans, expressed as an amount representing the
maximum aggregate Dollar Equivalents of the principal amounts of such Designated
Currency Lender's outstanding Revolving Designated Currency Loans that may be
outstanding after giving effect to any such Revolving Designated Currency Loans,
as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08
and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to
such Designated Currency Lender pursuant to Section 10.04(b). The initial amount
of each Designated Currency Lender's Designated Currency Commitment is set forth
on Schedule 2.01(b) or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such
Designated Currency Lender shall have assumed its Designated Currency
Commitment, as applicable.

      "Designated Currency Lenders" means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01(b)
and any other Person that shall have become a Designated Currency

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<PAGE>   13

Lender pursuant to any Assignment and Acceptance, other than a Person that
ceases to be a Designated Currency Lender pursuant to an Assignment and
Acceptance.

      "Designated Subsidiary" means (i) Dun & Bradstreet Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and (ii) any other Subsidiary designated as a "Designated
Subsidiary" by the Company.

      "Disclosed Matters" means the actions, suits and proceedings and the
environmental matters disclosed in Schedule 3.06.

      "Discontinued Companies" means Moody's and its subsidiaries.

      "Distribution Agreement" means the Distribution Agreement between D&B and
the Company, substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Information Statement.

      "dollars" or "$" refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

      "Dollar Equivalent" means, on any date of determination, with respect to
any amount in any Eligible Currency, the equivalent in dollars of such amount,
determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.05(a) using the
Exchange Rate with respect to such Eligible Currency then in effect.

      "Domestic Borrowing Subsidiary" means any Borrowing Subsidiary organized
under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States.

      "EBITDA" means, for any period, the consolidated net income of the Company
and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period plus, to the extent deducted
in computing such consolidated net income for such period, the sum (without
duplication) of (a) income tax expense, (b) Interest Expense, (c) depreciation
and amortization expense, (d) extraordinary losses, (e) losses (net of income
taxes) resulting from the operations of the Discontinued Companies (assuming
that the Discontinued Companies owned such operations during such period), but
only to the extent such operations are designated as discontinued operations and
continue to be designated as discontinued operations in the Company's financial
statements and (f) transaction costs recorded in the fiscal year 2000 as a
result of the Spin-off in an aggregate amount not to exceed $30,000,000, and
minus, to the extent added in computing such consolidated net income for such
period the sum (without duplication) of (i) extraordinary gains and (ii) income
(net of income taxes) resulting from the operations of the Discontinued
Companies (assuming that the Discontinued Companies owned such operations during
such period), but only to the extent such operations are

                                       8
<PAGE>   14

designated as discontinued operations and continue to be designated as
discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements.

      "Effective Date" means the date on which the conditions specified in
Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.02).

      "Eligible Currency" means at any time any Designated Currency, Yen or any
other currency (other than dollars) that is freely tradeable and exchangeable
into dollars in the London market and for which the Administrative Agent can
determine an Exchange Rate.

      "Environmental Laws" means all laws, rules, regulations, codes,
ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding
agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority,
relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural
resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous
Material.

      "Environmental Liability" means any liability, contingent or otherwise
(including any liability for damages, costs of environmental redemption, fines,
penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or
indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law,
(b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or
disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials,
(d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the
environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement
pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the
foregoing.

      "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.

      "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer
under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302
of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under
Section 414 of the Code.

      "ERISA Event" means (a) any "reportable event", as defined in Section 4043
of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than
an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with
respect to any Plan of an "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in
Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the
filing pursuant to Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an
application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any
Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any

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<PAGE>   15

liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan;
(e) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan
administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or
Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the
Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the
withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the
receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by
any Multiemployer Plan from the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice,
concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a
Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization,
within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

      "Euro" has the meaning assigned to the term "euro" in Section 10.15(a).

      "Eurocurrency", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to
whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest
at a rate determined by reference to the LIBO Rate.

      "Event of Default" has the meaning assigned to such term in Article 7.

      "Exchange Rate" means, on any day, with respect to any Eligible Currency,
the rate at which such Eligible Currency may be exchanged into dollars (and, for
purposes of any provision of this Agreement requiring or permitting the
conversion of Multicurrency Loans to dollar Loans, the rate at which dollars may
be exchanged into the applicable Eligible Currency), as set forth at or about
9:00 a.m., New York City time, or at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, on such
date on Reuters page FX, WRLD, for such currency. In the event that such rate
does not appear on Reuters page FX, WRLD, the Exchange Rate shall be determined
by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange
rates as may be agreed upon by the Applicable Agent and the Company, or, in the
absence of such agreement, such Exchange Rate shall instead be the arithmetic
average of the spot rates of exchange quoted to the Applicable Agent in the
market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect of such
currency are then being conducted, on or about 11:00 a.m., New York City time,
or on or about 11:00 an., London time, on such date for the purchase of dollars
(or such foreign currency, as the case may be) for delivery two Business Days
later; provided that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason,
no such spot rate is being quoted, the Applicable Agent, after consultation with
the Company, may use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine
such rate, and such determination shall be presumed correct absent manifest
error.

      "Excluded Taxes" means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any
Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any
obligation of any Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on

                                       10
<PAGE>   16

(or measured by) its net income (including branch profits or similar taxes)
imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Lender or the
Administrative Agent and the Governmental Authority imposing such tax (other
than any such connection arising solely from such Lender or the Administrative
Agent having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a
payment under, or enforced, this Agreement) and (b) in the case of a Foreign
Lender, any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign
Lender to the extent they are in effect and would apply as of the date such
Foreign Lender becomes a party to this Agreement or designates a new lending
office (including withholding taxes that would be imposed on payments made by a
Borrowing Subsidiary the Relevant Jurisdiction with respect to which is the
United Kingdom, regardless of whether the Company has designated such a
Borrowing Subsidiary) (other than with respect to any Foreign Lender that is a
Foreign Lender with respect to any Borrowing Subsidiary that is designated after
the date of this Agreement (other than a Borrowing Subsidiary the Relevant
Jurisdiction with respect to which is United Kingdom)), or that is attributable
to such Foreign Lender's failure to comply with Section 2.16(e) except to the
extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the
time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive
additional amounts from the applicable Borrower with respect to such withholding
tax pursuant to Section 2.16(a).

      "Existing Credit Agreements" means (i) the Multi-Year Revolving Credit and
Competitive Advance Facility dated as of June 9, 1998 among D&B, the borrowing
subsidiaries party thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as documentation agent, and (ii) the 364-Day
Revolving Credit and Competitive Advance Facility dated as of June 9, 1998 and
amended and restated as of June 2, 2000 among D&B, the borrowing subsidiaries
party thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, and The Bank of New
York, as documentation agent, each as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Date.

      "Facility Commitment" means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment
of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in
Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum
aggregate amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such
commitment may be (a) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to Section
2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by
or to such Lender pursuant to Section 10.04. The initial amount of each Lender's
Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01(a), or in the Assignment and
Acceptance pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed

                                       11
<PAGE>   17

its Facility Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the
Facility Commitments is $175,000,000.

      "Federal Funds Effective Rate" means, for any day, the weighted average
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on
overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business
Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so
published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such
transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds
brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

      "Financial Officer" of any Person means the chief financial officer,
principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person.

      "Fitch" means Fitch IBCA, Duff & Phelps.

      "Fixed Rate" means, with respect to any Competitive Loan (other than a
Eurocurrency Competitive Loan), the fixed rate of interest per annum specified
by the Lender making such Competitive Loan in its related Competitive Bid.

      "Fixed Rate Loan" means a Competitive Loan bearing interest at a Fixed
Rate.

      "Foreign Lender" means, with respect to any Loan, any Lender making such
Loan that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the Relevant
Jurisdiction.

      "Funded Revolving Credit Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at
any time, the sum at such time, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate
principal amount at such time of the outstanding Revolving Dollar Loans of such
Lender, (b) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Revolving Yen Loans of such Lender, (c) the aggregate amount of the
Dollar Equivalents of the principal amounts of the outstanding Revolving
Designated Currency Loans of such Lender and (d) that portion of such Lender's
Swingline Exposure attributable to Swingline Loans in respect of which such
Lender has made (or is required to have made) payments to the Swingline Lender
pursuant to Section 2.05(c).

      "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America.

                                       12
<PAGE>   18

      "Governmental Authority" means the government of the United States of
America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or
local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court,
central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
government.

      "Guarantee" of or by any Person (the "guarantor") means any obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic
effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the "primary
obligor"), whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the
guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply
funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or
to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for
the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services
for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation
of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any
other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d)
as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty
issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term
Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business.

      "Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or radioactive substances or
wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants,
including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing
materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes
and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any
Environmental Law.

      "Hedging Agreement" means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign
currency exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement or other
interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging arrangement.

      "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all
obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention
agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (d) all obligations of
such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services
(excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of
business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of
such Indebtedness has an existing unconditional right to be secured by) any Lien
on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness
secured thereby has been assumed (the amount of any Indebtedness resulting from
this clause (e) shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the amount secured by such
Lien and (ii) the fair market value of the

                                       13
<PAGE>   19

property subject to such Lien as determined in good faith by such Person), (f)
all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (g) all Capital Lease
Obligations of such Person, (h) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of
guaranty issued by banks or other financial institutions and (i) all
obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers'
acceptances created for the account of such Person. The Indebtedness of any
Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any
partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person
is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest in or other
relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such
Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

      "Indemnified Taxes" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

      "Information Memorandum" means the Confidential Information Memorandum
dated August, 2000 relating to the Company and the Transactions.

      "Information Statement" means the Preliminary Information Statement of D&B
and the Company dated June 27, 2000, as amended by Form 10/A-I dated August 17,
2000, and as further amended or supplemented from time to time; provided that no
such further material amendment or supplement of any term thereof shall be
effective for purposes of references thereto in this Agreement unless approved
in writing by the Required Lenders.

      "Interest Coverage Ratio" means, for any period, the ratio of (a) EBITDA
for such period to (b) Interest Expense for such period. For purposes of
determining the "Interest Coverage Ratio" for any period ended prior to
September 30, 2001, "Interest Expense" shall be calculated by giving effect to
the Spin-off as if it had occurred on the first day of such period.

      "Interest Election Request" means a request by the relevant Borrower to
convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07.

      "Interest Expense" means, for any period, (x) the interest expense of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP and including (i) the amortization of
debt discounts to the extent included in interest expense in accordance with
GAAP, (ii) the amortization of all fees (including fees with respect to Hedging
Agreements) payable in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness to the
extent included in interest expense in accordance with GAAP, (iii) the portion
of any rents payable under capital leases allocable to interest expense in
accordance with GAAP and (iv) minority interest financing expense of D&B
Investors, L.P. and Duns Licensing Associates, L.P. minus (y) the interest
income of the

                                       14
<PAGE>   20

Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

      "Interest Payment Date" means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than
a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December, (b)
with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period
applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a
Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months'
duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at
intervals of three months' duration after the first day of such Interest Period,
(c) with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan, the last day of the Interest Period
applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a
Fixed Rate Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than 90 days' duration
(unless otherwise specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Request), each day
prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of 90
days' duration after the first day of such Interest Period, and any other dates
that are specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Request as Interest Payment
Dates with respect to such Borrowing and (d) with respect to any Swingline Loan,
the day that such Loan is required to be repaid.

      "Interest Period" means (a) with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing,
the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or
six months thereafter, as the relevant Borrower may elect and (b) with respect
to any Fixed Rate Borrowing, the period (which shall not be less than one day or
more than 360 days) commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the
date specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Request; provided, that (i) if
any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest
Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case
of a Eurocurrency Borrowing only, such next succeeding Business Day would fall
in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the
next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a
Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar
month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day
of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the
date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made
and, in the case of a Revolving Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective
date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

      "IRS Ruling" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(h).

      "Judgment Currency" has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
10.14.

                                       15
<PAGE>   21

      "Lenders" means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01(a) and any other
Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and
Acceptance, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment and Acceptance. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Lenders" includes the Swingline Lender.

      "LIBO Rate" means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any
Interest Period, the rate appearing on Page 3750 (or, in the case of a
Multicurrency Borrowing, the rate appearing on the Page for the applicable
Eligible Currency) of the Dow Jones Markets Service (or on any successor or
substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such
Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on
such page of such Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent in
consultation with the Company from time to time for purposes of providing
quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits (or, in the case of a
Multicurrency Borrowing, deposits in the applicable Eligible Currency) in the
London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar
deposits (or the applicable Eligible Currency) with a maturity comparable to
such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time
for any reason, then the "LIBO Rate" with respect to such Eurocurrency Borrowing
for such Interest Period shall be the rate at which the Administrative Agent is
offered dollar deposits of $5,000,000 (or, in the case of a Multicurrency
Borrowing, deposits in the applicable Eligible Currency in an amount the Dollar
Equivalent of which is approximately equal to $5,000,000) and for a maturity
comparable to such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the London
interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days
prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

      "Lien" means, with respect to any asset of any Person, (a) any mortgage,
deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security
interest in, on or of such asset of any Person, for the purpose of securing any
obligation of such Person or any other Person, and (b) the interest of a vendor
or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title
retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same
economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset.

      "Loans" means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to
this Agreement.

      "London Agent" means Chase Manhattan International Limited.

      "Margin" means, with respect to any Competitive Loan bearing interest at a
rate based on the LIBO Rate, the marginal rate of interest, if any, to be added
to or subtracted from the LIBO Rate to determine the rate of interest applicable
to

                                       16
<PAGE>   22

such Loan, as specified by the Lender making such Loan in its related
Competitive Bid.

      "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (a) the
business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company to perform any of
its payment obligations under this Agreement or (c) the rights of or benefits
available to the Lenders under this Agreement.

      "Material Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (other than the Loans), or
obligations in respect of one or more Hedging Agreements, of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $50,000,000. For
purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the "principal amount" of the
obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Hedging Agreement
at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting
agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such
Hedging Agreement were terminated at such time.

      "Material Subsidiary" means any Borrowing Subsidiary and any Subsidiary
(a) the Total Assets of which exceed 10% of the Total Assets of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently completed
fiscal year or (b) the Net Revenue of which exceeds 10% of the Net Revenue of
the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently
completed fiscal year, provided that (i) any Subsidiary that directly or
indirectly owns a Material Subsidiary shall itself be a Material Subsidiary and
(ii) in the event Subsidiaries that would otherwise not be Material Subsidiaries
shall in the aggregate account for a percentage in excess of 15% of the Total
Assets or 15% of the Net Revenue of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year, then one
or more of such Subsidiaries designated by the Company (or, if the Company shall
make no designation, one or more of such Subsidiaries in descending order based
on their respective contributions to such determination of Total Assets), shall
be included as Material Subsidiaries to the extent necessary to eliminate such
excess.

      "Maturity Date" means September 11, 2005 (or, if such day if not a
Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

      "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Services, Inc.

      "Moody's Assets" has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

      "Multicurrency Borrowing" means a Borrowing comprised of Multicurrency
Loans.

                                       17
<PAGE>   23

      "Multicurrency Loan" means a Revolving Loan denominated in Yen or in a
Designated Currency or a Competitive Loan in an Eligible Currency.

      "Multicurrency Lender" means any Lender of a Multicurrency Loan.

      "Multiemployer Plan" means a Multiemployer plan as defined in Section
400l(a)(3) of ERISA.

      "Net Revenue" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the net
revenue of such Person and its consolidated subsidiaries, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period.

      "New D&B Assets" has the meaning set forth in the Distribution Agreement.

      "Obligations" means the obligations of each of the Borrowing Subsidiaries
under this Agreement and the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreements with respect to the
payment of (i) the principal of and interest on the Loans to each such Borrowing
Subsidiary when and as due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or
more dates set for prepayment or otherwise and (ii) all other monetary
obligations of each of the Borrowing Subsidiaries hereunder and thereunder.

      "Other Credit Agreement" means the 364-Day Revolving Credit and
Competitive Advance Facility dated as of September 11, 2000 among the Company,
the borrowing subsidiaries party thereto, the lenders party thereto, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent,
and The Bank of New York, as documentation agent, as amended from time to time.

      "Other Taxes" means any and all present or future stamp or documentary
taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising
from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement
of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.

      "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and
defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

      "Permitted Encumbrances" means:

      (a) Liens imposed by law for taxes that are not yet delinquent or are
being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

      (b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, landlords',
repairmen's and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course
of

                                       18
<PAGE>   24
business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 60 days or
are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

      (c) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
compliance with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other social
security laws or regulations;

      (d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases,
statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other
obligations of a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business
and deposits securing liabilities to insurance carriers under insurance or
self-insurance arrangements; and

      (e) easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances
on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business
that do not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from
the value of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

provided that the term "Permitted Encumbrances" shall not include any Lien
securing Indebtedness.

      "Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company,
trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority
or other entity.

      "Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer
Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code
or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of
ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

      "Prime Rate" means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from
time to time by The Chase Manhattan Bank as its prime rate in effect at its
principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be
effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being
effective.

      "Register" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04.

      "Related Parties" means, with respect to any specified Person, such
Person's Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents
and advisors of such Person and such Person's Affiliates.

                                       19
<PAGE>   25

      "Relevant Jurisdiction" means (i) in the case of any Loan to the Company
or any Domestic Borrowing Subsidiary, the United States of America, and (ii) in
the case of any Loan to any other Borrowing Subsidiary, the jurisdiction
imposing (or having the power to impose) withholding tax on payments by such
Borrowing Subsidiary under this Agreement.

      "Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having Revolving Credit
Exposures and unused Commitments representing at least 51% of the sum of the
total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time; provided
that, for purposes of declaring the Loans to be due and payable pursuant to
Article 7, and for all purposes after the Loans become due and payable pursuant
to Article 7 or the Commitments expire or terminate, the total Competitive Loan
Exposures of the Lenders shall be included in their respective Revolving Credit
Exposures in determining the Required Lenders.

      "Reset Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.05(a).

      "Revolving Credit Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender at any time,
the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's Revolving Loans (or
the Dollar Equivalent thereof, in the case of Multicurrency Loans) and its
Swingline Exposure at such time.

      "Revolving Designated Currency Borrowing" means a Borrowing comprised of
Revolving Designated Currency Loans.

      "Revolving Designated Currency Loans" means the Loans made pursuant to
Section 2.0 1(b) that are denominated in Designated Currencies.

      "Revolving Dollar Borrowing" means a Borrowing comprised of Revolving
Dollar Loans.

      "Revolving Dollar Loans" means Loans denominated in dollars and made
pursuant to Section 2.0 1(a). Each Revolving Dollar Loan shall be a Eurocurrency
Loan or an ABR Loan.

      "Revolving Loans" means Revolving Dollar Loans, Revolving Yen Loans and
Revolving Designated Currency Loans.

      "Revolving Yen Borrowing" means a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Yen
Loans.

      "Revolving Yen Loans" means the Loans made pursuant to Section 2.01(c)
that are denominated in Yen.

                                       20
<PAGE>   26

      "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

      "SPC" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.04(h).

      "Spin-off' means all of the transactions contemplated by the Information
Statement and Article II of the Distribution Agreement to be consummated on or
prior to the Distribution Date (as defined therein), including without
limitation (i) the transfer by D&B to the Company of all of D&B's and its
subsidiaries' right, title and interest in the New D&B Assets, (ii) the transfer
by the Company and its subsidiaries to D&B and its subsidiaries of all of the
Company's and its subsidiaries' right, title and interest in the Moody's Assets,
(iii) the execution, delivery and performance by each party thereto of each
Spin-off Document (other than the Information Statement) and (iv) the
Distribution (as defined in the Distribution Agreement).

      "Spin-off Date" means the date of consummation of the Spin-off

      "Spin-off Documents" means (i) the Information Statement, (ii) the
Distribution Agreement and (iii) each Ancillary Agreement (as defined in the
Distribution Agreement) substantially in the form provided to the Lenders on
August 31, 2000.

      "Statutory Reserve Rate" means, with respect to any Eligible Currency, a
fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and
the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum
reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental
reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of
the jurisdiction of such currency (or any other jurisdiction in which the
funding operations of any Lender shall be conducted with respect to any Eligible
Currency) to which banks in such jurisdiction are subject for any category of
deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency or by
reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans in such Eligible Currency
are determined. Such reserve, liquid asset or similar percentages shall, in the
case of dollars, include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board.
Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be
subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration,
exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender
under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate
shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in
any reserve percentage.

      "Sterling" or "pounds" means the lawful money of the United Kingdom.

                                       21
<PAGE>   27

      "subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person (the "parent") at any date,
any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other
entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in
the parent's consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were
prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity
of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of
the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a
partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such
date, owned, controlled or held by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the
parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

      "Subsidiary" means any subsidiary of the Company.

      "Successor Corporation" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.02(c).

      "Swingline Exposure" means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of
all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any
Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline
Exposures at such time.

      "Swingline Lender" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, in its capacity as
lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

      "Swingline Loan" means a Loan in dollars made pursuant to Section 2.05.

      "Target Operating Day" means any day that is not (a) a Saturday or Sunday,
(b) Christmas Day or New Year's Day or (c) any other day on which the
Trans-European Real-time Gross Settlement Operating System (or any successor
settlement system) is not operating (as determined by the Administrative Agent).

      "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Govermnental
Authority.

      "Total Assets" means, at any date as to any Person, the total assets of
such Person and its consolidated subsidiaries at such date, determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

      "Total Debt" means, at any date all indebtedness of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries at such date to the extent such items should be
reflected on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company (excluding any such
items which appear only in the notes to such consolidated balance sheet) at such
date in accordance with GAAP.

