Document:

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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

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                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                          RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.,
                                    AS ISSUER

                                       AND

                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                   AS TRUSTEE

                             ----------------------

                            Dated as of July 17, 2001

                             ----------------------

                                  $150,000,000

                           RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

                           7.0% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008

   ==========================================================================
<PAGE>   2
                          FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

         This First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 17, 2001 (the
"Supplemental Indenture"), to the Indenture, dated as of July 1, 2001 (as
heretofore amended and supplemented, the "Original Indenture"), by and between
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a company duly organized and existing under the
laws of Bermuda, having its principal executive office located at Renaissance
House, 8-12 East Broadway, Pembroke HM 19, Hamilton, Bermuda (the "Company"), as
issuer, and Bankers Trust Company, a New York banking corporation, having its
principal executive office located at Four Albany Street, New York, New York
10006 (the "Trustee"), as trustee, is effective upon the execution hereof by the
parties hereto.

                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the
Trustee the Original Indenture providing for the issuance from time to time of
its senior unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the
"Securities"), unlimited as to principal amount;

         WHEREAS, the Original Indenture is incorporated herein by this
reference;

         WHEREAS, Section 3.1 of the Original Indenture provides that, with
respect to any series of Securities to be authenticated and delivered under the
Original Indenture, the terms of such series of Securities shall be established
by (i) a Board Resolution and Officers' Certificate or (ii) one or more
indentures supplemental to the Original Indenture;

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to create, under the Original Indenture, a
new series of Securities to be known as its 7.0% Senior Notes due 2008 (the
"Senior Notes"), the form and substance of such notes and the terms, provisions
and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and
this Supplemental Indenture;

         WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and
delivery of this Supplemental Indenture and to make it a valid and binding
obligation of the Company have been done or performed; and

         WHEREAS, the Original Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental
Indenture, is herein called the "Indenture";

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree as follows:
<PAGE>   3
                                   Article I.

                                   DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.1. Definitions. The following defined terms used herein shall
have the meanings specified below. Capitalized term used herein without
definition shall have the respective meanings assigned such terms in the
Original Indenture.

                  "Discounted Present Value" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.4 of this Supplemental Indenture.

                  "Interest Payment Date" means, with respect to the Senior
         Notes only, July 15 and January 15 of each year.

                  "Make-Whole Premium" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.4 of this Supplemental Indenture.

                  "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning, with respect to the
         Senior Notes only, set forth in Section 2.4 of this Supplemental
         Indenture.

                  "Redemption Price" means, with respect to the Senior Notes
         only, the sum of (1) 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the
         Senior Notes being redeemed; plus (2) the applicable Make-Whole
         Premium.

                  "Regular Record Date" means, with respect to the Senior Notes
         only, the close of business on July 1 or January 1, as the case may be,
         immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date.

                                  Article II.

                GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SENIOR NOTES

         There is hereby established a new series of Securities under the
Original Indenture with the following terms:

         Section 2.1. Title. The title of the series is "7.0% Senior Notes due
2008".

         Section 2.2. Principal Amount. There are to be issued by the Company,
and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on the date hereof $150,000,000
principal amount of Senior Notes, and such principal amount of Senior Notes may
be increased from time to time pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Original
Indenture. All Senior Notes need not be issued on the same date and such series
may be reopened at any time, without the consent of any Holder, for issuances of
additional Senior Notes, unlimited in principal amount, upon delivery by the
Company to the Trustee of either a Board Resolution and Officers' Certificate or
an indenture supplemental to the Indenture, setting forth the original issuance
date of such additional Senior Notes. The terms of any such additional Senior
Notes will be identical (except as to denomination and the date from which
interest shall accrue) to the terms of the Senior Notes initially issued,
authenticated and delivered on the date hereof. Any such additional Senior

                                      -2-
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Notes will, together with the previously issued Senior Notes, constitute a
single series of Securities under the Indenture.

         Section 2.3. Payment of Principal and Interest.

         (a) The principal of the Senior Notes shall be due on July 15, 2008,
subject to the provisions of the Original Indenture relating to acceleration of
maturity. The Senior Notes will bear interest from July 17, 2001, or from the
most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, at a rate of 7.0% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on
July 15 and January 15 of each year, commencing on January 15, 2002, and at
Maturity. The Company will pay interest to the Persons in whose names the Senior
Notes are registered on the Registered Record Date for such Interest Payment
Date. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.

