Document:

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                                                                Exhibit 10.11(a)

               $100,000,000 364 DAY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

      THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 22, 2000, is by and between
ALLEGHANY CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
Delaware (the "Borrower"), the banks which are signatories hereto (individually,
a "Bank" and, collectively, the "Banks") and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a
national banking association, one of the Banks, as agent for the Banks (in such
capacity, the "Agent").

                                    ARTICLE 1

                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

      Section 1.1. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement the following terms
shall have the following respective meanings (and such meanings shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined, as the
context may require):

      "Adjusted Eurodollar Rate": With respect to each Interest Period
applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the rate (rounded upward, if necessary,
to the next 1/16th of 1%) determined by dividing the Eurodollar Rate for such
Interest Period by 1.00 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

      "Advance":  Any portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans by a Bank as
to which one of the available interest rate options and, if pertinent, an
Interest Period, is applicable.  An Advance may be a Eurodollar Rate Advance
or a Base Rate Advance.

      "Affiliate": When used with reference to any 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. The term
control (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with")
means the possession, directly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management and policies of the Person in question.

      "Agent":  As defined in the opening paragraph hereof.

      "Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts":  As of any date, the sum of
the Revolving Commitment Amounts of all the Banks.

      "Alleghany Asset Management":  Alleghany Asset Management, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

      "Alleghany Asset Management Sale": The merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary
of ABN AMRO North America Holding Company with and into Alleghany Asset
Management pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 18,
2000, among ABN AMRO North America Holding Company, Alleghany Asset Management
and the Borrower. For purposes of

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this Agreement, the Alleghany Asset Management Sale shall be deemed to have
occurred on the "Closing Date" as defined in said Agreement and Plan of Merger.

      "API":  Alleghany Properties, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

      "API Agreement": Note Purchase Agreement by and among Alleghany
Corporation, API and the Purchasers signatories thereto of $40 million principal
amount of API Notes, whereby Alleghany Corporation has agreed to purchase from
API certain real properties owned by API to the extent required to permit API to
make required payments on the API Notes, together with all documents related
thereto, as such agreement or other documents may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

      "API Notes:" API 6.83% Senior Notes due December 11, 2004.

      "Applicable Lending Office": For each Bank and for each type of Advance,
the office of such Bank identified as such Bank's Applicable Lending Office on
the signature pages hereof or such other domestic or foreign office of such Bank
(or of an Affiliate of such Bank) as such Bank may specify from time to time, by
notice given pursuant to Section 9.4, to the Agent and the Borrower as the
office by which its Advances of such type are to be made and maintained.

      "Applicable Margin": With respect to Eurodollar Advances the Applicable
Margin (in basis points) set forth in the applicable table below as in effect on
the first day of each Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Advance for such
Interest Period; in each case, determined based on the actual rating of the
Borrower's senior unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term debt by either or
both of Moody's or S&P in effect on the date of determination:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Applicable Margin
Level                      Rating                    (basis points per annum)
-----                      ------                    ------------------------
<S>                        <C>                       <C>
I                          A/A2 or higher            50.0
II                         A-/A3                     55.0
III                        BBB+/Baa1                 67.5
IV                         BBB/Baa2                  80.0
V                          BBB-/Baa3 or lower        92.5
</TABLE>

            (a) If the Ratings established by S&P and Moody's shall fall within
      different Levels, the Applicable Margin shall be based on the Rating
      listed on the higher Level (Level V being the lowest Level), provided the
      Ratings are not more than two Levels apart. If the Ratings are more than
      two Levels apart, the Applicable Margin shall be based on the Rating that
      is one Level above the lowest of the Levels.

            (b) If any Rating shall be established or changed, it shall be
      effective on the date first announced publicly by the agency establishing
      such Rating or making such change.

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            (c) If S&P or Moody's shall change the basis on which Ratings are
      established, each reference to the Rating announced by S&P or Moody's, as
      the case may be, shall refer to the then equivalent Rating by S&P or
      Moody's, as the case may be.

            (d) If only one of S&P or Moody's shall have in effect a Rating, the
      Applicable Margin shall be determined by reference to the available
      Rating.

      "Asset Coverage Ratio": The ratio which (a) the sum of (i) the amount that
would be shown as stockholders' equity on the balance sheet of the Borrower in
accordance with GAAP, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness that would
be included in liabilities on the balance sheet of the Borrower in accordance
with GAAP, less (iii) that portion of the Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness
that would be included in liabilities on the balance sheet of the Borrower in
accordance with GAAP, bears to (b) all Indebtedness of the Borrower (including
amounts guaranteed by the Borrower but excluding Permitted Intercompany
Indebtedness) for borrowed money or evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or
like instruments.

      "AUL London":  Alleghany Underwriting Holdings Ltd., an English Company.

      "Bank":  As defined in the opening paragraph hereof.

      "Base Rate":  For any day, the higher of: (a) 0.50% per annum above the
latest Federal Funds Rate and (b) the Reference Rate then in effect.

      "Base Rate Advance":  An Advance with respect to which the interest
rate is determined by reference to the Base Rate.

      "Board":  The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any
successor thereto.

      "Borrower":  As defined in the opening paragraph hereof.

      "Business Day": Any day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in
the State of Minnesota or in the State of New York) on which banks are permitted
to be open in Minneapolis, Minnesota and in New York, New York.

      "Capitalized Lease": A lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to
use) real or personal property with respect to which at least a portion of the
rent or other amounts thereon constitute Capitalized Lease Obligations.

      "Capitalized Lease Obligations": As to any Person, the obligations of such
Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or other agreement
conveying the right to use) real or personal property which obligations are
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance
sheet of such Person under GAAP (including Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 13 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board), and, for purposes
of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized
amount thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP (including such Statement No.
13).

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      "Change of Control": The occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the
following: (a) any person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission as in effect on the date hereof) other than
the current principal stockholders of the Borrower identified in the Borrower's
proxy statement dated March 27, 2000 or any of their respective children,
spouses or issue thereof or any entity controlled or substantially all of whose
equity is beneficially owned by one or more of them as of the date of this
Agreement, shall own directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, shares
representing 25% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by
the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower; (b) a majority of the
seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower shall
at any time be occupied by persons who were neither nominated or appointed by a
majority of the directors of the Borrower who were in office as of the date of
this Agreement nor who were nominated or appointed by directors so nominated; or
(c) any person or group other than the current principal stockholders of the
Borrower identified in the Borrower's proxy statement dated March 27, 2000, or
any of their respective children, spouses or issue thereof or any entity
controlled or substantially all of whose equity is beneficially owned by one or
more of them as of the date of this Agreement shall otherwise directly or
indirectly control the Borrower.

      "Closing Date": Any Business Day between the date of this Agreement and
November 30, 2000 on which all of the conditions precedent to the obligation of
the Banks to make the initial Revolving Loan hereunder, as set forth in Section
3.1, have been, or, on such Closing Date, are, satisfied. The Borrower shall
give the Agent not less than one Business Day's prior notice of the day selected
as the Closing Date.

      "Code":  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

      "Compliance Certificate": A certificate in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit 5.1 signed by either the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Borrower or the Vice President, Controller and Treasurer of the
Borrower demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance (or non-compliance, as
the case may be) with each of Sections 6.11, 6.13, 6.14 and 6.15 as at the end
of such quarter and stating that as at the end of such quarter there did not
exist any Default or Event of Default or, if such Default or Event of Default
existed, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what action
the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

      "Contingent Obligation": With respect to any Person at the time of any
determination, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any
Indebtedness of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether
directly or otherwise, including without limitation any agreement: (a) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of)
any direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to purchase property, securities
or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the
payment of such Indebtedness, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or
other financial statement condition of the primary obligor so as to enable the
primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or otherwise to protect the owner
thereof against loss in respect thereof, or (d) entered into for the purpose of
assuring in any manner the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment of such
Indebtedness or to protect the owner against

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loss in respect thereof; provided, that the term "Contingent Obligation" shall
not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in each case in the ordinary
course of business.

      "Current Liabilities":  As of any date, the consolidated current
liabilities of the Borrower, determined in accordance with GAAP.

      "Default": Any event which, with the giving of notice (whether such notice
is required under Section 7.1, or under some other provision of this Agreement,
or otherwise) or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

      "Defaulting Bank": At any time, any Bank that, at such time (a) has failed
to make a Revolving Loan required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (b)
has failed to pay to the Agent or any Bank an amount owed by such Bank pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or has become
subject to a bankruptcy, receivership or insolvency proceeding, or to a
receiver, trustee or similar official.

      "ERISA":  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

      "ERISA Affiliate": Any trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
that is a member of a group of which the Borrower is a member and which,
together with the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of
the Code.

      "Eurodollar Business Day": A Business Day which is also a day for trading
by and between banks in United States dollar deposits in the interbank
Eurodollar market and a day on which banks are open for business in New York
City.

      "Eurodollar Rate": With respect to each Interest Period applicable to a
Eurodollar Rate Advance, the average offered rate for deposits in United States
dollars (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) for delivery
of such deposits on the first day of such Interest Period, for the number of
days in such Interest Period, which appears on the Reuters Screen LIBO page as
of 11:00 AM, London time (or such other time as of which such rate appears) two
Eurodollar Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, or the
rate for such deposits determined by the Agent at such time based on such other
published service of general application as shall be selected by the Agent for
such purpose; provided, that in lieu of determining the rate in the foregoing
manner, the Agent may determine the rate based on rates at which United States
dollar deposits are offered to the Agent in the interbank Eurodollar market at
such time for delivery in Immediately Available Funds on the first day of such
Interest Period in an amount approximately equal to the Advance by the Agent to
which such Interest Period is to apply (rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest 1/16 of 1%). "Reuters Screen LIBO page" means the display designated as
page "LIBO" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rate Screen (or such other page as may
replace the LIBO page on such service for the purpose of displaying London
interbank offered rates of major banks for United States dollar deposits).

      "Eurodollar Rate Advance":  An Advance with respect to which the
interest rate is determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

      "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage":  As of any day, that percentage
(expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as prescribed by the
Board for determining the

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maximum reserve requirement (including any basic, supplemental or emergency
reserves) for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, with deposits
comparable in amount to those held by the Agent, in respect of "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Board. The rate of
interest applicable to any outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be
adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the
Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

      "Event of Default":  Any event described in Section 7.1.

      "Federal Funds Rate": For any period of determination, a fluctuating
interest rate per annum (based on a 360-day year) equal for each day during such
period to the weighted average of the rates of interest charged on overnight
federal funds transactions, with member banks of the Federal Reserve System
only, as arranged by Federal Funds brokers, as reasonably determined by the
Agent.

      "Five Year Credit Agreement": That certain $100,000,000 Five Year
Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and between the
Borrower and the Agent and the Banks, together with all documents related
thereto, as such agreement or other documents may be amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

      "GAAP": Generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions
and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other
entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession,
which are applicable to the circumstances as of any date of determination.

      "Immediately Available Funds":  Funds with good value on the day and in
the city in which payment is received.

      "Indebtedness": With respect to any Person at the time of any
determination, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for
borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are
customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or
other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by
such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property or services, other than accounts payable
incurred and paid on terms customary in the business of such Person (it being
understood that the "deferred purchase price" in connection with any purchase of
property or assets shall include only that portion of the purchase price which
shall be deferred beyond the date on which the purchase is actually
consummated), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder
of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be
secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or
not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (g) all Capitalized Lease
Obligations of such Person, (h) all net obligations of such Person in respect of
interest rate protection agreements, (i) all obligations of such Person, actual
or contingent, as an account party in respect of issued letters of credit or
bankers' acceptances, (j) all Contingent Obligations of such Person, and (k) all

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obligations of a type described in clause (a) through (j) above of any
partnership or joint venture as to which such Person is or may become personally
liable.

      "Interest Period": With respect to each Eurodollar Rate Advance, the
period commencing on the date of such Advance or on the last day of the
immediately preceding Interest Period, if any, applicable to an outstanding
Advance and ending one, two, three, six months thereafter, as the Borrower may
elect in the applicable notice of borrowing, continuation or conversion;
provided that:

            (a) Any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day which is
      not a Eurodollar Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding
      Eurodollar Business Day unless such Eurodollar Business Day falls in
      another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on
      the next preceding Eurodollar Business Day;

            (b) Any Interest Period that begins on the last Eurodollar Business
      Day of a calendar month (or a day for which there is no numerically
      corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
      Period) shall end on the last Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month;
      and

            (c) Any Interest Period that would otherwise end after the Revolving
      Commitment Ending Date shall end on the Revolving Commitment Ending Date.

      "Levels":  The numbered levels listed on the Rating grid contained in
the definition of Applicable Margin.

      "Lien": With respect to any Person, any security interest, mortgage,
pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, title retention agreement or analogous
instrument or device (including the interest of each lessor under any
Capitalized Lease), in, of or on any assets or properties of such Person, now
owned or hereafter acquired, whether arising by agreement or operation of law.

      "Loan Documents": This Agreement , the Revolving Notes, and all other
agreements, instruments and documents heretofore, herewith or hereafter executed
and delivered by the Borrower in connection with this Agreement.

      "Majority Banks": At any time, Banks other than Defaulting Banks holding
at least 51% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Notes,
excluding Revolving Notes held by Defaulting Banks or, if no Revolving Loans are
at the time outstanding hereunder, Banks other than Defaulting Banks holding at
least 51% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts excluding Revolving
Commitment Amounts held by Defaulting Banks.

      "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean (a) a materially adverse effect on
the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) material impairment of the
ability of the Borrower to perform any of its obligations under any Loan
Document to which it is a party.

      "Mellon Bridge Facility": The credit facility established pursuant to the
Credit Agreement dated as of May 10, 2000, by and among Alleghany Underwriting
Ltd, an English company, as an Account Party; Alleghany Underwriting Capital
Ltd, an English company,

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Talbot Underwriting Limited, an English company, and Alleghany Underwriting
Capital (Bermuda) Ltd (formerly known as Venton Underwriting Limited), a Bermuda
exempted limited liability company, as Borrowers and Account Parties; Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent and Arranger; and each of the
entities identified therein as a Bank, as such; together with all documents
related thereto, in each case as such agreement or other documents may be
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and
together with all extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof.

      "Mellon Credit Facilities":  The Mellon Bridge Facility and the Mellon
Syndicated Credit Facility.

      "Mellon Expiration Date": The date on which both (a) the Borrower has
ceased to have any Contingent Obligation or other Indebtedness with regard to
the Mellon Credit Facilities and (b) there is no pledge of or security interest
in any assets of the Borrower (including, without limitation, stock of
Subsidiaries) which secures the obligations of any Person under the Mellon
Credit Facilities.

