1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 333-10857
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                ---------------
                                       TO
                                       --
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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                   THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
    (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)                           ALLSTATE FINANCING I
                                                                                     ALLSTATE FINANCING II
                                                                                     ALLSTATE FINANCING III
                                                                                     ALLSTATE FINANCING IV
                                                                 (Exact name of each registrant as specified in its certificate
                                                                                           of trust)
                           DELAWARE                                                         DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)    (State or other jurisdiction of organization of the trusts)
                                                                                  C/O THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION
                      2775 SANDERS ROAD                                                2775 SANDERS ROAD
                  NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062                                       NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062
                        (847) 402-5000                                                   (847) 402-5000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
   area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)           area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                          36-3871531                                                   TO BE APPLIED FOR
             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)                             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
--------------------------- ROBERT W. PIKE VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION 2775 SANDERS ROAD NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS 60062 (847) 402-5000 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service of each registrant) --------------------------- Copy to: Peter C. Krupp Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 (312) 407-0855 --------------------------- APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined in light of market conditions. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. / / If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. /X/ If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. / / If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. / / THE REGISTRANTS HEREBY AMEND THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANTS SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 PROSPECTUS $1,500,000,000 THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION DEBT SECURITIES, DEBT WARRANTS AND PREFERRED STOCK --------------------------- ALLSTATE FINANCING I ALLSTATE FINANCING III ALLSTATE FINANCING II ALLSTATE FINANCING IV PREFERRED SECURITIES FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED BY THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION --------------------------- The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may offer, from time to time, (i) its unsecured debt securities, which may be either senior debt securities ("Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated debt securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities" and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities"), consisting of debentures, notes and/or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness, (ii) Warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt Warrants") and (iii) shares of its Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock"). Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt Securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (as hereinafter defined) of the Company. Allstate Financing I, Allstate Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV (each, an "Allstate Trust"), each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, may offer, from time to time, preferred securities, representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the respective Allstate Trust ("Preferred Securities"). The Company will be the owner of the Common Securities (as hereinafter defined and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities") of each Allstate Trust. The payment of periodic cash distributions ("distributions") with respect to Preferred Securities of each of the Allstate Trusts out of moneys held by each of the Allstate Trusts, and payment on liquidation, redemption or otherwise with respect to such Preferred Securities, will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent described herein (each a "Preferred Securities Guarantee"). See "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees." Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Company's obligations under the Preferred Securities Guarantees will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company and rank pari passu with the most senior preferred stock, if any, issued from time to time by the Company. Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued and sold from time to time in one or more series to an Allstate Trust, or a trustee of such Allstate Trust, in connection with the investment of the proceeds from the offering of Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust. The Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by an Allstate Trust may be subsequently distributed pro rata to holders of Preferred Securities and Common Securities in connection with the dissolution of such Allstate Trust as may be described in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. The Preferred Securities Guarantees, when taken together with the Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Indenture related thereto and the Declaration of Trust, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of the Allstate Trusts (other than with respect to the Trust Securities), will provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities. The Debt Securities, Debt Warrants, Preferred Stock and the Preferred Securities and the related Preferred Securities Guarantees are collectively called the "Securities." The Securities may be offered as separate series or issuances at an aggregate initial public offering price not to exceed $1,500,000,000 or, if applicable, the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, as shall be designated by the Company, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined in light of sale conditions at the time of sale and as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, including, where applicable (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the title, aggregate principal amount, denominations (which may be in United States dollars, in any other currency or in composite currencies), maturity, subordination terms, if any, interest rate, if any (which may be fixed or variable), and time of payment of any interest, any terms for redemption at the option of the Company or the holder, any terms for sinking fund payments, any listing on a securities exchange and the initial public offering price and any other terms in connection with the offering and sale of such Debt Securities; (ii) in the case of Debt Warrants, the Debt Securities for which each such Debt Warrant is exercisable, the exercise price, duration, detachability, and call provisions; (iii) in the case of Preferred Securities, the designation and number, liquidation preference per Preferred Security, initial