         (b) If any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business
Day, the interest payment will be postponed to the next day that is a Business
Day, and no interest on such payment will accrue for the period from and after
such Interest Payment Date. If the maturity date of the Senior Notes falls on a
day that is not a Business Day, the payment of interest and principal may be
made on the next succeeding Business Day, and no interest on such payment will
accrue for the period from and after the maturity date. Interest payments for
the Senior Notes will include accrued interest from and including the date of
issue or from and including the last date in respect of which interest has been
paid, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the Interest Payment Date or the
date of maturity, as the case may be.

         (c) Payment of the principal and interest due at maturity of the Senior
Notes shall be made upon surrender of the Senior Notes at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee. The principal of and interest on the Senior Notes shall
be paid in Dollars. Payments of interest will be made, subject to such surrender
where applicable, at the option of the Company, (i) by check mailed to the
address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the
Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the payee
with a bank located in the United States.

         Section 2.4. Optional Redemption.

         (a) The Senior Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the Company,
at any time in whole or from time to time in part, on not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days' prior notice to the Holders of the Senior Notes, on any date (a
"Redemption Date") prior to their maturity at the Redemption Price plus accrued
and unpaid interest on the principal amount of the Senior Notes being redeemed
to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. Installments of interest on the Senior
Notes for which the Redemption Date is after a Regular Record Date and on or
before the following Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Holders of
such Senior Notes registered as such at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date therefor. In no event will the Redemption Price of the Senior Notes
ever be less than 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes being
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon payable to the Holder thereof.

                                      -3-
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         "Make-Whole Premium" means an amount equal to the Discounted Present
Value calculated for any Senior Note subject to redemption less the unpaid
principal amount of such Senior Note; provided, however, that no Make-Whole
Premium shall be less than zero.

         "Discounted Present Value" of any Senior Note subject to redemption
shall be equal to the discounted present value of all principal and interest
payments scheduled to become due in respect of such Senior Note after the
Redemption Date, calculated using a discount rate equal to the sum of (1) the
yield to maturity on the United States treasury security having a maturity date
equal to the Maturity Date of such Senior Note and trading in the secondary
market at the price closest to par and (2) 25 basis points; provided, however,
that if there is no United States treasury security having a maturity date equal
to the Maturity Date of such Senior Note, such discount rate shall be calculated
using a yield to maturity interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis
(rounding to the nearest month, if necessary) from the yields to maturity for
the two United States treasury securities having maturity dates most closely
corresponding to the Maturity Date of such Senior Note and trading in the
secondary market at the price closest to par.

         (b) If less than all of the Senior Notes are to be redeemed, the Senior
Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by lot by The Depository Trust Company,
in the case of Senior Notes represented by a global Security, or by the Trustee
by a method the Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate, in the case of Senior
Notes that are not represented by a global Security.

         Section 2.5. Additional Events of Default. In addition to the Events of
Default set forth in Section 5.1 of the Original Indenture, each of the
following events shall also constitute an Event of Default with respect to the
Senior Notes:

         (a) if any event of default as defined in any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued, or by which there may be secured or
evidenced, any Indebtedness of the Company (including an Event of Default under
any other series of Securities), whether such Indebtedness now exists or shall
hereafter be created or incurred, shall happen and shall consist of default in
the payment of more than $50,000,000 in principal amount of such Indebtedness at
the maturity thereof (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) or
shall result in such Indebtedness in principal amount in excess of $50,000,000
becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise become due and payable, and such default shall not be cured or waived
or such acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled within a period of 30
days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the
Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the Senior Notes,
a written notice specifying such event of default and requiring the Company to
cause such default to be cured or waived or to cause such acceleration to be
rescinded or annulled or to cause such Indebtedness to be discharged and stating
that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under the Indenture; or

         (b) the Company shall fail within 60 days to pay, bond or otherwise
discharge any uninsured judgment or court order for the payment of money in
excess of $50,000,000, which is not stayed on appeal or is not otherwise being
appropriately contested in good faith.

         Section 2.6. Form, Currency and Denominations. The Senior Notes shall
be issued in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples

                                      -4-
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thereof. The Senior Notes will be issued in substantially the form set forth in
Exhibit A hereto. The Depository with respect to the Senior Notes shall be The
Depository Trust Company.

         Section 2.7. Global Securities.

         (a) The Senior Notes will be issued in the form of one or more global
Securities registered in the name of the Depositary (which shall be The
Depository Trust Company) or its nominee. Except under the circumstances set
forth in Section 3.5 of the Original Indenture, the global Securities will not
be exchangeable for, and will not otherwise be issuable as, Senior Notes in
definitive form. Owners of beneficial interests in such a global Security will
not be considered the registered owners or Holders of Senior Notes for any
purpose.

         (b) No global Security representing a Senior Note shall be
exchangeable, except for another global Security of like denomination and tenor
to be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or to a successor
Depositary or its nominee. Payment of principal of, any premium or interest on,
and any Additional Amounts in respect of, any Senior Note in global form shall
be made to the registered Holder thereof.