      "Mellon Pledge Agreement": The Pledge Agreement between Mellon Bank, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, and Alleghany Corporation, as Guarantor, entered into
pursuant to the Mellon Syndicated Credit Facility, together with all documents
related thereto, in each case as such agreement or other documents may be
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and all
extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof.

      "Mellon Syndicated Credit Facility": Collectively, (a) the credit facility
established pursuant to the Credit Agreement dated as of August 14, 2000 by and
among Alleghany Underwriting Ltd, an English company, as an Account Party;
Alleghany Underwriting Capital Ltd, an English company, Talbot Underwriting
Limited, an English company, and Alleghany Underwriting Capital (Bermuda) Ltd, a
Bermuda exempted limited liability company, as Borrowers and Account Parties;
Alleghany Corporation, a Delaware corporation, as Guarantor; Mellon Bank, N.A.,
as Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent and Arranger; National Westminster Bank
plc, as Syndication Agent; ING Bank, N.V., London Branch, as Managing Agent; and
each of the entities identified therein as a Bank, as such; together with all
documents related thereto, including without limitation the Mellon Pledge
Agreement, in each case as such agreements or other documents may be amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, (b) any credit
facility that replaces such Credit Agreement in whole or in part, and (c) any
credit facility secured by the collateral which, as of the date of this
Agreement, secures the obligations of Alleghany Corporation as Guarantor
pursuant to the Mellon Pledge Agreement; in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c)
together with all extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof.

      "Mineral Holdings":  Mineral Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

      "Moody's":  Moody's Investors Service.

      "Multiemployer Plan":  A multiemployer plan, as such term is defined in
Section 4001 (a) (3) of ERISA, which is maintained (on the Closing Date,
within the five years preceding the

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Closing Date, or at any time after the Closing Date) for employees of the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

      "Obligations": The Borrower's obligations in respect of the due and
punctual payment of principal and interest on the Revolving Notes, when and as
due, whether by acceleration or otherwise and all fees (including Revolving
Commitment Fees and Supplemental Facility Fees), expenses, indemnities,
reimbursements and other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, in all cases whether now existing or hereafter arising or
incurred.

      "PBGC":  The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, established pursuant
to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA, and any successor thereto or to the
functions thereof.

      "Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness": Indebtedness of the Borrower: (a)
under the API Agreement, not to exceed $40,000,000 in aggregate principal amount
of such Indebtedness; (b) to Mineral Holdings, not to exceed $12,100,000 in
aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness; (c) to Alleghany Funding
Corporation, not to exceed $19,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness; and (d) in addition to the foregoing, to any one or more of its
Subsidiaries, not to exceed $10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of such
Indebtedness as to all such Subsidiaries taken as a whole at any time
outstanding.

      "Person": Any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, firm, association, trust,
unincorporated organization, government or governmental agency or political
subdivision or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or
other capacity.

      "Plan": Each employee pension benefit plan (whether in existence on the
Closing Date or thereafter instituted), as such term is defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum
funding standards under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code as to
which the Borrower may have liability.

      "Rating":  As such term is used in the definition of Applicable Margin.

      "Reference Rate": The rate of interest from time to time publicly
announced by the Agent as its "reference rate." The Agent may lend to its
customers at rates that are at, above or below the Reference Rate. For purposes
of determining any interest rate hereunder or under any other Loan Document
which is based on the Reference Rate, such interest rate shall change as and
when the Reference Rate shall change.

      "Regulatory Change": Any change after the Closing Date in federal, state
or foreign laws or regulations or the adoption or making after such date of any
interpretations, directives or requests applying to a class of banks including
any Bank under any federal, state or foreign laws or regulations (whether or not
having the force of law) by any court or governmental or monetary authority
charged with the interpretation or administration thereof.

      "Reportable Event": A reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA
and the regulations issued under such Section, with respect to a Plan,
excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC by regulation has waived
the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that

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it be notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, provided that a
failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and of
Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of
any waiver in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Code.

      "Restricted Payments": With respect to the Borrower, collectively, all
dividends or other distributions of any nature (cash, securities other than
common stock of the Borrower, assets or otherwise), and all payments on any
class of equity securities (including warrants, options or rights therefor)
issued by the Borrower, whether such securities are authorized or outstanding on
the Closing Date or at any time thereafter and any redemption or purchase of, or
distribution in respect of, any of the foregoing, whether directly or
indirectly.

      "Revolving Commitment": With respect to a Bank, the agreement of such Bank
to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount
outstanding at any time not to exceed such Bank's Revolving Commitment Amount
upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations of this Agreement.

      "Revolving Commitment Amount": With respect to a Bank, initially the
amount set opposite such Bank's name on the signature page hereof as its
Revolving Commitment Amount, but as the same may be reduced from time to time
pursuant to Section 2.7.

      "Revolving Commitment Ending Date":  As defined in Section 2.11.

      "Revolving Commitment Fees":  As defined in Section 2.8.

      "Revolving Loan":  As defined in Section 2.1.

      "Revolving Loan Date":  The date of the making of any Revolving Loans
hereunder.

      "Revolving Note":  A promissory note of the Borrower in the form of
Exhibit 1.1(A) hereto.

      "Revolving Percentage": With respect to any Bank, the percentage
equivalent of a fraction, the numerator of which is the Revolving Commitment
Amount of such Bank and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving
Commitment Amounts.

      "S&P":  Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc.

      "Significant Subsidiary": Any of: (a) Alleghany Asset Management, AUL
London, Mineral Holdings and Heads & Threads International LLC, (b) any other
Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) the capital stock of which, as of the date of
determination, is directly owned by the Borrower and (ii) which, with respect to
the most recent fiscal year of the Borrower, accounted for 10% or more of the
net income of the Borrower or represented 10% or more of the Borrower's total
assets (valued as provided in Section 1.2 hereof), and (c) any Subsidiary of the
Borrower with which a Significant Subsidiary is merged pursuant to Section 6.1
and which is the surviving corporation of such merger. For Borrower's fiscal
year 2000, the test set forth in clause (b)(ii) of the preceding sentence shall
be applied on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the sale of Underwriters
Re Group, Inc. on May 10, 2000. If any assets of a Significant

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Subsidiary are transferred to another Subsidiary, (A) the transferor Significant
Subsidiary shall remain a Significant Subsidiary, irrespective of whether or not
it meets either of the percentage tests set forth in clause (b)(ii) of the first
sentence of this definition after giving effect to such transfer and (B) the
transferee Subsidiary shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if either (1) it
was a Significant Subsidiary prior to such transfer or (2) it meets either of
the percentage tests set forth in clause (b)(ii) of the first sentence of this
definition after giving effect to such transfer.

      "Subordinated Debt": Any Indebtedness of the Borrower, now existing or
hereafter created, incurred or arising, which is subordinated in right of
payment to the payment of the Obligations in a manner and to an extent (a) that
Majority Banks have approved in writing prior to the creation of such
Indebtedness, or (b) as to any Indebtedness of the Borrower existing on the date
of this Agreement, that Majority Banks have approved as Subordinated Debt in a
writing delivered by Majority Banks to the Borrower on or prior to the Closing
Date.

      "Subsidiary": Any corporation or other entity of which securities or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power for the election of a majority
of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions are
owned by the Borrower either directly or through one or more Subsidiaries.

      "Supplemental Facility Fee":  As defined in Section 2.8(b).

      "Tangible Net Worth": As of any date of determination, the excess of (i)
the net book value of the assets of the Borrower (other than patents, patent
rights, trademarks, trade names, franchises, copyrights, licenses, permits,
goodwill and other intangible assets of the Borrower classified as such in
accordance with GAAP) after all appropriate deductions in accordance with GAAP
(including, without limitation, reserves for doubtful receivables, obsolescence,
depreciation and amortization) over (ii) the liabilities (including tax and
other proper accruals) of the Borrower, in each case computed in accordance with
GAAP.

      "Termination Date": The earliest of (a) the Revolving Commitment Ending
Date, (b) the date on which the Revolving Commitments are terminated pursuant to
Section 7.2 hereof or (c) the date on which the Revolving Commitment Amounts are
reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof.

      "Unrestricted Liquid Assets": Assets of the Borrower that are not subject
to any assignment, right of setoff or any Lien or any restriction of a type
described in Section 6.4 hereof (other than any of the same in favor of the
Agent) that consist of any of the following:

            (a) cash and deposits in any commercial bank organized under the
      laws of the United States or any State thereof which has combined capital
      and surplus of at least $100,000,000;

            (b) investments in readily marketable direct obligations issued or
      guaranteed by the United States or any government agency retaining a
      stated or implied rating of Aaa or better;

            (c) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances issued by any
      commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any State
      thereof which has (i)

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   11
<PAGE>   12
      combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000, and (ii) a credit
      rating with respect to its unsecured indebtedness of A-/A3 or better from
      either or both of S&P and Moody's;

            (d)   commercial paper given the highest rating by a nationally
      recognized rating service;

            (e)   repurchase agreements relating to securities issued or
      guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States of America;

            (f) other readily marketable investments in debt or equity
      securities traded without volume or other restrictions on a national
      exchange; and

            (g) debt consisting of investment grade corporate bonds with a
      duration of not more than one year.

      "Unused Revolving Commitment": With respect to any Bank as of any date of
determination, the amount by which such Bank's Revolving Commitment Amount
exceeds the principal amount of unpaid Revolving Loans owing to such Bank on
such date.

      "USBNA": U.S. Bank National Association in its capacity as one of the
Banks hereunder.

      Section 1.2. Accounting Terms, Calculations and Valuations. Except as may
be expressly provided to the contrary herein, (i) all accounting terms used
herein shall be interpreted and all accounting determinations hereunder shall be
made in accordance with GAAP and (ii) all accounting determinations made
hereunder with respect to the Borrower shall be made on an unconsolidated basis.
To the extent any change in GAAP affects any computation or determination
required to be made pursuant to this Agreement, such computation or
determination shall be made as if such change in GAAP had not occurred unless
the Borrower and Majority Banks agree in writing on an adjustment to such
computation or determination to account for such change in GAAP. The valuation
of securities for which market quotations are readily available shall be based
upon the market value of such securities, and the valuation of other securities
and assets shall be based upon financial statement values as determined in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis.

      Section 1.3. Computation of Time Periods. In this Agreement, in the
computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date,
unless otherwise stated the word "from" means "from and including" and the word
"to" or "until" each means "to but excluding".

      Section 1.4. Other Definitional Terms. The words "hereof," "herein" and
"hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement. References to Sections, Exhibits, schedules and like references are
to this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided. The words "include,"
"includes" and "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without
limitation." Unless the context in which used herein otherwise clearly requires,
"or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or."

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<PAGE>   13
                                    ARTICLE 2

                         TERMS OF THE CREDIT FACILITIES

      Section 2.1. The Revolving Commitments. On the terms and subject to the
conditions hereof, each Bank severally agrees to make loans (each, a "Revolving
Loan" and, collectively, the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower on a revolving
basis at any time and from time to time from the Closing Date to the Termination
Date, during which period the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow in
accordance with the provisions hereof, provided, that the unpaid principal
amount of outstanding Revolving Loans of a Bank shall not at any time exceed the
Revolving Commitment Amount of such Bank. Revolving Loans hereunder shall be
made by the several Banks ratably in the proportion of their respective
Revolving Commitment Amounts. Revolving Loans may be obtained and maintained, at
the election of the Borrower but subject to the limitations hereof, as Base Rate
Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances. Notwithstanding any provision hereof, this
Agreement and the Revolving Commitments shall terminate and the Banks shall have
no obligation hereunder if the Closing Date hereunder shall not have occurred on
or before November 30, 2000, provided, however, that the obligations of the
Borrower under Section 9.2 shall survive any such termination.

            2.1(a) Procedure for Revolving Loans. Any request by the Borrower
      for Revolving Loans hereunder shall be in writing or by telephone and must
      be given so as to be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m.
      (Minneapolis time) two Eurodollar Business Days prior to the requested
      Revolving Loan Date if the Revolving Loans (or any portion thereof) are
      requested as Eurodollar Rate Advances and not later than 10:00 a.m.
      (Minneapolis time) on the requested Revolving Loan Date if the Revolving
      Loans are requested as Base Rate Advances. Each request for Revolving
      Loans hereunder shall be irrevocable and shall be deemed a representation
      by the Borrower that on the requested Revolving Loan Date and after giving
      effect to the requested Revolving Loans the applicable conditions
      specified in Article III have been and will be satisfied. Each request for
      Revolving Loans hereunder shall specify (i) the requested Revolving Loan
      Date, (ii) the aggregate amount of Revolving Loans to be made on such date
      which shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 or, if more, an integral
      multiple thereof, (iii) whether such Revolving Loans are to be funded as
      Base Rate Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances (and, if such Revolving
      Loans are to be made with more than one applicable interest rate choice,
      specifying the amount to which each interest rate choice is applicable)
      and (iv) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the duration of the
      initial Interest Period applicable thereto. The Agent may rely on any
      telephone request for Revolving Loans hereunder which it believes in good
      faith to be genuine; and the Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute
      the Agent's record of the terms of such telephone request. The Agent shall
      promptly notify each other Bank of the receipt of such request, the
      matters specified therein, and of such Bank's ratable share of the
      requested Revolving Loans. On the date of the requested Revolving Loans,
      each Bank shall provide its share of the requested Revolving Loans to the
      Agent in Immediately Available Funds not later than 12:00 noon,
      Minneapolis time. Unless the Agent determines that any applicable
      condition specified in Article III has not been satisfied, the Agent will
      make available to the Borrower at the Agent's principal office in
      Minneapolis, Minnesota in Immediately Available Funds not later than 3:00
      p.m. (Minneapolis time)

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<PAGE>   14
      on the requested Revolving Loan Date the amount of the requested Revolving
      Loans. If the Agent has made a Revolving Loan to the Borrower on behalf of
      a Bank but has not received the amount of such Revolving Loan from such
      Bank by the time herein required, such Bank shall pay interest to the
      Agent on the amount so advanced at the overnight Federal Funds rate from
      the date of such Revolving Loan to the date funds are received by the
      Agent from such Bank, such interest to be payable with such remittance
      from such Bank of the principal amount of such Revolving Loan (provided,
      however, that the Agent shall not make any Revolving Loan on behalf of a
      Bank if the Agent has received prior notice from such Bank that it will
      not make such Revolving Loan). If the Agent does not receive payment from
      such Bank within three Business Days after the date of any Revolving Loan,
      the Agent shall be entitled to recover such Revolving Loan, with interest
      thereon at the rate (or rates) then applicable to the such Revolving Loan,
      on demand, from the Borrower, without prejudice to the Agent's and the
      Borrower's rights against such Bank. If such Bank pays the Agent the
      amount herein required with interest at the overnight Federal Funds rate
      before the Agent has recovered from the Borrower, such Bank shall be
      entitled to the interest payable by the Borrower with respect to the
      Revolving Loan in question accruing from the date the Agent made such
      Revolving Loan.

