Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 4.11

                     RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
                           SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.
                          ESTABLISHING AND DESIGNATING
                 SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED SHARES
                       AS A SERIES OF THE PREFERRED STOCK

         RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority expressly vested in the Board
of Directors of Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (the "Corporation") by Article FIFTH
of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, the Board of Directors
hereby fixes and determines the voting rights, designations, preferences,
qualifications, privileges, limitations, restrictions, options, conversion
rights and other special or relative rights of the first series of the Series
Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, which shall consist of 150,000
shares and shall be designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Shares
(the "Series A Preferred Shares").

Special Terms of the Series A Preferred Shares

         Section 1. Dividends and Distributions.

         (a) The rate of dividends payable per share of Series A Preferred
Shares on the first day of January, April, July and October in each year or such
other quarterly payment date as shall be specified by the Board of Directors
(each such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date"), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first
issuance of a share or fraction of a share of the Series A Preferred Shares,
shall be (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i) $10.00 or
(ii) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 1,000 times
the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the
aggregate per share amount (payable in cash, based upon the fair market value at
the time the non-cash dividend or other distribution is declared or paid as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) of all non-cash dividends or
other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or
otherwise), declared on the Common Stock, $.10 par value per share, of the
Corporation since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or,
with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first
issuance of any share or fraction of a share of the Series A Preferred Shares.
Dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares shall be paid out of funds legally
available for such purpose. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after
March 24, 2000 (the "Rights Declaration Date") (i) declare and pay to a holder
of record as of a date after the Rights Declaration Date any dividend on Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares
of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a
smaller number of shares,
<PAGE>   2
then in each such case the amounts to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares
were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (ii) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying each such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         (b) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
Series A Preferred Shares from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next
preceding the date of issue of such Series A Preferred Shares, unless the date
of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares shall begin to
accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the date of issue is a
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the
determination of holders of Series A Preferred Shares entitled to receive a
quarterly dividend and before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of
which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such
quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear
interest. Dividends paid on the Series A Preferred Shares in an amount less than
the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding.

         Section 2. Voting Rights. In addition to any other voting rights
required by law, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall have the
following voting rights:

         (a) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
Series A Preferred Share shall entitle the holder thereof to 1,000 votes on all
matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation. In the event
the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date (i) declare
any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide
the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding shares
of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the
number of votes per share to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares were
entitled immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such
number by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to
such event.

         (b) In the event that dividends upon the Series A Preferred Shares
shall be in arrears to an amount equal to six full quarterly dividends thereon,
the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares shall become entitled to the
extent hereinafter provided to vote noncumulatively at all elections of
directors
<PAGE>   3
of the Corporation, and to receive notice of all shareholders' meetings to be
held for such purpose. At such meetings, to the extent that directors are being
elected, the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares voting as a class shall
be entitled solely to elect two members of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation; and all other directors of the Corporation shall be elected by the
other shareholders of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of
directors. Such voting rights of the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares
shall continue until all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon shall have
been paid or funds sufficient therefor set aside, whereupon all such voting
rights of the holders of shares of such series shall cease, subject to being
again revived from time to time upon the reoccurrence of the conditions above
described as giving rise thereto.

         At any time when such right to elect directors separately as a class
shall have so vested, the Corporation may, and upon the written request of the
holders of record of not less than 20% of the then outstanding total number of
shares of all the Series A Preferred Shares having the right to elect directors
in such circumstances shall, call a special meeting of holders of such Series A
Preferred Shares for the election of directors. In the case of such a written
request, such special meeting shall be held within 90 days after the delivery of
such request, and, in either case, at the place and upon the notice provided by
law and in the By-laws of the Corporation; provided, that the Corporation shall
not be required to call such a special meeting if such request is received less
than 120 days before the date fixed for the next ensuing annual or special
meeting of shareholders of the Corporation. Upon the mailing of the notice of
such special meeting to the holders of such Series A Preferred Shares, or, if no
such meeting be held, then upon the mailing of the notice of the next annual or
special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, the number of
directors of the Corporation shall, ipso facto, be increased to the extent, but
only to the extent, necessary to provide sufficient vacancies to enable the
holders of such Series A Preferred Shares to elect the two directors hereinabove
provided for, and all such vacancies shall be filled only by vote of the holders
of such Series A Preferred Shares as hereinabove provided. Whenever the number
of directors of the Corporation shall have been increased, the number as so
increased may thereafter be further increased or decreased in such manner as may
be permitted by the By-laws and without the vote of the holders of Series A
Preferred Shares, provided that no such action shall impair the right of the
holders of Series A Preferred Shares to elect and to be represented by two
directors as herein provided.