         Section 2.8. Ranking. The Senior Notes will represent the Company's
direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all the Company's other
unsubordinated indebtedness.

         Section 2.9. Miscellaneous. The Company is not obligated to redeem or
purchase any Senior Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision.
The Senior Notes will not be convertible into shares of Common Stock of the
Company and/or exchangeable for other securities. The amount of payments of
principal with respect to the Senior Notes shall not be determined with
reference to an index, formula or other method or methods. No Senior Notes are
issuable upon the exercise of warrants. Each of Section 4.2(2) of the Original
Indenture relating to defeasance and Section 4.2(3) of the Original Indenture
relating to covenant defeasance shall be applicable to the Senior Notes. Except
as set forth in Section 10.4 of the Original Indenture, there will be no
Additional Amount payable on the Senior Notes.

                                  Article III.

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         Section 3.1. Ratification and Incorporation of Original Indenture. As
supplemented hereby, the Original Indenture is in all respects ratified and
confirmed, and the Original Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental
Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

         Section 3.2. Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed
in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which
shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

         Section 3.3. Governing Law. This Supplemental Indenture shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and performed in said state.

                                      -5-
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         Section 3.4. Headings. The Article and Section headings herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

            [The remainder of this page is intentionally left blank.]

                                      -6-
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this Supplemental Indenture by the
signature of its authorized officer, and the Trustee has caused this
Supplemental Indenture to be executed in its corporate name by its authorized
officer, each as of the date above written.

Attest:                                 RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

/s/ Martin J. Merritt
----------------------------------------
Name: Martin J. Merritt
Title: Vice President and
       Corporate Secretary              By:  /s/ John M. Lummis
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: John M. Lummis
                                             Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                       Chief Financial Officer
[SEAL]
THE COMMON SEAL of
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
was hereunto affixed in the presence of:
/s/ James N. Stanard
----------------------------------------
Name: James N. Stanard
Title: Director

/s/ Martin J. Merritt
----------------------------------------
Name: Martin J. Merritt
Title: Vice President and
       Corporate Secretary

Attest:                                 BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

                                        By:  /s/ Wanda Camacho
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name: Wanda Camacho
                                             Title: Vice President
[SEAL]

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   9
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO RENAISSANCERE
HOLDINGS LTD. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH
OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND SUCH
PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR
VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED
OWNER, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL THIS CERTIFICATE IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SENIOR
NOTES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A
WHOLE BY DTC TO A NOMINEE THEREOF OR BY A NOMINEE THEREOF TO DTC OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR OF DTC OR A NOMINEE
OF SUCH SUCCESSOR.

                           RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
                            7.0% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2008

No. R-1                                                   CUSIP No.: 75968N AA 9

Principal Amount:                   $150,000,000

Regular Record Date:                January 1 or July 1, as the case may be,
                                    immediately preceding each Interest
                                    Payment Date

Original Issue Date:                July 17, 2001

Maturity Date:                      July 15, 2008

Interest Payment Dates:             July 15 and January 15

Interest Rate:                      7.0% per annum

Authorized Denomination:            $1,000, or any integral multiple thereof

                  RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., a company duly existing and
organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company", which term includes any
successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof),
for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns,
the principal sum of ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($150,000,000) on the
Maturity Date shown above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original
Issuance Date shown above, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on
each Interest Payment
<PAGE>   10
Date as specified above (including the Maturity Date), commencing on January 15,
2002, at the rate of 7.0% per annum until the principal hereof is paid or duly
provided for. Interest not timely paid or provided for shall, to the extent
permitted by applicable laws, bear simple interest at the rate of 7.0% per
annum.

                  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date (including the Maturity Date) will, as
provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Senior Note
is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date as specified
above next preceding each Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so
punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the
Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose
name this Senior Note is registered at the close of business on a Special Record
Date for the payment of such defaulted interest established by notice given by
or on behalf of the Company to the Holders of Senior Notes not less than 10 days
prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful
manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange, if
any, on which the Senior Notes shall be listed, and upon such notice as may be
required by any such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

                  Payments of interest on this Senior Note will include interest
accrued to but excluding the respective Interest Payment Dates. Interest
payments for this Senior Note shall be computed and paid on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months. In the event that any date on which
interest is payable on this Senior Note is not a Business Day, then payment of
the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that
is a Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the date the
payment was originally payable. A "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a
Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City are
authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed.