      Section 2.2. Revolving Notes. The Advances of each Bank shall be evidenced
by a single Revolving Note payable to the order of such Bank in a principal
amount equal to such Bank's Revolving Commitment Amount originally in effect.
Upon receipt of each Bank's Revolving Note from the Borrower, the Agent shall
mail such Revolving Note to such Bank. Each Bank shall enter in its ledgers and
records the amount of each Revolving Loan, the various Advances made, converted
or continued and the payments made thereon, and each Bank is authorized by the
Borrower to enter on a schedule attached to its Revolving Note a record of such
Revolving Loans, Advances and payments; provided, however that the failure by
any Bank to make any such entry or any error in making such entry shall not
limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder and on the
Revolving Notes, and, in all events, the principal amounts owing by the Borrower
in respect of the Revolving Notes shall be the aggregate amount of all Revolving
Loans made by the Banks less all payments of principal thereof made by the
Borrower.

      Section 2.3. Conversions and Continuations. On the terms and subject to
the limitations hereof, the Borrower shall have the option at any time and from
time to time to convert all or any portion of the Advances into Base Rate
Advances or Eurodollar Rate Advances, or to continue a Eurodollar Rate Advance
as such; provided, however that if a Eurodollar Rate Advance is converted or
continued on a day which is other than the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, the Borrower shall compensate the Banks in accordance with
Section 2.17, and further provided that no Advance may be converted to or
continued as a Eurodollar Rate Advance if a Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing and the Majority Banks have determined that such
conversion or continuation is not appropriate. Advances may be converted to, or
continued as, Eurodollar Rate Advances only in integral multiples, as to the
aggregate amount of the Advances of all Banks so converted or continued, of
$1,000,000. The Borrower shall give the Agent written notice of any continuation
or conversion of any Advances and such notice must be given so as to be received
by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (Minneapolis time) two Eurodollar
Business Days prior to requested date of

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   14
<PAGE>   15
conversion or continuation in the case of the continuation of, or conversion to,
Eurodollar Rate Advances and on the date of the requested conversion to Base
Rate Advances. Each such notice shall specify (a) the amount to be continued or
converted, (b) the date for the continuation or conversion (which must be (i)
the last day of the preceding Interest Period for any continuation or conversion
of Eurodollar Rate Advances, and (ii) a Eurodollar Business Day in the case of
continuations as or conversions to Eurodollar Rate Advances and a Business Day
in the case of conversions to Base Rate Advances), and (c) in the case of
conversions to or continuations as Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Interest Period
applicable thereto. Any notice given by the Borrower under this Section shall be
irrevocable. If the Borrower shall fail to notify the Agent of the continuation
of any Eurodollar Rate Advances within the time required by this Section, such
Advances shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
automatically be converted into Base Rate Advances of the same principal amount.
All conversions and continuation of Advances must be made uniformly and ratably
among the Banks. (E.g., when continuing a two-month Eurodollar Rate Advance of
one Bank to a three-month Eurodollar Rate Advance, the Borrower must
simultaneously continue all two-month Eurodollar Rate Advances of all Banks
having Interest Periods ending on the date of continuation as three-month
Eurodollar Rate Advances.)

      Section 2.4.      Interest Rates, Interest Payments and Default
Interest.  Interest shall accrue and be payable on the Revolving Loans as
follows:

            2.4(a) Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Eurodollar Rate Advance
      shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof during the
      Interest Period applicable thereto at a rate per annum equal to the sum of
      (i) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, plus (ii) the
      Applicable Margin.

            2.4(b) Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Base Rate Advance shall
      bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof at a varying rate per
      annum equal to the Base Rate.

            2.4(c) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each Advance
      shall, at the option of the Majority Banks, bear interest until paid in
      full (i) during the balance of any Interest Period applicable to such
      Advance, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the rate applicable to
      such Advance during such Interest Period plus 2.0%, and (ii) otherwise, at
      a rate per annum equal to the sum of (1) the Base Rate, plus (2) 2.0%.

            2.4(d) Interest shall be payable (i) with respect to each Eurodollar
      Rate Advance having an Interest Period of three months or less, on the
      last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto; (ii) with respect to
      any Eurodollar Rate Advance having an Interest Period greater than three
      months, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto and on
      each day that would have been the last day of the Interest Period for such
      Advance had successive Interest Periods of three months duration been
      applicable to such Advance; (iii) with respect to any Base Rate Advance,
      on the last day of each quarter; (iv) with respect to all Advances, upon
      any permitted prepayment (on the amount prepaid); and (v) with respect to
      all Advances, on the Termination Date; provided that interest under
      Section 2.4 (c) shall be payable on demand.

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<PAGE>   16
      Section 2.5. Repayment and Mandatory Prepayment. The unpaid principal
amount of all Advances, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon,
shall be due and payable on the Termination Date. If at any time the aggregate
unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Notes exceeds the Aggregate Revolving
Commitment Amounts, the Borrower shall immediately repay to the Agent for the
account of the Banks the amount of such excess. Any such payments shall be
applied first against Base Rate Advances and then to Eurodollar Rate Advances in
order starting with the Eurodollar Rate Advances having the shortest time to the
end of the applicable Interest Period.

      Section 2.6. Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may prepay Base Rate
Advances, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium or penalty. Any such
prepayment must be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest on the amount
prepaid. Each partial prepayment shall be in an aggregate amount for all the
Banks of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof. If the Borrower pays
Eurodollar Rate Advances on a day which is other than the last day of the
Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall compensate the Banks in
accordance with Section 2.17. Amounts paid (unless following an acceleration or
upon termination of the Revolving Commitments in whole) or prepaid on Advances
under this Section 2.6 may be reborrowed upon the terms and subject to the
conditions and limitations of this Agreement. Amounts paid or prepaid on the
Advances under this Section 2.6 shall be for the account of each Bank in
proportion to its share of outstanding Revolving Loans.

      Section 2.7. Optional Reduction of Revolving Commitment Amounts or
Termination of Revolving Commitments. The Borrower may, at any time, upon not
less than three Business Days prior written notice to the Agent, reduce the
Revolving Commitment Amounts, ratably, with any such reduction in a minimum
aggregate amount for all the Banks of $1,000,000 or, if more, in an integral
multiple of $1,000,000; provided, however, that the Borrower may not at any time
reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts below the aggregate unpaid
principal balance of all the Revolving Notes, after giving affect to any
repayments effected on the date of such reduction. The Borrower may, at any
time, upon not less than three Business Days prior written notice to the Agent,
terminate the Revolving Commitments in their entirety. Upon termination of the
Revolving Commitments pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall pay to the
Agent for the account of the Banks the full amount of all outstanding Advances,
all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, all unpaid Revolving Commitment Fees
accrued to the date of such termination, any indemnities payable with respect to
Advances pursuant to Section 2.17 and all other unpaid Obligations of the
Borrower to the Agent and the Banks hereunder.

      Section 2.8.      Revolving Commitment Fee; Supplemental Facility
Fees.

            2.8(a) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the account of each
      Bank, fees (the "Revolving Commitment Fees") in an amount determined by
      applying a rate of 0.15% per annum to the average daily Unused Revolving
      Commitment of such Bank for the period from the Closing Date to the
      Termination Date. Such Revolving Commitment Fees are payable in arrears
      quarterly on the last day of each calendar quarter and on the Termination
      Date.

            2.8(b) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the amount of each
      Bank fees (the "Supplemental Facility Fees") in an amount determined by
      applying a rate of 0.15%

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   16
<PAGE>   17
      per annum to the full amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Bank for
      each quarter at the end of which: (i) the Mellon Expiration Date has not
      occurred, (ii) the total of (x) the obligations outstanding under this
      Agreement and under the Five Year Credit Agreement, plus (y) other
      permitted Indebtedness under Section 6.9 (excluding Indebtedness under the
      Mellon Credit Facilities and excluding Permitted Intercompany
      Indebtedness), exceeds $25,000,000 and (iii) the Asset Coverage Ratio as
      at the end of such quarter was less than 4.0 to 1.0. Such Supplemental
      Facility Fees are due on the same day that quarterly financial statements
      are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(c).

      Section 2.9. Computation. Revolving Commitment Fees, Supplemental Facility
Fees and interest on Eurodollar Rate Advances and Base Rate Advances based on
the Federal Funds Rate shall be computed on the basis of actual days elapsed and
a year of 360 days. Interest on Base Rate Advances based on the Reference Rate
shall be computed on the basis of actual days elapsed and a year of 365 days.

      Section 2.10. Payments. Payments and prepayments of principal of, and
interest on, the Revolving Notes and all fees, expenses and other obligations
under this Agreement payable to the Agent or the Banks shall be made without
setoff or counterclaim in Immediately Available Funds not later than 11:00 a.m.
(Minneapolis time) on the dates called for under this Agreement and the
Revolving Notes to the Agent at its main office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Funds
received after such time shall be deemed to have been received on the next
Business Day. The Agent will promptly distribute in like funds to each Bank its
ratable share of each such payment of principal, interest and fees received by
the Agent for the account of the Banks. Whenever any payment to be made
hereunder or on the Revolving Notes shall be stated to be due on a day which is
not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business
Day and such extension of time, in the case of a payment of principal, shall be
included in the computation of any interest on such principal payment.

      Section 2.11.     Revolving Commitment Ending Date.  The "Revolving
Commitment Ending Date" is November 20, 2001.

      Section 2.12. Use of Loan Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans
shall be used for the Borrower's general business purposes (including, without
limitation, acquisitions) in a manner not in conflict with any of the Borrower's
covenants in this Agreement.

      Section 2.13. Interest Rate Not Ascertainable, Etc. If, on or prior to the
date for determining the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in respect of the Interest
Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance, any Bank determines (which determination
shall be conclusive and binding, absent error) that:

            2.13(a) deposits in dollars (in the applicable amount) are not being
      made available to such Bank in the relevant market for such Interest
      Period, or

            2.13(b) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and fairly
      reflect the cost to such Bank of funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate
      Advances for such Interest Period,

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<PAGE>   18
such Bank shall forthwith give notice to the Borrower and the other Banks of
such determination, whereupon the obligation of such Bank to make or continue,
or to convert any Advances to, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until
such Bank notifies the Borrower and the Agent that the circumstances giving rise
to such suspension no longer exist. While any such suspension continues, all
further Advances by such Bank shall be made as Base Rate Advances. No such
suspension shall affect the interest rate then in effect during the applicable
Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advance outstanding at the time such
suspension is imposed.

      Section 2.14.     Increased Cost.  If any Regulatory Change:

            2.14(a) shall subject any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) to
      any tax, duty or other charge with respect to its Eurodollar Rate
      Advances, its Revolving Note or its obligation to make Eurodollar Rate
      Advances or shall change the basis of taxation of payment to any Bank (or
      its Applicable Lending Office) of the principal of or interest on its
      Eurodollar Rate Advances or any other amounts due under this Agreement in
      respect of its Eurodollar Rate Advances or its obligation to make
      Eurodollar Rate Advances (except for changes in the rate of tax on the
      overall net income or overall gross receipts, profits or gains of such
      Bank or its Applicable Lending Office imposed by the jurisdiction in which
      such Bank's principal office or Applicable Lending Office is located); or

            2.14(b) shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special
      deposit or similar requirement (including, without limitation, any such
      requirement imposed by the Board, but excluding with respect to any
      Eurodollar Rate Advance any such requirement to the extent included in
      calculating the applicable Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) against assets of,
      deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Bank's
      Applicable Lending Office or shall impose on any Bank (or its Applicable
      Lending Office) or the interbank Eurodollar market any other condition
      affecting its Eurodollar Rate Advances, its Revolving Note or its
      obligation to make Eurodollar Rate Advances;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or
its Applicable Lending Office) of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate
Advance, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Bank
(or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement or under its Revolving
Note, then, within 30 days after demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent),
the Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction. Each Bank will
promptly notify the Borrower and the Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Bank to
compensation pursuant to this Section and will designate a different Applicable
Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount
of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank. If any Bank fails to give such notice within 45
days after it obtains knowledge of such an event, such Bank shall, with respect
to compensation payable pursuant to this Section, only be entitled to payment
under this Section for costs incurred from and after the date 45 days prior to
the date that such Bank does give such notice. A certificate of any Bank
claiming compensation under this Section, setting forth the additional amount or
amounts to be paid to it hereunder and stating in reasonable detail the basis
for the charge and the method of computation, shall be conclusive in the absence
of error. In

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<PAGE>   19
determining such amount, any Bank may use any reasonable averaging and
attribution methods. Failure on the part of any Bank to demand compensation for
any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or receivable with respect
to any Interest Period shall not constitute a waiver of such Bank's rights to
demand compensation for any increased costs or reduction in amounts received or
receivable in any subsequent Interest Period.

      Section 2.15. Illegality. If any Regulatory Change shall make it unlawful
or impossible for any Bank to make, maintain or fund any Eurodollar Rate
Advances, such Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Agent, whereupon the
obligation of such Bank to make or continue, or to convert any Advances to,
Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until such Bank notifies the
Borrower and the Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no
longer exist. Before giving any such notice, such Bank shall designate a
different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for
giving such notice and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise
disadvantageous to such Bank. If such Bank determines that it may not lawfully
continue to maintain any Eurodollar Rate Advances to the end of the applicable
Interest Periods, all of the affected Advances shall be automatically converted
to Base Rate Advances as of the date of such Bank's notice, and upon such
conversion the Borrower shall indemnify such Bank in accordance with Section
2.17.

      Section 2.16. Capital Adequacy. In the event that any Regulatory Change
reduces or shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on any Bank's
capital or the capital of its parent corporation (by an amount such Bank deems
material) as a consequence of its Revolving Commitment and/or Advances to a
level below that which such Bank or its parent corporation could have achieved
but for such Regulatory Change (taking into account such Bank's policies and the
policies of its parent corporation with respect to capital adequacy), then the
Borrower shall, within 30 days after written notice and demand from such Bank
(with a copy to the Agent), pay to such Bank additional amounts sufficient to
compensate such Bank or its parent corporation for such reduction. If any Bank
fails to give such notice within 45 days after it obtains knowledge of such an
event, such Bank shall, with respect to compensation payable pursuant to this
Section, only be entitled to payment under this Section for diminished returns
as a result of such reduction for the period from and after the date 45 days
prior to the date that such Bank does give such notice. Any determination by
such Bank under this Section and any certificate as to the amount of such
reduction given to the Borrower by such Bank shall be final, conclusive and
binding for all purposes, absent error.

