Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.2

                          [LETTERHEAD OF WHITE & CASE]

April 4, 2003

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
666 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10103
Attn:    Arnold Gulkowitz, Esq.

Blank Rome LLP
One Logan Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103-6998
Attn:    Raymond L. Shapiro, Esq.

Re:    In re Reliance Group Holdings, Inc., et al. (the "Debtors")
       Case Nos. 01-13403 and 01-13404 - Settlement Agreement Side Letter
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Dear Ray and Arnold:

         We represent the Official Unsecured Bank Committee in the
above-referenced cases. Reference is made to the Settlement Agreement dated
April 1, 2003 (the "Settlement Agreement"), by and among M. Diane Koken, and any
successor thereto, in her, or his, capacity as the statutory Liquidator (the
"Liquidator") of Reliance Insurance Company ("Reliance"), and the Official
Unsecured Bank Committee (the "Bank Committee") and the Official Unsecured
Creditors' Committee (collectively with the Bank Committee, the "Committees") of
Reliance Group Holdings, Inc. ("RGH") and Reliance Financial Services Corp.
("RFSC" and, together with RGH, the "Debtors"). Terms defined in the Settlement
Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this letter (the "Side
Letter").

         This Side Letter sets forth the following terms which the parties
hereto have agreed to include in the order entered approving the Rule 9019
Motion (the "9019 Order") and the order entered by the Commonwealth Court (the
"Commonwealth Court Order") approving the Settlement Agreement:

         1.       The Debtors shall be permitted to use the Current Cash and
                  shall have sole discretion as to the use of such cash, subject
                  to the provisions of the Settlement Agreement, the Bankruptcy
                  Code and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, provided,

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[LETTERHEAD]

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                  however, that the amount of Current Cash shall at no time and
                  in no event be less than $45 million plus accumulated
                  interest, from the later of the date of the entry of the (i)
                  9019 Order or (ii) Commonwealth Court Order until the date of
                  distribution of the Current Cash pursuant to Section 5(a) of
                  the Settlement Agreement.

         2.       Reliance shall be granted an allowed constructive trust claim
                  in the amount of $45 million plus accumulated interest as set
                  forth above (the "Allowed Constructive Trust Claim"); and

3.                All taxes payable on or with respect to the Allowed
                  Constructive Trust Claim (including, but not limited to, any
                  taxes that may be imposed under Section 468B of the Internal
                  Revenue Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated
                  thereunder) shall be paid by Reliance or the Liquidator, on
                  behalf of Reliance (and, to the extent NOLs are utilized,
                  shall reduce Reliance NOLs (other than Excess NOLs)), however,
                  Reliance and the Liquidator reserve the right to contest the
                  assessment of any such taxes.

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         This Side Letter shall bind, benefit, and be enforceable by and against
the Liquidator, Reliance and the Committees, and their respective successors and
assigns. No party shall in any manner assign any of its rights or obligations
under this Side Letter without the express prior written consent of the other
parties. This Side Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which when so executed and delivered shall be an original hereof, and it shall
not be necessary in making proof of this Side Letter to produce or account for
more than one counterpart hereof. Delivery of an executed counterpart hereof by
facsimile or other electronic means shall be equally effective as delivery of an
originally executed counterpart. THIS SIDE LETTER IS MADE UNDER, AND EXCEPT TO
THE EXTENT THAT FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY LAW APPLIES, SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE
AND TO BE PERFORMED SOLELY THEREIN, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW. This Side Letter and the Settlement Agreement set forth the
entire agreement between the parties as to the matters set forth herein and
supersede all prior communications, written or oral, with respect to the matters
herein.

                                  * * * *

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          /s/ Andrew DeNatale
                                          --------------------------------
                                          Andrew P. DeNatale
                                          Jack J. Rose
                                          WHITE & CASE LLP
                                          Counsel for the Official
                                          Unsecured Bank Committee

Accepted and Agreed to this
7 day of April, 2003

/s/ Arnold Gulkowitz
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Arnold Gulkowitz
ORRICK HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP
Counsel for the Official Unsecured
Creditors Committee

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/s/ Raymond L. Shapiro
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Raymond L. Shapiro
BLANK ROME LLP
Counsel for M. Diane Koken, Insurance
Commissioner of The Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, in her capacity as Liquidator
of Reliance Insurance Company<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

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In re:                                           :     Case No. 01-13404 (AJG)

RELIANCE GROUP HOLDINGS, INC., et al.,           :     Chapter 11
                                                       Jointly Administered
                              Debtors.           :

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         ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 363, 541 AND 105 OF THE BANKRUPTCY
            CODE AND BANKRUPTCY RULE 9019 APPROVING SETTLEMENT AMONG
           THE COMMITTEES AND THE PENNSYLVANIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