                                       22
<PAGE>   28

      "Total Debt to EBTIDA Ratio" means, at any time, the ratio of (a) Total
Debt at such time to (b) EBITDA for the most recent period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters of the Company ended at or prior to such time. Solely for
purposes of this definition, (i) if the Company or any of its consolidated
subsidiaries shall have completed an acquisition of all or a substantial part of
the assets, or a going concern business or division, of any Person, or (ii) if
the Company shall have merged with any Person during such period or (iii) the
Company or any of its consolidated subsidiaries shall have disposed of all or a
substantial part of its assets or a going concern business or division, in each
case, EBITDA for the relevant period shall be determined on a pro forma basis as
if such acquisition, disposition or merger, and the incurrence of any related
Indebtedness, had occurred on the first day of such period. "Total Debt" for
purposes of the "Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio" at any date prior to the Spin-off
Date shall be calculated by giving effect to the Spin-off as if it had occurred
on such date.

      "Transactions" means the execution, delivery and performance by the
Borrowers of this Agreement and the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreements, the
borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof described in Section 3.13
and the Spin-off

      "Type", when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether
the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is
determined by reference to the LIBO Rate, the Alternate Base Rate or, in the
case of a Competitive Loan or Borrowing, the LIBO Rate or a Fixed Rate.

      "Yen" or "Y" refers to the lawful money of Japan.

      "Yen Commitment" means, with respect to each Yen Lender, the commitment of
such Yen Lender to make Revolving Yen Loans, expressed as an amount representing
the maximum aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the principal amount of such Yen
Lender's outstanding Revolving Yen Loans that may be outstanding after giving
effect to any such Revolving Yen Loan, as such commitment may be (a) reduced
from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from
time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Yen Lender pursuant to
Section 10.04. The initial amount of each Yen Lender's Yen Commitment is set
forth on Schedule 2.0 1(c) or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which
such Yen Lender shall have assumed its Yen Commitment, as applicable.

      "Yen Lenders" shall mean the Persons listed on Schedule 2.0 1(c) and any
other Person that shall become a Yen Lender pursuant to an Assignment and
Acceptance, other than any such Person that ceases to be a Yen Lender pursuant
to an Assignment and Acceptance.

                                       23
<PAGE>   29

      "Withdrawal Liability" means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result
of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms
are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

      SECTION 1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings. For purposes of this
Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g.,' a "Revolving
Loan") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurocurrency Loan") or by Class and Type (e.g., a
"Eurocurrency Revolving Loan"). Borrowings also may be classified and referred
to by Class (e.g., a "Revolving Borrowing") or by Type (e.g., a "Eurocurrency
Borrowing") or by Class and Type (e.g., a "Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing").

      SECTION 1.03. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply
equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine,
feminine and neuter forms. The words "include", "includes" and "including" shall
be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without limitation". The word "will"
shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word "shall".
Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any
agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring
to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such
amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference
herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person's successors and
assigns, (c) the words "herein", "hereof' and "hereunder", and words of similar
import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to
any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles,
Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and
Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words
"asset" and "property" shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect
and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties,
including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

      SECTION 1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be
construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided
that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests
an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change
occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the
operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company
that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such
purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such
change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be
interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before
such

                                       24
<PAGE>   30

change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn
or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

      SECTION 1.05. Exchange Rates. (a) Not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City
time, on each Calculation Date, the Administrative Agent shall (i) determine the
Exchange Rate as of such Calculation Date with respect to each Eligible Currency
(A) in which any Lender or Lenders shall have extended a commitment to make
Loans or (B) in which any Loan or Loans shall be outstanding and (ii) give
notice thereof to the Lenders and the Company. The Exchange Rates so determined
shall become effective on the first Business Day immediately following the
relevant Calculation Date (a "Reset Date"), shall remain effective until the
next succeeding Reset Date, and shall for all purposes of this Agreement (other
than clause (i) of Section 2.13, Section 10.14 or any other provision expressly
requiring the use of a current Exchange Rate) be the Exchange Rates employed in
converting any amounts between dollars and Eligible Currencies.

      (b) Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Reset Date and
each Borrowing Date with respect to Multicurrency Loans, the Administrative
Agent shall (i) determine the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal
amount of the Multicurrency Loans then outstanding (after giving effect to any
Multicurrency Loans to be made or repaid on such date) and (ii) notify the
Lenders and the Company of the results of such determination.

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                   THE CREDITS

      SECTION 2.01. Commitments. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, each Lender, severally and not jointly, agrees to make Revolving
Loans, denominated in dollars, to any Borrower from time to time during the
Availability Period for the Facility Commitments in an aggregate principal
amount that will not result in (i) such Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure
exceeding such Lender's Facility Commitment or (ii) the sum of the total
Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total Competitive Loan Exposures exceeding
the total Facility Commitments.

      (b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Designated
Currency Lender agrees to make Loans denominated in any Designated Currency to
any Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period for the Designated
Currency Commitments in an aggregate principal amount that, after giving effect
to any requested Loan, will not result in (i) the aggregate amount of the Dollar
Equivalents of the principal amounts of the Revolving Designated Currency Loans
of any Designated Currency Lender exceeding such Lender's

                                       25
<PAGE>   31

Designated Currency Commitment, (ii) the aggregate amount of the Dollar
Equivalents of the principal amounts of all outstanding Revolving Designated
Currency Loans and Revolving Yen Loans exceeding $100,000,000, (iii) any
Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender's Facility Commitment
or (iv) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total
Competitive Loan Exposures exceeding the total Facility Commitments.

      (c) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Yen Lender
agrees to make Loans denominated in Yen to any Borrower from time to time during
the Availability Period for the Yen Commitments in an aggregate principal amount
that, after giving effect to any requested Loan, will not result in (i) the
Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Yen Loans
of any Yen Lender exceeding such Lender's Yen Commitment, (ii) the aggregate
amount of the Dollar Equivalents of the principal amounts of all outstanding
Revolving Designated Currency Loans and Revolving Yen Loans exceeding
$100,000,000, (iii) any Lender's Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such
Lender's Facility Commitment or (iv) the sum of the total Revolving Credit
Exposures plus the total Competitive Loan Exposures exceeding the total Facility
Commitments.

      (d) Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

      SECTION 2.02. Loans and Borrowings. (a) Each Revolving Dollar Loan shall
be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans denominated in
dollars and made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective
Available Facility Commitments. Each Revolving Designated Currency Loan shall be
made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans denominated in the
same Designated Currency made by the Designated Currency Lenders ratably in
accordance with their respective Designated Currency Commitments. Each Revolving
Yen Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving Loans
denominated in Yen and made by the Yen Lenders ratably in accordance with their
respective Yen Commitments. Each Competitive Loan shall be made in accordance
with the procedures set forth in Section 2.04. The failure of any Lender to make
any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its
obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments and Competitive Bids of the
Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender's
failure to make Loans as required.

      (b) Subject to Section 2.13, (i) each Revolving Dollar Borrowing shall be
comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the applicable Borrower
may request in accordance herewith, (ii) each Revolving Designated Currency
Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of Eurocurrency Loans, (iii) each

                                       26
<PAGE>   32

Revolving Yen Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of Eurocurrency Loans and
(iv) each Competitive Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of Eurocurrency
Competitive Loans or Fixed Rate Loans as the applicable Borrower may request in
accordance herewith. Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at
its option may make any Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign
branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan; provided that (i) any
exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of any Borrower to repay
such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (ii) unless any
Borrower shall request that an Affiliate of a Lender make a Loan, a Lender may
not recover for any increased costs under Sections 2.14 or 2.16 incurred solely
as a result of an Affiliate of such Lender, rather than such Lender, making a
Loan, if, without economic disadvantage to, and consistent with the policies and
practices of, such Lender, such Loan could have been made in a manner that would
have avoided such increased costs under Section 2.14 or 2.16.

      (c) At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Borrowing (other
than a Swingline Loan), such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is
at least equal to the Borrowing Minimum and an integral multiple equal to the
Borrowing Multiple; provided that (i) a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing that is
a Multicurrency Borrowing may be continued into a new Interest Period pursuant
to Section 2.07 without regard to the foregoing and (ii) an ABR Revolving Dollar
Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the aggregate Available
Facility Commitments. Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an
integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000. Borrowings of more
than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there
shall not at any time be more than a total of twenty (but no more than ten in
any one currency) Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowings outstanding.

      (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Borrower
shall be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing
if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the
Maturity Date.

      SECTION 2.03. Requests for Revolving Borrowings. To request a Revolving
Borrowing, a Borrower shall notify the Applicable Agent of such request by
telephone (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in dollars,
not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the
date of the proposed Borrowing, (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later
than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the same day as the proposed Borrowing
and (c) in the case of a Revolving Designated Currency Borrowing or a Revolving
Yen Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., London time, three Business Days
before the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such telephonic Borrowing
Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or
telecopy to the Applicable Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form

                                       27
<PAGE>   33

approved by the Applicable Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower. Each
such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following
information in compliance with Section 2.02:

            (i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

            (ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

            (iii) whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a
      Eurocurrency Borrowing;

            (iv) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the initial Interest
      Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by
      the definition of the term "Interest Period", and the currency of such
      Borrowing, which shall be dollars, Yen or a Designated Currency; and

            (v) the location and number of the relevant Borrower's account to
      which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements
      of Section 2.06; and

            (vi) in the case of a Borrowing in Yen or a Designated Currency, the
      location from which payments of the principal and interest on such
      Borrowing will be made, which will comply with the requirements of Section
      2.17.

If no election as to the Type of Revolving Dollar Borrowing is specified, then
the requested Revolving Dollar Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no
currency is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Revolving
Borrowing, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected dollars.
If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency
Revolving Borrowing, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected
an Interest Period of one month's duration. Promptly following receipt of a
Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Applicable Agent shall
advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender's
Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

      SECTION 2.04. Competitive Bid Procedure. (a) Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, from time to time during the Availability Period
any Borrower may request Competitive Bids and may (but shall not have any
obligation to) accept Competitive Bids and borrow Competitive Loans; provided
that the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total Competitive
Loan Exposures at any time shall not exceed the total Facility Commitments. To
request Competitive Bids, a Borrower shall notify the Applicable Agent of such
request by telephone, (i) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in

                                       28
<PAGE>   34

dollars, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, four Business Days
before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency
Borrowing denominated in an Eligible Currency, not later than 3:00 p.m., London
time, four Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing, (iii) in the
case of a Fixed Rate Borrowing denominated in dollars, not later than 10:00
a.m., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of the proposed
Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Fixed Rate Borrowing denominated in an
Eligible Currency, not later than 3:00 p.m., London time, four Business Days
before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that the Borrowers may
submit jointly up to (but not more than) three Competitive Bid Requests on the
same day, but a Competitive Bid Request shall not be made within five Business
Days after the date of any previous Competitive Bid Request, unless any and all
such previous Competitive Bid Requests shall have been withdrawn or all
Competitive Bids received in response thereto rejected. Each such telephonic
Competitive Bid Request shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy
to the Applicable Agent of a written Competitive Bid Request in a form approved
by the Applicable Agent and signed by the applicable Borrower. Each such
telephonic and written Competitive Bid Request shall specify the following
information in compliance with Section 2.02:

            (i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

            (ii) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

            (iii) whether such Borrowing is to be a Eurocurrency Borrowing or a
      Fixed Rate Borrowing;

            (iv) the Interest Period to be applicable to such Borrowing, which
      shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term "Interest
      Period", and the currency of such Borrowing which shall be dollars or an
      Eligible Currency; and

            (v) the location and number of the relevant Borrower's account to
      which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements
      of Section 2.06; and

            (vi) in the case of a Borrowing in Yen or a Designated Currency, the
      location from which payments of the principal and interest on such
      Borrowing will be made, which will comply with the requirements of Section
      2.17.

If no currency is specified with respect to any Competitive Bid Request, the
relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected dollars. Promptly following
receipt of a Competitive Bid Request in accordance with this Section, the

                                       29
<PAGE>   35

Applicable Agent shall notify the Lenders of the details thereof by telecopy,
inviting the Lenders to submit Competitive Bids.

      (b) Each Lender may (but shall not have any obligation to) make one or
more Competitive Bids to any Borrower in response to a Competitive Bid Request.
Each Competitive Bid by a Lender must be in a form reasonably approved by the
Applicable Agent and must be received by the Applicable Agent by telecopy, (i)
in the case of a Eurocurrency Competitive Borrowing denominated in dollars, not
later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the
proposed date of such Competitive Borrowing, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency
Competitive Borrowing denominated in an Eligible Currency, not later than 3:00
p.m., London time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed
Competitive Borrowing, (iii) in the case of a Fixed Rate Borrowing denominated
in dollars, not later than 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the proposed date
of such Competitive Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Fixed Rate Borrowing
denominated in an Eligible Currency, not later than 3:00 p.m., London time,
three Business Days before the date of the proposed Competitive Borrowing.
Competitive Bids that do not conform substantially to the form approved by the
Applicable Agent may be rejected by the Applicable Agent, and the Applicable
Agent shall notify the applicable Lender as promptly as practicable. Each
Competitive Bid shall specify (i) the principal amount (which shall be in an
amount that is at least equal to the Borrowing Minimum and an integral multiple
equal to the Borrowing Multiple, and which may equal the entire principal amount
of the Competitive Borrowing requested by the applicable Borrower) of the
Competitive Loan or Loans that the Lender is willing to make, (ii) the
Competitive Bid Rate or Rates at which the Lender is prepared to make such Loan
or Loans (expressed as a percentage rate per annum in the form of a decimal to
no more than four decimal places), (iii) the Interest Period applicable to each
such Loan and the last day thereof and (iv) the currency of the Competitive
Borrowing.

      (c) The Applicable Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Borrower by
telecopy of the Competitive Bid Rate and the principal amount specified in each
Competitive Bid and the identity of the Lender that shall have made such
Competitive Bid.

      (d) Subject only to the provisions of this paragraph, a Borrower may
accept or reject any Competitive Bid. The relevant Borrower shall notify the
Applicable Agent by telephone, confirmed by telecopy in a form reasonably
approved by the Applicable Agent, whether and to what extent it has decided to
accept or reject each Competitive Bid, (i) in the case of a Eurocurrency
Competitive Borrowing denominated in dollars, not later than 10:30 a.m., New
York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Competitive
Borrowing, (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Competitive Borrowing

                                       30
<PAGE>   36

denominated in an Eligible Currency, not later than 4:00 p.m., London time,
three Business Days before the date of the proposed Competitive Borrowing, (iii)
in the case of a Fixed Rate Borrowing denominated in dollars, not later than
10:30 a.m., New York City time, on the proposed date of the Competitive
Borrowing and (iv) in the case of a Fixed Rate Borrowing denominated in an
Eligible Currency, not later than 4:00 p.m., London time, three Business Days
before the date of the proposed Competitive Borrowing; provided that (i) the
failure of such Borrower to give such notice shall be deemed to be a rejection
of each Competitive Bid, (ii) such Borrower shall not accept a Competitive Bid
made at a particular Competitive Bid Rate if such Borrower rejects a Competitive
Bid made at a lower Competitive Bid Rate, (iii) the aggregate amount of the
Competitive Bids accepted by such Borrower shall not exceed the aggregate amount
of the requested Competitive Borrowing specified in the related Competitive Bid
Request, (iv) to the extent necessary to comply with clause (iii) above, such
Borrower may accept Competitive Bids at the same Competitive Bid Rate in part,
which acceptance, in the case of multiple Competitive Bids at such Competitive
Bid Rate, shall be made pro rata in accordance with the amount of each such
Competitive Bid, and (v) except pursuant to clause (iv) above, no Competitive
Bid shall be accepted for a Competitive Loan unless such Competitive Loan is in
a minimum principal amount of at least the Borrowing Minimum and an integral
multiple equal to the Borrowing Multiple; provided further that if a Competitive
Loan must be in an amount less than the Borrowing Minimum because of the
provisions of clause (iv) above, such Competitive Loan may be for a minimum of
$1,000,000 (or the Dollar Equivalent thereof), and in calculating the pro rata
allocation of acceptances of portions of multiple Competitive Bids at a
particular Competitive Bid Rate pursuant to clause (iv) the amounts shall be
rounded to integral multiples of the Borrowing Multiple in a manner determined
by such Borrower. A notice given by any Borrower pursuant to this paragraph
shall be irrevocable.

      (e) The Applicable Agent shall promptly notify each bidding Lender by
telecopy whether or not its Competitive Bid has been accepted (and, if so, the
amount and Competitive Bid Rate so accepted), and each successful bidder will
thereupon become bound, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to make the
Competitive Loan in respect of which its Competitive Bid has been accepted.

      (f) If the Administrative Agent shall elect to submit a Competitive Bid in
its capacity as a Lender, it shall submit such Competitive Bid directly to the
relevant Borrower at least one quarter of an hour earlier than the time by which
the other Lenders are required to submit their Competitive Bids to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.

      SECTION 2.05. Swingline Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set
forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans in dollars to
any Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate

                                       31
<PAGE>   37

principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding $20,000,000
or (ii) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total
Competitive Loan Exposures exceeding the total Facility Commitments; provided
that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to
refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, any Borrower may borrow, prepay
and reborrow Swingline Loans.

      (b) To request a Swingline Loan, a Borrower shall notify the
Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not
later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day of a proposed Swingline
Loan. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date
(which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The
Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such
notice received from any Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make each
Swingline Loan available to the relevant Borrower by means of a credit to the
general deposit account of the Company with the Swingline Lender by 3:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan (and if the
applicable Borrower is a Borrowing Subsidiary, the Company shall make such funds
available to such Borrowing Subsidiary) or to such other account as may be
specified in the applicable Borrowing Request.

      (c) The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative
Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Business Day require
the Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion
of the Swingline Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate
amount of Swingline Loans in which Lenders will participate. Promptly upon
receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to
each Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender's Applicable Percentage of
such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally
agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative
Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender's Applicable
Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees
that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to
this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default
or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall
be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each
Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of
immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with
respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis
mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative
Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline

                                       32
<PAGE>   38

Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. The Administrative Agent
shall notify the relevant Borrower of any participations in any Swingline Loan
acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such
Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the
Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from any Borrower
(or other party on behalf of such Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after
receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations
therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts
received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the
Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant
to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear.
The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph
shall not relieve the relevant Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

      SECTION 2.06. Funding of Borrowings. (a) Each Lender shall make each Loan
to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of
immediately available funds by (i) 12:00 noon, New York City time, in case of a
Loan denominated in dollars, (ii) 11:00 a.m., London time, in the case of a
Revolving Designated Currency Loan, (iii) 11:00 a.m., Tokyo time, in the case of
a Revolving Yen Loan or (iv) 11:00 a.m., local time, in the case of a
Competitive Loan denominated in an Eligible Currency, in each case to the
account of the Applicable Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose
for Loans of such Class by notice to the applicable Lenders; provided that
Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Applicable Agent
will make such Loans available to the relevant Borrower (i) in case of a Loan
denominated in dollars, promptly (but in no event later than 1:00 p.m., New York
City time), by crediting the amounts so received by 12:00 noon, New York City
time, in like funds, to an account of the Company maintained with the
Administrative Agent in New York City, (ii) in the case of Revolving Designated
Currency Loans, promptly (but in no event later than 12:00 noon, London time),
by crediting the amounts so received by 11:00 a.m., London time, in like funds,
to an account of the Company maintained with the Applicable Agent in London,
(iii) in the case of Revolving Yen Loans, promptly (but in no event later than
12:00 noon, Tokyo time), by crediting the amounts so received by 11:00 a.m.,
Tokyo time, in like funds, to an account of the Company maintained with the
Applicable Agent in London (in each case as designated by such Borrower in the
applicable Borrowing Request or Competitive Bid Request (and, if the applicable
Borrower is a Borrowing Subsidiary, the Company shall make such funds available
to such Borrowing Subsidiary)), or (iv) to such other account as may be
specified in the applicable Borrowing Request or Competitive Bid Request.

      (b) Unless the Applicable Agent shall have received notice from a Lender
prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not

                                       33
<PAGE>   39

make available to the Applicable Agent such Lender's share of such Borrowing,
the Applicable Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available
on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in
reliance upon such assumption, make available to the relevant Borrower a
corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share
of the applicable Borrowing available to the Applicable Agent, then the
applicable Lender and each Borrower severally agree to pay to the Applicable
Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for
each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the
relevant Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Applicable Agent,
at (i) in the case of such Lender, (x) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (in the
case of a Borrowing in dollars) and (y) the rate reasonably determined by the
Applicable Agent to be the cost to it of funding such amount (in the case of a
Borrowing in an Eligible Currency) or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the
interest rate applicable to the subject Loan. If such Lender pays such amount to
the Applicable Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender's Loan
included in such Borrowing and the Applicable Agent shall return to such
Borrower any amount (including interest) paid by the Borrower to the Applicable
Agent pursuant to this paragraph with respect to such amount.

      SECTION 2.07. Interest Elections. (a) Each Revolving Borrowing initially
shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the
case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest
Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the relevant Borrower
may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such
Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, may elect
Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section. A Borrower may elect
different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing,
in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders
holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such
portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. This Section shall not apply
to Competitive Borrowings or Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or
continued. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not
be construed to permit any Borrower to (i) change the currency of any Borrowing
or (ii) convert any Multicurrency Borrowing to an ABR Borrowing.

      (b) To make an election pursuant to this Section, a Borrower shall notify
the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time and at the
office at which a Borrowing Request would be required to be delivered under
Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Revolving Borrowing of the Type
resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.
Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be
confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative

                                       34
<PAGE>   40

Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form reasonably approved by
the Administrative Agent and signed by the relevant Borrower.

      (c) Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify
the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

            (i) the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies
      and, if different options are being elected with respect to different
      portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting
      Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to
      clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting
      Borrowing);

            (ii) the effective date of the election made pursuant to such
      Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

            (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a
      Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

            (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the
      Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such
      election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the
      term "Interest Period".

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does
not specify an Interest Period, then such Borrower shall be deemed to have
selected an Interest Period of one month's duration.