      Section 2.17. Funding Losses; Eurodollar Rate Advances. The Borrower shall
compensate each Bank, upon its written request, for all losses, expenses and
liabilities (including any interest paid by such Bank to lenders of funds
borrowed by it to make or carry Eurodollar Rate Advances to the extent not
recovered by such Bank in connection with the re-employment of such funds and
including loss of anticipated profits) which such Bank may sustain: (i) if for
any reason, other than a default by such Bank, a funding of a Eurodollar Rate
Advance does not occur on the date specified therefor in the Borrower's request
or notice as to such Advance under Section 2.1(a) or 2.3, or (ii) if, for
whatever reason (including, but not limited to, acceleration of the maturity of
Advances following an Event of Default), any repayment of a Eurodollar Rate
Advance, or a conversion pursuant to Section 2.15, occurs on any day other than
the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. A Bank's request for
compensation shall set forth the basis for the amount requested and shall be
final, conclusive and binding, absent error.

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<PAGE>   20
      Section 2.18. Discretion of Banks as to Manner of Funding. Each Bank shall
be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of Eurodollar Rate Advances in any
manner it may elect, it being understood, however, that for the purposes of this
Agreement all determinations hereunder (including, but not limited to,
determinations under Section 2.17) shall be made as if such Bank had actually
funded and maintained each Eurodollar Rate Advances during the Interest Period
for such Advance through the purchase of deposits having a maturity
corresponding to the last day of the Interest Period and bearing an interest
rate equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.

      Section 2.19.     Taxes.

            (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower hereunder or under the
      Notes shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and
      all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges of
      withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the
      case of each Bank and the Agent, taxes imposed on its overall income,
      profits and gains, and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of income
      taxes (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges,
      withholdings and liabilities in respect of payments hereunder or under the
      Notes being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").

            (b) The Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or
      documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
      similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or under the
      Notes or from the execution, delivery or registration of, performing
      under, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or the Notes
      (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

            (c) The Borrower shall indemnify each Bank and the Agent for the
      full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on or paid by such Bank or the
      Agent and any penalties, interest and expenses with respect thereto. This
      indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date such Bank or
      the Agent makes written demand therefor.

            (d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the
      Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, at its address referred to on the
      signature page hereof a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
      thereof. In the case of any payment hereunder or under the Notes by or on
      behalf of the Borrowers through an account or branch outside the United
      States or by or on behalf of the Borrower by a payor that is not a United
      States person, if the Borrower determines that no Taxes are payable in
      respect thereof, the Borrower shall furnish or shall cause such payor to
      furnish, to the Agent, at such address, an opinion of counsel acceptable
      to the Agent stating that such payment is exempt from Taxes. For purposes
      of this subsection (d) and subsection (e), the terms "United States" and
      "United States person" shall have the meanings specified in Section 7701
      of the Code.

            (e) Banks to Submit Forms. Each Bank represents to the Borrower and
      the Agent that it is either (i) a corporation organized under the laws of
      the United States or any State thereof or (ii) is entitled to complete
      exemption from United States withholding tax imposed on or with respect to
      any payments, including fees, to be made pursuant to

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   20
<PAGE>   21
      this Agreement (x) under an applicable provision of a tax convention to
      which the United States is a party or (y) because it is acting through a
      branch, agency or office in the United States and any payment to be
      received by it hereunder is effectively connected with a trade or business
      in the United States. Each Bank that is not a United States person (as
      such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall submit to
      the Borrower and the Agent, on or before the day on which such Bank
      becomes a Bank, duly completed and signed copies of either Form W-8 and
      Form 1001 (relating to such Bank and entitling it to a complete exemption
      from withholding on all payments to be received by such Bank hereunder) or
      Form 4224 (relating to all payments to be received by such Bank hereunder)
      of the United States Internal Revenue Service (or any successor forms
      thereto). Thereafter and from time to time, each such Bank shall submit to
      the Borrower and the Agent such additional duly completed and signed
      copies of one or the other of such Forms (or such successor Forms as shall
      be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxing
      authorities) as may be (i) reasonably requested by the Borrower or the
      Agent and (ii) required and permitted under then-current United States law
      or regulations to avoid United States withholding taxes on payments in
      respect of all payments to be received by such Bank hereunder. Upon the
      request of the Borrower or the Agent, each Bank that is a United States
      person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall
      submit to the Borrower and the Agent a certificate in such form as is
      reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Agent to the effect that
      it is such a United States person and not otherwise subject to backup
      withholding pursuant to section 3406 of the Code.

            (f) Inability of a Bank. If the Borrower shall be required by law or
      regulation to make any deduction, withholding or backup withholding of any
      taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, liabilities or similar charges of
      the United States of America, any possession or territory of the United
      States of America (including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico) or any area
      subject to the jurisdiction of the United States of America from any
      payments to a Bank pursuant to any Loan Document in respect of the
      Obligations payable to such Bank then or thereafter outstanding, the
      Borrower shall make such withholdings or deductions and pay the full
      amount withheld or deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other
      authority in accordance with applicable law.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

      Section 3.1.      Conditions of Initial Transaction.  The making of the
initial Revolving Loans shall be subject to the prior or simultaneous
fulfillment of the following conditions:

            3.1(a) Documents. The Agent shall have received the following in
      sufficient counterparts (except for the Revolving Notes) for each Bank:

                  (i) A Revolving Note drawn to the order of each Bank executed
            by a duly authorized officer (or officers) of the Borrower and dated
            the Closing Date.

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<PAGE>   22
                  (ii) A copy of the corporate resolutions of the Borrower
            authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
            Documents, certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an
            Assistant Secretary of the Borrower.

                  (iii) An incumbency certificate showing the names and titles
            and bearing the signatures of the officers of the Borrower
            authorized to execute the Loan Documents and to request Revolving
            Loans and conversions and continuations of Advances hereunder,
            certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant
            Secretary of the Borrower.

                  (iv) A copy of the Articles of Incorporation of the Borrower
            with all amendments thereto, certified by the appropriate
            governmental official of the jurisdiction of its incorporation as of
            a date not more than 30 days prior to the Closing Date.

                  (v) A certificate of good standing for the Borrower in the
            jurisdiction of its incorporation and in the States of New Jersey
            and New York and in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, certified by
            the appropriate governmental officials as of a date not more than 30
            days prior to the Closing Date.

                  (vi) A copy of the bylaws of the Borrower, certified as of the
            Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
            Borrower.

                  (vii) A certificate dated the Closing Date of the chief
            executive officer or chief financial officer of the Borrower
            certifying as to (x) the matters set forth in Sections 3.2 (a) and
            3.2 (b) below and (y) execution of the Five Year Credit Agreement
            and satisfaction of all conditions to its effectiveness.

            3.1(b) Opinion. The Borrower shall have requested Dewey Ballantine
      LLP, its counsel, to prepare a written opinion, addressed to the Banks and
      dated the Closing Date, covering the matters set forth in Exhibit 3.1(A)
      hereto, and such opinion shall have been delivered to the Agent in
      sufficient counterparts for each Bank.

            3.1(c) Compliance. The Borrower shall have performed and complied
      with all agreements, terms and conditions contained in this Agreement
      required to be performed or complied with by the Borrower prior to or
      simultaneously with the Closing Date.

            3.1(d) Other Matters. All corporate and legal proceedings relating
      to the Borrower and all instruments and agreements in connection with the
      transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in
      scope, form and substance to the Agent, the Banks and the Agent's special
      counsel, and the Agent shall have received all information and copies of
      all documents, including records of corporate proceedings, as any Bank or
      such special counsel may reasonably have requested in connection
      therewith, such documents where appropriate to be certified by proper
      corporate or governmental authorities.

            3.1(e)  Fees and Expenses.  The Agent shall have received for
      itself and for the account of the Banks all fees and other amounts due
      and payable by the Borrower on or

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<PAGE>   23
      prior to the Closing Date and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
      to the Agent payable pursuant to Section 9.2.

      Section 3.2. Conditions Precedent to all Loans. The obligation of the
Banks to make any Revolving Loans hereunder (including the initial Revolving
Loans) shall be subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions:

            3.2(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
      warranties contained in Article IV shall be true and correct on and as of
      the Closing Date and on the date of each Revolving Loan (other than those
      which speak as of a specific date, which shall be true and correct as of
      such date), with the same force and effect as if made on such date.

            3.2(b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have
      occurred and be continuing on the Closing Date and on the date of each
      Revolving Loan or will exist after giving effect to the Revolving Loans
      made on such date so issued.

            3.2(c) Notices and Requests. The Agent shall have received the
      Borrower's request for such Revolving Loans as required under Section
      2.1(a).

                                    ARTICLE 4

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      To induce the Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make Revolving
Loans hereunder, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Banks:

      Section 4.1. Organization, Standing, Etc. The Borrower is a corporation
duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted, to enter into this
Agreement and to issue the Revolving Notes and to perform its obligations under
the Loan Documents. Each Significant Subsidiary is duly organized and validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization and has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business
as now conducted. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries (a) holds all
certificates of authority, licenses and permits necessary to carry on its
business as presently conducted in each jurisdiction in which it is carrying on
such business, except where the failure to hold such certificates, licenses or
permits would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
(b) is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation (or other
organization) in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties
owned, leased or operated by it or the business conducted by it makes such
qualification necessary and the failure so to qualify would not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.2. Authorization and Validity. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action by the Borrower, and this Agreement constitutes,
and the Revolving Notes and other Loan Documents when executed will constitute,
the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against
the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, subject to

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   23
<PAGE>   24
limitations as to enforceability which might result from bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and
subject to limitations on the availability of equitable remedies.

      Section 4.3. No Conflict; No Default. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Borrower of the Loan Documents will not (a) violate any
provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award of any court, governmental agency or
arbitrator presently in effect having applicability to the Borrower, (b) violate
or contravene any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
By-laws of the Borrower, or (c) result in a breach of or constitute a default
under any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or
instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its
properties may be bound or result in the creation of any Lien thereunder which
breach or default would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under or in
violation of any such law, statute, rule or regulation, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree, determination or award or any such indenture, loan or credit
agreement or other agreement, lease or instrument in any case in which the
consequences of such default or violation would be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.4. Government Consent. No order, consent, approval, license,
authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or
exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority is required on the
part of the Borrower to authorize, or is required in connection with the
execution, delivery and performance of, or the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability of, the Loan Documents.

      Section 4.5. Financial Statements and Condition. The Borrower's audited
consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 1999 heretofore furnished
to the Banks were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto
regarding the adoption of new accounting policies) and present fairly in all
material respects the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries at the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of
operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the respective periods then
ended. The Borrower's unaudited interim financial statements as at June 30, 2000
heretofore furnished to the Banks were prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied throughout the periods involved and in a manner consistent
with that employed in the Borrower's audited consolidated financial statements
as at December 31, 1999. The Borrower's unaudited interim financial statements
as at June 30, 2000 do not contain any footnote disclosures and are subject to
normal recurring year-end adjustments, but otherwise present fairly in all
material respects the consolidated financial condition and consolidated results
of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the
periods indicated therein except as otherwise set forth therein. As of the dates
of such financial statements, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary had any
material obligation, contingent liability, liability for taxes or long-term
lease obligation which is not reflected in such financial statements or in the
notes thereto. Since June 30, 2000, there has been no material adverse change in
the business, operations, property, assets or condition, financial or otherwise,
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

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<PAGE>   25
      Section 4.6. Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting
the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their properties before any court or
arbitrator, or any governmental department, board, agency or other
instrumentality which, if determined adversely to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.7. Environmental, Health and Safety Laws. There does not exist
any violation by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any applicable federal, state
or local law, rule or regulation or order of any government, governmental
department, board, agency or other instrumentality relating to environmental,
pollution, health or safety matters, which violation would be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary has received any notice to the effect that any part of its operations
or properties is not in material compliance with any such law, rule, regulation
or order or notice that it or its property is the subject of any governmental
investigation evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to any
release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment, which
non-compliance or remedial action would be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. Except as set out on Exhibit 4.7 attached hereto, the
Borrower does not have knowledge that it or its property or any Subsidiary or
the property of any Subsidiary will become subject to environmental laws or
regulations during the term of this Agreement, compliance with which could
reasonably be expected to require capital expenditures to be made prior to the
Revolving Commitment Ending Date which would be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.8. ERISA. Each Plan is in substantial compliance with all
applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code and with all material applicable
rulings and regulations issued under the provisions of ERISA and the Code
setting forth those requirements. No Reportable Event has occurred and is
continuing with respect to any Plan. All of the minimum funding standards
applicable to such Plans have been satisfied and there exists no event or
condition which would reasonably be expected to result in the institution of
proceedings to terminate any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA. With respect to
each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, as of the most recent valuation date for
such Plan (December 31, 1999), the present value (determined on the basis of
assumptions set forth in Exhibit 4.8) of such Plan's projected benefit
obligations did not exceed the fair market value of such Plan's assets, except
as set forth in Exhibit 4.8.

      Section 4.9. Federal Reserve Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any
Advance hereunder will be used for any purpose which violates, or which would be
inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation U of the Board as now and from
time to time in effect. If requested by any Bank, the Borrower will furnish to
each Bank a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the
requirements of Form F.R. U-1 referred to in said Regulation U.

      Section 4.10. Title to Property; Leases; Liens; Subordination. The
Borrower has (a) good and marketable title to its real properties and (b) good
and sufficient title to, or valid, subsisting and enforceable leasehold interest
in, its other material properties, including all real properties, other
properties and assets, referred to as owned by the Borrower in the unaudited
interim financial statement referred to in Section 5.1 (other than property
disposed of since the date of such financial statement in the ordinary course of
business, or in transactions reported in

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<PAGE>   26
Form 8-K or 10-Q reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission since
the date of such financial statement). None of such properties is subject to a
Lien, except as allowed under Section 6.10. The Borrower has not subordinated
any of its rights under any obligation owing to it to the rights of any other
person.

      Section 4.11. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries has filed
(or joined in filing) all federal income tax and all other material federal,
state and local tax returns required to be filed and has paid or made provision
for the payment of all taxes due and payable pursuant to such returns and
pursuant to any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other
taxes, fees and other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any
governmental authority (other than taxes, fees or charges the amount or validity
of which is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and with respect to which reserves in accordance with GAAP have been provided on
the books of the Borrower). No tax Liens for any tax currently due have been
filed and no material claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes,
fees or charges. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower
in respect of taxes and other governmental charges are adequate and the Borrower
has no knowledge of any proposed material tax assessment against it or any
Subsidiary.