                  Payment of the principal of and interest due on the Maturity
Date of this Senior Note shall be made upon surrender of this Senior Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. The principal of and interest on this
Senior Note shall be paid in Dollars. Payments of interest will be made, subject
to such surrender where applicable, at the option of the Company, (i) by check
mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall
appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer to an account
maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States.

                  REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS
SENIOR NOTE SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR
ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS IF SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.

                  Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, this Senior Note shall not be
entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any
purpose.
<PAGE>   11
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to
be duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:

                                            RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.

                                            By:_______________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:

Attest:  _____________________________
          Name:
          Title:

               (Seal of RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD. appears here)

THE COMMON SEAL of
RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD.
was hereunto affixed in the presence of:

_________________________________
Name:
Title:  Director

_________________________________
Name:  Martin J. Merritt
Title:  Vice President and
        Corporate Secretary
<PAGE>   12
                          CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

                  This is one of the 7.0% Senior Notes due 2008 referred to in
the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                            BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee

                                            By:_____________________________
                                               Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>   13
                             (Reverse Side of Note)

                  This security is one of a duly authorized issue of debt
securities of the Company (hereinafter called the "Securities"), all issued or
to be issued under and pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of July 1, 2001, as
supplemented (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Bankers Trust Company,
as trustee (the "Trustee," which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto relating
to this security (including, without limitation, the First Supplemental
Indenture, dated as of July 17, 2001, between the Company and the Trustee)
reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitation of
rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the
Holders of the Securities issued thereunder and of the terms upon which said
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The Securities may
be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various
aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest at
different rates and may otherwise vary as provided in the Indenture or any
indenture supplemental thereto. This security is one of a series designated on
the face as 7.0% Senior Notes due 2008 (the "Senior Notes"), initially limited
in aggregate principal amount to $150,000,000, subject to increase as provided
in Section 2.2 of the First Supplemental Indenture. Capitalized terms used
herein for which no definition is provided herein shall have the meanings set
forth in the Indenture.

                  While this Senior Note is represented by one or more global
notes registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, the Company will cause
payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Senior Note to
be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, by wire transfer to the
extent, in the funds and in the manner required by agreements with, or
regulations or procedures prescribed from time to time by, DTC or its nominee,
and otherwise in accordance with such agreements, regulations and procedures.

                  The Senior Notes will not have a sinking fund.

                  The Senior Notes will be redeemable, at the option of the
Company, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, on not less than 30
nor more than 60 days' prior notice to the holders of the Senior Notes to be
redeemed, on any date prior to their maturity at a price equal to the sum of:
(1) 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes being redeemed;
plus (2) the applicable Make-Whole Premium; plus (3) accrued and unpaid interest
on the principal amount of the Senior Notes being redeemed to, but excluding,
the Redemption Date. In no event will the Redemption Price of the Senior Notes
ever be less than 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes being
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon payable to the Holder thereof.
Installments of interest on Senior Notes for which the Redemption Date is after
a Regular Record Date and on or before the following Interest Payment Date shall
be payable to the Holders of such Senior Notes registered as such at the close
of business on the Regular Record Date therefor.

                  "Make-Whole Premium" means an amount equal to the Discounted
Present Value calculated for any Senior Note subject to redemption less the
unpaid principal amount of such Senior Note; provided, however, that no
Make-Whole Premium shall be less than zero.
<PAGE>   14
                  "Discounted Present Value" of any Senior Note subject to
redemption shall be equal to the discounted present value of all principal and
interest payments scheduled to become due in respect of such Senior Note after
the Redemption Date, calculated using a discount rate equal to the sum of (1)
the yield to maturity on the United States treasury security having a maturity
date equal to the Maturity Date of such Senior Note and trading in the secondary
market at the price closest to par and (2) 25 basis points; provided, however,
that if there is no United States treasury security having a maturity date equal
to the Maturity Date of such Senior Note, such discount rate shall be calculated
using a yield to maturity interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis
(rounding to the nearest month, if necessary) from the yields to maturity for
the two United States treasury securities having maturity dates most closely
corresponding to the Maturity Date of such Senior Note and trading in the
secondary market at the price closest to par.

                  If less than all of the Senior Notes are to be redeemed, the
Senior Notes to be redeemed shall be selected by lot by DTC, in the case of
Senior Notes represented by a global note, or by the Trustee by a method the
Trustee deems to be fair and appropriate, in the case of Senior Notes that are
not represented by a global note.

                  The Indenture also contains provisions for defeasance at any
time of the entire indebtedness of the Senior Notes or of certain restrictive
covenants with respect to the Senior Notes, in each case upon compliance with
certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

                  If an Event of Default with respect to the Senior Notes shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of the Senior Notes may be declared due
and payable in the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions
provided in the Indenture.