      (d) Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the
Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such
Lender's portion of each resulting Borrowing.

      (e) If the relevant Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election
Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing prior to the end of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as
provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be
converted to an ABR Borrowing (unless such Borrowing is a Multicurrency
Borrowing, in which case such Borrowing shall be continued at the end of the
Interest Period applicable thereto as a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing with an
Interest Period of a duration of one month). Notwithstanding any contrary
provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the
Applicable Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the
Company, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding
Revolving Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency

                                       35
<PAGE>   41

Borrowing (except as set forth in clause (ii)(y)) and (ii) unless repaid (x)
each Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing (other than a Multicurrency Borrowing)
shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period
applicable thereto and (y) each Multicurrency Borrowing shall be continued at
the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a Multicurrency Borrowing
with an Interest Period of a duration of one month.

      SECTION 2.08. Termination, Reduction and Increase of Commitments. (a)
Unless previously terminated, the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency
Commitments and the Yen Commitments shall each terminate on the Maturity Date.

      (b) The Company may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce,
the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency Commitments or the Yen
Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an
amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000
and (ii) the Company shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Facility Commitments
if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance
with Section 2.10, the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total
Competitive Loan Exposures would exceed the total Facility Commitments, (B) the
Designated Currency Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent
prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.10, the aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Revolving Designated Currency Loans would exceed the
total Designated Currency Commitments, or (C) the Yen Commitments if, after
giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with
Section 2.10, the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Revolving Yen
Loans would exceed the total Yen Commitments.

      (c) The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to
terminate or reduce the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency
Commitments or the Yen Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least
one Business Day (or, to the extent a concurrent prepayment of Loans is required
in accordance with Section 2.10, upon the minimum advance notice required in
connection with such prepayment under such Section) prior to the effective date
of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective
date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent
shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the
Company pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of
termination of the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency Commitments or
the Yen Commitments delivered by the Company may state that such notice is
conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case
such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent
on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.
Any termination or reduction of the Facility

                                       36
<PAGE>   42

Commitments, the Designated Currency Commitments or the Yen Commitments shall be
permanent. Each reduction of the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency
Commitments or the Yen Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders, the
Designated Currency Lenders or the Yen Lenders, as the case may be, in
accordance with their respective Facility Commitments, Designated Currency
Commitments or Yen Commitments, as applicable.

      (d) Upon at least 15 days' prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which
notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders),
the Company shall have the right, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
below, to increase the aggregate amount of the Facility Commitments in multiples
of $500,000 up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $87,500,000. Any such
increase shall apply, at the option of the Company, (x) to the Facility
Commitment of one or more Lenders, if such Lender or Lenders consent to such
increase, or (y) to the creation of new Facility Commitments of one or more
institutions not then a Lender hereunder; provided that (i) if any such
institution is not then a Lender hereunder, such institution shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (ii) such existing or new Lender shall
execute and deliver to the Company and the Administrative Agent an Assumption
Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto (an "Assumption
Agreement") and (iii) if any Revolving Loans are outstanding at the time of any
such increase, the Company will, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, on the date of such increase incur and repay or
prepay one or more Revolving Loans from the Lenders in such amounts so that
after giving effect thereto, the Revolving Loans shall be outstanding on a pro
rata basis (based on the Facility Commitments of the Lenders after giving effect
to the changes made pursuant hereto on such date) from all the Lenders. Upon the
effectiveness of any increase in Facility Commitments pursuant to this Section
2.08(d), Schedule 2.01(a) hereto shall be automatically amended to reflect such
increase. It is understood that any increase in the amount of the Facility
Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.08(d) shall not constitute an amendment
or modification of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.02.

      SECTION 2.09. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt. (a) Each Borrower
hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the
account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan
of such Borrower on the Maturity Date, (ii) to the Administrative Agent for the
account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Competitive Loan
of such Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan
and (iii) to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each
Swingline Loan of such Borrower on the earlier of the Maturity Date and the
first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a
calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is
made.

                                       37
<PAGE>   43

      (b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an
account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender
resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal
and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

      (c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall
record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class and Type (and, in
the case of a Multicurrency Loan, the currency) thereof and the Interest Period
(if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due
and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each Lender
hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent
hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender's share thereof

      (d) The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b)
or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and
amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any
Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error
therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of any Borrower to repay
the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

      (e) Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a
promissory note. In such event, each Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver
to such Lender a promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if
requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a
form approved by the Administrative Agent and the Company. Thereafter, the Loans
evidenced by each such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times
(including after assignment pursuant to Section 10.04) be represented by one or
more promissory notes in such form payable to the order of the payee named
therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its
registered assigns).

      SECTION 2.10. Prepayment of Loans. (a) Any Borrower shall have the right
at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing of such Borrower in
whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this Section; provided that no Borrower shall have the right to prepay any
Competitive Loan without the prior consent of the Lender thereof.

      (b) If, on the last day of any Interest Period for any Borrowing, the sum
of the total Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total Competitive Loan
Exposures exceeds the total Facility Commitments, the relevant Borrower shall,
on such day, prepay Revolving Loans in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) such
excess and (ii) the amount of such Borrowing. If, on any Reset Date, the sum of
the total Revolving Credit Exposures plus the total Competitive Loan Exposures

                                       38
<PAGE>   44

exceeds 105% of the total Facility Commitments, then the Borrowers shall, on the
next Reset Date, prepay one or more Revolving Borrowings in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the excess, if any, of the sum of the total Revolving
Credit Exposures plus the total Competitive Loan Exposures (in each case as of
such next Reset Date) over the total Facility Commitments.

      (c) If, on the last day of any Interest Period for any Multicurrency
Borrowing, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Multicurrency Loans exceeds $100,000,000, the relevant Borrower
shall, on such day, prepay such Multicurrency Borrowing in an amount equal to
the lesser of (i) such excess and (ii) the amount of such Borrowing. If, on any
Reset Date, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Multicurrency Loans exceed 105% of $100,000,000, then the Borrowers
shall, on the next Reset Date, prepay one or more Multicurrency Borrowings in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Dollar Equivalent
of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Multicurrency Loans (as of such
next Reset Date) over $100,000,000.

      (d) The relevant Borrower shall notify the Applicable Agent (and, in the
case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone
(confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of
prepayment of a Eurocurrency Revolving Dollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00
a.m., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment,
(ii) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Designated Currency Borrowing
or a Eurocurrency Yen Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., London time, three
Business Days before the date of prepayment, (iii) in the case of prepayment of
an ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the date of prepayment, or (iv) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan,
not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of prepayment. Each
such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the
principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided
that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice
of termination of the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency Commitments
or the Yen Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.08, then such notice of
prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance
with Section 2.08. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a
Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the
contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in
an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Revolving
Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02 (other than any partial
prepayment made concurrently with a reduction of the commitments permitted by
Section 2.08(b), which may be in the amount necessary to comply with the
condition to such reduction set forth in such Section). Each prepayment of a
Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to

                                       39
<PAGE>   45

the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by
accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.12.

      SECTION 2.11. Fees. (a) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of each Lender a facility fee, which shall accrue at the
Applicable Rate on the daily amount of the Facility Commitment of such Lender
(whether used or unused) during the period from and including the date hereof to
but excluding the date on which such Facility Commitment terminates; provided
that, if such Lender continues to have any Revolving Credit Exposure or
Competitive Loan Exposure after its Facility Commitment terminates, then such
facility fee shall continue to accrue on the daily amount of such Lender's
Revolving Credit Exposure or Competitive Loan Exposure from and including the
date on which its Facility Commitment terminates to but excluding the date on
which such Lender ceases to have any Revolving Credit Exposure or Competitive
Loan Exposure. Accrued facility fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day
of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the
Facility Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after
the date hereof; provided that any facility fees accruing after the date on
which the Facility Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand. All
facility fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be
payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but
excluding the last day).

      (b) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account
of each Lender a utilization fee, which shall accrue at a rate of .10% per annum
on the average daily outstanding amount of the Revolving Credit Exposure of such
Lender, for each day the Aggregate Utilization Percentage exceeds 50%. Accrued
utilization fees, if any, shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March,
June, September and December of each year and on the Maturity Date. All
utilization fees shall be computed on a basis of a year of 360 days and shall be
payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but
excluding the last day).

      (c) The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own
account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon
between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

      (d) All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in
immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, in
the case of facility fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable
under any circumstances.

                                       40
<PAGE>   46

      SECTION 2.12. Interest. (a) The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing
(including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
the Alternate Base Rate.

      (b) The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest
at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Loan,
the LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the
Applicable Rate, or (ii) in the case of a Eurocurrency Competitive Loan, the
LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus (or minus,
as applicable) the Margin applicable to such Loan.

      (c) Each Fixed Rate Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
the Fixed Rate applicable to such Loan.

      (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any
Loan or any fee or other amount payable by any Borrower hereunder is not paid
when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such
overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate
per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the
rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided above or (ii) in the case of
any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided above.

      (e) Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date for such Loan; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant
to paragraph (d) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event
of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR
Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period for the Facility
Commitments), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall
be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment, (iii) in the event of
any conversion of any Eurocurrency Revolving Loan prior to the end of the
current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable
on the effective date of such conversion and (iv) all accrued interest shall be
payable upon termination of the Facility Commitments.

      (f) All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360
days, except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at
times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed
on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each
case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first
day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate or LIBO Rate
shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be
presumed correct absent manifest error.

                                       41
<PAGE>   47

      SECTION 2.13. Alternate Rate of Interest. If prior to the commencement of
any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

      (a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be
presumed correct absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do
not exist for ascertaining the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or

      (b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders (or, (i)
in the case of a Eurocurrency Competitive Loan, the Lender that is required to
make such Loan or (ii) in the case of a Revolving Designated Currency Loan or
Revolving Yen Loan, as the case may be, Designated Currency Lenders or Yen
Lenders, as applicable, having Designated Currency Commitments or Yen
Commitments, as applicable, representing at least 51% of the Designated Currency
Commitments or Yen Commitments, as applicable, at such time) that the LIBO Rate
for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such
Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included
in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; or

      (c) in the case of a Multicurrency Borrowing, the Administrative Agent
determines (which determination shall be presumed correct absent manifest error)
that deposits in the applicable currency are not generally available, or cannot
be obtained by the Multicurrency Lenders in the applicable market;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Company and the
Lenders or the applicable Multicurrency Lenders by telephone or telecopy as
promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies
the Company and the Lenders or the applicable Multicurrency Lenders that the
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest
Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to, or
continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be
ineffective, and any Eurocurrency Borrowing so requested to be continued shall,
at the option of the Company, be repaid in full on the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto, or be converted to an ABR Borrowing denominated in
dollars (and in the case of a Multicurrency Borrowing, such conversion shall be
made at the Exchange Rate determined by the Administrative Agent on the last day
of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto), (ii) if any Borrowing
Request requests a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing (other than a Multicurrency
Borrowing), such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing and (iii) any
request by any Borrower for a Eurocurrency Competitive Borrowing or a
Multicurrency Borrowing shall be ineffective; provided that if the circumstances
giving rise to such notice do not affect all the Lenders, then requests for
Eurocurrency Competitive Borrowings may be made to Lenders that are not affected
thereby and, if the circumstances giving rise to such notice do not affect all
applicable currencies, then requests for Eurocurrency Borrowings may

                                       42
<PAGE>   48

be made in the currencies that are not affected thereby and, if the
circumstances giving rise to such notice only affect one Type of Borrowing, then
the other Type of Borrowing shall not be affected.

      SECTION 2.14. Increased Costs. (a) If any Governmental Authority shall
have in effect any reserve, liquid asset or similar requirement with respect to
any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund Loans, or by
reference to which interest rates applicable to Loans are determined, and the
result of such requirement shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of
making or maintaining any Loan, and such Lender shall deliver to the Company a
notice requesting compensation under this paragraph and setting forth the
applicable Statutory Reserve Rate, then the Company shall pay to such Lender on
each Interest Payment Date with respect to each affected Loan additional
interest at a rate per annum up to but not exceeding the excess of (i) the rate
otherwise applicable to such Loan (the "Applicable Interest Rate") divided by
one minus the applicable Statutory Reserve Rate over (ii) the Applicable
Interest Rate.

      (b) If any Change in Law shall:

            (i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit
      or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account
      of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement
      covered by subsection (a) above); or

            (ii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market (or any
      other market in which the funding operations of such Lender shall be
      conducted with respect to any Eligible Currency) any other condition
      affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans or Fixed Rate Loans made by
      such Lender;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such
Lender of making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan or Fixed Rate Loan (or of
maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) or to reduce the amount of any
sum received or receivable by such Lender in respect thereof hereunder (whether
of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Company will pay to such Lender
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such
additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

      (c) If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital
requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such
Lender's capital or on the capital of such Lender's holding company, if any, as
a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by such Lender to a level
below that which such Lender or such Lender's holding company could have
achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender's

                                       43
<PAGE>   49

policies and the policies of such Lender's holding company with respect to
capital adequacy), then from time to time the Company will pay to such Lender
such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such
Lender's holding company for any such reduction suffered.

      (d) A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts
necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be,
as specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this Section shall be delivered to
the Company and shall be presumed correct absent manifest error. The Company
shall pay such Lender the amount due under this Section within 10 days after
receipt of the relevant certificate.

      (e) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation
pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender's right to
demand such compensation; provided that the Company shall not be required to
compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or
reductions incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender
notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or
reductions and of such Lender's intention to claim compensation therefor;
provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs
or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall
be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

      (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, a Lender
shall not be entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section in respect of any
Competitive Loan if the Change in Law that would otherwise entitle it to such
compensation shall have been publicly announced or be otherwise known to it
prior to submission of the Competitive Bid pursuant to which such Loan was made.

      SECTION 2.15. Break Funding Payments. In the event of (a) the payment of
any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan or Fixed Rate Loan other than on the last
day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event
of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the conversion of any
Multicurrency Loan to a dollar denominated Loan pursuant to any Section of this
Agreement, (d) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any
Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto
(regardless of whether such notice is permitted to be revocable under Section
2.10(d) and is revoked in accordance herewith), (e) the failure to borrow any
Eurocurrency Competitive Loan after accepting the Competitive Bid to make such
Loan, or (f) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan or Fixed Rate Loan other
than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a
request by the Company pursuant to Section 2.18, then, in any such event, the
Company

                                       44
<PAGE>   50

shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such
event (and in the case of any conversion of Multicurrency Loans to dollar Loans,
such loss, cost or expense shall also include any loss, cost or expense
sustained by a Multicurrency Lender as a result of such conversion). In the case
of a Eurocurrency Loan, the loss to any Lender attributable to any such event
shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be equal,
except as otherwise provided in the final parenthetical in the preceding
sentence, to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that such Lender
would pay for a deposit equal to the principal amount of such Loan (and in the
same currency as such Loan) for the period from the date of such payment,
conversion, failure or assignment to the last day of the then current Interest
Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or
continue, the duration of the Interest Period that would have resulted from such
borrowing, conversion or continuation) if the interest rate payable on such
deposit were equal to the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period, over (ii) the
amount of interest that such Lender would earn on such principal amount for such
period if such Lender were to invest such principal amount for such period at
the interest rate that would be bid by such Lender (or an affiliate of such
Lender) for deposits in the same currency from other banks in the eurodollar
market at the commencement of such period. A certificate of any Lender setting
forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to
this Section shall be delivered to the Company and shall be presumed correct
absent manifest error. The Company shall pay such Lender the amount due under
this Section within 10 days after receipt of the relevant certificate.

      SECTION 2.16. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or an account of any
obligation of any Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of and without
deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if any
Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from
such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender
(as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received
had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Borrower shall make such deductions
and (iii) such Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

      (b) In addition, the Borrowers shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant
Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

      (c) The relevant Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and
each Lender, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount
of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent or such
Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account
of any obligation of any Borrower hereunder (including Indemnified Taxes or
Other

                                       45
<PAGE>   51

Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this
Section), and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom
or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental
Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered
to the Company by a Lender, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or
on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

      (d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes by any Borrower to a Governmental Authority, such Borrower shall deliver
to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued
by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return
reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent.

      (e) Each Lender that is not a United States person as defined in section
7701(a)(30) of the Code shall, if legally able to do so, prior to the
immediately following due date of any payment by the Borrower under this
Agreement, deliver to the Borrower Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Form
1001, Form W-8ECI or Form 4224, or, in the case of a Lender claiming exemption
from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement
under section 871(h) or 881(c) of the code relating to payments of "portfolio
interest", Form W-8BEN and a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit F,
and any other certificate or statement of exemption or any subsequent version
thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such
Lender claiming complete exemption or a reduced rate of United States federal
withholding tax. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or
reduction of withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement
pursuant to the law of a Relevant Jurisdiction, other than the United States of
America, or under any treaty to which a Relevant Jurisdiction is a party shall
deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time
or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed
documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the
Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a
reduced rate.

      If the Company determines in good faith that a reasonable basis exists for
contesting an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, the relevant Lender or the
Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall cooperate with the Company in
challenging such Tax at the Company's expense if requested by the Company. If
any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, shall become aware that
it is entitled to receive a refund in respect of Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes pursuant to Section 2.16, it shall promptly notify the Borrower of the
availability of such refund and shall, within 30 days after receipt of a request
by the Borrower,

                                       46
<PAGE>   52

apply for such refund if it is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender or
the Administrative Agent. If any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as
applicable, receives a refund (whether by way of a direct payment or by offset)
of any Indemnified Tax or Other Tax for which a payment has been made pursuant
to Section 2.16 or realizes any credit or other tax benefit as a result of the
payment of such Tax by any Borrower, which refund, credit or tax benefit in the
good faith judgment of such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may
be, is allocable to such payment made under Section 2.16, the amount of such
refund, credit or tax benefit (together with any interest received from the
applicable Governmental Authority thereon) shall be paid to such Borrower.

      SECTION 2.17. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
(a) Except as set forth with respect to payments of principal of or interest on
Multicurrency Loans in Schedule 2.17, each Borrower shall make each payment
required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest or fees
under Section 2.09, 2.11, 2.12, 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16) from a payment location in
the United States prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time (in the case of
payments with respect to Revolving Designated Currency Loans, prior to 11:00
a.m., London time, or in the case of payments with respect to Revolving Yen
Loans, prior to 11:00 a.m., Tokyo time), on the date when due, in immediately
available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after
such time (or any other applicable time set forth with respect to Multicurrency
Loans in Schedule 2.17) on any date may, in the discretion of the Applicable
Agent (or in the case of a Competitive Loan, the applicable Lender), be deemed
to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of
calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made (i) in the case of
amounts due in dollars, to the Applicable Agent at its offices at 270 Park
Avenue, New York, New York and (ii) in the case of amounts due in any Eligible
Currency, to the Applicable Agent at its offices at Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas
Moore Street, London, England E19YT, or at such other office as shall be
specified for such currency by the Applicable Agent, except that payments to be
made directly to the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and payments
pursuant to Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 10.03 shall be made directly to the
Persons entitled thereto. The Applicable Agent shall distribute any such
payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate
recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be
due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended
to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing
interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.
All payments hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) shall be
made in the applicable currency specified elsewhere herein or, if no currency is
specified, in dollars.

      (b) If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the
Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, interest and fees
then

                                       47
<PAGE>   53

due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest and fees
then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance
with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second,
to pay principal then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto
in accordance with the amounts of principal then due to such parties.

      (c) If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or
counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or
interest on any of its Revolving Loans or participations in Swingline Loans
resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the
aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in Swingline Loans
and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender,
then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at
face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and participations in
Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of
all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the
aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective
Revolving Loans and participations in Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any
such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving
rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the
purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and
(ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any
payment made by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express
terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for
the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee
or participant, other than to any Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate
thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply). Each
Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively
do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant
to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of
set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such
Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such
participation.

      (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the
Company or the relevant Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due
to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that such
Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that
such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may,
in reliance upon such assumption, distribute (or cause the Applicable Agent to
distribute) to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if such Borrower has
not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to
repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed
to such Lender with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date
such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the

                                       48
<PAGE>   54

Administrative Agent, (i) in the case of a Borrowing in dollars, at the Federal
Funds Effective Rate and (ii) in the case of a Borrowing in an Eligible
Currency, at the rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be
the cost to it of funding such amount.

      (e) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it
pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(b) or 2.17(d), then the Administrative Agent
may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply
any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of
such Lender to satisfy such Lender's obligations under such Sections until all
such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

      SECTION 2.18. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) If any
Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if any Borrower is required
to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the
account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16, then such Lender shall use
reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or
booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to
another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such
Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts
payable pursuant to Section 2.14 or 2.16, as the case may be, in the future and
(ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would
not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Company hereby agrees to
pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with
any such designation or assignment.

      (b) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.14, or if any
Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any
Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16,
or if any Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, or if any
Lender fails to approve any waiver or amendment to this Agreement which has been
approved by the Required Lenders, then the Company may, at its sole expense and
effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such
Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject
to the restrictions contained in Section 10.04), all its interests, rights and
obligations under this Agreement (other than any outstanding Competitive Loans
held by it) to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee
may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i)
the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent (and, if a Commitment is being assigned, the Swingline Lender), which
consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received
payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans (other than
Competitive Loans) and participations in Swingline Loans, accrued interest
thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it

                                       49
<PAGE>   55

hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and
accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and
(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation
under Section 2.14 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.16,
such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A
Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if,
prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the
circumstances entitling such Borrower to require such assignment and delegation
cease to apply.