      Section 4.12. Trademarks, Patents. Each of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries owns or has the right to use all of the patents, trademarks, trade
names, service marks and copyrights, and applications therefor, and all
technology, know-how, processes, methods and designs used in or necessary for
the conduct of its business, to the knowledge of the Borrower or a Subsidiary,
without known conflict with the rights of others, except where the failure to do
so would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.13. Force Majeure. Since the date of the most recent financial
statement referred to in Section 5.1, the business, properties and other assets
of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries have not been affected as the result of any
fire or other casualty, strike, lockout, or other labor trouble, embargo,
sabotage, confiscation, condemnation, riot, civil disturbance, activity of armed
forces or act of God in any way which has had, or would be reasonably expected
to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.14.     Investment Company Act.  The Borrower is not an
"investment company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

      Section 4.15. Public Utility Holding Company Act. Borrower is not a
"holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a holding company or an
"affiliate" of a holding company or of a subsidiary company of a holding company
within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as
amended.

      Section 4.16. Retirement Benefits. Except as required under Section 4980B
of the Code, Section 601 of ERISA or applicable state law, neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary is obligated to provide post-retirement medical or insurance
benefits with respect to employees or former employees, which, in the aggregate,
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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<PAGE>   27
      Section 4.17. Full Disclosure. Subject to the following sentence, neither
the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1 nor any other certificate,
written statement, exhibit or report furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower
in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to
make the statements contained therein not misleading. Certificates or statements
furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Banks on or prior to the
Closing Date and consisting of projections or forecasts of future results or
events have been prepared in good faith and based on good faith estimates and
assumptions of the management of the Borrower, and, at the time such projections
and forecasts were delivered, the Borrower had no reason to believe that such
projections or forecasts were not reasonable.

      Section 4.18. Subsidiaries. Exhibit 4.18 sets forth as of the date of this
Agreement a list of all Subsidiaries and the number and percentage of the shares
of each class of capital stock owned beneficially or of record by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary thereof, and the jurisdiction of incorporation of each
Subsidiary.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

      Until any obligation of the Banks hereunder to make the Revolving Loans
shall have expired or been terminated and the Revolving Notes and all of the
other Obligations have been paid in full, unless the Majority Banks shall
otherwise consent in writing:

      Section 5.1.      Financial Statements and Reports.  The Borrower will
furnish to the Banks:

            5.1(a) As soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
      the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated financial
      statements of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries consisting of at least
      statements of income, cash flow and changes in stockholders' equity, and a
      consolidated balance sheet as at the end of such year, setting forth in
      each case in comparative form corresponding figures from the previous
      annual audit, certified without qualification by KPMG LLP or other
      independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing
      selected by the Borrower and acceptable to the Agent.

            5.1(b) Together with the audited financial statements required under
      Section 5.1(a), (i) a statement by the accounting firm performing such
      audit to the effect that it has reviewed this Agreement and that in the
      course of performing its examination nothing came to its attention that
      caused it to believe that any Default or Event of Default exists, insofar
      as such Default or Event of Default relates to accounting matters, or, if
      such Default or Event of Default exists, describing its nature, and (ii) a
      Compliance Certificate.

            5.1(c) As soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
      the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower other than the fourth
      quarter, unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flow and
      changes in stockholders' equity for the Borrower and

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<PAGE>   28
      the Subsidiaries for such quarter and (in the case of the second and third
      quarters) for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the end
      of such quarter, and a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as at
      the end of such quarter, setting forth in comparative form figures for the
      corresponding period for the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by a
      certificate signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower stating
      that such unaudited interim financial statements do not contain any
      footnote disclosures and are subject to normal recurring year-end
      adjustments, but otherwise present fairly in all material respects the
      consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations of
      the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods
      indicated therein except as otherwise set forth therein.

            5.1(d) As soon as practicable and in any event within 45 days after
      the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower other than the fourth
      quarter, a Compliance Certificate.

            5.1(e) Promptly upon any officer of the Borrower becoming aware of
      any Default or Event of Default, a notice describing the nature thereof
      and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

            5.1(f) Promptly upon any officer of the Borrower becoming aware of
      the occurrence, with respect to any Plan, of any Reportable Event, a
      notice specifying the nature thereof and what action the Borrower proposes
      to take with respect thereto, and, when received, copies of any notice
      from PBGC of intention to terminate or have a trustee appointed for any
      Plan.

            5.1(g) Promptly upon the mailing or filing thereof, copies of all
      financial statements, reports and proxy statements mailed to the
      Borrower's shareholders, and copies of all registration statements,
      periodic reports and other documents filed with the Securities and
      Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any national securities
      exchange.

            5.1(h) From time to time, such other information regarding the
      business, operation and financial condition of the Borrower and the
      Subsidiaries as any Bank may reasonably request.

      Section 5.2. Corporate Existence. The Borrower will maintain, and cause
each Significant Subsidiary to maintain, its corporate existence in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and its
qualification to transact business in each jurisdiction where failure so to
qualify would permanently preclude the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary
from enforcing its rights with respect to any material asset or would expose the
Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary to any material liability; provided,
however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the merger or liquidation of any
Subsidiary allowed under Section 6.1.

      Section 5.3. Insurance. The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause each
Significant Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies such insurance as may be required by law and such other
insurance in such amounts and against such hazards as is customary in the case
of reputable firms engaged in the same or similar business and similarly

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<PAGE>   29
situated; provided, however, that, in lieu of or supplemental to any insurance
referred to in this Section 5.3, the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary may
adopt such other plan or method of protection in respect of its properties or
other risks, whether by establishment of an insurance fund or reserve or by
otherwise conforming to the practices of similar corporations maintaining
systems of self insurance, as may be determined by the Borrower or such
Significant Subsidiary in its reasonable business judgment.

      Section 5.4. Payment of Taxes and Claims. The Borrower shall file, and
cause each Subsidiary to file (or join in filing), all federal income tax
returns and all other material tax returns and reports which are required by law
to be filed by it and will pay, and cause each Subsidiary to pay, before they
become delinquent all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges and
levies imposed upon it or its property and all claims or demands of any kind
(including but not limited to those of suppliers, mechanics, carriers,
warehouses, landlords and other like Persons) which, if unpaid, might result in
the creation of a Lien upon its property; provided that the foregoing items need
not be paid if they are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, and as long as the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's title to its
property is not affected in a manner which would be reasonably expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, its use of such property in the ordinary course of
its business is not interfered with in a manner which would be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and adequate reserves with respect
thereto have been set aside on the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's books in
accordance with GAAP.

      Section 5.5. Inspection. The Borrower shall permit any Person designated
by the Agent or the Majority Banks to visit and inspect any of the properties,
corporate books and financial records of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, to
examine and to make copies of the books of accounts and other financial records
of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and
accounts of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries with, and to be advised as to the
same by, its officers at such reasonable times and intervals as the Agent or the
Majority Banks may designate. So long as no Event of Default exists, the
expenses of the Agent or the Banks for such visits, inspections and examinations
shall be at the expense of the Agent and the Banks, but any such visits,
inspections and examinations made while any Event of Default is continuing shall
be at the expense of the Borrower.

      Section 5.6. Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will maintain, and
cause each Significant Subsidiary to maintain, its properties used or useful in
the conduct of its business in good condition, repair and working order, and
supplied with all necessary equipment, and make all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereto, all as may be necessary so
that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and
advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section 5.6 shall prevent the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary from
discontinuing the maintenance of any of its properties if such discontinuance
is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Borrower or in the judgment
of the Board of Directors of such Significant Subsidiary, desirable in the
conduct of the business of the Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary.

      Section 5.7. Books and Records. The Borrower will keep, and will cause
each Significant Subsidiary to keep, adequate and proper records and books of
account in which full and correct entries will be made of its dealings, business
and affairs.

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<PAGE>   30
      Section 5.8. Compliance. The Borrower will comply, and will cause each
Significant Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all laws, rules,
regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which
it may be subject; provided, however, that failure so to comply shall not be a
breach of this covenant if such failure does not have, and would not be
reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect and the Borrower or such
Significant Subsidiary is acting in good faith and with reasonable dispatch to
cure such noncompliance.

      Section 5.9. Notice of Litigation. The Borrower will give prompt written
notice to the Agent of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding before
any court or arbitrator or any governmental department, board, agency or other
instrumentality affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any property of the
Borrower or a Subsidiary or to which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is a party in
which an adverse determination or result would be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, stating the nature and status of such action, suit or
proceeding.

      Section 5.10. ERISA. The Borrower will maintain, and cause each Subsidiary
to maintain, each Plan in substantial compliance with all material applicable
requirements of ERISA and of the Code and with all material applicable rulings
and regulations issued under the provisions of ERISA and of the Code and will
not, and will not permit any of the ERISA Affiliates to (a) engage in any
transaction in connection with which the Borrower or any of the ERISA Affiliates
would be subject to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to Section 502(i)
of ERISA or a tax imposed by Section 4975 of the Code, in either case in an
amount which would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b)
fail to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of
any Plan, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as
contributions thereto, or permit to exist any accumulated funding deficiency (as
such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code),
whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan in an aggregate amount which
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (c) fail to
make any payments to any Multiemployer Plan that the Borrower or any of the
ERISA Affiliates may be required to make under any agreement relating to such
Multiemployer Plan or any law pertaining thereto in an aggregate amount that
would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 5.11. Environmental Matters; Reporting. The Borrower will observe
and comply with, and cause each Subsidiary to observe and comply with, all laws,
rules, regulations and orders of any government or government agency relating to
health, safety, pollution, hazardous materials or other environmental matters
except to the extent that non-compliance would not be reasonably expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will give the Agent prompt written
notice of any violation as to any environmental matter by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary and of the commencement of any judicial or administrative proceeding
relating to health, safety or environmental matters in which an adverse
determination or result would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

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<PAGE>   31
                                    ARTICLE 6

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

      Until any obligation of the Banks hereunder to make the Revolving Loans
shall have expired or been terminated and the Revolving Notes and all of the
other Obligations have been paid in full, unless the Majority Banks shall
otherwise consent in writing:

      Section 6.1. Merger. The Borrower will not merge or consolidate or enter
into any analogous reorganization or transaction with any Person or liquidate,
wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) or permit
any Subsidiary to do any of the foregoing; except:

            6.1(a)  the Alleghany Asset Management Sale;

            6.1(b) any Subsidiary may be merged with or liquidated into the
      Borrower or any wholly-owned Subsidiary (if the Borrower or such
      wholly-owned Subsidiary is the surviving corporation);

            6.1(c) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may consolidate with or merge
      into any other corporation, or permit any corporation to merge into it if:

                  (i) the surviving corporation shall be the Borrower or such
            Subsidiary and, if the surviving corporation is a Subsidiary, the
            Borrower shall maintain control of such Subsidiary;

                  (ii) as of the date 20 Business Days prior to the execution of
            the agreement providing for such merger, the fair value of the
            consideration to be paid in connection therewith does not exceed (A)
            in the case of a merger involving the Borrower, the greater of (1)
            $50,000,000 or (2) 10% of the total assets of the Borrower, (B) in
            the case of a merger involving Mineral Holdings, the greater of (1)
            $50,000,000 or (2) 10% of the total assets of Mineral Holdings, or
            (C) in the case of a merger involving AUL London, the greater of (1)
            $50,000,000 or (2) 10% of the total assets of AUL London. For the
            purposes of this Section 6.1(c)(ii), the consideration to be paid in
            connection with any merger shall be valued as provided in the last
            sentence of Section 1.2; and

                  (iii) no Event of Default or Default hereunder has occurred
            and is continuing or would occur upon the consummation of any such
            consolidation or merger; and

            6.1(d) any Subsidiary may merge or consolidate or enter into an
      analogous reorganization or transaction with another Person as part of a
      disposition of assets permitted by Section 6.2 hereof.

      Section 6.2.      Disposition of Assets.  The Borrower will not
directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise
dispose of (whether in one transaction or a series of

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<PAGE>   32
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:

            6.2(a)  the Alleghany Asset Management Sale;

            6.2(b)  dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus
      equipment, all in the ordinary course of business;

            6.2(c) the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment is
      exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement
      equipment, or the proceeds of such sale are applied with reasonable
      promptness to the purchase price of such replacement equipment; and

            6.2(d) other dispositions of property during the term of this
      Agreement whose net book value in the aggregate does not exceed 50% of the
      Borrower's total consolidated assets as shown on its balance sheet for its
      most recent prior fiscal quarter; provided, that, absent the written
      consent of the Majority Banks, the Borrower shall not sell, lease,
      transfer or otherwise dispose of any of the capital stock of Mineral
      Holdings or AUL London, except that the written consent of the Majority
      Banks to such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of any of the
      capital stock of Mineral Holdings or AUL London shall not be required (x)
      for any issuances of capital stock by Mineral Holdings or AUL London in
      connection with employee compensation and incentive arrangements or (y) to
      the extent that the proceeds therefrom are used to reduce ratably the
      Revolving Commitment under this Agreement and the "Revolving Commitment"
      under the Five Year Credit Agreement (whereupon the outstanding unpaid
      principal balance of each Note (whether under this Agreement or under the
      Five Year Credit Agreement) given in favor of a Bank shall be prepaid in
      an amount equal to the excess of the outstanding unpaid principal balance
      of such Note over the Revolving Commitment of such Bank as so reduced in
      accordance with Sections 2.7 and 2.17 of this Agreement and the Five Year
      Credit Agreement), nor shall the Borrower, absent the written consent of
      the Majority Banks, permit Mineral Holdings or AUL London, directly or
      indirectly to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any properties
      or assets, tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter acquired,
      representing more than 50% of the total consolidated operating assets of
      Mineral Holdings or AUL London, as the case may be as shown on their
      respective balance sheets for the most recent prior fiscal quarter.

      Section 6.3. Plans. The Borrower will not permit, and will not allow any
Subsidiary to permit, any event to occur or condition to exist which would
permit any Plan to terminate under any circumstances which would cause the Lien
provided for in Section 4068 of ERISA to attach to any assets of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary if such Lien would be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; and the Borrower will not permit, as of the most recent
valuation date for any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, the present value
(determined on the basis of reasonable assumptions employed by the independent
actuary for such Plan and previously furnished in writing to the Banks) of such
Plan's projected benefit obligations to exceed the fair market value of such
Plan's assets by an amount which would be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

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<PAGE>   33
      Section 6.4. Negative Pledges. Except for restrictions for the benefit of
the holder of any Lien that is permitted by Section 6.10 hereof which
restriction relates solely to the property which is the subject of such Lien,
the Borrower will not enter into any agreement, bond, note or other instrument
with or for the benefit of any Person other than the Banks which would (i)
prohibit the Borrower from granting, or otherwise limit the ability of the
Borrower to grant, to the Banks any Lien on any assets or properties of the
Borrower other than any such provisions in effect as of the Closing Date under
the Mellon Credit Facilities, or (ii) require the Borrower to grant a Lien to
any other Person if the Borrower grants any Lien to the Banks.