                  The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein
provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Senior Notes to
be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with
the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of
the Senior Notes at the time Outstanding affected thereby. The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the Senior Notes at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the
Holders of all Senior Notes, to waive compliance by the Company with certain
provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and
their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Senior Note
shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of
this Senior Note and of any Senior Note issued upon the registration of transfer
hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Senior Note.

                  No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Senior Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
interest on this Senior Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or
currency, herein prescribed.

                  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Senior Note is registrable
in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Senior Note for registration of
transfer at the office or agency of the Company for such purpose,
<PAGE>   15
duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar and duly executed by, the
Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or
more new Senior Notes, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and for the
same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge or certain other expenses payable in
connection therewith.

                  Prior to due presentment of this Senior Note for registration
of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the
Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Senior Note is registered as the
owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Senior Note be overdue, and
neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice
to the contrary.

                  The Senior Notes are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth,
Senior Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Senior
Notes of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder
surrendering the same upon surrender of the Senior Note or Notes to be exchanged
at the office or agency of the Company.

                  This Senior Note shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made
and performed in said state.
<PAGE>   16
                                  ABBREVIATIONS

                  The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on
the face of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out
in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM--as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -__________Custodian_______
                                                   (Cust)             (Minor)
                                                   under Uniform Gifts to Minors
                                                   Act______________________
                                                                      (State)

TEN ENT -- as tenants by the entireties

JT TEN -- as joint tenants with rights of
             survivorship and not as tenants
             in common

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not on the above list.

________________________________________________________________________________
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s) and transfer(s) unto
_____________ (please insert Social Security or other identifying number of
assignee)

________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE OF
ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
the within Senior Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably
constituting and appointing

________________________________________________________________________________
agent to transfer said Senior Note on the books of the Company with full power
of substitution in the premises.

Dated:___________________________   ____________________________________________

                                    ____________________________________________
                                    NOTICE: The signature to this assignment
                                    must correspond with the name as written
                                    upon the face of the within instrument in
                                    every particular without alteration or
                                    enlargement, or any change whatever.<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 4.21

                     SECOND AMENDMENT TO SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                       SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND
                        WAIVER AND FORBEARANCE AGREEMENT

         This Second Amendment to Senior Subordinated Secured Note Purchase
Agreement and Waiver and Forbearance Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2001 (this
"AMENDMENT"), is entered into among National Record Mart, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "ISSUER"), NRM Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"GUARANTOR" and, collectively with the Issuer, the "OBLIGORS"), and The Chase
Manhattan Bank (as successor in interest to Robert Fleming Inc., the "AGENT"),
in its capacity as agent for the Holders under that certain Senior Subordinated
Secured Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 16, 1998 (as amended by the
Amendment to Senior Subordinated Secured Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of
December 23, 2000, and including all annexes, exhibits and schedules thereto,
the "SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Secured Note
Purchase Agreement.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Obligors, the Purchaser, and the Agent each have entered
into the Secured Note Purchase Agreement providing for the sale and purchase of
the Issuer's 11.75% Senior Subordinated Secured Notes due April 15, 2001 (the
"SECURED NOTES"); and

         WHEREAS, the Obligors are also parties to that certain Senior
Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 16, 1998 (as amended by
the Amendment to Senior Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of
December 23, 2000, and including all annexes, exhibits and schedules thereto,
the "UNSECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT") providing for the sale and purchase of
the Issuer's 11.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due April 15, 2001 (the "UNSECURED
NOTES"); and

         WHEREAS, the Issuer has requested that (i) the Agent and the Holders
amend the Secured Note Purchase Agreement and the Secured Notes by, among other
things, extending the maturity date of the Secured Notes; (ii) the Holders waive
in certain respects compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01(a),
7.06(e), 7.15 and 7.16 of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement; and (iii) the
Agent shall forbear, on behalf of and upon the direction of the Holders, from
(a) collecting interest with respect to the Secured Notes until the amended
maturity date, and (b) enforcing any rights and remedies it may have pursuant to
the Secured Note Purchase Agreement in connection with non-payment of such
interest; and

         WHEREAS, the Obligors have indicated that they will (i) obtain an
amendment of the Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement and the Unsecured Notes by,
among other things, extending the maturity date of the Unsecured Notes; (ii)
obtain a waiver of compliance with the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01(a),
7.15 and 7.16 of the Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement in certain respects; and
(iii) obtain a forbearance from the enforcement of certain rights and remedies
of the Agent pursuant to the Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement until the amended
maturity date; and

<PAGE>   2

         WHEREAS, all the Holders of the Secured Notes have consented to this
Amendment; and

         WHEREAS, the Agent is willing to enter into this Amendment on the terms
and conditions set forth herein;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises the Obligors and
the Agent, on behalf of itself and the Holders, each agrees as follows:

         1. Amendment to Secured Note Purchase Agreement and Secured Notes.
Effective as of the Amendment Effective Date (as defined below):

            1.1 The first paragraph of Exhibit A to the Secured Note Purchase
Agreement and the first paragraph of the Secured Notes shall each be amended by
replacing the language "on April 15, 2001" with "on October 15, 2001".