         So long as the holders of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled
hereunder to voting rights, any vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by the
death or resignation of any director elected by the holders of Series A
Preferred Shares, shall, until the next meeting of shareholders for the election
of directors, in each case be filled by the remaining director elected by the
holders
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of Series A Preferred Shares having the right to elect directors in such
circumstances.

         Upon termination of the voting rights of the holders of any series of
Series A Preferred Shares the terms of office of all persons who shall have been
elected directors of the Corporation by vote of the holders of Series A
Preferred Shares or by a director elected by such holders shall forthwith
terminate.

         (c) Except as otherwise provided herein, in the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation or by law, the holders of Series A Preferred
Shares and the holders of Common Stock (and the holders of shares of any other
series or class entitled to vote thereon) shall vote together as one class on
all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.

         Section 3. Reacquired Shares. Any Series A Preferred Shares purchased
or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be
retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such shares
shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued Series Preferred
Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of Series Preferred Stock to
be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors.

         Section 4. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. In the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, the holders of Series A Preferred Shares shall be entitled to
receive the greater of (a) $1000.00 per share, plus accrued dividends to the
date of distribution, whether or not earned or declared, or (b) an amount per
share, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to
1,000 times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders of
Common Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights
Declaration Date (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii)
combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,
then in each such case the amount to which holders of Series A Preferred Shares
were entitled immediately prior to such event pursuant to clause (b) of the
preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction
the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         Section 5. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which
the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the Series A
Preferred Shares shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an
amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment
<PAGE>   5
hereinafter set forth) equal to 1,000 times the aggregate amount of stock,
securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may
be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged.
In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Rights Declaration Date
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with respect to the
exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Shares shall be adjusted by
multiplying such amount by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the
denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         Section 6. No Redemption. The Series A Preferred Shares shall not be
redeemable.

         Section 7. Ranking. The Series A Preferred Shares shall rank junior to
all other series of the Corporation's Series Preferred Stock as to the payment
of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the terms of any such series
shall provide otherwise.

         Section 8. Fractional Shares. Series A Preferred Shares may be issued
in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of Series A Preferred Shares.<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                        AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this
"Amendment"), dated as of February 17, 2000 by and among Safeguard Scientifics,
Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation ("SSI" or a "Borrower"), Safeguard Scientifics
(Delaware) Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SSD" or a "Borrower"), Safeguard
Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SDI" or a "Borrower" and, collectively
with SSI and SSD, the "Borrowers") and PNC Bank, National Association, as agent
for the "Lenders" under the Loan Agreement (in such capacity, "Agent")).

                                   BACKGROUND

         A. The parties, together with the other Lenders identified therein,
entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated April 17,
1998 (as amended to date, the "Loan Agreement").

         B. Lenders, through the Agent, and the Borrowers desire to amend the
Loan Agreement in the manner hereinafter set forth.

         C. Capitalized terms that are not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

         D. Subject to compliance with all conditions specified herein, all
amendments hereinafter set forth are effective as of the date hereof unless
otherwise expressly stated herein to the contrary.

         NOW, THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as
follows:

         1. INVESTMENTS AND LOANS.

            a. The term "Investments" set forth in Section 1.1 of the Loan
Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced by the term "Equity Interests", which
shall mean any loans, advances or extensions of credit (other than guaranties)
or any purchase of any debt or equity security, including without limitation,
capital stock, bonds, debentures, notes, general partnership interests, limited
partnership interests, warrants or other rights, all whether certificated or
uncertificated. All references in the Loan Agreement to "Investment" or
"Investments" shall hereafter be deemed references to Equity Interests.

            b. Section 6.6 of the Loan Agreement, "Investments and Loans", is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
<PAGE>   2
               "6.6  EQUITY INTERESTS AND LOANS.

               The Borrowers may make Equity Interests in other Persons, in
               addition to Equity Interests existing on the date of Closing and
               disclosed in Exhibit "6.6" hereto, subject to the following
               limitations:

               (a) (i) Borrowers may only invest in any fiscal year, whether as
               further Equity Interests in a Person in which an Equity Interest
               has previously been made or as a new Equity Interest in a new
               Person, $75,000,000 per Equity Interest for up to two such Equity
               Interests and $50,000,000 per Equity Interest for other Equity
               Interests.