      Section 6.5.      Restricted Payments.  The Borrower will not make any
Restricted Payments, unless:

            6.5(a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate of all Restricted
      Payments declared or paid on the Borrower's capital stock subsequent to
      September 30, 2000, shall be less than the sum of (w) the Borrower's net
      earnings subsequent to September 30, 2000, (x) the cash proceeds received
      by the Borrower from the issuance of any shares of its capital stock after
      September 30, 2000, and (y) $50,000,000; and

            6.5(b) no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing
      or would occur as a result of the declaration or payment of a Restricted
      Payment.

      Section 6.6. Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any Affiliate of
the Borrower (other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower), except
upon terms no less favorable to the Borrower, or such Subsidiary, than those
that would be reasonably expected to be obtained in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

      Section 6.7.      Accounting Changes.  The Borrower will not make any
significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as
permitted by GAAP, or change its fiscal year.

      Section 6.8. Subordinated Debt. The Borrower will not (a) make any
scheduled payment of the principal of or interest on any Subordinated Debt which
would be prohibited by the terms of such Subordinated Debt and any related
subordination agreement; or (b) amend or cancel the subordination provisions
applicable to any Subordinated Debt.

      Section 6.9.      Indebtedness.  The Borrower will not incur, create,
issue, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

            6.9(a)  The Obligations.

            6.9(b) Current Liabilities, other than for borrowed money, incurred
      in the ordinary course of business.

            6.9(c) Indebtedness existing on the date of this Agreement and
      disclosed on Exhibit 6.9 hereto, including any extension or refinancing
      thereof, but not including any increase in the principal amount thereof.

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<PAGE>   34
            6.9(d)  Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under Section
      6.10 hereof.

            6.9(e) Until the earlier of the Mellon Expiration Date or November
      30, 2001, Indebtedness under the Mellon Credit Facilities, but not
      including any increase in the principal amount thereof.

            6.9(f)  Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness.

            6.9(g) Indebtedness the proceeds of which are used to refinance, in
      whole or in part, the Obligations, in which event the Aggregate Revolving
      Commitment Amounts shall be reduced by a like amount.

            6.9(h) Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness included in any of
      Sections 6.9(a) through 6.9(g), in an aggregate amount outstanding at any
      time not to exceed (i) $15,000,000 at any time prior to the Mellon
      Expiration Date, and (ii) $125,000,000 at any time after the Mellon
      Expiration Date

      Section 6.10. Liens. The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist any Lien, or enter into, or make any commitment to enter into, any
arrangement for the acquisition of any property through conditional sale,
lease-purchase or other title retention agreements, with respect to any property
now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower, except:

            6.10(a) Liens existing on the date of this Agreement and disclosed
      on Exhibit 6.10 hereto.

            6.10(b) Any Lien extending, renewing or replacing any Lien permitted
      by Section 6.10 (a) above, provided that such Lien may relate solely to
      the property subject thereto as of the date hereof and provided further
      that such Lien may secure only (i) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien
      as of the date hereof or (ii) Indebtedness extending, replacing or
      renewing such Indebtedness the incurrence of which is permitted by Section
      6.9 hereof.

            6.10(c) From and after the date on which the Alleghany Asset
      Management Sale occurs and until the earlier of the Mellon Expiration Date
      or November 30, 2001, a Lien on cash and short-term securities in an
      aggregate amount not exceeding the lesser of (i) $364,000,000 plus
      investment gains and interest earned thereon and (ii) $400,000,000,
      securing the Borrower's obligations in respect of the Mellon Credit
      Facilities.

            6.10(d) Deposits or pledges to secure payment of workers'
      compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social
      security obligations, in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower.

            6.10(e) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments and governmental charges
      not delinquent or to the extent that payment therefor shall not at the
      time be required to be made in accordance with the provisions of Section
      5.4.

            6.10(f) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen,
      and other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business, for sums
      not due or to the extent that

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<PAGE>   35
      payment therefor shall not at the time be required to be made in
      accordance with the provisions of Section 5.4.

            6.10(g) Liens incurred or deposits or pledges made or given in
      connection with, or to secure payment of, indemnity, performance or other
      similar bonds.

            6.10(h) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common
      law provision relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar
      rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with
      a creditor depository institution, or security interests retained by
      depositary banks pursuant to their standard banking services agreements;
      provided that (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral
      account and is not subject to restriction against access by the Borrower
      in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board, and
      (ii) such deposit account is not intended by the Borrower to provide
      collateral to the depository institution.

            6.10(i) Encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions, easements
      and rights or restrictions of record on the use of real property and
      landlord's Liens under leases on the premises rented, which do not
      materially detract from the value of such property or impair the use
      thereof in the business of the Borrower.

            6.10(j) The interest of any lessor under any Capitalized Lease
      entered into after the Closing Date or purchase money Liens on property
      acquired after the Closing Date; provided, that, (i) the Indebtedness
      secured thereby is otherwise permitted by this Agreement and (ii) such
      Liens are limited to the property acquired and do not secure Indebtedness
      other than the related Capitalized Lease Obligations or the purchase price
      of such property.

            6.10(k) Liens, other than Liens included in any of Sections 6.10(a)
      through 6.10(j), that secure in the aggregate obligations not in excess of
      an amount equal to 5% of the Tangible Net Worth of the Borrower.

      Section 6.11. Tangible Net Worth. The Borrower will not permit its
Tangible Net Worth to be less than: (a) at any time prior to the occurrence of
the Alleghany Asset Management Sale, the sum of $900,000,000, plus, for each
fiscal quarter ending after January 1, 2001, an amount equal to $10,000,000 per
fiscal quarter and (b) after the Alleghany Asset Management Sale occurs, (i)
$1,100,000,000 at any time prior to the Mellon Expiration Date, and, (ii) at any
time after the Mellon Expiration Date, the sum of $1,000,000,000 plus
$10,000,000 per fiscal quarter for each fiscal quarter ending after the Mellon
Expiration Date.

      Section 6.12. Loan Proceeds. The Borrower will not use any part of the
proceeds of any Revolving Loan or Advances directly or indirectly, and whether
immediately, incidentally or ultimately for any purpose which entails a
violation of the provisions of Regulations U or X of the Board.

      Section 6.13. Rental Obligations. The Borrower will not incur, create or
assume any rental obligation for real or personal property under any lease,
rental or other arrangements for the use of property of any other person if the
aggregate present value of such fixed rental obligations for such personalty and
realty (including such rental obligations currently in effect)

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<PAGE>   36
of the Borrower would exceed $20,000,000. For purposes of this Section 6.13,
rental obligations shall mean any commitment to make any direct or indirect
payment, whether as rent or otherwise, under any lease or rental of personal
property or other arrangements for the use of personal property of others and
any such payment made in advance, but rental obligations shall not include any
amounts payable under any Capitalized Lease which constitutes Indebtedness for
the purposes of Section 6.9. Any determination of present value made for
purposes of this Section 6.13 shall use a discount rate equal to the Federal
Funds Rate at the date of determination.

      Section 6.14. Asset Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Asset
Coverage Ratio for any period beginning on and including the last day of any
fiscal quarter and ending 30 days thereafter to be less than (a) 3.0 to 1.0 at
any time prior to the earliest of the occurrence of the Alleghany Asset
Management Sale, the Mellon Expiration Date or November 30, 2001, or (b) 4.0 to
1.0 at any time on or after the earliest of (i) the occurrence of the Alleghany
Asset Management Sale, (ii) the Mellon Expiration Date or (iii) November 30,
2001.

      Section 6.15. Unrestricted Liquid Assets. The Borrower will not, at any
time prior to the Mellon Expiration Date, permit the ratio of (a) the aggregate
amount of Unrestricted Liquid Assets to (b) the sum of (i) the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Loans under this Agreement and
the "Revolving Loans" under the Five Year Credit Agreement, plus (ii) without
duplication, Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.9 (excluding Indebtedness
under the Mellon Credit Facilities) to be less than 1.25 to 1.0.

                                    ARTICLE 7

                         EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

      Section 7.1.      Events of Default.  The occurrence of any one or more
of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default:

            7.1(a) The Borrower shall fail to make (i) when due, whether by
      acceleration or otherwise, any payment of principal of any Revolving Note
      or (ii) within two days after the applicable due date, any payment of
      interest on any Revolving Note or payment of any other Obligation required
      to be made to the Agent or any Bank pursuant to this Agreement.

            7.1(b) Any representation or warranty made by the Borrower in this
      Agreement or any other Loan Document or by the Borrower in any
      certificate, statement, report or document herewith or hereafter furnished
      to any Bank or the Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan
      Document shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material
      respect on the date as of which the facts set forth are stated or
      certified.

            7.1(c) The Borrower shall fail to comply with Sections 2.19 or 5.2
      hereof or any Section of Article VI hereof.

            7.1(d) The Borrower shall fail to comply with any other agreement,
      covenant, condition, provision or term contained in this Agreement (other
      than those hereinabove set forth in this Section 7.1) and such failure to
      comply shall continue for 15 calendar

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<PAGE>   37
      days after whichever of the following dates is the earliest: (i) the date
      the Borrower gives notice of such failure to the Banks, (ii) the date the
      Borrower should have given notice of such failure to the Banks pursuant to
      Section 5.1, or (iii) the date the Agent or any Bank gives notice of such
      failure to the Borrower.

            7.1(e) The Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall become
      insolvent or shall generally not pay its debts as they mature or shall
      apply for, shall consent to, or shall acquiesce in the appointment of a
      custodian, trustee or receiver of the Borrower or such Significant
      Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property thereof or, in the
      absence of such application, consent or acquiescence, a custodian, trustee
      or receiver shall be appointed for the Borrower or a Significant
      Subsidiary or for a substantial part of the property thereof and shall not
      be discharged within 60 days, or the Borrower or any Significant
      Subsidiary shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors.

            7.1(f) Any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other
      proceedings under any bankruptcy or insolvency law shall be instituted by
      or against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, and, if instituted
      against the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary, shall have been
      consented to or acquiesced in by the Borrower or such Significant
      Subsidiary, or shall remain undismissed for 60 days, or an order for
      relief shall have been entered against the Borrower or such Significant
      Subsidiary.

            7.1(g) Any dissolution or liquidation proceeding not permitted by
      Section 6.1 shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or a
      Significant Subsidiary, and, if instituted against the Borrower or any
      Significant Subsidiary, shall be consented to or acquiesced in by the
      Borrower or such Significant Subsidiary or shall remain for 60 days
      undismissed.

            7.1(h) A judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of
      the sum of $5,000,000 in the aggregate shall be rendered against the
      Borrower or a Significant Subsidiary and either (i) the judgment creditor
      executes on such judgment or (ii) such judgment remains unpaid or
      undischarged for more than 60 days from the date of entry thereof or more
      than 60 days from the last day that execution of such judgment shall have
      been stayed during an appeal from such judgment.

            7.1(i) The maturity of any material Indebtedness of the Borrower
      (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement) or a Significant Subsidiary
      shall be accelerated, or the Borrower or a Significant Subsidiary shall
      fail to pay any such material Indebtedness when due (after the lapse of
      any applicable grace period) or, in the case of such Indebtedness payable
      on demand, when demanded (after the lapse of any applicable grace period),
      or any event shall occur or condition shall exist and shall continue for
      more than the period of grace, if any, applicable thereto and shall have
      the effect of causing, or permitting the holder of any such Indebtedness
      or any trustee or other Person acting on behalf of such holder to cause,
      such material Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or
      to realize upon any collateral given as security therefor. For purposes of
      this Section 7.1(i), Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Significant
      Subsidiary shall be deemed "material" if it exceeds $5,000,000 as to any
      item of Indebtedness or in the aggregate for all items of Indebtedness
      with respect to which any of the events described in this Section 7.1(i)
      has occurred.

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<PAGE>   38
            7.1(j) Any execution or attachment shall be issued whereby any
      substantial part of the property of the Borrower or any Significant
      Subsidiary shall be taken or attempted to be taken and the same shall not
      have been vacated or stayed within 30 days after the issuance thereof. For
      purposes of this Section 7.1(j), a portion of the property of any Person
      shall be deemed "substantial" if its value exceeds $5,000,000 as to any
      one portion of such Person's property or in the aggregate for all portions
      of such Person's property with respect to which any of the events
      described in this Section 7.1(j) has occurred.

            7.1(k)  Any Change of Control shall occur.

      Section 7.2. Remedies. If (a) any Event of Default described in Sections
7.1 (e), (f) or (g) shall occur with respect to the Borrower , the Revolving
Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Revolving Notes and all other
Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable; or (b) any
other Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, then, upon receipt by the
Agent of a request in writing from the Majority Banks, the Agent shall take any
of the following actions so requested: (i) declare the Revolving Commitments
terminated, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall terminate and (ii) declare
the outstanding unpaid principal balance of the Revolving Notes, the accrued and
unpaid interest thereon and all other Obligations to be forthwith due and
payable, whereupon the Revolving Notes, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon
and all such Obligations shall immediately become due and payable, in each case
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived, anything in this Agreement or in the Notes to the
contrary notwithstanding. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in
clause (a) of the preceding sentence, or upon the occurrence of any of the
events described in clause (b) of the preceding sentence when so requested by
the Majority Banks, the Agent may exercise all rights and remedies under any of
the Loan Documents, and enforce all rights and remedies under any applicable
law.

      Section 7.3. Offset. In addition to the remedies set forth in Section 7.2,
upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and thereafter while the same be
continuing, the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Bank to set off any
Obligations owed to such Bank against all deposits and credits of the Borrower
with, and any and all claims of the Borrower against, such Bank. Such right
shall exist whether or not such Bank shall have made any demand hereunder or
under any other Loan Document, whether or not the Obligations, or any part
thereof, or deposits and credits held for the account of the Borrower is or are
matured or unmatured, and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any
collateral, guaranty or any other security, right or remedy available to such
Bank or the Banks. Each Bank agrees that, as promptly as is reasonably possible
after the exercise of any such setoff right, it shall notify the Borrower of its
exercise of such setoff right; provided, however, that the failure of such Bank
to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of the exercise of such
setoff rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver or prohibition
of or restriction on any Bank to all rights of banker's Lien, setoff and
counterclaim available pursuant to law.

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<PAGE>   39
                                    ARTICLE 8

                                    THE AGENT

      The following provisions shall govern the relationship of the Agent with
the Banks.

      Section 8.1. Appointment and Authorization. Each Bank appoints and
authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such respective powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by
the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers or employees shall
be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in
connection with the Loan Documents, except for its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct. The Agent shall act as an independent contractor in
performing its obligations as Agent hereunder and nothing herein contained shall
be deemed to create any fiduciary relationship among or between the Agent, the
Borrower or the Banks.

      Section 8.2. Note Holders. The Agent may treat the payee of any Revolving
Note as the holder thereof until written notice of transfer shall have been
filed with it, signed by such payee and in form satisfactory to the Agent.