      SECTION 2.19. Borrowing Subsidiaries. On or after the Effective Date, the
Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company as a Borrowing Subsidiary by
delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
executed by such Subsidiary and the Company, and upon such delivery such
Subsidiary shall for all purposes of this Agreement be a Borrowing Subsidiary
and a party to this Agreement until the Company shall have executed and
delivered to the Administrative Agent a Borrowing Subsidiary Termination with
respect to such Subsidiary, whereupon such Subsidiary shall cease to be a
Borrowing Subsidiary and a party to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, no Borrowing Subsidiary Termination will become effective as
to any Borrowing Subsidiary at a time when any principal of or interest on any
Loan to such Borrowing Subsidiary shall be outstanding hereunder, provided that
such Borrowing Subsidiary Termination shall be effective to terminate such
Borrowing Subsidiary's right to make further Borrowings under this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 3
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      The Company represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

      SECTION 3.01. Organization; Powers. Each of the Company and its Material
Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in,
and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is
required.

      SECTION 3.02. Authorization; Enforceability. The Transactions are within
the Company's (and, as applicable, each Borrowing Subsidiary's) corporate powers
and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required,
stockholder action. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company,

                                       50
<PAGE>   56

and each Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement with respect to any Borrowing Subsidiary
(as to which a Borrowing Subsidiary Termination has not become effective) has
been duly executed and delivered by the Company and such Borrowing Subsidiary
and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrowing
Subsidiary thereunder, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms,
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and subject to general
principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law.

      SECTION 3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a)
do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any
other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained
or made and are in full force and effect and except for such consents,
approvals, registrations, filings and other actions (i) related to the Spin-off
which shall be obtained prior to the Spin-off Date or (ii) the failure to obtain
or make could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any applicable law or
regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority,
except for such violations which, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) will not
violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other
instrument binding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give
rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, except for such violations and defaults which,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition
of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries.

      SECTION 3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change. (a) The
Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders (i) the combined balance sheet
of D&B at December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999 and the related combined
statements of operations, shareholders' net investment and cash flows of D&B for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999, in each case
reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants, and
(ii) the combined balance sheet of D&B at June 30, 2000 and the related combined
statements of operations and cash flows for the fiscal quarter and the portion
of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000, certified by a Financial Officer of D&B.
Such financial statements (including notes thereto) present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash
flows of D&B and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such
periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the
absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii)
above.

                                       51
<PAGE>   57

      (b) The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its unaudited pro
forma condensed balance sheet and unaudited pro forma condensed statement of
operations, each prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the
Transactions had occurred on June 30, 2000, in the case of such balance sheet
and January 1, 1999, in the case of such statement of operations. Such pro forma
financial statements (i) have been prepared in good faith based on the same
assumptions used to prepare the pro forma financial statements included in the
Information Memorandum (which assumptions are believed by the Company to be
reasonable), (ii) are based on the best information available to the Company
after due inquiry, (iii) accurately reflect all adjustments necessary to give
effect to the Transactions and (iv) present fairly, in all material respects (x)
in the case of such pro forma balance sheet, the financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2000, as if the
Transactions had occurred on such date, and (y) in the case of such pro forma
statements of operations, the results of operations of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries for the six months ended June 30, 2000 (as if the
Transactions had occurred on January 1, 1999).

      (c) Since December 31, 1999, there has been no material adverse change in
the business, assets, operations, prospects or financial condition, of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

      SECTION 3.05. Properties. (a) Each of the Company and its Material
Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its real
and personal property material to the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except for minor defects in title that do not
interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to
utilize such properties for their intended purposes. There are no Liens on any
such property other than Liens permitted under Section 6.01.

      (b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use,
all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property
material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
and the use thereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon
the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect.

      SECTION 3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters. (a) There are no
actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which
there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the
aggregate, to result in

                                       52
<PAGE>   58

a Material Adverse Effect (other than the Disclosed Matters) or (ii) that
involve this Agreement, any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or the Transactions.

      (b) Except for the Disclosed Matters and except with respect to any other
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain,
maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any
Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii)
has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or
(iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

      (c) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the
status of the Disclosed Matters that, individually or in the aggregate, has
resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.

      SECTION 3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Each of the Company and
its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any
Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (including without
limitation any "margin" rules or regulations promulgated by the Board) and all
indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property,
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has
occurred and is continuing.

      SECTION 3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status. Neither the Company
nor any of its Material Subsidiaries is (a) an "investment company" as defined
in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a
"holding company" as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

      SECTION 3.09. Taxes. Each of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has
timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have
been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been
paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as
applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves or (b) to the extent
that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect.

      SECTION 3.10. ERISA. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected
to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which
liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. The present value of all accumulated
benefit obligations under each Plan (based on the assumptions used for purposes
of

                                       53
<PAGE>   59

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of
the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair
market value of the assets of such Plan by an amount that could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and the present value of all
accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the
assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting
such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded
Plans by an amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

      SECTION 3.11. Disclosure. None of the reports, financial statements,
certificates or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any
Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the
negotiation of this Agreement or any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or delivered
hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so
furnished), including without limitation the Information Statement, taken as a
whole, contain any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to
projected financial information, the Company represents only that such
information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be
reasonable at the time.

      SECTION 3.12. Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.12 sets forth as of the date hereof
and the Spin-off Date a list of all Subsidiaries and the percentage ownership
interest of the Company therein. As of the Effective Date and the Spin-off Date,
the shares of capital stock of such Subsidiaries will be fully paid and
non-assessable and such shares and other ownership interests so indicated by
Schedule 3.12 will be owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and
clear of all Liens.

      SECTION 3.13. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be applied
by the Borrowers in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.08.

      SECTION 3.14. Solvency. On the date which is the earlier of (i) the
Spin-off Date (after giving effect to the Spin-off) and (ii) the date of the
first Borrowing hereunder, (a) the fair value of the assets of the Company, at a
fair valuation, will exceed its debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent
or otherwise; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Company
will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable
liability of its debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or
otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c)
the Company does not intend to incur or does not believe it will incur debts and
liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, beyond its ability to pay
such debts and liabilities as they become absolute and matured; and (d) the
Company will not have unreasonably small

                                       54
<PAGE>   60

capital with which to conduct the business in which it is engaged as such
business is now conducted and is proposed to be conducted following the
Effective Date and the Spin-off Date.

                                   ARTICLE 4
                                   CONDITIONS

      SECTION 4.01. Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans
hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the
following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.02):

      (a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from
each party hereto either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of
such party or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
(which may include telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this
Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

      (b) The Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written
opinions (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the
Effective Date) of David J. Lewinter, Esq., President and Secretary of the
Company, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, special New York counsel for the
Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 and B-2, respectively, and
covering such other matters relating to the Company, this Agreement or the
Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The Company
hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

      (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and
certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request
relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Company, the
authorization of the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the
Company, this Agreement or the Transactions, all in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

      (d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the
Effective Date and signed by the Chairman, the President, a Vice President or a
Financial Officer of the Company, confirming compliance with the conditions set
forth in paragraphs (a) (including the representations and warranties set forth
in Section 3.04) and (b) of Section 4.02.

      (e) The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other
amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the
extent

                                       55
<PAGE>   61

invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
required to be reimbursed or paid by the Company hereunder.

      (f) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to
it that all commitments to extend credit under the Existing Credit Agreements
shall have been terminated and all amounts outstanding or payable thereunder
shall have been repaid in full.

      (g) The Lenders shall have received copies of all the financial statements
referred to in Section 3.04, and all such financial statements shall be
consistent in all material respects with other information previously provided
to the Lenders.

      (h) The proposed Spin-off (including without limitation the corporate and
capital structure of the Borrowers after giving effect thereto, their respective
organizational documents and any material contracts to which they are a party
described therein) shall be in all material respects as described in the
Information Statement, with only such material changes as the Required Lenders
shall have approved. All material authorizations and approvals to be obtained
from any Governmental Authority with respect to the Transactions (including
without limitation the private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
(the "IRS Ruling") to the effect that the Spin-off will be tax-free to D&B and
the shareholders of D&B) as described in the Information Statement shall have
been obtained and shall be in full force and effect. The Administrative Agent
shall have received copies of each such authorization or approval (including
without limitation the IRS Ruling) and each Spin-off Document in effect on the
Effective Date, certified by a Financial Officer as complete and correct.

      (i) The Lenders shall have received a certificate of a responsible officer
to the Company certifying that there are no actions, suits or proceedings (other
than matters disclosed in the Information Statement) by or before any arbitrator
or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to
which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the
aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involves this
Agreement, any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or the Transactions.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of the
Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder shall not
become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived
pursuant to Section 10.02) at or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on or
prior to October 31, 2000 (and, in the event such conditions are not so
satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

                                       56
<PAGE>   62

      SECTION 4.02. Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a
Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing is subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions:

      (a) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this
Agreement (other than the representations and warranties set forth in Section
3.04) and, in the case of a Borrowing by a Borrowing Subsidiary, the
representations and warranties of such Borrowing Subsidiary in its Borrowing
Subsidiary Agreement, shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such
Borrowing.

      (b) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing,
no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

      (c) Solely if such Borrowing is the first Borrowing under this Agreement,
(i) the fact that D&B shall have transferred to the Company substantially all of
the New D&B Assets on the terms described in the Information Statement and (ii)
the Company shall have delivered to the Lenders a certificate of a Financial
Officer of the Company so certifying.

Each Borrowing shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by
the Company and, if applicable, the relevant Borrowing Subsidiary on the date
thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

      SECTION 4.03. Each Borrowing Subsidiary Credit Event. The obligation of
each Lender to make Loans hereunder to any Borrowing Subsidiary is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions:

      (a) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from
each party thereto either (i) a counterpart of such Borrowing Subsidiary's
Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission of a signed
signature page thereof) that such party has signed a counterpart of such
Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement.

      (b) The Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written
opinion of counsel for such Borrowing Subsidiary (which counsel shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), substantially in the form of
Exhibit C, and covering such other matters relating to such Borrowing Subsidiary
or its Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall
reasonably request.

      (c) The Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and
certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request

                                       57
<PAGE>   63

relating to the organization, existence and good standing of such Borrowing
Subsidiary, the authorization of the Transactions relating to such Borrowing
Subsidiary and any other legal matters relating to such Borrowing Subsidiary,
its Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or such Transactions, all in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

      Until the Commitments have expired or have been terminated and the
principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have
been paid in full, the Company covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

      SECTION 5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information. The Company will
furnish to the Administrative Agent (with a copy for each Lender):

      (a) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, its
audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of income and cash
flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth, in the case of
statements of income and cash flows, comparative figures for the previous fiscal
year (it being understood that the comparative figures for the 1999 fiscal year
shall reflect Moody's and its consolidated subsidiaries as a discontinued
operation), all reported on by Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP or other independent
public accountants of recognized national standing (without a "going concern" or
like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to
the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial
statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

      (b) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, its consolidated balance sheet and
related statements of operations as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter
and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year and statements of cash flow for
the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth, in the case of
statements of operations and cash flows, comparative figures for the
corresponding periods of the previous fiscal year (it being understood that the
comparative figures for the relevant portions of the 1999 fiscal year shall
reflect Moody's and its consolidated subsidiaries as a discontinued operation),
all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all
material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a

                                       58
<PAGE>   64

consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

      (c) prior to the consummation of the Spin-off, copies of the final form of
the Information Statement relating to the Spin-off and copies of the Company's
pro forma condensed balance sheet as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter
and related statement of operations for such period, prepared giving effect to
the Spin-off as if it had occurred on the first day of such period;

      (d) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause
(a), (b) or (c) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company (i)
certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred,
specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with
respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations
demonstrating compliance with Sections 6.05 and 6.06 and (iii) stating whether
any material change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the
date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 affecting
the Company and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such
change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate;

      (e) concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause
(a) above, a certificate of the accounting firm that reported on such financial
statements stating whether they obtained knowledge during the course of their
examination of such financial statements of any Default (which certificate may
be limited to the extent required by accounting rules or guidelines);

      (f) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all
periodic and other material reports (other than reports relating to employee
benefit matters or employment plans) and proxy statements filed by the Company
or any Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said
Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the
Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be, and all material
amendments to any of the foregoing; and

      (g) promptly following any request therefor, such other information
regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the
Company or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the
Spin-off Documents, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

      SECTION 5.02. Notices of Material Events. The Company will furnish to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

      (a) the occurrence of any Default;

                                       59
<PAGE>   65

      (b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or
before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Company
or any Subsidiary thereof that could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect;

      (c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any
other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in
liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount that could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

      (d) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected
to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of
a Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Company setting forth the
details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken
or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

      SECTION 5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business. The Company will, and will
cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal
existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material
to the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation,
liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.02.

      SECTION 5.04. Payment of Obligations. The Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities,
that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse Effect before the same
shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount
thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the
Company or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with
respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment
pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.

      SECTION 5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance. The Company will, and
will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all
property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against
such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or
similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations; provided that any
such insurance may be maintained through a program of self-insurance to the

                                       60
<PAGE>   66

extent deemed prudent by the Company in its reasonable business judgment (which
determination shall take into account the self-insurance practices customary
among such companies, to the extent the Company has knowledge thereof without
any investigation).

      SECTION 5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Company will, and
will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and
account in accordance with GAAP (or, the case of a foreign Subsidiary, generally
accepted accounting principles in the jurisdiction of organization of such
foreign Subsidiary). The Company will, and will cause each of its Material
Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative
Agent on its own initiative or at the request of the Required Lenders, upon
reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and
make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances
and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such
reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested.

      SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws. The Company will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of
any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (including ERISA),
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      SECTION 5.08. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans will be used only
for general corporate purposes, including without limitation back-up for the
Company's commercial paper program. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be
used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation
of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations U and X.

                                   ARTICLE 6
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

      Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and
interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full, the
Company covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

                                       61
<PAGE>   67

      SECTION 6.01. Liens. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property
or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

      (a) Permitted Encumbrances;

      (b) any Lien on any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary
existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule 6.01; provided that (i)
such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of the Company or any
Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it
secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals, refinancings and
replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount
thereof (other than by an amount equal to any costs and expenses incurred in
connection with such extension, renewal, refinancing or replacement);

      (c) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition
thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of
any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time
such Person becomes a Subsidiary or any Lien on any asset of any Person existing
at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a
Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in
connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such
merger, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other property
or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall secure only
those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date
such Person becomes a Subsidiary or the date of such merger, as the case may be,
and extensions, renewals, refinancings and replacements thereof that do not
increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (other than by an amount equal
to any costs and expenses incurred in connection with such extension, renewal,
refinancing or replacement);

      (d) any Lien on any asset (i) initially securing Indebtedness incurred or
assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring or
constructing such asset or (ii) securing Indebtedness incurred to extend, renew,
refinance or replace the Indebtedness then secured by such Lien, provided that
(x) such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently with or within 180 days after
the acquisition thereof and (y) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by
such Lien shall not be increased in connection with any extension, renewal,
refinancing or replacement of such Indebtedness (other than by an amount equal
to any costs and expenses incurred in connection with such extension, renewal,
refinancing or replacement);

      (e) any Lien arising in connection with the financing of accounts
receivable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, provided that the

                                       62
<PAGE>   68

uncollected amount of account receivables subject at any time to any such
financing shall not exceed $125,000,000;

      (f) any Lien on any property sold or transferred pursuant to a transaction
permitted under Section 6.04;

      (g) any Lien in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary granted by the
Company or any Subsidiary in order to secure any intercompany obligations;

      (h) any Lien granted or arising in connection with any legal proceeding to
the extent such proceeding has not resulted in an Event of Default under
paragraph (k) of Article 7; and

      (i) any Lien to secure Indebtedness and other obligations if, at any date,
immediately after the incurrence thereof, the sum (without duplication) of all
amounts secured by Liens which would not be permitted but for this clause (i)
does not exceed $100,000,000.

      SECTION 6.02. Fundamental Changes. (a) The Company will not (i) merge or
consolidate with any other Person or (ii) permit any Designated Subsidiary to
merge or consolidate with any other Person, except that (1) the Company and any
Designated Subsidiaries may merge into or consolidate with each other, (2) the
Spin-off may be consummated, so long as it is consummated in all material
respects in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the
Information Statement, (3) the Company may merge or consolidate with any other
Person in accordance with subsection (c) and (4) any Designated Subsidiary may
merge or consolidate with any other Person so long as the surviving entity of
such merger or consolidation is a Designated Subsidiary. The Company will not,
and will not permit any Designated Subsidiary to, liquidate or dissolve.

      (b) (i) The Company will not sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of
(in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or all or substantially all of the stock or other equity interests of any
Designated Subsidiary and (ii) the Company will not permit any Designated
Subsidiary to sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction
or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of the assets of such
Designated Subsidiary and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except (I) the
Company and any Designated Subsidiaries may consummate any transaction
described in clause (i) or (ii) with the Company or any other Designated
Subsidiary, (2) the Spin-off may be consummated, so long as it is consummated in
all material respects in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in
the Information Statement, and (3) the Company may consummate any transaction
described in clause (i) in accordance with subsection (c).

                                       63
<PAGE>   69

      (c) The Company may consummate any of the transactions described in
clauses (a)(i) and (b)(i) of this Section if (i) the surviving corporation in
any such merger or consolidation or the Person which acquires all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries
or all or substantially all of the capital stock or other equity interests of a
Designated Subsidiary shall be a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia (the "Successor Corporation") and shall expressly assume, pursuant to
documentation in form reasonably satisfactory to the Required Lenders, the due
and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the Loans and all other
amounts payable under this Agreement and the payment and performance of every
covenant hereof on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; (ii)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default shall have
occurred and be continuing; and (iii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, (x) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, on a
pro-forma basis, with the covenants contained in Sections 6.05 and 6.06
recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the
Company, as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of each relevant
period for testing such compliance and (y) the Company shall have delivered to
the Lenders, at least 10 Business Days prior to the consummation of any such
transaction, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company certifying that
the condition precedent set forth in clause (iii)(x) with respect to such
transaction will be complied with and setting forth in reasonable detail the
calculations required to demonstrate such compliance and the assumptions used by
the Company to make such calculations.

      (d) The Company will not permit any Borrowing Subsidiary to merge,
consolidate, liquidate or dissolve unless, in addition to the conditions set
forth in clause (a) of this Section (if applicable), the surviving entity, or
the entity into which such Borrowing Subsidiary liquidates or dissolves, is a
Borrower and assumes all Obligations of such Borrowing Subsidiary.

      (e) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type
conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this
Agreement and businesses reasonably related or complementary thereto.

      SECTIoN 6.03. Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any
property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or
assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its
Affiliates, except (a) on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Company
or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm's-length basis from
unrelated third parties (considering such transactions and all other related
transactions as a whole), (b) transactions between or among the Company and its
Subsidiaries and

                                       64
<PAGE>   70

(c) transactions contemplated by the Spin-off Documents and consummated in
accordance therewith.

      SECTION 6.04. Sale and Lease-Back Transactions. The Company will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into
any arrangement with any Person (other than a Subsidiary) whereby it shall sell
or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property
which it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the
property being sold or transferred, except for any such arrangement or
arrangements with an aggregate sale price not exceeding at any time
$250,000,000.

      SECTION 6.05. Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio. The Total Debt to EBITDA Ratio
will not exceed 4.0 to 1.0 at the end of any fiscal quarter.

      SECTION 6.06. Interest Coverage Ratio. The Interest Coverage Ratio for any
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company will not be less than
3.0 to 1.0.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

      If any of the following events ("Events of Default") shall occur and be
continuing:

      (a) any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan of such
Borrower when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due
date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

      (b) any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan of such
Borrower or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in
clause (a) of this Article) payable by such Borrower under this Agreement, when
and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue
unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

      (c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of
the Company or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement, any
Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or any amendment or modification hereof or
thereof, or in any certificate or other document furnished pursuant to or in
connection with this Agreement, any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or any
amendment or modification hereof or thereof, shall prove to have been incorrect
in any material respect when made or deemed made;

                                       65
<PAGE>   71

      (d) the Company shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition
or agreement contained in Section 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to the Company's
existence), 5.08 or in Article 6;

      (e) the Company shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition
or agreement contained in this Agreement or any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
(other than those specified in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Article), and
such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice
thereof from the Administrative Agent (given at the request of any Lender) to
the Company;

      (f) the Company or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether
of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material
Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable (after giving
effect to any grace period applicable thereto);

      (g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material
Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this
clause (g) shall not apply to (i) secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a
result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such
Indebtedness (so long as such Indebtedness is paid when due (or within any
applicable grace period)) or (ii) any Indebtedness that is mandatorily
prepayable prior to the scheduled maturity thereof with the proceeds of the
issuance of capital stock, the incurrence of other Indebtedness or the sale or
other disposition of any assets, so long as such Indebtedness is so prepaid in
full with such proceeds when due (or within any applicable grace period) and
such event shall not have otherwise resulted in an event of default with respect
to such Indebtedness;

      (h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary
petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief
in respect of the Company or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a
substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy,
insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or
similar official for the Company or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial
part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall
continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any
of the foregoing shall be entered;

      (i) the Company or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence
any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other
relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership
or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of,
or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or
petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to
the

                                       66
<PAGE>   72

appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or
similar official for the Company or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial
part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a
petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment
for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of
effecting any of the foregoing;

      (j) the Company or any Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in
writing or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

      (k) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount
in excess of $50,000,000 (excluding any amount of such judgment as to which an
Acceptable Insurer has acknowledged liability) shall be rendered against the
Company, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain
undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall
not be effectively stayed, or any action, which shall not be effectively stayed,
shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets
of the Company or any Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;

      (l) an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the
Required Lenders, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have
occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company and
its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect;

      (m) the Company shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition
or agreement contained in Article 9 or the guarantee of the Company hereunder
shall not be (or shall be claimed by the Company or any Subsidiary not to be)
valid or in full force and effect;

      (n) a Change in Control shall occur;

      (o) (i) the Company shall have merged or consolidated with any Person or
any Person shall have acquired all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or all or
substantially all of the capital stock or other equity interests of any
Designated Subsidiary, (ii) either the Company or the Person with which it is
merging or consolidating or the Person which is acquiring such assets or capital
stock or other equity interests shall at the time of such merger or
consolidation or acquisition have been rated by a rating agency and (iii) the
Successor Corporation shall not have in effect a rating of at least Baal from
Moody's or BBB+ from S&P on the 90th day following the consummation of such
merger or consolidation or acquisition, as the case may be;

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<PAGE>   73

      (p) the Spin-off Date shall not have occurred by the 60th day after the
Effective Date; or

      (q) (i) the IRS Ruling shall cease to be in full force and effect or (ii)
the Spin-off shall for any reason cease to qualify as a tax-free distribution
under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code;

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to any Borrower
described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter
during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may (with the
consent of the Required Lenders), and at the request of the Required Lenders
shall, by notice to the Company, take either or both of the following actions,
at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the
Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Loans then
outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any
principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be
due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due
and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other
obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall become due and payable
immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by each Borrower; and in case of any event with
respect to the Company described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the
Commitments shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then
outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other
obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder, shall automatically become due
and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by each Borrower; and in the case of any event
with respect to any Borrowing Subsidiary described in clause (h) or (i) of this
Article, (i) the eligibility of such Borrowing Subsidiary to borrow shall
thereupon terminate and (ii) the Loans of such Borrowing Subsidiary shall become
immediately due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees
and other obligations thereunder of such Borrowing Subsidiary accrued
thereunder, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all of which are hereby waived by each Borrowing Subsidiary.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

      Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent
as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its
behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent

                                       68
<PAGE>   74

by the terms hereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto.