               (ii) Notwithstanding subpart (a) (i) above, the term "Equity
               Interest" as used therein shall not include a transaction which
               would otherwise constitute an Equity Interest but for which the
               consideration given by Borrowers in connection therewith consists
               entirely of capital stock issued by SSI (herein, "Non Cash
               Investments"), provided that should any such stock thereafter be
               redeemed in whole or in part for cash, the cash so paid will be
               deemed an "Equity Interest" in the fiscal year so paid.

               (b) Borrowers shall notify Agent of any Equity Interest in any
               Person in which no previous Equity Interest has been made by any
               Borrower, within a reasonable period after making such Equity
               Interest, and shall provide Agent with full information on the
               Equity Interest, including without limitation, balance sheets,
               statements of income, statements of stockholders equity and such
               other information that Agent may request."

              c. The parties acknowledge that, for purposes of measuring the
amount of Equity Interests, an Equity Interest shall be deemed made in the year
in which a Borrower becomes contractually obligated to make a payment
notwithstanding that the payment is made in a later year.

              d. Any violation by the Borrowers of Section 6.6 of the Loan
Agreement (prior to the modification thereof as set forth in subpart a.) for the
fiscal periods ending September 30, 1999 and December 31, 1999 are hereby
waived.

         2.   COLLATERAL COVERAGE BASE.

              a. The percentage and maximum dollar amount for the following
Collateral Coverage Securities shall be as follows notwithstanding anything to
the contrary set forth as to such securities in the definition of "Collateral
Coverage Base" set forth in the Loan Agreement:

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                 Securities          %               Maximum Dollar
                 ----------          -               --------------
<S>                               <C>              <C>
                 Sanchez            40%               $75 Million
                 Cambridge          50%              $125 Million
</TABLE>

              b. The parties acknowledge that Pledged Securities of Internet
Capital Group ("ICG") shall constitute Collateral Coverage Securities, subject
to the following:

                 (i)  the percentage and dollar maximum for inclusion of ICG
Collateral Coverage Securities in the Collateral Coverage Base will be,
respectively, 15 % and $150,000,000;

                 (ii) the parties acknowledge that securities subject to so-
called broker lock-up agreements constitute Restricted Securities for all
purposes of the Loan Agreement and that, subject to the following exception,
securities so subject are not eligible as Collateral Coverage Securities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, securities of ICG which would otherwise
constitute Collateral Coverage Securities but for the fact that they are subject
to a broker lock-up agreement shall nevertheless constitute Collateral Coverage
Securities but shall be subject to a Maximum Dollar sublimit within the
Collateral Coverage Base of $50,000,000.

         3.   SECURITIES MONETIZATION; SUBORDINATED DEBT

              a. As used herein, "Securities Monetization" means the transfer by
a Borrower of stock pursuant to a transaction substantially identical to that
provided for in the Sails Mandatorily Exchangeable Securities Contract dated as
of August 25, 1999 among SSI, Credit Suisse Financial Products and CSFP, Inc.,
and which is otherwise satisfactory to Bank in its reasonable business judgment.
In the event of any disagreement between the parties as to whether a transaction
proposed to be entered into by the Borrowers constitutes a "Securities
Monetization" for purposes hereof, the good faith determination by the Agent
shall be conclusive.

              b. Securities Monetizations will not be subject to any of the
existing covenants set forth in Section 6 of the Loan Agreement, including
without limitation Section 6.3 (Indebtedness), 6.4 (Liens) and 6.11 thereof
(Sale of Assets), but instead will be subject to the following limitations:

                 (i)  the entire net proceeds from such Securities Monetization
will concurrently with Borrowers' receipt thereof be paid against the principal
of the Loans;

                 (ii) No Event of Default or event which with the giving of
notice and/or the passage of time would constitute an Event of Default shall be
outstanding as of the date on which such transaction is to be closed or would
result therefrom, including an Event of Default by reason of non-compliance with
the Collateral Coverage Base as a result of such Securities Monetization; and

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
                 (iii) the combined aggregate amount of all Securities
Monetizations (measured by the consideration received by the Borrowers in
exchange for the "transferred" stock) and all Subordinated Indebtedness incurred
after the date hereof (as defined and as otherwise permitted by subpart c. below
and measured by principal amount) will not exceed $400,000,000 per year (the
"Monetization/Sub Debt Annual Limit").

              c. (i) As used herein, "Subordinated Indebtedness" means unsecured
Indebtedness of the Borrowers the holder of which has agreed with or for the
benefit of Agent pursuant to a written agreement satisfactory to Agent that the
principal of and interest on such Indebtedness will not be repaid in any
liquidation or dissolution of the Borrowers until all obligations and
indebtedness of Borrowers to Lenders have been repaid in full and Lenders'
lending commitment to Borrowers has terminated, and which is otherwise
satisfactory to Agent in its reasonable business judgment. In the event of any
disagreement between the parties as to whether a transaction proposed to be
entered into by the Borrowers constitutes Subordinated Indebtedness for purposes
hereof, the good faith determination by the Agent shall be conclusive;