            1.2 Section 8.01(w)(i) of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement shall
be amended in its entirety to read as follows:

         as soon as available, but no later than (a) April 30, 2001, a cash flow
         forecast, projected on a weekly basis, and projected financial
         statements, including, without limitation, a balance sheet, income
         statement, and statement of cash flows, projected on a monthly basis,
         through July 30, 2001, as prepared by the Issuer and reviewed by the
         Financial Advisor and (b) July 15, 2001, a cash flow forecast,
         projected on a weekly basis, and projected financial statements,
         including, without limitation, a balance sheet, income statement, and
         statement of cash flows, projected on a monthly basis, through October
         15, 2001, as prepared by the Issuer and reviewed by the Financial
         Advisor

         2. Waiver.

            2.1 Effective as of the Amendment Effective Date, the Holders hereby
waive, without waiving any other right under or term, condition or provision of
the Secured Note Purchase Agreement:

                  2.1.1 the requirement that the semiannual interest payment due
April 15, 2001 be paid when due; provided, however, that on the earlier to occur
of October 15, 2001 and the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Secured
Note Purchase Agreement, the Issuer shall pay to the Agent, on behalf of each of
the Holders, all amounts due with respect to unpaid interest on the Secured
Notes through and including October 15, 2001 or such earlier date.

                  2.1.2 compliance with the covenant set forth in Section
6.01(a) of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement to the extent applicable to the
auditor's opinion relating to the audited financial statements for the Issuer's
Fiscal Year ending March 31, 2001.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                  2.1.3 compliance with the covenant set forth in Section
7.06(e) of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement with respect to, and only with
respect to, the Issuer's Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2001 and the period from
the Amendment Effective Date through and including October 15, 2001.

                  2.1.4 compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 7.15
of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement with respect to, and only with respect
to, each calendar month through and including July, 2001.

                  2.1.5 compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 7.16
of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement with respect to, and only with respect
to, the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2001 and the fiscal quarter ended March 31,
2001.

            2.2 Effective as of, and subject to the occurrence of, the Waiver
Effective Date (as defined below), the Holders hereby waive, without waiving any
other right under or term, condition or provision of the Secured Note Purchase
Agreement:

                  2.2.1 compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 7.15
of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement with respect to, and only with respect
to, each calendar month through and including September, 2001;

                  2.2.2 compliance with the covenant set forth in Section 7.16
of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement with respect to, and only with respect
to, the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2001.

         3. Forbearance.

            3.1 As of the Amendment Effective Date and through and including
October 15, 2001 (the "FORBEARANCE Period"), the Agent, on behalf of the
Holders, shall not commence any legal proceeding or take any other action to
collect or enforce any remedies under the Secured Note Purchase Agreement or the
Secured Notes or to foreclose its security interests in and liens on the
Collateral and the Pledged Securities on the basis of an Event of Default
resulting from the failure by the Issuer to make any payment of interest due on
the Secured Notes through but not including October 15, 2001; provided, that on
October 15, 2001, the Agent, on behalf of each of the Holders, shall receive
from the Issuer, and the Issuer shall pay to the Agent, on behalf of each of the
Holders, all amounts due with respect to unpaid interest on the Secured Notes to
and including October 15, 2001.

            3.2 Notwithstanding any provision of this Amendment to the contrary,
the Forbearance Period shall terminate immediately upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default under the Secured Note Purchase Agreement which is not
expressly set forth above in Section 3.1.

         4. Amendment Effective Date. This Amendment shall be effective as of
the date first written above (the "AMENDMENT EFFECTIVE DATE") subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

            4.1 The Agent shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent in its sole discretion, duly executed original
counterparts of this Amendment from each of the Issuer and the Guarantor.

            4.2 The Agent shall have received from the Issuer reimbursement for
all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Agent through and including
the Amendment Effective Date, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel to the Agent.

            4.3 The Agent, on behalf of each of the Holders, shall have received
from the Issuer, and the Issuer shall have paid to the Agent, on behalf of each
of the Holders, a fee in the amount of one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Secured Notes held by each of the
Holders.