         Upon the motion (the "Motion")1 of the Official Unsecured Bank
Committee (the "Bank Committee") and the Official Unsecured Creditors' Committee
(the "Creditors Committee" and, together with the Bank Committee, the
"Committees"), for the Chapter 11 estates of Reliance Group Holdings, Inc.
("RGH") and Reliance Financial Services Corp. ("RFSC"), debtors and debtors in
possession (RFSC, together with RGH, the "Debtors"), seeking entry of an order,
pursuant to Sections 363, 541 and 105 of the title 11 of the United States Code
(the "Bankruptcy Code") and Rule 9019 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy
Procedure (the "Bankruptcy Rules"), approving that certain settlement agreement
(the "Agreement") between the Committees and the Commissioner of Insurance for
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the "Commissioner"), in her capacity as the
liquidator ("in such capacity, the "Liquidator") of Reliance Insurance Company
("Reliance"), dated April 1, 2003, and the related letter agreement (the "Side
Letter") between the Committees and the Commissioner in her capacity as
Liquidator dated April 4, 2003 (the Agreement and Side Letter collectively, the
"Settlement"), a copy of which Settlement is annexed to the Motion, and the
limited objection dated May 9, 2003 (the "Limited Objection") of the Debtors to

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1 All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Motion.

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the Motion ; and it appearing that due and sufficient notice has been given to
all parties in interest as required by Bankruptcy Rules 2002, 9006, 9019 and the
Local Rules of this Court and this Court's Order dated April 23, 2003; and this
Court having considered the Motion; and it further appearing the relief sought
in the Motion is appropriate based upon the record of the hearing in these cases
held before this Court to consider the Motion; and it further appearing that
this Court has jurisdiction to consider the Motion and the relief requested
therein; and after due deliberation; and sufficient cause appearing therefor; it
is hereby

         ORDERED, that the Motion is hereby granted and approved in all
respects; and it is further

         ORDERED, that the Limited Objection is found to be without merit and is
overruled; and it is further

         ORDERED, that the Settlement, a copy of which is annexed hereto, is
hereby approved and authorized in all respects; and it is further

         ORDERED, that this Court retains jurisdiction to enforce and interpret
any provision of the Settlement; and it is further

         ORDERED, that as set forth in Paragraph 4(f) of the Agreement the
automatic stay extant pursuant to Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code is hereby
modified for the limited purpose of permitting the Liquidator to serve and
enforce any request for the production of documents and things under Rules 34
and 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Bankruptcy Rules 7034 and
9016; and it is further

         ORDERED, that as set forth in Paragraph 7(e) of the Agreement all
payments or payment obligations of the Debtors, the Liquidating Trustee (as
defined in the Settlement), or the Committees to the Liquidator or Reliance
under the Settlement shall be given first priority administrative status; and it
is further

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         ORDERED, that as set forth in the Side Letter the Debtors shall be
permitted to use the Current Cash (as defined in the Settlement) and shall have
sole discretion as to the use of such cash, subject to the provisions of the
Settlement, the Bankruptcy Code and the Bankruptcy Rules, provided, however,
that the amount of Current Cash shall at no time and in no event be less than
$45 million plus accumulated interest, from the later of the date of entry of
(i) this Order or (ii) the order approving the Settlement entered by the
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, until the date of distribution of the
Current Cash pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Settlement; and it is further

         ORDERED, that as set forth in the Side Letter Reliance shall be granted
an allowed constructive trust claim in the amount of $45 million plus
accumulated interest as set forth above (the "Allowed Constructive Trust
Claim"); and it is further

         ORDERED, that as set forth in the Side Letter all taxes payable on or
with respect to the Allowed Constructive Trust Claim (including, but not limited
to, any taxes that may be imposed under Section 468B of the Internal Revenue
Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder), shall be paid by
Reliance or the Liquidator, on behalf of Reliance (and, to the extent NOLs (as
defined in the Settlement)) are utilized, shall reduce Reliance NOLs (as defined
in the Settlement) (other than Excess NOLs (as defined in the Settlement));
however, Reliance and the Liquidator reserve the right to contest the assessment
of any such taxes; and it is further

         ORDERED, that nothing herein shall provide an independent basis for any
insurer to deny coverage under any insurance policy, including, without
limitation, any insurance policy identified on Exhibit A to the Settlement; it
is further

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        ORDERED, that as set forth in the last sentence of Paragraph 5(a) of
the Settlement, RGH shall not distribute any moneys held for the Liquidator
without the Liquidator's prior written consent and that such moneys shall be
held in investments as directed by the Liquidator, subject to the approval of
the Bankruptcy Court; and it is further

         ORDERED, that the Settlement, and this Order approving the Settlement
shall be binding upon the parties to the Settlement and the Debtors and the
Debtors' Estates and any successors in interest including without limitation a
Chapter 7 trustee or any liquidating trustee, and each such person is hereby
authorized and directed to implement and carry out the terms of the Settlement.
Dated: New York, New York
May 28, 2003
                                   /s/ Arthur J. Gonzalez
                                   ------------------------------------
                                   UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY JUDGE

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