                 (ii)  Subordinated Indebtedness will not be subject to the
prohibition contained in Section 6.3 (Indebtedness) of the Loan Agreement but
instead will be subject to the limitations that (A) the combined aggregate
amount of principal of all Subordinated Indebtedness and all Securities
Monetizations incurred after the date hereof (as permitted and measured in
subpart b. above) shall not exceed the Monetization/Sub Debt Annual Limit and
(B) the aggregate amount of all Subordinated Indebtedness incurred after the
date hereof through the Commitment Termination Date will not exceed $500,000,000
(the "Sub Debt Aggregate Sub Limit").

                 (iii) In the event that any Subordinated Indebtedness is by its
terms convertible to stock of SSI, or in the event that Borrowers have the
option to redeem Subordinated Indebtedness prior to maturity, Borrowers may
issue stock of SSI in connection with any such conversion or redemption, subject
to the change of ownership limitation set forth in Section 7.10 of the Loan
Agreement, provided that Borrowers will exercise such optional redemption right
only when it reasonably and in good faith appears to Borrowers that the holder
will accept SSI stock in full payment thereof, such as by reason of the then
price per share being in excess of the then conversion price, although Borrowers
may, subject to the other terms of the Loan Agreement, make a cash payment for
such redemption if nevertheless required by the holder.

         4.   TANGIBLE NET WORTH.

              a. The reference in the definition of Tangible Net Worth to
"Subordinated Debenture" is hereby changed to "Subordinated Indebtedness".

              b. Section 6.8 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended and
restated in its entirety as follows:

         "The Borrowers shall have and maintain Tangible Net Worth of not less
than $519,084,000 as of September 30, 1999, increasing by the sum of (i) 75% of
after tax earnings

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
plus (ii) 100% of additional equity (including Subordinated Indebtedness), for
all periods after September 30, 1999 (determined on a cumulative basis), tested
as set forth in Section 1.3 hereof."

         5. MISCELLANEOUS.

         A. Construction. The provisions of this Amendment shall be in addition
to those of the Loan Agreement, the Notes and the Security Documents, all of
which shall be construed as integrated and complementary to each other. In the
event of any express inconsistency between the terms hereof and those contained
in the Loan Agreement, the terms hereof shall control. Except as modified by the
terms hereof, all terms and provisions of the Loan Agreement remain unchanged
and in full force and effect.

         B. Binding Effect; Assignment and Entire Agreement. This Amendment
shall inure to the benefit of, and shall be binding upon, the respective
successors and permitted assigns of the parties hereto. Borrowers have no right
to assign any of their rights or delegate any of their obligations hereunder
without the prior written consent of Lenders. This Amendment, together with the
Loan Agreement, the Notes and the Security Documents, constitute the entire
agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter thereof. All exhibits
referred to herein and attached hereto shall be deemed expressly incorporated
herein by reference and made a part hereof.

         C. Waiver of Jury Trial. BORROWERS AND LENDERS IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TRIAL
BY JURY AND THE RIGHT THERETO IN ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN
CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF, THIS AMENDMENT, THE NOTES, SECURITY
DOCUMENTS, OR ANY INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AMENDMENT,
OR THE VALIDITY, PROTECTION, INTERPRETATION, COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

         D. Expenses. In addition to all other expense reimbursement obligations
of the Borrowers contained in the Loan Agreement and the Security Documents,
Borrowers will reimburse Lenders for all costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by Lenders in the negotiation, preparation
and consummation of this Amendment and the documents to be delivered pursuant
hereto.

         E. Reaffirmation and Release. Borrowers ratify and reaffirm all of
their Obligations to Lenders and agree that the same are owing without set-off,
counterclaim or other defense of any nature. Borrowers specifically ratify and
reaffirm all waiver of jury trial provisions set forth in the Loan Agreement,
the Notes and the Security Documents.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year
first above written.

                                       LENDERS:

                                       PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT

                                       By:  /s/ Joseph Meterchick
                                            ------------------------------------

                                       BORROWERS:

                                       SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS, INC.

                                       By:  /s/ Michael Miles
                                            ------------------------------------

                                       SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS (DELAWARE) INC.

                                       By:  /s/ Michael Miles
                                            ------------------------------------

                                       SAFEGUARD DELAWARE, INC.

                                       By:     /s/ Michael Miles
                                            ------------------------------------

                                      -6-

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