            4.4 The Issuer shall have obtained from the Holders under the
Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement an amendment, waiver and forbearance with
respect to the Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement and the Unsecured Notes,
similar in form and substance to this Amendment, relating to the maturity date
of the Unsecured Notes, payment of interest, the covenants set forth in Sections
6.01(a), 7.06(e), 7.15 and 7.16 of the Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement and the
forbearance of the enforcement of certain remedies under the Unsecured Note
Purchase Agreement and the Unsecured Notes, and the Agent shall have received a
fully executed copy of the same.

            4.5 All corporate and other proceedings, and all documents,
instruments and other legal matters in connection with the transactions
described in this Amendment shall be satisfactory in all respects in form and
substance to the Agent.

         5. Waiver Effective Date. Section 2.2 of this Amendment shall be
effective as of August 15, 2001 (the "WAIVER EFFECTIVE DATE") subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent:

            5.1 The Agent shall have received, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent in its sole discretion, duly executed waiver
certificates, in the form of Exhibit A hereto, from the Holders of two-thirds of
the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Secured Notes.

            5.2 The Agent shall have received from the Issuer reimbursement for
all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Agent through and including
the Waiver Effective Date, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and expenses of counsel to the Agent.

            5.3 The Agent shall have received copies of the waiver certificates
executed by the Holders of two-thirds of the aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding Unsecured Notes in connection with the amendment, waiver and
forbearance of the Unsecured Note Purchase Agreement and the Unsecured Notes of
even date herewith.

            5.4 The Agent shall have received from each of the Issuer and the
Guarantor an Officer's Certificate certifying that each of the representations
and warranties of

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

the Obligors set forth in Section 6 of this Amendment shall be true and correct
on and as of the Waiver Effective Date to the same extent as such
representations and warranties are true and correct on and as of the Amendment
Effective Date.

            5.5 All corporate and other proceedings, and all documents,
instruments and other legal matters in connection with the transactions
described in this Amendment shall be satisfactory in all respects in form and
substance to the Agent.

            Upon satisfaction of each of the foregoing conditions precedent, the
Agent shall deliver to the Issuer a notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

         6. Representations and Warranties of the Obligors. The Obligors each
represent and warrant to the Agent and the Holders that, as of the Amendment
Effective Date and after giving effect to this Amendment:

            6.1 All of the representations and warranties of the Issuer and the
Guarantor contained in this Amendment, the Secured Note Purchase Agreement, and
the other Note Documents are true and correct on and as of the Amendment
Effective Date, as if then made (other than representations and warranties which
expressly related to an earlier date and except for changes therein expressly
permitted by the Secured Note Purchase Agreement).

            6.2 No Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or
will result after giving effect to this Amendment.

            6.3 The Issuer is not and will not be in breach of any financial
covenant tested as of the Amendment Effective Date, except as have been
expressly waived by this Amendment.

            6.4 Since April 16, 1998, except for information previously publicly
disclosed or disclosed in writing by the Issuer to the Agent, (i) no event or
condition has occurred or is existing which could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) no litigation has been commenced which, if
successful, would have a Material Adverse Effect or could challenge any of the
transactions contemplated by the Secured Note Purchase Agreement, this
Amendment, or the Note Documents, and (iii) there has been no material increase
in liabilities, liquidated or contingent, and no material decrease in assets of
either the Issuer or the Guarantor.

            6.5 The Obligors have received with respect to the Unsecured Note
Purchase Agreement and the Unsecured Notes the executed amendment, waiver and
forbearance referred to in Section 4.5 hereof, and such amendment, waiver and
forbearance is binding and in full force and effect.

            6.6 The execution and delivery of this Amendment and related
documents by the Issuer and the Guarantor, and the performance of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (a) are within each such Person's
corporate power, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary or proper
corporate and shareholder action, and (c) do not conflict with or violate any
contract or agreement to which the Issuer or the Guarantor may be a party; this
Amendment and such documents have been duly executed and delivered by, and each

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of, the Issuer and the
Guarantor, enforceable against each in accordance with its respective terms.

         7. Reference to and Effect on the Note Documents.

            7.1 Upon the Amendment Effective Date and the Waiver Effective Date,
as the case may be, each reference in the Secured Note Purchase Agreement to
"this Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof' or words of like import, each reference
in the Secured Notes to "this Secured Note", "hereunder", "hereof' or words of
like import, and each reference in the Note Documents to the Secured Note
Purchase Agreement or the Secured Notes shall mean and be a reference to the
Secured Note Purchase Agreement or the Secured Notes, as the case may be, as
amended hereby.

            7.2 This Amendment shall constitute a part of and be included in the
definition of Note Documents in the Secured Note Purchase Agreement.