      Section 8.3. Consultation With Counsel.  The Agent may consult with legal
counsel selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered
in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel.

      Section 8.4. Loan Documents. The Agent shall not be under a duty to
examine or pass upon the validity, effectiveness, genuineness or value of any of
the Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
thereto, and the Agent shall be entitled to assume that the same are valid,
effective and genuine and what they purport to be.

      Section 8.5. USBNA and Affiliates. With respect to its Revolving
Commitment and the Revolving Loan made by it, USBNA shall have the same rights
and powers under the Loan Documents as any other Bank and may exercise the same
as though it were not the Agent consistent with the terms thereof, and USBNA and
its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in
any kind of business with the Borrower as if it were not the Agent.

      Section 8.6. Action by Agent. Except as may otherwise be expressly stated
in this Agreement, the Agent shall be entitled to use its discretion with
respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any rights which may be
vested in it by, or with respect to taking or refraining from taking any action
or actions which it may be able to take under or in respect of, the Loan
Documents. The Agent shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and
shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the
instructions of the Majority Banks, and such instructions shall be binding upon
all holders of Revolving Notes; provided, however, that the Agent shall not be
required to take any action which exposes the Agent to personal liability or
which is contrary to the Loan Documents or applicable law. The Agent shall incur
no liability under or in respect of any of the Loan Documents by acting upon any
notice, consent, certificate, warranty or other paper or instrument believed by
it to be genuine or

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   39
<PAGE>   40
authentic or to be signed by the proper party or parties and to be consistent
with the terms of this Agreement.

      Section 8.7. Credit Analysis. Each Bank has made, and shall continue to
make, its own independent investigation or evaluation of the operations,
business, property and condition, financial and otherwise, of the Borrower in
connection with entering into this Agreement and has made its own appraisal of
the creditworthiness of the Borrower. Except as explicitly provided herein, the
Agent has no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis,
to provide any Bank with any credit or other information with respect to such
operations, business, property, condition or creditworthiness, whether such
information comes into its possession on or before the first Event of Default or
at any time thereafter.

      Section 8.8. Notices of Event of Default, Etc. In the event that the Agent
shall have acquired actual knowledge of any Event of Default or Default, the
Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Banks.

      Section 8.9. Indemnification. Each Bank agrees to indemnify the Agent, as
Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to such
Bank's share of the aggregate Revolving Commitment Amounts from and against any
and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on or incurred by the Agent in any way relating
to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by the
Agent under the Loan Documents, provided that no Bank shall be liable for any
portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Agent's
gross negligence or willful misconduct. No payment by any Bank under this
Section shall relieve the Borrower of any of its obligations under this
Agreement.

      Section 8.10. Payments and Collections. All funds received by the Agent in
respect of any payments made by the Borrower on the Revolving Notes or Revolving
Commitment Fees shall be distributed forthwith by the Agent among the Banks, in
like currency and funds as received, ratably according to each Bank's Revolving
Percentage. After any Event of Default has occurred, all funds received by the
Agent, whether as payments by the Borrower or as realization on collateral or on
any guaranties, shall (except as may otherwise be required by law) be
distributed by the Agent in the following order: (a) first to the Agent or any
Bank who has incurred unreimbursed costs of collection with respect to any
Obligations hereunder, ratably to the Agent and each Bank in the proportion that
the costs incurred by the Agent or such Bank bear to the total of all such costs
incurred by the Agent and all Banks; (b) next to the Agent for the account of
the Banks (in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages) for
application on the Revolving Notes; and (c) last to the Agent for the account of
the Banks (in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages) for any
unpaid Revolving Commitment Fees owing by the Borrower hereunder.

      Section 8.11. Sharing of Payments. If any Bank shall receive and retain
any payment, voluntary or involuntary, whether by setoff, application of deposit
balance or security, or otherwise, in respect of Indebtedness under this
Agreement or the Revolving Notes in excess of such Bank's share thereof as
determined under this Agreement, then such Bank shall purchase

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   40
<PAGE>   41
from the other Banks for cash and at face value and without recourse, such
participation in the Revolving Notes held by such other Banks as shall be
necessary to cause such excess payment to be shared ratably as aforesaid with
such other Banks; provided, that if such excess payment or part thereof is
thereafter recovered from such purchasing Bank, the related purchases from the
other Banks shall be rescinded ratably and the purchase price restored as to the
portion of such excess payment so recovered, but without interest. Subject to
the participation purchase obligation above, each Bank agrees to exercise any
and all rights of setoff, counterclaim or banker's lien first fully against any
Revolving Notes and participations therein held by such Bank, next to any other
Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Bank arising under or pursuant to this
Agreement and to any participations held by such Bank in Indebtedness of the
Borrower arising under or pursuant to this Agreement, and only then to any other
Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Bank.

      Section 8.12. Advice to Banks. The Agent shall forward to the Banks copies
of all notices, financial reports and other communications received hereunder
from the Borrower by it as Agent, excluding, however, notices, reports and
communications which by the terms hereof are to be furnished by the Borrower
directly to each Bank.

      Section 8.13.     Defaulting Bank.

            8.13(a) Remedies Against a Defaulting Bank. In addition to the
      rights and remedies that may be available to the Agent or the Borrower
      under this Agreement or applicable law, if at any time a Bank is a
      Defaulting Bank such Defaulting Bank's right to participate in the
      administration of the Revolving Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan
      Documents, including without limitation, any right to vote in respect of,
      to consent to or to direct any action or inaction of the Agent or to be
      taken into account in the calculation of the Majority Banks, shall be
      suspended while such Bank remains a Defaulting Bank. If a Bank is a
      Defaulting Bank because it has failed to make timely payment to the Agent
      of any amount required to be paid to the Agent hereunder (without giving
      effect to any notice or cure periods), in addition to other rights and
      remedies which the Agent or the Borrower may have under the immediately
      preceding provisions or otherwise, the Agent shall be entitled (i) to
      collect interest from such Defaulting Bank on such delinquent payment for
      the period from the date on which the payment was due until the date on
      which the payment is made at the overnight Federal Funds Rate, (ii) to
      withhold or setoff and to apply in satisfaction of the defaulted payment
      and any related interest, any amounts otherwise payable to such Defaulting
      Bank under this Agreement or any other Loan Document until such defaulted
      payment and related interest has been paid in full and such default no
      longer exists and (iii) to bring an action or suit against such Defaulting
      Bank in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the defaulted amount
      and any related interest. Any amounts received by the Agent in respect of
      a Defaulting Bank's Revolving Loans shall not be paid to such Defaulting
      Bank and shall be held uninvested by the Agent and either applied against
      the purchase price of such Loans under the following subsection (b) or
      paid to such Defaulting Bank upon the default of such Defaulting Bank
      being cured.

            8.13(b) Purchase from Defaulting Bank.  Any Bank that is not a
      Defaulting Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its
      sole discretion, to acquire all of a

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   41
<PAGE>   42
      Defaulting Bank's Revolving Commitment. If more than one Bank exercises
      such right, each such Bank shall have the right to acquire such proportion
      of such Defaulting Bank's Commitment on a pro rata basis. Upon any such
      purchase, the Defaulting Bank's interest in its Revolving Loans and its
      rights hereunder (but not its liability in respect thereof or under the
      Loan Documents or this Agreement to the extent the same relate to the
      period prior to the effective date of the purchase) shall terminate on the
      date of purchase, and the Defaulting Bank shall promptly execute all
      documents reasonably requested to surrender and transfer such interest to
      the purchaser thereof subject to and in accordance with the requirements
      set forth in Section 9.6, including an Assignment in form acceptable to
      the Agent. The purchase price for the Revolving Commitments of a
      Defaulting Bank shall be equal to the amount of the principal balance of
      the Loans outstanding and owed by the Borrower to the Defaulting Bank. The
      purchaser shall pay to the Defaulting Bank in Immediately Available Funds
      on the date of such purchase the principal of and accrued and unpaid
      interest and fees on the Loans made by such Defaulting Bank hereunder (it
      being understood that such accrued and unpaid interest and fees may be
      paid pro rata to the purchasing Bank and the Defaulting Bank by the Agent
      at a subsequent date upon receipt of payment of such amounts from the
      Borrower). Prior to payment of such purchase price to a Defaulting Bank,
      the Agent shall apply against such purchase price any amounts retained by
      the Agent pursuant to the last sentence of the immediately preceding
      subsection (a). The Defaulting Bank shall be entitled to receive amounts
      owed to it by the Borrower under the Loan Documents which accrued prior to
      the date of the default by the Defaulting Bank, to the extent the same are
      received by the Agent from or on behalf of the Borrower. There shall be no
      recourse against any Bank or the Agent for the payment of such sums except
      to the extent of the receipt of payments from any other party or in
      respect of the Loans.

      Section 8.14. Resignation. If at any time USBNA shall deem it advisable,
in its sole discretion, it may submit to each of the Banks and the Borrower a
written notification of its resignation as Agent under this Agreement, such
resignation to be effective upon the appointment of a successor Agent, but in no
event later than 30 days from the date of such notice. Upon submission of such
notice, the Majority Banks may appoint a successor Agent.

                                    ARTICLE 9

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      Section 9.1. Modifications. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary
herein, any term of this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of
the Borrower; provided that no amendment, modification or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any
departure therefrom by the Borrower or other party thereto shall in any event be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Banks,
and then such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. (The Agent may
enter into amendments or modifications of, and grant consents and waivers to
departure from the provisions of, those Loan Documents to which the Banks are
not signatories without the Banks joining therein, provided the Agent has first
obtained the separate prior written consent to such amendment, modification,

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   42
<PAGE>   43
consent or waiver from the Majority Banks.) Notwithstanding the forgoing, no
such amendment, modification, waiver or consent shall:

            9.1(a) Reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest
      thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal thereof, or modify any of
      the provisions of any Revolving Note with respect to the payment or
      repayment thereof, without the consent of the holder of each Revolving
      Note so affected; or

            9.1(b)  Increase the amount or extend the time of any Revolving
      Commitment of any Bank, without the consent of such Bank; or

            9.1(c)  Reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any fee
      payable to a Bank, without the consent of the Bank affected; or

            9.1(d) Amend the definition of Majority Banks or otherwise reduce
      the percentage of the Banks required to approve or effectuate any such
      amendment, modification, waiver, or consent, without the consent of all
      the Banks; or

            9.1(e)  Amend any of the foregoing Sections 9.1 (a) through (d)
      or this Section 9.1(e) without the consent of all the Banks; or

            9.1(f) Amend any provision of this Agreement relating to the Agent
      in its capacity as Agent without the consent of the Agent.

      Section 9.2. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Borrower agrees to reimburse the Agent upon demand for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred by the Agent (including fees
and expenses of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, counsel to the Agent) in connection with
the negotiation, preparation, approval, review, execution, delivery,
administration, amendment, modification and interpretation of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents and any commitment letters relating thereto. The
Borrower shall also reimburse the Agent and each Bank upon demand for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including expenses of legal counsel) paid or
incurred by the Agent or any Bank in connection with the collection and
enforcement of this Agreement and any other Loan Document. The obligations of
the Borrower under this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

      Section 9.3. Waivers, etc. No failure on the part of the Agent or the
holder of a Revolving Note to exercise and no delay in exercising any power or
right hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or
right. The remedies herein and in the other Loan Documents provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

      Section 9.4. Notices. Except when telephonic notice is expressly
authorized by this Agreement, any notice or other communication to any party in
connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by manual
delivery, telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, overnight courier or United
States mail (postage prepaid) addressed to such party at the address specified
on the signature page hereof, or at such other address as such party shall have
specified

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   43
<PAGE>   44
to the other party hereto in writing. All periods of notice shall be measured
from the date of delivery thereof if manually delivered, from the date of
sending thereof if sent by telegram, telex or facsimile transmission, from the
first Business Day after the date of sending if sent by overnight courier, or
from four days after the date of mailing if mailed; provided, however, that any
notice to the Agent or any Bank under Article II hereof shall be deemed to have
been given only when received by the Agent or such Bank.

      Section 9.5. Taxes. The Borrower agrees to pay, and save the Agent and the
Banks harmless from all liability for, any stamp or other taxes which may be
payable with respect to the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the
issuance of the Revolving Notes, which obligation of the Borrower shall survive
the termination of this Agreement.

      Section 9.6. Successors and Assigns; Disposition of Loans; Transferees.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may
not assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder or under any other
Borrower Loan Document without the prior written consent of all the Banks. Each
Bank may at any time sell, assign, transfer, grant participations in, or
otherwise dispose of any portion of its Revolving Commitments, the Revolving
Loans and/or Advances (each such interest so disposed of being herein called a
"Transferred Interest") to banks or other financial institutions
("Transferees"); provided, however, that a Bank may dispose of a Transferred
Interest only with the consent of the Agent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) and
only upon payment to the Agent by the parties to such disposition of a
processing and recording fee in the amount of $3,500 for each party and, in the
case of an assignment, execution and delivery to the Agent of an assignment
agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 9.6 hereto. Unless otherwise
agreed by the Agent and the Borrower, the minimum assignment amount is
$10,000,000. The Borrower agrees that each Transferee shall be entitled to the
benefits of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.2 with respect to its
Transferred Interest (provided that a Transferee which is a participant and not
an assignee shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.2) and that each
Transferee may exercise any and all rights of banker's Lien, setoff and
counterclaim as if such Transferee were a direct lender to the Borrower. If any
Bank makes any assignment to a Transferee, then upon notice to the Borrower such
Transferee, to the extent of such assignment (unless otherwise provided
therein), shall become a "Bank" hereunder and shall have all the rights and
obligations of such Bank hereunder and such Bank shall be released from its
duties and obligations under this Agreement to the extent of such assignment.
Notwithstanding the sale by any Bank of any participation hereunder, (a) no
participant shall be deemed to be or have the rights and obligations of a Bank
hereunder except that any participant shall have a right of setoff under Section
7.3 as if it were such Bank and the amount of its participation were owing
directly to such participant by the Borrower and (b) such Bank shall not in
connection with selling any such participation condition such Bank's rights in
connection with consenting to amendments or granting waivers concerning any
matter under any Loan Document upon obtaining the consent of such participant
other than on matters relating to (i) any reduction in the amount of any
principal of, or the amount of or rate of interest on, any Revolving Note or
Advance in which such participation is sold, (ii) any postponement of the date
fixed for any payment of principal of or interest on any Revolving Note or
Advance in which such participation is sold, (iii) the release or subordination
of any material portion of any collateral or (iv) the release of any guaranty.