      The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same
rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank
and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage
in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate
thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

      The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except
those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or
other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is
continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any
discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary
rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is
required to exercise in writing by the Required Lenders, and (c) except as
expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to
disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information
relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or
obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in
any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken
or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders or
in the absence of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The
Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless
and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by a
Borrower or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for
or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or
representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any Borrowing
Subsidiary Agreement, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other
document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or
therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants,
agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein, (iv) the validity,
enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement or any Borrowing
Subsidiary Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the
satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article 4 or elsewhere herein, other
than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent.

      The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not
incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent
also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed
by it

                                       69
<PAGE>   75

to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying
thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be
counsel for any Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by
it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in
accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

      The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and
exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents
appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such
sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and
powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of
the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related
Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to
their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit
facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

      Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative
Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any
time by notifying the Lenders and the Company. Upon any such resignation, the
Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Company, to
appoint a successor (and, at any time when no Default shall have occurred and is
continuing, with the prior written consent of the Company). If no successor
shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted
such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives
notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf
of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank
with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the
acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor,
such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers,
privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder. The fees payable by the Company to a successor Administrative Agent
shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed
between the Company and such successor. After the Administrative Agent's
resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.03 shall
continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

      Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance
upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents
and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it
will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time
to time

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<PAGE>   76

deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking
action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document
furnished hereunder or thereunder.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                                    GUARANTEE

      In order to induce the Lenders to extend credit hereunder, the Company
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not
merely as a surety, the Obligations. The Company further agrees that the due and
punctual payment of the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in
part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound
upon its Guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal of
any Obligation.

      The Company waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to
any Borrowing Subsidiary of any of the Obligations, and also waives notice of
acceptance of its obligations and notice of protest for nonpayment. The
obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of
any Lender or the Administrative Agent to assert any claim or demand or to
enforce any right or remedy against any Borrowing Subsidiary under the
provisions of this Agreement or otherwise; (b) any rescission, waiver, amendment
or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, any
Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or any other agreement; or (c) the failure of any
Lender to exercise any right or remedy against any Borrowing Subsidiary.

      The Company further agrees that its agreement hereunder constitutes a
promise of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding
shall have stayed the accrual or collection of any of the Obligations or
operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any
right to require that any resort be had by any Lender to any balance of any
deposit account or credit on the books of any Lender in favor of any Borrower or
any other person.

      The obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be subject to any
reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, and shall not
be subject to any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination
whatsoever, by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the
Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of the Obligations or
otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of
the Company hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected
by the failure of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to assert any claim or
demand or to

                                       71
<PAGE>   77

enforce any remedy under this Agreement or any other agreement, by any waiver or
modification in respect of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, wilful
or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations, or by any other act or
omission which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the
Company or otherwise operate as a discharge of the Company or any other Borrower
as a mailer of law or equity.

      The Company further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall continue
to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or
any part thereof, of any Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored
by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization
of any Borrower or otherwise.

      In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right
which the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have at law or in equity
against the Company by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any Borrowing
Subsidiary to pay any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether
at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, the
Company hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the
Administrative Agent, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash the amount of
such unpaid Obligation. The Company further agrees that if payment in respect of
any Obligation shall be due in a currency other than dollars and/or at a place
of payment other than New York and if, by reason of any Change in Law,
disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or
similar event, payment of such Obligation in such currency or at such place of
payment shall be impossible or, in the judgment of any applicable Lender, not
consistent with the protection of its rights or interests, then, at the election
of any applicable Lender, the Company shall make payment of such Obligation in
dollars (based upon the applicable exchange rate in effect on the date of
payment) and/or in New York, and shall indemnify such Lender against any losses
or expenses that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment.

      Upon payment by the Company of any Obligation, each Lender shall, in a
reasonable manner, assign the amount of such Obligation owed to it and so paid
to the Company, such assignment to be pro tanto to the extent to which the
Obligation in question was discharged by the Company, or make such disposition
thereof as the Company shall direct (all without recourse to any Lender and
without any representation or warranty by any Lender).

      Upon payment by the Company of any sums as provided above, all rights of
Company against any Borrowing Subsidiary arising as a result thereof by way of
right of subrogation or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinated and
junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full of all the
Obligations owed by such Borrowing Subsidiary to the Lenders.

                                       72
<PAGE>   78

                                   ARTICLE 10
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      SECTION 10.01. Notices. Except in the case of notices and other
communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and
other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be
delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or
registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

      (a) if to any Borrower, to it in care of the Company at One Diamond Hill
Road, Murray Hill, NJ 07974, Attention of Treasurer (Telecopy No. 908-665-
5032), with a copy to Attention of Chief Legal Officer at the same address
(Telecopy No. 908-665-5827);

      (b) if to the Administrative Agent, to The Chase Manhattan Bank, Agent
Bank Services Group, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081,
Attention of Janet Belden (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5658), with a copy to The
Chase Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention of
Bruce Langenkamp (Telecopy No. (212) 270-7340);

      (c) if to the London Agent, to it at Chase Manhattan International
Limited, Trinity Tower, 9 Thomas More Street, London, England El9YT, Attention
of Steve Clarke (Telecopy No. 011-44-171-777-2360), with a copy to The Chase
Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention of Bruce
Langenkamp (Telecopy No. (212) 270-7340);

      (d) if to the Swingline Lender, to The Chase Manhattan Bank, Agent Bank
Services Group, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10081,
Attention of Janet Belden (Telecopy No. (212) 552-5658), with a copy to The
Chase Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention of
Bruce Langenkamp (Telecopy No. (212) 270-7340); and

      (e) if to any other Lender, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set
forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and
other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

      SECTION 10.02. Waivers; Amendments. (a) No failure or delay by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder

                                       73
<PAGE>   79

shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to
enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not
exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of
any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any Borrower
therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by
paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not
be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the
Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of such
Default at the time.

      (b) Neither this Agreement nor any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement nor any
provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant
to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Company and the
Required Lenders or by the Company and the Administrative Agent with the consent
of the Required Lenders (and, in the case of a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement,
the applicable Borrowing Subsidiary); provided that no such agreement shall (i)
increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such
Lender, (ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of
interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written
consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled
date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan, or any interest thereon, or
any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such
payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without
the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, (iv) change
Section 2.17(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of
payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v)
change any of the provisions of this Section or the definition of "Required
Lenders" or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of
Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any
determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of
each Lender or (vi) release the Company from, or limit or condition, its
obligations under Article 9, without the written consent of each Lender;
provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect
the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or the
Swingline Lender, as the case maybe.

      SECTION 10.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver. (a) The Company shall
pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative

                                       74
<PAGE>   80

Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and
disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, in connection with the
syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and
administration of this Agreement or any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or any
amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof
(whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be
consummated) and (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, including the fees, charges and
disbursements of no more than one counsel for the Administrative Agent and one
counsel for the Lenders (unless representation of the Lenders by the same
counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential conflicts of interests
among them, in which case the Lenders shall have right to separate counsel, at
the expense of the Company) in connection with the enforcement or protection of
its rights in connection with this Agreement or any Borrowing Subsidiary
Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the
Loans made hereunder, including in connection with any workout, restructuring or
negotiations in respect thereof

      (b) The Company shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender,
and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being
called an "Indemnitee") against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including the
fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by
or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any Borrowing
Subsidiary Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or
thereby, the performance by the parties hereto or thereto of their respective
obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or
any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the
proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous
Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation,
investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on
contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a
party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
related expenses result from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of such
Indemnitee.

      (c) To the extent that the Company fails to pay any amount required to be
paid by it to the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender under paragraph
(a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender's
Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable

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<PAGE>   81

unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount;
provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage,
liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted
against the Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as
such.

      (d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Borrower shall assert,
and each Borrower hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory
of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as
opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of, this Agreement or any Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement or any agreement
or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or the
use of the proceeds thereof

      (e) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly after
written demand therefor.

      SECTION 10.04. Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
(including any Borrowing Subsidiaries) and their respective successors and
assigns permitted hereby, except that no Borrower may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any Borrowing
Subsidiary Agreement without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any
attempted assignment or transfer by any Borrower without such consent shall be
null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be
construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of
this Agreement.

      (b) Any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment (if any) and the Loans (if any) at the time owing to it); provided
that (i) if contemporaneously with any such proposed assignment, such Lender (or
its Affiliate) assigns to the same proposed assignee a pro rata portion of such
Lender's (or its Affiliate's) rights and obligations under the Other Credit
Agreement (such pro rata portion to be calculated (x) on any date prior to the
date of termination of the Facility Commitments, the Designated Currency
Commitments and the Yen Currency Commitments, on the basis of such Lender's
Commitment hereunder and such Lender's (or its Affiliate's) commitment under the
Other Credit Agreement and (y) thereafter, on the basis of such Lender's
Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder and such Lender's (or its Affiliate's)
commitment under the Other Credit Agreement) (any such proposed assignment
hereunder, a "Pro Rata Assignment"), each of the Company and the

                                       76
<PAGE>   82

Administrative Agent must give their prior written consent to such Pro Rata
Assignment (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) unless the
assignee for such assignment is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in which
case no such consent shall be required, (ii) if such proposed assignment is not
a Pro Rata Assignment, each of the Company and the Administrative Agent must
give their prior written consent to such proposed assignment (which consent
shall be given in their discretion) unless the assignee for such assignment is
an Affiliate of the assigning Lender, in which case no such consent shall be
required, (iii) except in the case of any assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate
of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning
Lender's Commitment, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Lender
subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and
Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative
Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Company and the
Administrative Agent otherwise consent, (iv) each partial assignment shall be
made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement, except that this clause (iv) shall
not apply to rights in respect of outstanding Competitive Loans, (v) the parties
to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an
Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of
$3,500, and (vi) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; provided further that any
consent of the Company otherwise required under this paragraph shall not be
required if an Event of Default under clause (h) or (i) of Article 7 has
occurred and is continuing with respect to the Company. Upon acceptance and
recording pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section, from and after the
effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned
by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 10.03).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Lender shall
assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder to any assignee (including an
Affiliate of such Lender) that, but for this sentence, would be entitled,
immediately following such assignment, to claim a greater amount than such
assigning Lender under Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, such assignee shall not have
the right to claim such greater amount; provided that nothing in this sentence
shall limit the right of any such assignee to make claims (x) for amounts not in
excess of those that could have been claimed by the assigning Lender, (y) to the
extent such claims arise from one or more Changes in Law, or from the
designation of one or more Borrowing Subsidiaries, or (z) from a change in the
office, branch or

                                       77
<PAGE>   83

other place of business from which any payment hereunder is made by any
Borrower, in each case after the date of such assignment. Any assignment or
transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not
comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a
sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in
accordance with and subject to the limitations set forth in, paragraph (e) of
this Section.

      (c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the
Borrowers shall maintain at one of its offices in The City of New York a copy of
each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of,
and principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms
hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The entries in the Register shall be
conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may
treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms
hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding
notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the
Company and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.

      (d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance
executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed
Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender
hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of
this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph
(b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and
Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register. No
assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been
recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

      (e) Any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the
Administrative Agent or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities (a "Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender's
obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall
remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of
such obligations and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the other
Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any
agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation
shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this
Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that
such

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<PAGE>   84

Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment,
modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 10.02(b) that
affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (f) of this Section, each
Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 2.14, 2.15 and 2.16 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had
acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.

      (f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment
under Section 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16 than the applicable Lender would have been
entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant,
unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the
Company's prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if
it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.16 unless
the Company is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such
Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrowers, to comply with Section
2.16(e) as though it were a Lender.

      (g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all
or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such
Lender, including any such pledge or assignment to a Federal Reserve Bank, and
this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security
interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest
shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any
such assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

      (h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender
(a "Grantin2 Lender") may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an "SPC")
of such Granting Lender, identified as such in writing from time to time by the
Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Company, the option to
provide to the Company all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender
would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 or
2.04, provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment to make any
Loan by any SPC, (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise
fails to provide all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be
obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof and (iii) all credit
decisions (including without limitation any decisions with respect to amendments
and waivers) will continue to be made by the Granting Lender. The making of a
Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender
(and, if such Loan is a Competitive Loan, shall be deemed to utilize the
Commitments of all the Lenders) to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were
made by the Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall
be liable for any payment under this Agreement for which a Lender would
otherwise be liable, for so long as, and to the extent, the related Granting
Lender makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto
hereby

                                       79
<PAGE>   85

agrees that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in
full of all outstanding senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute
against, or join any other person in instituting against, such SPC any
bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings
or similar proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof
In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section,
any SPC may (i) with notice to, but without the prior written consent of, the
Company or the Administrative Agent and without paying any processing fee
therefor, assign all or a portion of its interests in any Loans to its Granting
Lender in connection with liquidity and/or credit facilities to or for the
account of such SPC to fund such Loans and (ii) subject to the provisions of
Section 10.12, disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information
relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider
of a surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

      SECTION 10.05. Survival. All covenants, agreements, representations and
warranties made by the Borrowers herein and in the Borrowing Subsidiary
Agreements and the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection
with or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon
by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless of any investigation made by
any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the
Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any
Default (other than a Default which has been waived in accordance with Section
10.02) or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is
extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the
principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount
payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the
Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of Sections 2.14,
2.15, 2.16 and 10.03 and Article 8 shall survive and remain in full force and
effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Commitments or
the termination of this Agreement or any provision hereof

      SECTION 10.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement
may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different
counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when
taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and any
separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative
Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject
matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings,
oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof Except as provided in
Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been
executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall

                                       80
<PAGE>   86

have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the
signatures of each of the other parties hereto (excluding any Borrowing
Subsidiaries), and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto (including any Borrowing Subsidiaries) and their respective
successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page
of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart of this Agreement.

      SECTION 10.07. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in
a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other
jurisdiction.

      SECTION 10.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to
time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time
held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender to or for the
credit or the account of any Borrower against any of and all the amounts then
due and owing by the Borrower under this Agreement to such Lender, irrespective
of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement.
The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and
remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

      SECTION 10.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law
of the State of New York.

      (b) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for
itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States
District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court
from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the
parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in
respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New
York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each of
the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding
shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the
judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall
affect any right that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may otherwise

                                       81
<PAGE>   87

have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement against any
Borrower or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

      (c) Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the
fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may
now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding
arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in
paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient
forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

      (d) Each party to this Agreement (including any Borrowing Subsidiaries)
irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in
Section 10.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to
this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

      SECTION 10.10. Waiver of Jury TriaL EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO
THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER
BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES
THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED,
EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT
AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY,
AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

      SECTION 10.11. Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of
Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this
Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into
consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

      SECTION 10.12. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined
below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates'
directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel
and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure
is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and
instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested
by any regulatory authority, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or

                                       82
<PAGE>   88

regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party
to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder
or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement
of rights hereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as those of this Section, to any assignee of or
Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its
rights or obligations under this Agreement, (g) with the consent of the Company
or (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than
as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source
other than the Company. For the purposes of this Section, "Information" means
all information received from the Company relating to the Company or its
business, other than any such information that is available to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to
disclosure by the Company. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality
of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied
with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of
care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would
accord to its own confidential information.

      SECTION 10.13. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan,
together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest
on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the "Charges"), shall exceed the
maximum lawful rate (the "Maximum Rate") which may be contracted for, charged,
taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with
applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder,
together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the
Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have
been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the
operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges
payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased
(but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together
with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of
repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

      SECTION 10.14. Conversion of Currencies. (a) If, for the purpose of
obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum owing
hereunder in one currency into another currency, each party hereto (including
any Borrowing Subsidiary) agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively
do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with
normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction the first currency could
be purchased with such other currency on the Business Day immediately preceding
the day on which final judgment is given.

                                       83
<PAGE>   89

      (b) The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum due to any
party hereto or any holder of the obligations owing hereunder (the "Applicable
Creditor") shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the "Judgment
Currency") other than the currency in which such sum is stated to be due
hereunder (the "Agreement Currency"), be discharged only to the extent that, on
the Business Day following receipt by the Applicable Creditor of any sum
adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Applicable Creditor may in
accordance with normal banking procedures in the relevant jurisdiction purchase
the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency; if the amount of the
Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the
Applicable Creditor in the Agreement Currency, such Borrower agrees, as a
separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the
Applicable Creditor against such loss. The obligations of the Borrowers
contained in this Section 10.14 shall survive the termination of this Agreement
and the payment of all other amounts owing hereunder.

      SECTION 10.15. European Economic and Monetary Union. (a) Definitions. In
this Section 10.15 and in each other provision of this Agreement to which
reference is made in this Section 10.15 expressly or impliedly, the following
terms have the meanings given to them in this Section 10.15:

            "EMU" means economic and monetary union as contemplated in the
      Treaty on European Union.

            "EMU legislation" means legislative measures of the European Council
      for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified
      European currency (whether known as the euro or otherwise), being in part
      the implementation of the third stage of EMU;

            "euro means the single currency of participating member states of
      the European Union;

            "euro unit" means the currency unit of the euro;

            "national currency unit" means the unit of currency (other than a
      euro unit) of a participating member state;

            "participating member state" means each state so described in any
      EMU legislation; and

            "Treaty on European Union" means the Treaty of Rome of March 25,
      1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty
      (which was signed at Maastricht on February 7,

                                       84
<PAGE>   90

      1992, and came into force on November 1, 1993), as amended from time to
      time.

      (b) Effectiveness of Provisions. If and to the extent that any provision
of paragraphs (c) to (i) relates to any state (or the currency of such state)
that is not a participating member state on the Effective Date, such provision
shall become effective in relation to such state (and the currency of such
state) at and from the date on which such state becomes a participating member
state.

      (c) Redenomination and Eligible Currencies. Each obligation under this
Agreement of a party to this Agreement which has been denominated in the
national currency unit of a participating member state shall be redenominated
into the euro unit in accordance with EMU legislation, provided, that if and to
the extent that any EMU legislation provides that an amount denominated either
in the euro or in the national currency unit of a participating member state and
payable within that participating member state by crediting an account of the
creditor can be paid by the debtor either in the euro unit or in that national
currency unit, each party to this Agreement shall be entitled to pay or repay
any such amount either in the euro unit or in such national currency unit.

      (d) Loans. Any Loan in the currency of a participating member state shall
be made in the euro unit.

      (e) Payments to the Administrative Agent. Sections 2.06 and 2.17 shall be
construed so that, in relation to the payment of any amount of euro units or
national currency units, such amount shall be made available to the
Administrative Agent in immediately available, freely transferable, cleared
funds to such account with such bank in Frankfurt am Main, Germany (or such
other principal financial center in such participating member state as the
Administrative Agent may from time to time nominate for this purpose) as the
Administrative Agent shall from time to time nominate for this purpose.

      (f) Payments by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders. Any amount
payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders under this Agreement in the
currency of a participating member state shall be paid in the euro unit.

      (g) Payments by the Administrative Agent Generally. With respect to the
payment of any amount denominated in the euro or in a national currency unit,
the Administrative Agent shall not be liable to any Borrower or any of the
Lenders in any way whatsoever for any delay, or the consequences of any delay,
in the crediting to any account of any amount required by this Agreement to be
paid by the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent shall have taken
all relevant steps to achieve, on the date required by this Agreement, the
payment of such amount in immediately available, freely transferable, cleared
funds (in the euro

                                       85
<PAGE>   91

unit or, as the case may be, in a national currency unit) to the account with
the bank in the principal financial center in the participating member state
which such Borrower or, as the case may be, any Lender shall have specified for
such purpose. In this paragraph (g), "all relevant steps" means all such steps
as may be prescribed from time to time by the regulations or operating
procedures of such clearing or settlement system as the Administrative Agent may
from time to time determine for the purpose of clearing or settling payments of
the euro.