            7.3 This Amendment shall be limited solely to the matters expressly
set forth herein and shall not (i) constitute a waiver or amendment of any other
right, provision, term or condition of the Secured Note Purchase Agreement, the
Secured Notes or any other Note Documents, (ii) prejudice any rights or remedies
which Holders may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with
the Secured Note Purchase Agreement, the Secured Notes or any other Note
Documents, as amended hereby, (iii) require the Holders to agree through the
Agent or the consent of all the Holders to a similar amendment or waiver on a
future occasion, or (iv) create any rights herein to any other Person or other
beneficiary or otherwise, except to the extent specifically provided herein.

            7.4 Except to the extent specifically consented to herein, the
respective provisions, terms and conditions of the Secured Note Purchase
Agreement, the Secured Notes and the other Note Documents shall not be amended,
modified, waived, impaired or otherwise affected hereby, and such documents and
the Obligations under each of them are hereby confirmed as being in full force
and effect.

         8. Time of the Essence. Each of the Obligors acknowledges and agrees
that time is of the essence with respect to each and every term of this
Amendment.

         9. Miscellaneous.

            9.1 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies
hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by all, of the parties
hereto.

            9.2 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AMENDMENT, AND ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION,
VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE HEREOF, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.

            9.3 Payments and Transfers of Funds. All payments or other transfers
of funds to the Agent under this Amendment shall be made in the lawful currency
of the United States by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
Agent in accordance with the wire instructions specified in Exhibit C hereto.

                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, the Guarantor, and the Agent
have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized
officers as of the date first above written.

NATIONAL RECORD MART, INC.

By: /s/ THERESA CARLISE
    --------------------------------------
    Name: Theresa Carlise
    Title: Senior Vice President and CFO

NRM INVESTMENTS, INC.

By: /s/ THERESA CARLISE
    --------------------------------------
    Name: Theresa Carlise
    Title: President

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, SUCCESSOR
IN INTEREST TO ROBERT FLEMING, INC., AS THE AGENT

By: /s/ MICHAEL LANCIA
    --------------------------------------
    Name: Michael Lancia
    Title: Vice President

<PAGE>   9

                                    EXHIBIT A

                               WAIVER CERTIFICATE

                                                                         , 2001
                                                       -----------------

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
         as Agent under the Secured
         Note Purchase Agreement
         (as defined below)

                  Reference is hereby made to the Second Amendment to Senior
Subordinated Secured Note Purchase Agreement and Waiver and Forbearance
Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2001 (the "AMENDMENT"), among National Record
Mart, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "ISSUER"), NRM Investments, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and The Chase Manhattan Bank (as successor in interest to
Robert Fleming Inc., the "AGENT"), in its capacity as agent for the Holders
under that certain Senior Subordinated Secured Note Purchase Agreement dated as
of April 16, 1998 (as amended, and including all annexes, exhibits and schedules
thereto, the "SECURED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT"). Capitalized terms used herein
shall have the meanings ascribed in the Amendment.

                  The undersigned hereby certifies that it is a Holder of the
Secured Notes. Pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Amendment, the Holder hereby
waives the covenants set forth in Sections 7.15 and 7.16 of the Secured Note
Purchase Agreement, as described in Section 2.2 of the Amendment.

                                        [Name of Holder]

                                        By
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:
                                          Title:

                                          Percentage of Principal Held:_______%

<PAGE>   10

                                    EXHIBIT B

                          WAIVER EFFECTIVE DATE NOTICE

                                                                August 15, 2001

National Record Mart, Inc.
507 Forest Avenue
Carnegie, PA 15106-2873
Attention:  Theresa Carlise

                  Reference is hereby made to the Second Amendment to Senior
Subordinated Secured Note Purchase Agreement and Waiver and Forbearance
Agreement, dated as of April 13, 2001 (the "AMENDMENT"), among National Record
Mart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, NRM Investments, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and The Chase Manhattan Bank (as successor in interest to Robert
Fleming Inc., the "AGENT"), in its capacity as agent for the Holders under that
certain Senior Subordinated Secured Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April
16, 1998, as amended.

                  We hereby notify you that the conditions precedent to the
Waiver Effective Date set forth in Section 5 of the Amendment have been
satisfied.

                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                        as Agent

                                        By: /s/ MICHAEL LANCIA
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Name: Michael Lancia
                                           Title: Vice President

<PAGE>   11

                                    EXHIBIT C

                             AGENT WIRE INSTRUCTIONS

The Chase Manhattan Bank
52 Broadway 3rd Floor
New York, N.Y. 10004
ABA # 021000021
For credit to the Special Loan Group a/c # 144002419
Attn: Michael Lancia
Ref: National Record Mart

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