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<PAGE>   45
      Section 9.7. Confidentiality of Information. The Agent and each Bank shall
use reasonable efforts to assure that information about the Borrower and its
operations, affairs and financial condition, not generally disclosed to the
public or to trade and other creditors, which is furnished to the Agent or such
Bank pursuant to the provisions hereof is used only for the purposes of this
Agreement and any other relationship between any Bank and the Borrower and shall
not be divulged to any Person other than the Banks, their Affiliates and their
respective officers, directors, employees and agents, except: (a) to their
attorneys and accountants, (b) in connection with the enforcement of the rights
of the Banks hereunder and under the Revolving Notes or otherwise in connection
with applicable litigation, (c) in connection with assignments and
participations and the solicitation of prospective assignees and participants
referred to in the immediately preceding Section, provided that such prospective
assignees or participants agree to keep such information confidential in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.7, and (d) as may otherwise be
required or requested by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over any
Bank or by any applicable law, rule, regulation or judicial process, the opinion
of such Bank's counsel concerning the making of such disclosure to be binding on
the parties hereto. No Bank shall incur any liability to the Borrower by reason
of any disclosure permitted by this Section 9.7.

      Section 9.8. Governing Law and Construction. THE VALIDITY, CONSTRUCTION
AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE REVOLVING NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO
CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, BUT GIVING EFFECT TO FEDERAL LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES APPLICABLE TO NATIONAL BANKS. Whenever possible, each provision of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other statement, instrument
or transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or relating hereto or thereto
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under such
applicable law, but, if any provision of this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other statement, instrument or transaction contemplated hereby
or thereby or relating hereto or thereto shall be held to be prohibited or
invalid under such applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to
the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder
of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other statement, instrument or transaction contemplated hereby
or thereby or relating hereto or thereto.

      Section 9.9. Consent to Jurisdiction. AT THE OPTION OF THE AGENT, THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OR
MINNESOTA STATE COURT SITTING IN HENNEPIN; AND THE BORROWER CONSENTS TO THE
JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES ANY ARGUMENT THAT VENUE IN
SUCH FORUMS IS NOT CONVENIENT. IN THE EVENT THE BORROWER COMMENCES ANY ACTION IN
ANOTHER JURISDICTION OR VENUE UNDER ANY TORT OR CONTRACT THEORY ARISING DIRECTLY
OR INDIRECTLY FROM THE RELATIONSHIP CREATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE AGENT AT ITS
OPTION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THE CASE TRANSFERRED TO ONE OF THE
JURISDICTIONS AND VENUES ABOVE-DESCRIBED, OR IF SUCH TRANSFER CANNOT BE
ACCOMPLISHED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, TO HAVE SUCH CASE DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE.

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   45
<PAGE>   46
      Section 9.10. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

      Section 9.11. Survival of Agreement. All representations, warranties,
covenants and agreement made by the Borrower herein or in the other Loan
Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in
connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall
be deemed to have been relied upon by the Banks and shall survive the making of
the Revolving Loans by the Banks and the execution and delivery to the Banks by
the Borrower of the Revolving Notes, regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the Banks, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as
any Obligation is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Revolving
Commitments have not been terminated; provided, however, that the obligations of
the Borrower under Section 9.2, 9.5 and 9.12 shall survive payment in full of
the Obligations and the termination of the Revolving Commitments.

      Section 9.12. Indemnification. The Borrower hereby agrees to defend,
protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Banks and their
respective Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, attorneys and
agents of the Agent and the Banks and their respective Affiliates (each of the
foregoing being an "Indemnitee" and all of the foregoing being collectively the
"Indemnitees") from and against any and all claims, actions, damages,
liabilities, judgments, costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel which may be incurred in the investigation or defense
of any matter) imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee,
whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal,
state, local or foreign laws or regulations (including securities laws,
environmental laws, commercial laws and regulations), under common law or on
equitable cause, or on contract or otherwise:

            (a) by reason of, relating to or in connection with the execution,
      delivery, performance or enforcement of any Loan Document, any commitments
      relating thereto, or any transaction contemplated by any Loan Document; or

            (b) by reason of, relating to or in connection with any credit
      extended or used under the Loan Documents or any act done or omitted by
      any Person, or the exercise of any rights or remedies thereunder,
      including the acquisition of any collateral by the Banks by way of
      foreclosure of the Lien thereon, deed or bill of sale in lieu of such
      foreclosure or otherwise;

provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be liable to any Indemnitee for
any portion of such claims, damages, liabilities and expenses resulting from
such Indemnitee's gross negligence or willful misconduct. In the event this
indemnity is unenforceable as a matter of law as to a particular matter or
consequence referred to herein, it shall be enforceable to the full extent
permitted by law.

      This indemnification applies, without limitation, to any act, omission,
event or circumstance existing or occurring on or prior to the later of the
Termination Date or the date of

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   46
<PAGE>   47
payment in full of the Obligations, including specifically Obligations arising
under clause (b) of this Section. The indemnification provisions set forth above
shall be in addition to any liability the Borrower may otherwise have. Without
prejudice to the survival of any other obligation of the Borrower hereunder the
indemnities and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section shall
survive the payment in full of the other Obligations.

      Section 9.13.     Captions.  The captions or headings herein and any
table of contents hereto are for convenience only and in no way define, limit
or describe the scope or intent of any provision of this Agreement.

      Section 9.14. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between the Borrower,
the Agent and the Banks with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to
the subject matter hereof. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other
Loan Document, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Persons
other than the parties hereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities
hereunder or thereunder.

      Section 9.15.     Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same instrument, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement
by signing any such counterpart.

      Section 9.16. Borrower Acknowledgments. The Borrower hereby acknowledges
that (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) neither the Agent
nor any Bank has any fiduciary relationship to the Borrower, the relationship
being solely that of debtor and creditor, (c) no joint venture exists between
the Borrower and the Agent or any Bank, and (d) neither the Agent nor any Bank
undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform the Borrower
of any matter in connection with any phase of the business or operations of the
Borrower and the Borrower shall rely entirely upon its own judgment with respect
to its business, and any review, inspection or supervision of, or information
supplied to, the Borrower by the Agent or any Bank is for the protection of the
Banks and neither the Borrower nor any third party is entitled to rely thereon.

                 (REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK)

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<PAGE>   48
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first above written.

                                          ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

                                          By   /s/ David B. Cuming
                                               ---------------------------------
                                          Title   Senior Vice President and
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Chief Financial Officer
                                                  ------------------------------
Address for Borrower:
375 Park Avenue
New York, New York  10152
Fax: 212-759-8149
Attention: David B. Cuming,
           Senior Vice President

With a copy to:

Robert M. Hart
Senior Vice President and
       General Counsel
Fax:  212-759-3295

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   48
<PAGE>   49
Revolving Commitment Amount:
$100,000,000                                U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                            By  /s/ Elliott Jaffee
                                                --------------------------------
                                            Title  Senior Vice President
                                            In its individual corporate
                                            capacity and as Agent
                                            Address:
                                            601 Second Avenue South
                                            Minneapolis, MN 55402-4302
                                            Fax: 612-973-0825
                                            Attention:  Elliot J. Jaffee,
                                            Senior Vice President

11/27/00   364 Day Credit Agreement   49
<PAGE>   50
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                   <C>
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS.......................................................................      1

         Section 1.1.      Defined Terms.........................................................................      1
         Section 1.2.      Accounting Terms, Calculations and Valuations.........................................     12
         Section 1.3.      Computation of Time Periods...........................................................     12
         Section 1.4.      Other Definitional Terms..............................................................     12

ARTICLE 2 TERMS OF THE CREDIT FACILITIES.........................................................................     13

         Section 2.1.      The Revolving Commitments.............................................................     13
         Section 2.2.      Revolving Notes.......................................................................     14
         Section 2.3.      Conversions and Continuations.........................................................     14
         Section 2.4.      Interest Rates, Interest Payments and Default Interest................................     15
         Section 2.5.      Repayment and Mandatory Prepayment....................................................     16
         Section 2.6.      Optional Prepayments..................................................................     16
         Section 2.7.      Optional Reduction of Revolving Commitment Amounts or Termination of Revolving
                           Commitments...........................................................................     16
         Section 2.8.      Revolving Commitment Fee; Supplemental Facility Fees..................................     17
         Section 2.9.      Computation...........................................................................     17
         Section 2.10.     Payments..............................................................................     17
         Section 2.11.     Revolving Commitment Ending Date......................................................     17
         Section 2.12.     Use of Loan Proceeds..................................................................     18
         Section 2.13.     Interest Rate Not Ascertainable, Etc..................................................     18
         Section 2.14.     Increased Cost........................................................................     18
         Section 2.15.     Illegality............................................................................     19
         Section 2.16.     Capital Adequacy......................................................................     19
         Section 2.17.     Funding Losses; Eurodollar Rate Advances..............................................     20
         Section 2.18.     Discretion of Banks as to Manner of Funding...........................................     20
         Section 2.19.     Taxes.................................................................................     20

ARTICLE 3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...................................................................................     22

         Section 3.1.      Conditions of Initial Transaction.....................................................     22
         Section 3.2.      Conditions Precedent to all Loans.....................................................     23

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.........................................................................     24

         Section 4.1.      Organization, Standing, Etc...........................................................     24
         Section 4.2.      Authorization and Validity............................................................     24
         Section 4.3.      No Conflict; No Default...............................................................     24
         Section 4.4.      Government Consent....................................................................     25
         Section 4.5.      Financial Statements and Condition....................................................     25
         Section 4.6.      Litigation............................................................................     25
         Section 4.7.      Environmental, Health and Safety Laws.................................................     25
         Section 4.8.      ERISA.................................................................................     26
         Section 4.9.      Federal Reserve Regulations...........................................................     26
         Section 4.10.     Title to Property; Leases; Liens; Subordination.......................................     26
</TABLE>

11/27/00   Five Year Credit Agreement      i
<PAGE>   51
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                   <C>
         Section 4.11.     Taxes.................................................................................     27
         Section 4.12.     Trademarks, Patents...................................................................     27
         Section 4.13.     Force Majeure.........................................................................     27
         Section 4.14.     Investment Company Act................................................................     27
         Section 4.15.     Public Utility Holding Company Act....................................................     27
         Section 4.16.     Retirement Benefits...................................................................     27
         Section 4.17.     Full Disclosure.......................................................................     28
         Section 4.18.     Subsidiaries..........................................................................     28

ARTICLE 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................................     28

         Section 5.1.      Financial Statements and Reports......................................................     28
         Section 5.2.      Corporate Existence...................................................................     29
         Section 5.3.      Insurance.............................................................................     30
         Section 5.4.      Payment of Taxes and Claims...........................................................     30
         Section 5.5.      Inspection............................................................................     30
         Section 5.6.      Maintenance of Properties.............................................................     30
         Section 5.7.      Books and Records.....................................................................     31
         Section 5.8.      Compliance............................................................................     31
         Section 5.9.      Notice of Litigation..................................................................     31
         Section 5.10.     ERISA.................................................................................     31
         Section 5.11.     Environmental Matters; Reporting......................................................     32

ARTICLE 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS.....................................................................................     32

         Section 6.1.      Merger................................................................................     32
         Section 6.2.      Disposition of Assets.................................................................     33
         Section 6.3.      Plans.................................................................................     34
         Section 6.4.      Negative Pledges......................................................................     34
         Section 6.5.      Restricted Payments...................................................................     34
         Section 6.6.      Transactions with Affiliates..........................................................     34
         Section 6.7.      Accounting Changes....................................................................     35
         Section 6.8.      Subordinated Debt.....................................................................     35
         Section 6.9.      Indebtedness..........................................................................     35
         Section 6.10.     Liens.................................................................................     36
         Section 6.11.     Tangible Net Worth....................................................................     37
         Section 6.12.     Loan Proceeds.........................................................................     37
         Section 6.13.     Rental Obligations....................................................................     37
         Section 6.14.     Asset Coverage Ratio..................................................................     37
         Section 6.15.     Unrestricted Liquid Assets............................................................     38

ARTICLE 7 EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.........................................................................     38

         Section 7.1.      Events of Default.....................................................................     38
         Section 7.2.      Remedies..............................................................................     40
         Section 7.3.      Offset................................................................................     40

ARTICLE 8 THE AGENT..............................................................................................     40

         Section 8.1.      Appointment and Authorization.........................................................     40
         Section 8.2.      Note Holders..........................................................................     41
</TABLE>

11/27/00   Five Year Credit Agreement      ii
<PAGE>   52
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                                   <C>
         Section 8.3.      Consultation With Counsel.............................................................     41
         Section 8.4.      Loan Documents........................................................................     41
         Section 8.5.      USBNA and Affiliates..................................................................     41
         Section 8.6.      Action by Agent.......................................................................     41
         Section 8.7.      Credit Analysis.......................................................................     42
         Section 8.8.      Notices of Event of Default, Etc......................................................     42
         Section 8.9.      Indemnification.......................................................................     42
         Section 8.10.     Payments and Collections..............................................................     42
         Section 8.11.     Sharing of Payments...................................................................     43
         Section 8.12.     Advice to Banks.......................................................................     43
         Section 8.13.     Defaulting Bank.......................................................................     43
         Section 8.14.     Resignation...........................................................................     44

ARTICLE 9 MISCELLANEOUS..........................................................................................     44

         Section 9.1.      Modifications.........................................................................     44
         Section 9.2.      Expenses..............................................................................     45
         Section 9.3.      Waivers, etc..........................................................................     45
         Section 9.4.      Notices...............................................................................     46
         Section 9.5.      Taxes.................................................................................     46
         Section 9.6.      Successors and Assigns; Disposition of Loans; Transferees.............................     46
         Section 9.7.      Confidentiality of Information........................................................     47
         Section 9.8.      Governing Law and Construction........................................................     47
         Section 9.9.      Consent to Jurisdiction...............................................................     48
         Section 9.10.     Waiver of Jury Trial..................................................................     48
         Section 9.11.     Survival of Agreement.................................................................     48
         Section 9.12.     Indemnification.......................................................................     48
         Section 9.13.     Captions..............................................................................     49
         Section 9.14.     Entire Agreement......................................................................     49
         Section 9.15.     Counterparts..........................................................................     49
         Section 9.16.     Borrower Acknowledgments..............................................................     50

</TABLE>

11/27/00   Five Year Credit Agreement      iii
<PAGE>   53
                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

                 $100,000,000 364 DAY REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 22, 2000

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                              ALLEGHANY CORPORATION

                                       AND

                         U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION<PAGE>   1
                                                                Exhibit 10.11(b)

     List of Contents of Exhibits to the 364-Day Revolving Credit Agreement

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  Exhibits                         Description
                  --------                         -----------

<S>                                        <C>
                    5.1                    Compliance certificate
                   1.1(A)                  Form of revolving note
                   3.1(A)                  Form of opinion of counsel
                    4.7                    Environmental, health & safety laws
                    4.8                    ERISA
                    4.18                   Subsidiaries
                    6.9                    Indebtedness
                    6.10                   Liens
                    9.6                    Form of assignment agreement
</TABLE>

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00021-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00021-of-00352.parquet"}]]