      (h) Basis of Accrual. If the basis of accrual of interest or fees
expressed in this Agreement with respect to the currency of any state that
becomes a participating state shall be inconsistent with any convention or
practice in the London Interbank Market or, as the case may be, the Paris
Interbank Market for the basis of accrual of interest or fees in respect of the
euro, such convention or practice shall replace such expressed basis effective
as of and from the date on which such state becomes a participating member
state; provided, that if any Loan in the currency of such state is outstanding
immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect
to such Loan, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

      (i) Rounding. Without prejudice and in addition to any method of
conversion or rounding prescribed by any EMU legislation and without prejudice
to the respective liabilities for indebtedness of any Borrower to the Lenders
and the Lenders to any Borrower under or pursuant to this Agreement, each
reference in this Agreement to a minimum amount (or an integral multiple
thereof) in a national currency unit to be paid to or by the Administrative
Agent shall be replaced by a reference to such reasonably comparable and
convenient amount (or an integral multiple thereof) in the euro unit as the
Administrative Agent may from time to time specify.

      (j) Consequential Changes. Each provision of this Agreement shall be
subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent
may from time to time reasonably specify to be necessary or appropriate to
reflect the introduction of or changeover to the euro in participating member
states in accordance with customary practices in the market.

                                       86
<PAGE>   92

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year
first above written.

                              THE NEW D&B CORPORATION

                              By: /s/ David J. Lewinter
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: President

                                       87
<PAGE>   93

                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                              individually and as Administrative Agent

                              By: /s/ Bruce E. Langenkamp
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       88
<PAGE>   94

                              CITIBANK, N.A., individually and as
                              Syndication Agent

                              By: /s/ Stuart G. Miller
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       89
<PAGE>   95

                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK, individually
                              and as Documentation Agent

                              By: /s/ Ernest Fung
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       90
<PAGE>   96

                              BANK OF MONTREAL

                              By: /s/ Brian L. Banke
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Director

                                       91
<PAGE>   97

                              BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY

                              By: /s/ William J. Derasmo
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       92
<PAGE>   98

                              BARCLAYS BANK, PLC

                              By: /s/ Terance Bullock
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       93
<PAGE>   99

                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                              By: /s/ Peter G. Mace
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Vice President

                                       94
<PAGE>   100

                              HSBC BANK USA

                              By: /s/ Johan Sorensson
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       95
<PAGE>   101

                              SUNTRUST BANK

                              By: /s/ W. David Wisdom
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       96
<PAGE>   102

                              THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY

                              By: /s/ Tracy J. Toulouse
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President

                                       97
<PAGE>   103

                                                                SCHEDULE 2.01(a)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                              Facility Commitments
                              --------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Lender                          Commitment
                                ------                          ----------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>
          The Chase Manhattan Bank                           $25,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Citibank, N.A.                                     $22,500,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          The Bank of New York                               $22,500,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Bank of Montreal                                   $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company           $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Barclays Bank PLC                                  $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          First Union National Bank                          $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          HSBC Bank USA                                      $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          SunTrust Bank, Atlanta                             $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          The Northern Trust Company                         $15,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            $175,000,000.00
                                                            ---------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   104

                                                                SCHEDULE 2.01(b)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Designated Currency Commitments
                         -------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Designated Currency Lender                Commitment
                     --------------------------                ----------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>
          The Chase Manhattan Bank                          $10,714,285.71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Citibank, N.A.                                     $9,642,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          The Bank of New York                               $9,642,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Bank of Montreal                                   $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company           $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Barclays Bank PLC                                  $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          First Union National Bank                          $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          HSBC Bank USA                                      $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          SunTrust Bank, Atlanta                             $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          The Northern Trust Company                         $6,428,571.43
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            $75,000,000.00
                                                            --------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   105

                                                                SCHEDULE 2.01(c)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 Yen Commitments
                                 ---------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Yen Lender                         Commitment
                            ----------                         ----------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>
         The Chase Manhattan Bank                            $3,571,428.57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Citibank, N.A.                                      $3,214,285.71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         The Bank of New York                                $3,214,285.71
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Bank of Montreal                                    $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company            $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Barclays Bank PLC                                   $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         First Union National Bank                           $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         HSBC Bank USA                                       $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         SunTrust Bank, Atlanta                              $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         The Northern Trust Company                          $2,142,857.14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            $25,000,000.00
                                                            --------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   106

                                                                   SCHEDULE 2.17

                         Payments on Multicurrency Loans

Pounds Sterling:

      New York City, New York or London, England

Euros:

      New York City, New York or London, England

Japanese Yen:

      New York City, New York or London, England

                                      101
<PAGE>   107

                                                                   SCHEDULE 3.06

                                Disclosed Matters

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      New D&B is involved in legal proceedings of a nature considered normal to
its business. In the opinion of management, although the outcome of such legal
proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, the ultimate liability of New
D&B in connection with such legal proceedings will not have a material adverse
effect on New D&B's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

      In addition to the matters referred to above, on July 29, 1996,
Information Resources, Inc. ("IRI") filed a complaint in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York, naming as defendants the
corporation then known as "The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation"(which corporation
subsequently was renamed R.H. Donnelley Corporation and herein is referred to as
"Donnelley"), A.C. Nielsen Company (a subsidiary of ACNielsen Corporation) and
I.M.S. International, Inc. (a subsidiary of Cognizant Corporation). At the time
of the filing of the complaint, each of the other defendants was a subsidiary of
Donnelley. The complaint alleges various violations of United States antitrust
laws, including purported violations of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act
arising from tying arrangements, agreements with retailers and other customers,
predatory pricing practices and other matters alleged by IRI. In addition to the
foregoing claims, the complaint alleges a claim of tortious interference with a
contract and a claim of tortious interference with a prospective business
relationship. These claims relate to the acquisition by defendants of Survey
Research Group Limited ("SRG"). IRI alleges SRG violated an alleged agreement
with IRI when it agreed to be acquired by the defendants and that the defendants
induced SRG to breach that agreement. IRI's complaint alleges damages in excess
of $350 million, which amount IRI has asked to be trebled under antitrust laws.
IRI also seeks punitive damages in an unspecified amount.

      On October 15, 1996, defendants moved for an order dismissing all claims
in the complaint. On May 6, 1997, the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York issued a decision dismissing IRI's claim of
attempted monopolization in the United States, with leave to replead within 60
days. The Court denied defendants'motion with respect to the remaining claims in
the complaint. On June 3, 1997, defendants filed an answer denying the material
allegations in IRI's complaint, and A.C. Nielsen Company ("ACN") filed a
counterclaim alleging that IRI had made false and misleading statements about
its
<PAGE>   108

services and commercial activities. On July 7, 1997, IRI filed an Amended and
Restated Complaint repleading its alleged claim of monopolization in the United
States and realleging its other claims. By notice of motion dated August 18,
1997, defendants moved for an order dismissing the amended claim. On December 1,
1997, the Court denied the motion. Discovery in this case is ongoing. On
December 22, 1999, defendants filed a motion for partial summary judgment
seeking to dismiss IRI's non?U.S. antitrust claims. On July 12, 2000, the Court
granted the motion dismissing claims of injury suffered from activities in
foreign markets where IRI operates through subsidiaries or companies owned by
joint ventures or "relationships" with local companies.

      In November 1996, Donnelley completed the 1996 Distribution. On October
28, 1996, in connection with the 1996 Distribution, Cognizant, ACNielsen
Corporation ("ACNielsen") and Donnelley entered into the Indemnity and Joint
Defense Agreement. See the "Risk Factors" section of the Information Statement
for a description of this agreement.

      In June 1998, Donnelley completed the 1998 Distribution. In connection
with the 1998 Distribution, D&B and Donnelley entered into an agreement whereby
D&B has assumed all potential liabilities of Donnelley arising from the IRI
action and agreed to indemnify Donnelley in connection with such potential
liabilities.

      During 1998, Cognizant separated into two new companies, IMS Health
Incorporated ("IMS Health") and Nielsen Media Research, Inc. ("NMR"). IMS Health
and NMR are each jointly and severally liable for all Cognizant liabilities
under the Indemnity and Joint Defense Agreement.

      Under the terms of the 1996 Distribution Agreement, as a condition to the
1998 Distribution, D&B undertook to be jointly and severally liable with
Donnelley to Cognizant and ACNielsen. Under the terms of the 1998 Distribution
Agreement, as a condition to the Distribution, New D&B is required to undertake
to be jointly and severally liable with D&B to Donnelley for D&B's obligations
under the 1998 Distribution Agreement, including the liabilities relating to the
IRI action. However, under the Distribution Agreement, as between themselves,
each of New D&B and Moody's will agree to be responsible for 50% of any payments
to be made in respect of the IRI action under the 1998 Distribution Agreement or
otherwise, including any legal fees or expenses related thereto.

      Management is unable to predict at this time the final outcome of the IRI
action or whether the resolution of such matter could materially affect New
D&B's results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
<PAGE>   109

                                                                   SCHEDULE 3.12

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Subsidiaries Effective September 8, 2000                              Jurisdication          Percentage
----------------------------------------                              -------------          ----------
                                                                                              Ownership
                                                                                              ---------

<S>                                                                    <C>                 <C>
New D&B Inc.                                                           Delaware            100%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Subsidiaries Effective as of the Spin-off Date                        Jurisdication               Percentage
----------------------------------------------                        -------------               ----------
                                                                                                   Ownership
                                                                                                   ---------

<S>                                                                    <C>                              <C>
AB Svensk Handeistidning Justitia                                      Sweden                           100%
ACI Acquisition Inc.                                                   Delaware                         100%
Alpha Mi A.E.                                                          Greece                            27%
Arrebnac Pty. Ltd.                                                     Australia                        100%
Beheer en Beleggingsmaatschappij Stivaco B.V.                          Netherlands                      100%
Bilans Service SNC (France)                                            France                            34%
Business Ratios Ltd.                                                   England                          100%
Campbells Consumer Enquiries Pty. Ltd                                  South Africa                      20%
College Mercantile Pty. Ltd.                                           Australia                        100%
Consorzio Manifatturieri srI                                           Italy                            100%
Corinthian Holdings, Inc.                                              Delaware                         100%
Corinthian Leasing Corporation                                         Delaware                         100%
D&B Acquisition Corp.                                                  Delaware                         100%
D&B Data & Services s.r.l.                                             Italy                            100%
D&B Espana S.A.                                                        Spain                            100%
D&B Europe Limited                                                     England                          100%
D & B Group Ltd.                                                       Delaware                         100%
D&B Holdings (UK) Limited                                              England                          100%
D&B Information Services (M) Sdn. Bhd.                                 Malaysia                         100%
D&B International Consultant (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.                       Peoples Republic of China        100%
D&B Investors L.P.                                                     Delaware                         71.615%
D&B Property Holdings, Inc.                                            Delaware                         100%
D&B Schimmelpfeng-Unterstuzungskasse GmbH                              Germany                          100%
D&B Transitory Limited                                                 England                          100%
Dataquest Europe Ltd.                                                  England                          100%
DBS Medium Systems Ireland (Ireland)                                   Ireland                          100%
DBS Moyens Systems S.A. (France)                                       France                           100%
DNB-PA Holdings Corporation                                            Nevada                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet (Australia) Group Pty. Ltd.                           Australia                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet (Australia) Holdings Pty.                             Australia                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet (Australia) Pty. Limited                              Australia                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet (C&EE) Holding B.V.                                   Netherlands                      100%
Dun & Bradstreet (France) B.V.                                         Netherlands                      100%
Dun & Bradstreet (FIK) Limited                                         Hong Kong                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet (Israel) Ltd.                                         Israel                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet (New Zealand) Limited                                 New Zealand                      100%
Dun & Bradstreet (NMR) Limited                                         England                          100%
Dun & Bradstreet (Nominees) Pty. Ltd.                                  Australia                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet (SCS) B.V.                                            Netherlands                      100%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   110

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>                                   <C>
Dun & Bradstreet (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.                                 Singapore                             100%
Dun & Bradstreet (Switzerland) AG                                      Switzerland/Delaware                  100%
Dun & Bradstreet (U.K.) Pension Plan Trustee Company Ltd.              England                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet B.V.                                                  Netherlands                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet Bolagsanalys AB                                       Sweden                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet C.A.                                                  Venezuela                             100%
Dun & Bradstreet C.I.S.                                                Russia                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Canada B.V.                                           Netherlands                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet Canada Holding, Ltd                                   Canada                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Computer Leasing, Inc.                                Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Credit Control, Ltd.                                  Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Credit Reporting (Israel)                             Israel                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Danmark Holding A/S                                   Denmark                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.                               Mexico                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Denmark A/S (Denmark)                                 Denmark                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Deutschland GmbH                                      Germany/Delaware                      100%
Dun & Bradstreet Do Brasil, Ltda.                                      Brazil/Delaware                       100%
Dun & Bradstreet East-Vent Ltd.                                        Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Ekonomiforlaget AB                                    Sweden                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Europe, Ltd.                                          Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet European Business Information Center B.V.             Netherlands                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet European Outsourcing Centre By.                       Netherlands                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet Finance, Ltd.                                         England                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Finland OY                                            Finland                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet France S.C.S.                                         France                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Holding Norway A/S                                    Norway                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings B.V.                                         Netherlands                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings-France, Inc.                                 Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Holdings-Holland, Inc.                                Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Hungaria Informacio Szolgaltato Korlatolt             Hungary                               100%
Felelosegu Tarasag
Dun & Bradstreet, Inc.                                                 Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Information Services Ges.mbH                          Austria                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Pvt. Ltd.                  India                                 100%
Dun & Bradstreet International, Ltd.                                   Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Japan Ltd.                                            Japan                                 100%
Dun & Bradstreet Limited                                               Ireland                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Limited                                               England                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Ltda.                                                 Chile                                 100%
Dun & Bradstreet Management S.A.S.                                     France                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Marketing Pty. Ltd.                                   Australia                             100%
Dun & Bradstreet Marketing Services N.V.-S.A.                          Belgium                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Nordic AB                                             Sweden                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Norge A/S                                             Norway                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Outsourcing Services N.V.                             Belgium                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Poland sp. zo.o.                                      Poland                                100%
Dun & Bradstreet Portfolios-Holland, Inc.                              Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Portugal, Ltda.                                       Portugal                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Program Management Services, Inc.                     Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet Properties Ltd.                                       England                               100%
Dun & Bradstreet Pty. Ltd.                                             Australia                             100%
Dun & Bradstreet RMS Franchise Corporation                             Delaware                              100%
Dun & Bradstreet S.A.                                                  Argentina                             100%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   111

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>                              <C>
Dun & Bradstreet S.A.                                                  Peru                             100%
Dun & Bradstreet S.A.                                                  Uruguay                          100%
Dun & Bradstreet, S.A. Sociedad de Informacion Crediticia              Mexico                            25%
Dun & Bradstreet S.p.A.                                                Italy                            100%
Dun & Bradstreet-Servicos De Consultadoria E Apoio A                   Portugal                         100%
Gestao De Contas Correntes, Lda.
Dun & Bradstreet Software Services Australia Holdings Pty.             Australia                        100%
Ltd.
Dun & Bradstreet Software Services Australia Pty. Limited              Australia                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet Software Services Holdings S.A.                       France                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet Software Services Iberica S.A.                        Spain                            100%
Dun & Bradstreet Software Services International, Inc.                 Georgia                          100%
Dun & Bradstreet Soliditet A/S                                         Norway                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet spol s. r. o.                                         Czech Republic                   100%
Dun & Bradstreet Sverige AB                                            Sweden                           100%
Dun & Bradstreet Telecenter B.V.                                       Netherlands                      100%
Dun & Bradstreet Teleupdate Center GmbH                                Germany                          100%
Dun & Bradstreet Unit Trust                                            Australia                        100%
Dun & Bradstreet Ventures, Inc.                                        Delaware                         100%
Dun & Bradstreet Zimbabwe (Private) Limited                            Zimbabwe                         100%
Dunbrad, Inc.                                                          Delaware                         100%
Duns Holding, Inc.                                                     Delaware                         100%
Duns Investing Corporation                                             Delaware                         100%
Duns Investing VI Corporation                                          Delaware                         100%
Duns Investing VII Corporation                                         Delaware                         100%
Duns Investing VIII Corporation                                        Delaware                         100%
Duns Investing IX Corporation                                          Delaware                         100%
Dunsgate Limited                                                       England                          100%
DunsNet, Inc.                                                          Delaware                         100%
E-Data Ventures Ltd.                                                   England                          100%
Eastvaal Credit Bureau (Pty) Ltd.                                      South Africa                      20%
eccelerate.com, Inc.                                                   Delaware                         100%
Enniscale Holdings Ltd.                                                England                          100%
Enshrine CA Ply. Ltd.                                                  Australia                         50%
Fillupar Leasing Partnership                                           Delaware                          98%
Giprec S.A.R.L.                                                        France                            20%
Greyling's Credit Control (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa)                    South Africa                      20%
Ifico-Buergel AG                                                       Switzerland                      100%
Information Trust Corporation (Pty.) Ltd.                              South Africa                      20%
Infotrade N.V.-S.A.                                                    Belgium                          100%
ITC Namibia (Pty) Ltd.                                                 South Africa                      20%
ITC-Vision (Pty.) Ltd.                                                 South Africa                      20%
Kosmos Business Information Limited                                    England                          100%
McCormack & Dodge (Argentina)                                          Argentina                        100%
McCormack & Dodge Mexico (Mexico)                                      Mexico                           100%
Microband of Virginia, Inc.                                            Virginia                          50%
MostMetals.com Limited                                                 England                          100%
MSA Do Brasil Sistemas E Metados Ltda.                                 Brazil                           100%
N.V. Dun & Bradstreet-Eurinform S.A.                                   Belgium/Delaware                 100%
Orefro L'Informazione S.p.A.                                           Italy                            100%
Palmetto Assurance Ltd.                                                Bermuda                          100%
Perfect Data International N.V.                                        Netherlands Antilles             100%
RMS Holdings, Inc.                                                     Delaware                         100%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   112

S&W S.A.S.                                                    France        100%
Schimmelpfeng Inkasso GmbH                                    Germany       100%
Sicev-Societa Italiana Consulenze e Valutazioni S.p.A.        Italy         20%
SingBizInfo Pte. Ltd.                                         Singapore     45%
Socogestion S.A.S.                                            France        100%
Stubbs (Ireland) Ltd.                                         England       100%
Stubbs' Directories Ltd.                                      England       100%
Stubbs' Ltd.                                                  England       100%
The D&B Companies of Canada Ltd.                              Canada        100%
The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation Foundation (non-profit)      Delaware      100%
Trans Union Espana Credit Bureau, S.L.                        Spain         50%
Veri-Cheque (Pty.) Ltd.                                       South Africa  20%
Vlaamse Bedrifsdatabank N.V.-S.A.                             Belgium       100%
Who Owns Whom Ltd.                                            England       100%
<PAGE>   113

                                                                   SCHEDULE 6.01

                                 Existing Liens

None.
<PAGE>   114

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                    [FORM OF]

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

      Reference is made to the $[         ] Credit Agreement dated as of
September [],2000 (as amended, modified, supplemented or waived, the "Credit
Agreement"), among The New D&B Corporation (to be renamed The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation), the Borrowing Subsidiaries party thereto, the Lenders party
thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as
Syndication Agent, and The Bank of New York, as Documentation Agent. Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the
Credit Agreement.

      1. The Assignor named below hereby sells and assigns, without recourse to
the Assignor, to the Assignee named below, and the Assignee hereby purchases and
assumes, without recourse to the Assignor, from the Assignor, effective as of
the Assignment Date set forth below, the interests set forth below (the
"Assigned Interest") in the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit
Agreement, including, without limitation, the interests set forth below in the
Commitment of the Assignor on the Assignment Date, and all Loans [(other than
Competitive Loans)], owing to the Assignor which are outstanding on the
Assignment Date. The Assignee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Credit Agreement. From and after the Assignment Date (i) the Assignee shall be a
party to and be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and, to the
extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and Acceptance, have the
rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall, to
the extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and Acceptance,
relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit
Agreement.

      2. This Assignment and Acceptance is being delivered to the Administrative
Agent together with (i) if the Assignee is a Foreign Lender, any documentation
required to be delivered by the Assignee pursuant to Section 2.16(e) of the
Credit Agreement, and (ii) if the Assignee is not already a Lender under the
Agreement, an Administrative Questionnaire in the form provided by the
Administrative Agent.

      3. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   115

Date of Assignment: ________________________________________________

Legal Name of Assignor: ____________________________________________

Legal Name of Assignee: ____________________________________________

Assignee's Address for Notices: ____________________________________

Effective Date of Assignment ("Assignment Date"): __________________

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   116

                          Principal Amount          Percentage Assigned of
                          Assigned                  Commitment (set forth,
                          (and identifying          to at least 8 decimals, as a
                          information               percentage of the Facility
                          as to individual          and the aggregate
                          Competitive Loans, if     Commitments of
Facility                  any)                      all Lenders thereunder)
--------                  ----                      -----------------------

Commitment Assigned:      $                                                %

Revolving Loans:          $                                                %

[Competitive Loans:       $                                                %
                                                                           ]
The terms set forth herein
are hereby agreed to:

                                        Accepted (if required):

_______________, as Assignor            THE NEW D&B CORPORATION

By:_____________________
   Name:                                By:_____________________
   Title:                                  Name:
                                           Title:

_______________,as Assignee
                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                        as Administrative Agent,

By:_____________________
   Name:                                By:_____________________
   Title:                                  Name:
                                           Title:

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   117

                                                                     EXHIBIT B-1

                      OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR THE BORROWER

                                              September 11, 2000

To (a) each of the lending institutions
(the "Lenders") listed on Schedule 1 hereto
which are parties on the date hereof to each
of the Credit Agreements, dated as of September
11, 2000 (the "Credit Agreements"), among
The New D&B Corporation (the "Company"), the
Borrowing Subsidiaries party thereto, the Lenders
party thereto, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent"), Citibank, N.A., as
Syndication Agent and The Bank
of New York, as Documentation Agent and
(b) the Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I am President and Secretary of the Company and have acted as counsel to
the Company in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of the
Credit Agreements. This opinion is delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.01(b)
of each Credit Agreement. Terms used herein which are defined in the Credit
Agreements shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit
Agreements, unless otherwise defined herein.

      In connection with this opinion, I have examined a copy of each Credit
Agreement signed by the Company and the Administrative Agent. I have also
examined the originals, or duplicates or certified or conformed copies, of such
records, agreements, instruments and other documents and have made such
investigations as I have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the
opinions expressed herein. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, I
have relied upon certificates of public officials and of officers and
representatives of the Company. In addition, I have examined, and have relied as
to matters of fact, upon the representations made in each Credit Agreement.

                                     B-1-1
<PAGE>   118

      In rendering the opinions set forth below, I have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures (other than those on behalf of the Company), the legal
capacity of natural persons (other than employees of the Company), the
authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to
original documents of all documents submitted to me as duplicates or certified
or conformed copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such latter
documents. I have assumed without independent investigation that each Credit
Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

      Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and comments set forth herein, I am of the opinion that:

      1. The Company (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of Delaware, (b) has all requisite corporate
power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and (c) except
where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to
do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such
qualification is required.

      2. The Transactions are within the Company's corporate powers and have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and, if required, action
of the stockholders of the Company. Each Credit Agreement has been duly executed
and delivered by the Company.

      3. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of,
registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority,
except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and
except for such consents, approvals, registrations, filings and other actions
the failure to obtain or make could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, except that the
Information Statement has not yet become effective and except for certain
filings and approvals related to the transfer of assets and stock of non-United
States entities, which filings and approvals are pending and the failure of
which to make or obtain could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect, (b) will not violate any applicable New York law or regulation
or the Delaware General Corporation Law or the charter or by-laws of the Company
or any order of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Company, except for
such violations which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) will not violate or result
in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such violations and defaults
which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
result in a

                                     B-1-2
<PAGE>   119

Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition
of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Material Subsidiaries.

      4. To my knowledge, after due inquiry, there are no actions, suits or
proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending
against or threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (a) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse
determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect (other than
the Disclosed Matters) or (b) that involve the Credit Agreements or the
Transactions.

      5. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company"
as defined in, or subject to regulations under, the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935.

      I am a member of the Bar of the State of New York and I do not express any
opinion on any laws other than the law of the State of New York and the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

      This opinion is rendered to you in connection with the above-described
transaction. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or
relied upon by any other person, firm or corporation without my prior written
consent.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        David J. Lewinter

                                     B-1-3
<PAGE>   120

                                                                      Schedule 1

                                     LENDERS

The Chase Manhattan Bank
Citibank, N.A.
The Bank of New York
Bank of Montreal
Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company
Barclays Bank PLC
First Union National Bank
HSBC Bank USA
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
The Northern Trust Company

                                     B-1-4
<PAGE>   121

                                                                     EXHIBIT B-2

                   OPINION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL FOR THE BORROWER

                                               September [ ], 2000

To (a) each of the lending institutions
(the "Lenders") listed on Schedule 1 hereto
which are parties on the date hereof to each
of the Credit Agreements, dated as of September [ ],
2000 (the "Credit Agreements"), among
The New D&B Corporation (the
"Company"), the Borrowing Subsidiaries
party thereto, the Lenders party thereto,
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative
Agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent"), Citibank, N.A., as Syndication
Agent, and The Bank of New York, as Documentation
Agent, and (b) the Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      We have acted as special counsel to the Company in connection with the
preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Agreements. This opinion is
delivered to you pursuant to Section 4.01(b) of each Credit Agreement. Terms
used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreements shall have the respective
meanings set forth in the Credit Agreements, unless otherwise defined herein.

      In connection with this opinion we have examined a copy of each Credit
Agreement signed by the Company and the Administrative Agent. We have also
examined the originals, or duplicates or certified or conformed copies, of such
records, agreements, instruments and other documents and have made such other
investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the
opinions expressed herein. As to questions of fact material to this opinion, we
have relied upon certificates of public officials and of officers and
representatives of the Company. In addition, we have examined, and have relied
as to matters of fact upon, the representations made in each Credit Agreement.

                                     B-2-1
<PAGE>   122

      In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents
of all documents submitted to us as duplicates or certified or conformed copies,
and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. We have assumed
without independent investigation that (a) each Credit Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, (b) the Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation and has the corporate power and authority to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Credit Agreement, (c)
the execution, delivery and performance of each Credit Agreement by the Company
(i) has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on its part, (ii)
does not contravene its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or, except as
set forth in paragraph 2 below, violate, or require any consent not obtained
under, any applicable law or regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree
of any court or other Governmental Authority binding upon it and (iii) does not
violate, or require any consent not obtained under, any Contractual Obligation
applicable to or binding upon it, and (d) each Credit Agreement constitutes a
valid and legally binding obligation of the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders.

      Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and comments set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

      1. Each Credit Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

      2. The execution, delivery and performance of each Credit Agreement by the
Company will not violate any Federal or New York statute or any rule or
regulation issued pursuant to any Federal or New York statute.

      3. The Company is not an "investment company" within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

      Our opinion in paragraph 1 above is subject to (i) the effects of
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and
other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, (ii)
general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law), (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and (iv) the
effects of the possible judicial application of foreign laws or foreign
governmental or judicial action affecting creditors' rights.

      We express no opinion with respect to: (a) the effect of any provision of
the Credit Agreements which is intended (i) to establish any standard as the

                                     B-2-2
<PAGE>   123

measure of the performance by any party thereto of such party's obligations of
good faith, diligence, fair dealing, reasonableness or care or (ii) to permit
modification thereof only by means of an agreement in writing signed by the
parties thereto; (b) the effect of any provision of the Credit Agreements
insofar as it provides that any Person purchasing a participation from a Lender
or other Person may exercise set-off or similar rights with respect to such
participation or that any Lender or other Person may exercise set-off or similar
rights other than in accordance with applicable law; (c) the effect of any
provision of the Credit Agreements imposing penalties or forfeitures; (d) the
effect of any provision of the Credit Agreements relating to indemnification or
exculpation in connection with violations of any securities laws or relating to
indemnification, contribution or exculpation in connection with willful,
reckless or criminal acts or gross negligence of the indemnified or exculpated
Person or the Person receiving contribution; (e) any provision of the Credit
Agreements which purports to provide for a waiver by the Company of any
immunity, defense or right which may be available to the Company; and (f) any
provision of the Credit Agreements which purports to establish an evidentiary
standard for determinations by any Person.

      We note that (A) a New York statute provides that, with respect to a
foreign currency obligation, a court of the State of New York shall render a
judgment or decree in such foreign currency and such judgment or decree shall be
converted into currency of the United States at the rate of exchange prevailing
on the date of entry of such judgment or decree and (B) with respect to a
foreign currency obligation, a United States Federal court in New York may award
judgment in United States dollars, provided that we express no opinion as to the
rate of exchange such court would apply.

      In connection with the provisions of each Credit Agreement whereby the
Company submits to the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States of
America located in the State of New York, we note the limitations of 28 U.S.C.
ss.ss. 1331 and 1332 on subject matter jurisdiction of the Federal courts. In
connection with the provisions of each Credit Agreement which relate to forum
selection of the courts of the United States located in the Borough of
Manhattan, City of New York and State of New York (including, without
limitation, any waiver of any objection to venue or any objection that a court
is an inconvenient forum), we note such court's discretion to transfer an action
from one Federal court to another under 28 U.S.C. ss. 1404(a).

      We are members of the Bar of the State of New York, and we do not express
any opinion concerning any law other than the law of the State of New York and
the Federal laws of the United States of America.

                                     B-2-3
<PAGE>   124

      This opinion letter is rendered to you in connection with the
above-described transaction. This opinion letter may not be relied upon by you
for any other purpose, or relied upon by any other person, firm or corporation
without our prior written consent.

                                  Very truly yours,

                                 SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT

                                     B-2-4
<PAGE>   125

                                                                      Schedule 1

                                     LENDERS

The Chase Manhattan Bank
Citibank, N.A.
The Bank of New York
Bank of Montreal
Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company
Barclays Bank PLC
First Union National Bank
HSBC Bank USA
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
The Northern Trust Company

                                     B-2-5
<PAGE>   126

                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                   OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR BORROWING SUBSIDIARY

                                                                [Effective Date]

To the Lenders and the Administrative
 Agent Referred to Below
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
 Administrative Agent
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017

Dear Sirs:

            We have acted as counsel for [            ], a [   ] corporation
(the "Borrower"), in connection with (i) the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
dated as of_________ (the "Agreement"), among The New D&B Corporation (to be
renamed The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation) (the "Company"), the Borrower and The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent and (ii) the $[            ]
Credit Agreement dated as of September [  ], 2000 (the "Credit Agreement"),
among the Company, the Borrowing Subsidiaries party thereto, the banks and other
financial institutions identified therein as Lenders, The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and The Bank of
New York, as Documentation Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used
herein with the same meanings.

            We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records,
certificates of public officials and other instruments and have conducted such
other investigations of fact and law as we have deemed necessary or advisable
for purposes of this opinion.

            Upon the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

            1. The Borrower (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of [     ], (b) has all requisite
corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and (c)

                                      C-1
<PAGE>   127

except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to
do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such
qualification is required.

            2. The Transactions are within the Borrower's corporate powers and
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, action of
the stockholders of the Borrower. The Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Borrower and the Agreement and the Credit Agreement each
constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable
in accordance with its respective terms, subject to the effects of bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar
laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), an implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing and the effects of the possible judicial
application of foreign laws or foreign governmental or judicial action affecting
creditors' rights.

            3. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of,
registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority,
except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and
except for such consents, approvals, registrations, filings and other actions
the failure to obtain or make could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) will not
violate any applicable New York law or regulation or the Delaware General
Corporation Law or the charter or by-laws of the Borrower or any order of any
Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower, except for such violations
which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) will not violate or result in a default
under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, except for such violations and defaults
which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or
imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Material
Subsidiaries.

            [4. There is no income, stamp or other tax of the government of
[jurisdiction of Borrower], or any taxing authority thereof or therein, imposed
by or in the nature of withholding or otherwise, which is imposed on any payment
to be made by the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement or its Notes, or
imposed on or by virtue of the execution, delivery or enforcement of the
Agreement, the Credit Agreement or its Notes.](1)

----------
(1)   Given when Borrowing Subsidiary is a foreign Subsidiary.

                                      C-2
<PAGE>   128

            5. (a) The Borrower is not an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and (b) neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company" as defined in, or
subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

            [Qualifications and exceptions reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent]

            We are members of the bar of the [        ] and the foregoing
opinion is limited to the laws of the [     ]. This opinion is rendered solely
to you in connection with the above matter. This opinion may not be relied upon
by you for any other purpose or relied upon by any other Person (other than your
successors and assigns as Lenders and Persons that acquire participations in
your Loans) without our prior written consent.

                                     Very truly yours,

                                     [        ]

                                      C-3
<PAGE>   129

                                                                       EXHIBIT D

                                     FORM OF

                              BORROWING SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT dated as of
                        [     ], 20[  ], among THE NEW D&B CORPORATION (to be
                        renamed The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation), a Delaware
                        corporation (the "Company"), [Name of Borrowing
                        Subsidiary], a [      ] corporation (the "New Borrowing
                        Subsidiary"), The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
                        Administrative Agent (the "Administrative Agent"),
                        Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and The Bank of
                        New York, as Documentation Agent.

            Reference is hereby made to the $[                 ] Credit
Agreement dated as of September [ ], 2000 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, the
Borrowing Subsidiaries party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the
Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and The Bank of New
York, as Documentation Agent. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit
Agreement. Under the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions therein set forth, to make Loans to the Borrowing
Subsidiaries, and the Company and the New Borrowing Subsidiary desire that the
New Borrowing Subsidiary become a Borrowing Subsidiary. The Company represents
that it owns or Controls at least []% of the voting power of the New Borrowing
Subsidiary. Each of the Company and the New Borrowing Subsidiary represent and
warrant that the representations and warranties of the Company in the Credit
Agreement relating to the Borrowing Subsidiary and this Agreement are true and
correct on and as of the date hereof. The Company agrees that the Guarantee of
the Company contained in the Credit Agreement will apply to the Obligations of
the New Borrowing Subsidiary. Upon execution of this Agreement by each of the
Company, the New Borrowing Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent, the New
Borrowing Subsidiary shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and shall
constitute a "Borrowing Subsidiary" and a "Borrower" for all purposes thereof,
and the New Borrowing Subsidiary hereby agrees to be bound by all provisions of
the Credit Agreement.

            This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.

                                      D-1
<PAGE>   130

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

                                       THE NEW D&B CORPORATION

                                       By: ___________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       [NAME OF NEW BORROWING
                                       SUBSIDIARY]

                                       By: ___________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                          as Administrative Agent

                                       By: ___________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                      D-2
<PAGE>   131

                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                                     FORM OF
                        BORROWING SUBSIDIARY TERMINATION

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Administrative Agent
for the Lenders referred to below
c/o The Chase Manhattan Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017

                                                                          [Date]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      The undersigned, The New D&B Corporation (to be renamed the Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation) (the "Company"), refers to the $[            ] Credit
Agreement dated as of September [], 2000 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Company, the
Borrowing Subsidiaries party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent,
and The Bank of New York, as Documentation Agent. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Credit Agreement.

      The Company hereby terminates the status of [              ] (the
"Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary") as a Borrowing Subsidiary under the Credit
Agreement. [The Company represents and warrants that no Loans made to the
Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary are outstanding as of the date hereof and that
all amounts payable by the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary in respect of
interest and/or fees (and, to the extent notified by the Administrative Agent or
any Lender, any other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement) pursuant to
the Credit Agreement have been paid in full on or prior to the date hereof.]
[The Company acknowledges that the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary shall
continue to be a Borrowing Subsidiary until such time as all Loans made to the
Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary shall have been prepaid and all amounts payable
by the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary in respect of interest and/or fees (and,
to the extent notified by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any other
amounts payable under the Credit Agreement) pursuant to the Credit Agreement
shall have been paid in full, provided that the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary
shall not have the right to make further Borrowings, under the Credit
Agreement.]

                                      E-1
<PAGE>   132

      This instrument shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the
laws of the State of New York.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       THE NEW D&B CORPORATION

                                       By: ___________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                      E-2
<PAGE>   133

                                                                       EXHIBIT F

                                     FORM OF
                              NON-BANK CERTIFICATE

      Reference is made to the credit Agreement, dated as of September [  ],
2000 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement") among The New D&B Corporation (to be renamed The Dun &
Bradstreet Corporation), a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the several
banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, Citibank, N.A., as Syndication
Agent, and The Bank of New York, as Documentation Agent. Capitalized terms used
but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit
Agreement.

      _____________ (the "Lender") is provided this certificate pursuant to
subsection 2.16(e) of the Credit Agreement. The Lender hereby represents and
warrants that:

      1. The Lender is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loans or the
obligations evidenced by Note(s) in respect of which it is providing this
certificate.

      2. The Lender is not a "bank" for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In this regard, the
Lender further represents and warrants that:

            (a) the Lender is not subject to regulatory or other legal
      requirements as a bank in any jurisdiction; and

            (b) the Lender has not been treated as a bank for purposes of any
      tax, securities law or other filing or submission made to any governmental
      Authority, any application made to a rating agency or qualification for
      any exemption from tax, securities law or other legal requirements;

      3. The Lender is not a 10-percent shareholder of the Company within the
meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code; and

      4. The Lender is not a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest
from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.

Dated: ________________                  [NAME OF LENDER]

                                         By:
______________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

                                      F-1
<PAGE>   134

                                                                       EXHIBIT G

                              ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

      AGREEMENT dated as of _______________, 20__ among [The New D&B Corporation
(to be renamed The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation)] (the "Company"), [NAME OF
BANK] (the "Bank") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent (the
"Administrative Agent").

      WHEREAS, this Assumption Agreement (the "Agreement") relates to the Credit
Agreement dated as of September [  ], 2000 among the Company, the Borrowing
Subsidiaries party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, the Administrative Agent,
Citibank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and The Bank of New York, as Documentation
Agent (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Agreement");

      WHEREAS, as permitted by Section 2.08(d) of the Credit Agreement, the
Company proposes to increase the aggregate amount of the Facility Commitments;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      SECTION 1. Definitions. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein
have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

      SECTION 2. Assumed Commitment. Effective as of the date hereof, the Bank
hereby [increases its existing Facility Commitment from $[          ] to
$[          ]](2) [assumes a Facility Commitment equal to $[               ]](3)
(the "Assumed Commitment"). [From and after the date hereof, the Bank shall be a
party to and bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and, to the extent
of the Assumed Commitment, all the rights and obligations of a Lender under the
Credit Agreement.](4)

      [SECTION 3. Revolving Loans. The Bank shall make a Revolving Loan to the
Company on the date hereof in accordance with Section 2.06 in an amount equal to
such Bank's pro rata share of the principal amount of all outstanding Revolving
Loans on the date hereof after giving effect to the Assumed Commitment.](5)

----------
      (2)   If the Bank is an existing Lender.

      (3)   If the Bank is not an existing Lender.

      (4)   If the Bank is not an existing Lender.

      (5)   If Loans are outstanding on the effective date of this Agreement.

                                      G-1
<PAGE>   135

      [SECTION 4. Additional Documentation. The Bank, upon execution of this
Agreement, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, [any documentation
required to be delivered by the Bank pursuant to Section 2.16(e) of the Credit
Agreement,](6) [and an Administrative Questionnaire in the form provided by the
Administrative Agent](7).]

      SECTION 5. Representations of the Company. The Company hereby confirms
that (a) the increase in the aggregate amount of the Facility Commitments and
the transactions set forth herein have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action and (b) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to
the increase in the aggregate amount of the Facility Commitments and the
transactions set forth herein, (i) the representations and warranties of the
Company set forth in the Credit Agreement are true and correct on and as of the
date hereof and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing.

      SECTION 6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

      SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

----------
      (6)   If the Bank is a Foreign Lender.

      (7)   If the Bank is not an existing Lender.

                                      G-2
<PAGE>   136

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

                                       [NAME OF BANK]

                                       By: ____________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       THE NEW D&B CORPORATION

                                       By: ____________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                       By: ____________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                      G-3
<PAGE>   137

                                      G-4<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.19

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                                  D&B GUARANTY

         This D&B GUARANTY (the "AGREEMENT") is given by THE DUN & BRADSTREET
CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("D&B") as of this 1st day of April, 1997,
for and in favor of UTRECHT-AMERICA FINANCE CO., a Delaware corporation
("UTRECHT-AMERICA"), and Leiden, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("LEIDEN" and
together with Utrecht-America, the "INVESTORS").

                                  INTRODUCTION

         Duns Investing VII Corporation (the "GENERAL PARTNER"), Duns Holding,
Inc. ("HOLDING"), Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. ("DBI"), Utrecht-America and Leiden are
partners in D&B Investors L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the
"PARTNERSHIP"), pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of D&B Investors L.P., dated as of the date hereof (the "PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT"). Each of the General Partner, DBI and Holding is a Wholly Owned
Affiliate of D&B.

         As a material inducement to the Investors to enter into the Partnership
Agreement, D&B has agreed to enter into this Agreement for and in favor of the
Investors, pursuant to which D&B guarantees certain obligations of the General
Partner, DBI and Holding and has agreed to other covenants and representations
and warranties in favor of the Investors.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, D&B hereby agrees,
for the benefit and in favor of the Investors and their successors and assigns
(collectively referred to herein, together with their respective officers,
directors, employees, agents and Affiliates, as the "INDEMNITEE"), as follows:

         SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

         Capitalized terms used in this Agreement which are defined in the
Partnership Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings set forth in the Partnership Agreement. All other capitalized terms
used in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth below:

                  "1934 ACT" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
         as amended.

                  "CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY" means, as to any Person, each
         Subsidiary of such Person (whether now existing or hereafter created or
         acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have
         been) consolidated with the financial statement of such Person in
         accordance with GAAP.

<PAGE>   2

                  "CONTROL" means beneficial ownership of, or control or power
         to vote, outstanding securities of D&B representing more than 25% of
         the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and
         outstanding securities of D&B.

                  "D&B EVENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 9 hereof.

                  "DBI" means Dun & Bradstreet, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

                  "DBI CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT" means the Contribution Agreement,
         dated as of the date hereof, between DBI and Holding.

                  "DEBT" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d)(i) hereof.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and
         the rulings issued thereunder.

                  "ERISA AFFILIATE" means any corporation or trade or business
         which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within
         the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) as D&B or is under common
         control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with D&B.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
         United States.

                  "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means (i) any governmental or
         political subdivision thereof whether foreign or domestic, federal,
         state, county, municipal or regional or any other governmental
         authority, (ii) any agency or instrumentality of any such government,
         policy subdivision or other governmental entity, (iii) any court,
         arbitral tribunal or arbitrator and (iv) any non-governmental
         regulating body, to the extent that the rules, regulations or orders of
         such body have the force of law.

                  "GUARANTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) hereof.

                  "HOLDING CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT" means the Contribution
         Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between Holding and the
         Partnership.

                  "INDEBTEDNESS" means, as to any Person, without duplication
         (i) all indebtedness (including principal, interest, fees and charges)
         of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of
         property or services, (ii) all guaranties by, or similar contingent
         obligations of, such Person of the liabilities of the types described
         in clause (i) of another Person, and (iii) all liabilities of the types
         described in clause (i) herein secured by any Lien on any property
         owned by such Person, whether or not such liabilities have been assumed
         by such Person; provided that such term shall not include trade
         payables arising in the ordinary course of business.

                  "INVESTMENT DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Partnership
         Agreement, the Holding Contribution Agreement, the DBI Contribution
         Agreement, and the Lease Agreement.

<PAGE>   3

                  "LEGAL RESTRICTION" means any federal, state, local or foreign
         statute, law (including common law), regulation, ordinance, code, rule,
         judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, Permit, concession, grant,
         franchise, license, agreement or other governmental restriction, or any
         applicable interpretation, guideline or other policy document issued by
         a Governmental Authority or its staff, to the extent that such
         interpretation, guideline or policy has the force of law or would
         customarily be complied with in the ordinary course of conduct of
         business by a Person subject to such interpretation, guideline or
         policy.

                  "LIEN" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d) hereof.

                  "MATERIAL SUBSIDIARY" means, at any time, any Subsidiary of
         D&B other than the Partnership that (i) is any of the General Partner,
         DBI or Holding or (ii) has total assets (as shown on the most recent
         balance sheet of such Subsidiary prepared in accordance with GAAP) of
         U.S. $150,000,000 or more.

                  "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means a multiemployer plan defined as
         such in Section 3(37) of ERISA to which contributions have been made by
         D&B or any ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

                  "PARTNERSHIP" has the meaning set forth in the "Introduction."

                  "PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the
         "Introduction."

                  "PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning set forth in Section
         2(a) hereof.

                  "PERMIT" means any application, action, approval, consent,
         waiver, exemption, variance, franchise, order, permit, certificate,
         authorization, right or license of or from any Person.

                  "PLAN" means any "EMPLOYEE PENSION BENEFIT PLAN", as defined
         in Section 3(2) of ERISA, and any "EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN", as
         defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA.

                  "SUBSIDIARY" means, as to any Person (i) any corporation of
         which at least a majority of the outstanding shares of stock whose
         class or classes have by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to
         elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation
         (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or
         class of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by
         reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or
         indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any partnership or other entity in
         which such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person shall have
         an ownership or controlling interest (whether in the form of voting or
         participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty
         percent (50%). "WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary of which
         all of such shares or ownership interests, other than (in the case of a
         corporation) directors' qualifying shares, are so owned or controlled.

         SECTION 2. OBLIGATIONS.

<PAGE>   4

         (a) PERFORMANCE GUARANTY. D&B hereby absolutely, unconditionally and
irrevocably guarantees to each Indemnitee the due and punctual performance by
the General Partner (in its corporate capacity and as General Partner or the
Liquidator), DBI and Holding of the terms, conditions, undertakings, covenants,
obligations and indemnities to be performed or observed by them under the
Partnership Agreement and each other Investment Document to which any of them
are parties, as applicable, and under applicable law (such obligations of
performance are hereinafter referred to as the "PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS"; such
guaranty of the Performance Obligations is hereinafter referred to as the
"GUARANTY").

         (b) GENERAL INDEMNIFICATION.

                  (i) D&B hereby agrees, absolutely, unconditionally and
         irrevocably, to indemnify and hold harmless, to the maximum extent
         permitted by law, each Indemnitee from all liability, loss or damage
         (including without limitation any special, indirect, direct, or
         consequential damages) and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses
         any of them may incur or suffer (including without limitation
         reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) as a result of any
         misstatement of any material fact contained in any representation or
         warranty made by D&B, the General Partner, DBI or Holding, in, or any
         breach or default by any of them in the due and punctual performance of
         any covenant, obligation or indemnity under, any Investment Document to
         which any of them are parties.

                  (ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, D&B
         agrees to pay each Class A Limited Partner delay damages for (x) the
         failure by the Liquidator to pay the full amount of such Class A
         Limited Partner's Capital Account within the time period required by
         Section 12.02 of the Partnership Agreement, (y) the failure by any D&B
         Partner to pay the Purchase Price to any Class A Limited Partner within
         the time period required in Section 14.03 of the Partnership Agreement,
         or (z) the failure of the Partnership to distribute and pay to such
         Class A Limited Partner on the applicable Retirement Date the amounts
         required to be so distributed and paid pursuant to Section 10.08(b) of
         the Partnership Agreement. Delay damages for any such Class A Limited
         Partner shall be in an amount, accrued and payable daily without
         demand, calculated as the excess, if any, of (A) an amount equal to
         interest at 2.5% per annum in excess of the London Inter Bank Offered
         Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day for three
         month Eurodollar deposits offered by prime banks in the Eurodollar
         market on the amount not distributed or paid over (B) any amount of
         Priority Return (whether distributed or paid as part of the Purchase
         Price) paid to such Class A Limited Partner.

         SectioN 3. OBLIGATION ABSOLUTE. To the maximum extent permitted by law,
the obligation of D&B under the Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional
irrespective of:

         (a) Any lack of validity or enforceability of any of the Performance
Obligations or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to
prohibit the Performance Obligations; or

         (b) Any change in the time, manner or place of performance, or in any
other term, of all or any of the Performance Obligations, or any other amendment
or waiver of or any consent

<PAGE>   5

to departure from the Investment Documents, including, without limitation, any
increase in or modification of the Performance Obligations or the dissolution of
the Partnership; or

         (c) Any change, restructuring or termination of the corporate
structure, existence or ownership of the Partnership, the General Partner, DBI
or Holding; or

         (d) Any other circumstance, including without limitation any statute of
limitation, which might otherwise constitute a defense (other than a defense of
payment or performance) available to, or a discharge of, the General Partner,
DBI, Holding or D&B or a guarantor or indemnitor generally; or

         (e) Any act or omission of any Indemnitee or any past or future
Indemnitee; or

         (f) The existence of any claims, setoff or other right that D&B may
have hereunder or under any other document at any time against any Indemnitee,
the Partnership, the General Partner, DBI, Holding, or any other Person (but the
foregoing shall not constitute a waiver or surrender of any such rights).

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, D&B's liability hereunder
shall extend to all liability, loss or damage and reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses incurred or suffered by an Indemnitee arising from any breach of or
failure to perform any Performance Obligations for which the General Partner,
DBI or Holding would have been obligated under the Investment Documents but for
the fact that such Performance Obligation is unenforceable or not allowable due
to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving
the General Partner, DBI or Holding, as the case may be. The obligations of D&B
under this Agreement are independent of the Performance Obligations and a
separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against D&B to enforce
this Agreement, irrespective of whether any action is brought against the
General Partner, DBI or Holding or whether the General Partner, DBI or Holding
is joined in any such action or actions. Such action or actions may be brought
by the Indemnitee without the necessity of joining any prior Indemnitee in such
action or actions. D&B's obligations under this Agreement shall continue to be
effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment by
D&B, the General Partner, DBI or Holding in satisfaction of any of their
respective Performance Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned
upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of D&B, the
Partnership, the General Partner, DBI or Holding or otherwise, all as though
such payment had not been made.

         SECTION 4. WAIVER. D&B hereby waives promptness, presentment, demand,
protest, diligence, and any other notice with respect to any of the Performance
Obligations and D&B's obligations under this Agreement and any requirement that
the Indemnitee exhaust any right or take any action against the Partnership, the
General Partner, DBI or Holding or any other person or entity.

         SECTION 5. SUBROGATION.

         (a) D&B understands that the exercise by any Indemnitee of certain
rights and remedies contained in the Investment Documents may affect or
eliminate D&B's right of subrogation against the General Partner, DBI or Holding
and that D&B may therefore incur a partially or totally non-reimbursable
liability hereunder; nevertheless, D&B hereby authorizes

<PAGE>   6

and empowers each Indemnitee to exercise any right or remedies, or any
combination thereof, which may then be available even if the effect of such
exercise is to affect or eliminate D&B's right of subrogation as aforesaid,
since it is the intent and purpose of D&B that the obligations of D&B hereunder
shall be absolute, independent and unconditional under any and all
circumstances.

         (b) D&B shall not exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of
subrogation under this Agreement, by any payment made hereunder or otherwise,
until all the Performance Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full
in cash or performed in full. If any amount shall be paid to D&B on account of
such subrogation rights at any time when all the Performance Obligations shall
not have been paid in full in cash, such amount shall be held in trust for the
benefit of the Indemnitee and shall forthwith be paid to the Indemnitee to be
credited and applied to the Performance Obligations, whether matured or
unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Investment Documents. If (i) D&B
shall make payment to the Indemnitee of all or any part of the Performance
Obligations and (ii) all the Performance Obligations shall be paid in full in
cash, the Indemnitee shall, at D&B's request and expense, execute and deliver to
D&B appropriate documents, without recourse and without representation or
warranty, necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to D&B of an
interest in the Performance Obligations resulting from such payment by D&B.

         SECTION 6. COSTS OF ENFORCEMENT. D&B hereby agrees to pay any and all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and
expenses) incurred by any Indemnitee in maintaining and enforcing any rights
under this Agreement.

         SECTION 7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. D&B hereby represents and
warrants as follows:

         (a) EXISTENCE AND POWER. Each of D&B and its Material Subsidiaries (i)
is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation (or, in the case of a Subsidiary that is not a
corporation, is a partnership or other entity duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization); (ii) has all
corporate or partnership power (as applicable), and has all material Permits,
necessary to own its assets and carry on its business as now being or as
proposed to be conducted; and (iii) is qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the business conducted
by it makes such qualification necessary and where failure to so qualify would
have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition,
operations, business, or prospects of D&B and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.

         (b) AUTHORITY; VALIDITY. D&B has all necessary corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Investment
Document to which it is a party; the execution, delivery and performance by D&B
of each Investment Document to which it is a party have been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action on its part; and each Investment Document to
which it is a party has been duly and validly executed and delivered by D&B and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of D&B, enforceable in
accordance with its terms.

<PAGE>   7

         (c) CONFLICTS; CONSENTS. None of the execution and delivery by D&B of
this Agreement or any other Investment Document, the consummation by D&B of the
transactions herein or therein contemplated and compliance by D&B with the terms
and provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with or result in a breach of, or
require any consent under, the charter or by-laws of D&B, or any applicable
Legal Restriction, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental
Authority, or any agreement or instrument to which D&B is a party or by which it
is bound or to which it is subject, or constitute a default under any such
agreement or instrument, except any conflict, breach, or default that would not
have a material adverse effect on D&B or any consent that, if not obtained,
would not have a material adverse effect on D&B.

         (d) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                  (i) The consolidated statements of financial position of D&B
         and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and the related
         combined statements of income and cash flows for the two fiscal years
         ended December 31, 1996, with the opinion thereon of Coopers & Lybrand
         L.L.P., copies of which have been delivered to the Investors, fairly
         present in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, the combined
         financial position of D&B and its subsidiaries as of such date and
         their combined results of operations and cash flows for such fiscal
         year.

                  (ii) Since December 31, 1996, there has been no material
         adverse change in the business, financial position, results of
         operations or prospects of D&B and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

         (e) APPROVALS. No waiver, consent or approval by, notification of or
filing with, or any other action by, any Person is required in connection with
the execution, delivery and performance by D&B of this Agreement or the
consummation by D&B of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (f) PENSION PLANS. D&B and its ERISA Affiliates have fulfilled their
respective obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code
with respect to each Plan and are in compliance in all material respects with
the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, and have not incurred
any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any Plan or
Multiemployer Plan (other than to make contributions in the ordinary course of
business).

         (g) LITIGATION. Except as stated in D&B's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1996, there is no action, suit or proceeding
pending against, or to the best knowledge of D&B, threatened against or
affecting, D&B or any of its assets, before or by any Governmental Authority in
which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse decision which would (i)
materially adversely affect the business, financial position, results of
operations or prospects of D&B, or (ii) affect the legality, validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or any other Investment Document or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

         (h) INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. Neither D&B nor any of its Subsidiaries is
an "investment company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment company",
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

<PAGE>   8

         (i) PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. Neither D&B nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or
a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         (j) SEC REPORT. D&B's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996, complies in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the 1934 Act.

         (k) SUBSIDIARIES. The General Partner, Holding and DBI are Wholly Owned
Affiliates of D&B.

         (l) OBLIGATIONS PARI PASSU. The obligations of D&B under this Agreement
do rank and will rank at least pari passu in priority of payment with all other
unsecured indebtedness of D&B, which indebtedness is not subject to any
subordination provisions.

         (m) SOLVENCY. D&B was solvent immediately prior to the execution of
this Agreement and will not, as a result of the transactions contemplated
hereby, be rendered insolvent.

         SECTION 8. COVENANTS. D&B covenants and agrees that, until the payment
by it in full of all amounts payable by it hereunder, it will, unless the
Indemnitee shall otherwise consent in writing:

         (a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. D&B shall deliver to each Class A Limited
Partner:

                  (i) As soon as available and in any event within fifty (50)
         days after the end of each quarterly fiscal period (other than the
         final quarterly period) of each fiscal year of D&B, consolidated
         statements of income and cash flows of D&B and its Consolidated
         Subsidiaries for such period and for the period from the beginning of
         the respective fiscal year to the end of such period, and the related
         consolidated statement of financial position as at the end of such
         period, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
         corresponding consolidated financial statements for the corresponding
         period in the preceding fiscal year;

                  (ii) As soon as available and in any event within ninety-five
         (95) days after the end of each fiscal year of D&B, consolidated
         statements of income, cash flows and shareowners' equity of D&B and its
         Consolidated Subsidiaries of such year and the related consolidated
         statement of financial position as at the end of such year, setting
         forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding consolidated
         financial statements for the preceding fiscal year, and accompanied by
         an unqualified opinion thereon of Coopers & Lybrand or any other
         independent certified public accountants of recognized national
         standing, which opinion shall state that said consolidated financial
         statements fairly present in all material respects the consolidated
         financial condition and results of operations of D&B and its
         Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and for, such fiscal year;

                  (iii) Promptly upon their becoming available, copies of all
         registration statements and regular periodic reports (other than
         registration statements filed on Form

<PAGE>   9

         S-8 and pricing supplements), if any, which D&B shall have filed with
         the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or any Governmental
         Authority substituted therefor) or any national securities exchange;
         and

                  (iv) Promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of
         D&B generally, copies of all reports and proxy statements so mailed.

         D&B will be deemed to have complied with the requirements of Section
         8(a)(i) hereof if within 50 days after the end of each quarter (other
         than the final quarter) of each of its fiscal years, a copy of D&B's
         Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission with
         respect to such quarter is furnished to each Class A Limited Partner,
         and D&B will be deemed to have complied with the requirements of
         8(a)(ii) hereof if within 95 days after the end of each of its fiscal
         years, a copy of D&B's Annual Report and Form 10-K as filed with the
         Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to such year is
         furnished to each Class A Limited Partner.

         (b) CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC. D&B will, and will cause each of its
Material Subsidiaries to: (i) preserve and maintain its legal existence and
maintain its good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or
organization and in each other jurisdiction in which the failure to do so could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition of D&B and its Material Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (provided that
nothing in this Section 8(b) shall prohibit any transaction expressly permitted
under Section 8(d) hereof); (ii) comply in all material respects with the
requirements of all applicable Legal Restrictions other than those the
non-compliance with which would not have a material adverse effect on the
business, property, condition (financial or otherwise) of D&B and its Material
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (iii) pay and discharge all Taxes imposed on
it or on its income or profits or on any of its property prior to the date on
which penalties attach thereto, except for any such Tax the payment of which is
being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against which
adequate reserves are being maintained.

         (c) MERGERS. D&B shall not consolidate with or merge into any other
Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as
an entirety to any Person, unless the Person formed by such consolidation or
into which D&B is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer,
or which leases, the properties and assets of D&B substantially as an entirety
expressly assumes in writing the due and punctual payment of all obligations and
the performance of every obligation of D&B to be paid or performed hereunder.

         (d) LIENS, ETC. D&B will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to,
create, incur, assume or permit to exist any lien, security interest, pledge,
claim, charge, option, escrow, mortgage or other encumbrance (any of the
foregoing being a "LIEN") upon any of its assets, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, except:

                  (i) Liens existing on the date hereof securing indebtedness
         for borrowed money (such indebtedness being "DEBT") outstanding on the
         date of this Agreement;

<PAGE>   10

                  (ii) Any Lien existing on any asset of any corporation at the
         time such corporation becomes a Consolidated Subsidiary and not created
         in contemplation of such event;

                  (iii) Any Lien on any asset securing Debt incurred or assumed
         for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring
         such asset, provided that such Lien attaches to such asset concurrently
         with or within 90 days after the acquisition thereof;

                  (iv) Any Lien on any asset of any corporation existing at the
         time such corporation is merged into or consolidated with D&B or a
         Consolidated Subsidiary and not created in contemplation of such event;

                  (v) Any Lien existing on any asset prior to the acquisition
         thereof by D&B or a Consolidated Subsidiary and not created in
         contemplation of such acquisition;

                  (vi) Any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension,
         renewal or refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien permitted by any
         of the foregoing clauses of this Section, provided that such Debt is
         not increased and is not secured by any additional assets;

                  (vii) Any Lien in favor of D&B or any Subsidiary granted by
         D&B or any Subsidiary in order to secure any intercompany obligations;

                  (viii) Any Lien arising in connection with the sale or
         financing of accounts receivable by D&B or any of its Subsidiaries,
         provided that the uncollected amount of account receivables subject at
         any time to any such sale or financing shall not exceed $150,000,000;
         and

                  (ix) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section 8(d)
         securing Debt of D&B and/or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal
         amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed an amount equal to
         $150,000,000.

         SECTION 9. D&B EVENTS. For purposes of this Agreement, a "D&B EVENT"
shall occur:

         (a) Upon a material breach of any material representation or warranty
contained herein;

         (b) If and when D&B or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) fail to make
any payment of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness of D&B or any
Subsidiary when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, on demand or
otherwise after giving effect to any applicable grace period), (ii) fail to
observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in any agreement or
instrument relating to any Indebtedness of, or guaranteed by, D&B or any
Subsidiary within any applicable grace period, or any other event (other than a
voluntary sale or transfer of property or assets securing any Indebtedness)
shall occur if the effect of such failure or other event is to cause, or to
permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on
behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (determined without regard to whether
any notice is required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated
maturity or (iii) have any Indebtedness of D&B or any of its Subsidiaries
declared to be due and payable, or required

<PAGE>   11

to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior to
the stated maturity thereof; provided that it shall not constitute a D&B Event
pursuant hereto unless the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness referred to in
each of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above exceeds $25,000,000 at any one time; or

         (c) If and when (i) any person or group (as such term is defined in
Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, all as in effect on the date hereof) shall
attain or acquire Control of D&B or (ii) at any time or during any calendar
year, more than 50% of the full Board of Directors of D&B shall have resigned or
retired or been removed or replaced; provided that a vacancy on the Board of
Directors that is created or filled as a result of the death, disability,
resignation or retirement of a director shall not be included in any
determination of whether a D&B Event has occurred pursuant to this subparagraph
(c) to the extent that, if such vacancy is filled, it is filled by a successor
director elected or designated by a majority of those directors who either (A)
were directors at the commencement of such year or (B) were appointed by persons
who were themselves directors at the commencement of such year.

         SECTION 10. AMENDMENTS, ETC. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by D&B herefrom, shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by each Class
A Limited Partner and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only
against the Class A Limited Partner signing the same and only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

         SECTION 11. ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES. All notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier, telegraphic,
telex or cable communication, and in each such case only if a copy thereof is
promptly provided by mail) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed, cabled
or delivered to it, if to D&B, at its address at One Diamond Hill Road, Murray
Hill, New Jersey 07974, Attention: Robert J. Levin (Facsimile: (908) 665-1409),
and if to any Class A Limited Partner, at such Class A Limited Partner's address
referred to in the Partnership Agreement or otherwise provided to the General
Partner with copies to such Persons as D&B or any Indemnitee may specify by
notice to each other from time to time. All such notices and other
communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed, cabled, or
delivered, be effective when received.

         SECTION 12. NO WAIVER; REMEDIES. No failure on the part of any
Indemnitee to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

         SECTION 13. ACCOUNTING TERMS. All accounting terms not specifically
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP consistently applied,
except as otherwise stated herein.

         SECTION 14. Assignment. This Agreement shall (i) be binding upon D&B
and its successors, and (ii) inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of, and be
enforceable by, each Indemnitee (each of whom or which shall be deemed a third
party beneficiary of this Agreement)

<PAGE>   12

and each Indemnitee's successors, transferees and assigns. No other Person shall
be entitled to any benefit hereunder.

         SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY. If any one or more provisions contained in
this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provisions of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein.

         SECTION 16. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD
TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES.

         SECTION 17. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. D&B irrevocably waives to the extent
permitted by law all rights to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or
counterclaim arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

         SECTION 18. SCOPE OF AGREEMENT; TERMINATION. This Agreement constitutes
the entire agreement of D&B and supersedes all prior written and oral agreements
and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof between and among
D&B and Indemnitee. D&B's obligations hereunder shall continue in full force and
effect until the earlier to occur of:

                  (i) The date on which all of the Performance Obligations have
         been performed in full; or

                  (ii) The date on which the Certificate of Cancellation of the
         Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership is filed with the
         Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

provided, however, that this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect
for all Performance Obligations accrued with respect to the period up to and
including the date of termination of this Agreement.

         SECTION 19. SURVIVAL. Without prejudice to the survival of any other
agreement of D&B hereunder, the agreements and obligations of D&B contained in
this Agreement shall survive (a) the completion of performance by the General
Partner, DBI and Holding of their respective Performance Obligations, (b) the
Transfer (whether or not such Transfer was a Permitted Transfer) by the General
Partner, DBI and Holding of all or any portion of their respective Interest in
the Partnership, (c) any termination of the General Partner's status as the
general partner or, in the case of DBI or Holding, status as a limited partner,
pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, and (d) any Indemnitee's terminating or
changing its status in relation to the Partnership.

                      [Signature follows on separate page]

<PAGE>   13

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, D&B has caused this Agreement to be duly executed
and delivered by its officer or representative thereunto duly authorized as of
the date first above written.

                                  THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION

                                  By: /s/ Philip C. Danford
                                      ------------------------------------
                                      Name:  Philip C. Danford
                                      Title:    Vice President and Treasurer

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