public offering price, any listing on a securities exchange, distribution rate (or method of calculation thereof), dates on which distributions shall be payable and dates from which distributions shall accrue, any voting rights, any redemption, exchange or sinking fund provisions, any other rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions relating to the Preferred Securities and the terms upon which the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities shall be used to purchase a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company; and (iv) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific title, the aggregate amount, any dividend, liquidation and other rights, any redemption provisions, any listing on a securities exchange, any sinking fund provisions, the initial public offering price and any other terms in connection with the offering and sale of such Preferred Stock. The Company and/or each of the Allstate Trusts may sell Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and also may sell Securities directly to other purchasers or through agents. See "Plan of Distribution." The accompanying Prospectus Supplement sets forth the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the principal amounts, if any, to be purchased by underwriters, dealers or agents and the compensation, if any, of such underwriters, dealers or agents. This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement. --------------------------- THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. --------------------------- The date of this Prospectus is , 1996 3 NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF OR THEREOF. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, Room 1024; Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, Suite 1300. Copies of such materials can also be obtained from the public reference section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information. The web site address is http://www.sec.gov. Reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, and the Chicago Stock Exchange Incorporated, 440 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60605. No separate financial statements of any of the Allstate Trusts have been included herein. The Company does not consider that such financial statements would be material to holders of the Preferred Securities because (i) all of the voting securities of each of the Allstate Trusts will be owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, a reporting company under the Exchange Act, (ii) each of the Allstate Trusts has no independent operations but exists for the sole purpose of issuing securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Allstate Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in Subordinated Debt Securities issued by the Company and (iii) the Company's obligations described herein and in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement under the Declarations of each Trust, the guarantee issued with respect to Preferred Securities issued by that Trust, the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by that Trust and the related Indenture, taken together, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee of payments due on the Preferred Securities. See "Description of Debt Securities" and "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees." The Allstate Trusts are not currently subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. The Allstate Trusts will become subject to such requirements upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, although they intend to seek and expect to receive exemptions therefrom. Additional information regarding the Company, the Debt Securities, the Debt Warrants, the Preferred Stock and the Preferred Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantees is contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits relating thereto, the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). For further information pertaining to the Company, the Debt Securities, the Debt Warrants, the Preferred Stock and the Preferred Securities and the Preferred Securities Guarantees, reference is made to the Registration Statement, and the exhibits thereto, which may be inspected without charge at the office of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies thereof may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates. Any statements contained herein concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission or incorporated by reference herein are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such document so filed for a more complete description of the matter involved. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, as amended, and the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996 are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Prospectus by reference. All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement and to be part hereof from the date of filing such documents. Any statement contained in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, or contained in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement, this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement. The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon the request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated herein by reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to The Allstate Corporation, Attention: Investor Relations Department, 3075 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, telephone number (847) 402-5000. 2 4 THE COMPANY The Company is a holding company for Allstate Insurance Company ("AIC"). The Company, through its subsidiaries (collectively, "Allstate"), is engaged in the property-liability insurance and life insurance businesses. Allstate is the country's second largest personal property and casualty insurer on the basis of 1995 statutory premiums earned and is a major life insurer. The Company is a corporation organized under Delaware law on November 5, 1992. The Company's executive offices are located at 2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, and at 3711 Kennett Pike, Greenville, Delaware 19807. Its telephone number is (847) 402-5000. THE TRUSTS Each of Allstate Financing I, Allstate Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV is a statutory business trust formed under Delaware law pursuant to (i) a separate declaration of trust (each a "Declaration") executed by the Company, as sponsor for such trust (the "Sponsor") and the Allstate Trustees (as defined herein) for such trust and (ii) the filing of a certificate of trust with the Delaware Secretary of State on August 21, 1996. Each Allstate Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Preferred Securities and common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Trust (the "Common Securities" and, together with the Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities"), (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Securities in a specific series of Subordinated Debt Securities and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. All of the Common Securities will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. The Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities except that upon an event of default under the Restated Declaration (as hereinafter defined), the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, directly or indirectly, acquire Common Securities in an aggregate liquidation amount equal to at least 3% of the total capital of each Allstate Trust. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each Allstate Trust has a term of approximately 55 years, but may earlier terminate as provided in the Restated Declaration. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each Allstate Trust's business and affairs will be conducted by the trustees (the "Allstate Trustees") appointed by the Company, as the direct or indirect holder of all the Common Securities. The holder of the Common Securities will be entitled to appoint, remove or replace any of, or increase or reduce the number of, the Allstate Trustees of an Allstate Trust. The duties and obligations of the Allstate Trustees shall be governed by the Restated Declaration of such Allstate Trust. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a majority of the Allstate Trustees (the "Regular Trustees") of each Allstate Trust will be persons who are employees or officers of or affiliated with the Company. One Allstate Trustee of each Allstate Trust will be a financial institution which will be unaffiliated with the Company and which shall act as property trustee and as indenture trustee for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "Trust Indenture Act"), pursuant to the terms set forth in a Prospectus Supplement (the "Property Trustee"). In addition, unless the Property Trustee maintains a principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, one Allstate Trustee of each Allstate Trust will have its principal place of business or reside in the State of Delaware (the "Delaware Trustee"). The Company will pay all fees and expenses related to the Allstate Trusts and the offering of Trust Securities, the payment of which will be guaranteed by the Company. The office of the Delaware Trustee for each Allstate Trust in the State of Delaware is 900 Market Street, 2nd Floor, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. The principal place of business of each Allstate Trust is 2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062. The telephone number of each Trust is (847) 402-5000. 3 5 RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods indicated:
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, -------------- ------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 ----- ----- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1)(2)........ 18.6x 18.1x 16.3x 2.5x 8.8x -- 7.0x Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges, including credit to investment contracts(1)(3).......... 3.3x 3.1x 2.8x 1.2x 2.1x -- 1.5x
- ------------------------- (1) The Company has authority to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share; however, there are currently no shares outstanding and the Company does not have a preferred stock dividend obligation. Therefore, the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends is equal to the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and is not disclosed separately. (2) For purposes of this computation, earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortization of financing costs and that portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest factor. Earnings for the year ended December 31, 1992 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $1,425 million. The loss in 1992 resulted primarily from the impact of Hurricane Andrew which caused pre-tax losses after reinsurance of $2.5 billion. Excluding losses from Hurricane Andrew, the 1992 ratio was 12.7x. (3) For purposes of this computation, earnings consist of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (including interest credited to investment contracts), amortization of financing costs and that portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest factor. Earnings for the year ended December 31, 1992 were not sufficient to cover fixed charges by $1,425 million. The loss in 1992 resulted primarily from the impact of Hurricane Andrew which caused pre-tax losses after reinsurance of $2.5 billion. Excluding losses from Hurricane Andrew, the 1992 ratio was 1.9x. USE OF PROCEEDS Except as may be otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement accompanying this Prospectus, the net proceeds to the Company from the sale or sales of the Securities will be used for general corporate purposes. Each Allstate Trust will invest all proceeds received from the sale of its Trust Securities in a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of each series, or of Debt Securities forming a part of a series, which are offered by a Prospectus Supplement will be described in such Prospectus Supplement. The Senior Debt Securities will be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a separate Indenture, as supplemented by one or more supplemental indentures (as so supplemented, the "Subordinated Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee. The Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Indentures." Copies of the form of Senior Indenture and the form of Subordinated Indenture have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The trustees under the Senior Indenture and under the Subordinated Indenture are referred to herein as the "Trustees." The following summaries of certain material provisions of the Senior Debt Securities, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the 4 6 provisions of the Indenture applicable to a particular series of Debt Securities, including the definitions therein of certain terms. Wherever particular Sections, Articles or defined terms of the Indentures are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, it is intended that such Sections, Articles or defined terms shall be incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case may be. Unless otherwise indicated, Section and Article references used herein are applicable to each Indenture. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the applicable Indenture. GENERAL The Indentures provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. The Company may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt Securities of any series. (Section 301) The Debt Securities are to have such terms and provisions which are not inconsistent with the Indentures, including as to maturity, principal and interest, as the Company may determine. Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank on a parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) of the Company as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company's assets consist primarily of the common stock of AIC, and the Company conducts no substantial business or operations itself. Accordingly, the right of the Company, and hence the right of the creditors of the Company (including the Holders of the Debt Securities), to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary of the Company upon its liquidation or reorganization will be subject to the prior claims of creditors of such subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized. In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Allstate Trust, such Subordinated Debt Securities subsequently may be distributed pro rata to the holders of such Trust Securities in connection with the dissolution of such Allstate Trust upon the occurrence of certain events described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Trust Securities. Only one series of Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Allstate Trust. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be offered will be issued and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities: (1) the title of such Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities or the series of which they are a part; (3) the Person to whom any interest on any of such Debt Securities will be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (5) the rate or rates at which any of such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of the Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such Debt Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation; (9) the denominations in which any of such Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; (10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Debt Securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; (11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or 5 7 interest on any of such Debt Securities will be payable (and the manner in which the equivalent of the principal amount thereof in the currency of the United States of America is to be determined for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time); (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Debt Securities is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than those in which such Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities as to which such election is made will be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or any manner in which such amount is to be determined); (13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Debt Securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof; (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any of such Debt Securities is not determinable upon original issuance, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount of such Debt Securities for any other purpose thereunder or under the Indentures including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date (or, in any such case, any manner in which such principal amount is to be determined); (15) if applicable, that such Debt Securities, in whole or any specified part, are defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the Indentures described under "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance - -- Defeasance and Discharge" or "Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance -- Covenant Defeasance," or under both such captions; (16) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities and any circumstances under which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or its nominee; (17) any addition to or change in the Events of Default applicable to any of such Debt Securities and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal amount of any of such Debt Securities due and payable; (18) any addition to or change in the covenants described under "Certain Covenants" applicable to any of such Debt Securities; and (19) any other terms of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indentures but which may modify or delete any provision of the Indentures insofar as it applies to such series; provided that no term thereof shall be modified or deleted if imposed under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee shall have been consented to in writing by the Trustee. (Section 301) Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement under "United States Taxation -- United States Holders." Special United States tax and other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement under such caption and under "Foreign Currency Risks." FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER The Debt Securities of a series may be issued solely as Registered Securities, solely as Bearer Securities (with or without coupons attached) or as both Registered Securities and Bearer Securities. Debt Securities of a series may be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global Debt Securities, as described below under "Global Securities." Registered Securities of any series will be exchangeable for other Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor. In addition, if Debt Securities of any series are issuable as both Registered Securities and as Bearer Securities, at the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the Indentures, Bearer Securities (accompanied by all unmatured coupons, except as provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of such series will be exchangeable for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal 6 8 amount and tenor. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, any Bearer Security surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security between a record date or a special record date for defaulted interest and the relevant date for payment of interest will be surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment of interest and interest will not be payable in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. Bearer Securities will not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent (in addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company for any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 305) The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of each series. (Section 1002) In the event of any redemption by the Company, in whole or in part, of Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified terms), the Company will not be required to (i) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and specified terms, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Debt Security selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part or (iii) exchange any Bearer Security called for redemption, except to exchange such Bearer Security for a Registered Security of that series and of like tenor and principal amount that is immediately surrendered for redemption. (Section 305) GLOBAL SECURITIES Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more Global Securities which will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented thereby. Each Global Security will be registered in the name of the Depository Trust Company ("DTC") as Depositary, or any other Depositary identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, or a nominee thereof, will be deposited with DTC or such other Depositary or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the Indentures. The Depositary shall at all times be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act. (Section 101) DTC has advised the Company as follows: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants (defined below) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers (including firms that might be underwriters with respect to the Securities), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. Notwithstanding any provision of the Indentures or any Debt Security described herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the Depositary has notified the Company that it 7 9 is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by the Indentures, (ii) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security or (iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, as may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. All Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct. (Section 305) The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of Debt Securities take physical delivery of such Debt Securities in definitive form. Such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security. As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Debt Securities and the Indentures. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the Indentures. All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a Global Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder thereof. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to participants or to persons that may hold beneficial interests through institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee ("participants"). Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants' interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the Depositary or any participant's records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the Depositary's records or any participant's records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. Secondary trading in notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally settled in clearing-house or next-day funds. In contrast, beneficial interests in a Global Security, in some cases, may trade in the Depositary's same-day funds settlement system, in which secondary market trading activity in those beneficial interests would be required by the Depositary to settle in immediately available funds. There is no assurance as to the effect, if any, that settlement in immediately available funds would have on trading activity in such beneficial interests. Also, settlement for purchases of beneficial interests in a Global Security upon the original issuance thereof may be required to be made in immediately available funds. PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of interest on a Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. (Section 307) Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as the Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at the option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, a Paying Agent designated by the Company and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York will act as Paying Agent for payments with respect to Debt Securities of each series. All Paying Agents initially designated by the Company for the Debt Securities of a particular 8 10 series will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002) All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to the Company upon request, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 1003) SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the following provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. (Section 1401 of the Subordinated Indenture) In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, then and in any such event the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Indebtedness, or provision shall be made for such payment in cash, before the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any payment on account of principal of or any premium or interest on Subordinated Debt Securities, and to that end the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, including any such payment or distribution which may be payable or deliverable by reason of the payment of any other indebtedness of the Company being subordinated to the payment of Subordinated Debt Securities, which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities in any such case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up event. (Section 1403 of the Subordinated Indenture) By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, creditors of the Company may recover less, ratably, than Holders of Senior Debt Securities and may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities. In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any Subordinated Debt Securities, the Holders of all Senior Debt Securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due thereon before the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities will be entitled to receive any payment upon the principal of or any premium or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1404 of the Subordinated Indenture) No payment of principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of or any premium or interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities may be made (i) if any Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due and any applicable grace period with respect to such default has ended and such default has not been cured or waived or ceased to exist, or (ii) if the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company has been accelerated because of a default. (Section 1402 of the Subordinated Indenture) The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of additional Senior Debt Securities, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities, but subordinate to other obligations of the Company. The Senior Debt Securities constitute Senior Debt Securities under the Subordinated Indenture. The term "Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to the Company, (i) the principal or any premium and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of such obligor for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by such obligor, (ii) all capital lease 9 11 obligations of such obligor, (iii) all obligations of such obligor issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of such obligor and all obligations of such obligor under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations of such obligor for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction, (v) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise and (vi) all obligations of the types referred to its clauses (i) through (v) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or pari passu with the Subordinated Debt Securities and (2) any indebtedness between or among the Company or its affiliates, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, issued to (a) any other Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust and (b) any other trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing vehicle of the Company (a "financing entity") in connection with the issuance by such financing entity of preferred securities unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms of such debt securities. Such Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness. (Sections 101 and 1408 of the Subordinated Indenture) The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any, applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a particular series. CERTAIN COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES LIMITATION ON LIENS OF STOCK OF AIC The Senior Indenture prohibits the Company and its Subsidiaries from directly or indirectly creating, assuming, incurring or permitting to exist any indebtedness secured by any lien on the capital stock of AIC unless the Senior Debt Securities (and, if the Company so elects, any other Indebtedness of the Company that is not subordinate to the Senior Debt Securities and with respect to which the governing instruments require, or pursuant to which the Company is otherwise obligated, to provide such security) shall be secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness for at least the time period such other Indebtedness is so secured. (Section 1008) "Indebtedness" is defined in the Senior Indenture as the principal of and any premium and interest due on indebtedness of a Person, whether outstanding on the date of such Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (a) indebtedness for money borrowed, and (b) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of this definition, "indebtedness for money borrowed" means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such Person for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses (provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any other business or property or assets shall not be considered Indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created), and (iii) any obligations of such Person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such Person is a party. For purposes of this covenant only, Indebtedness also includes any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, any Person for the payment of amounts due under a swap agreement or similar instrument or agreement, or under a foreign currency hedge exchange or similar instrument or agreement. (Sections 101 and 1008 of the Senior Indenture) 10 12 LIMITATIONS ON DISPOSITION OF STOCK OF AIC The Senior Indenture also provides that so long as any Senior Debt Securities are outstanding and except in a transaction otherwise governed by such Indenture, the Company may not issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, capital stock (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) of AIC, and will not permit AIC to issue (other than to the Company) any shares (other than director's qualifying shares) of, or securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, capital stock (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) of AIC, if, after giving effect to any such transaction and the issuances of the maximum number of shares issuable upon the conversion or exercise of all such convertible securities, warrants, rights or options, the Company would own, directly or indirectly, less than 80% of the shares of AIC (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind); provided, however, that (i) any issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition permitted by the Company may only be made for at least a fair market value consideration as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a Board Resolution adopted in good faith and (ii) the foregoing shall not prohibit any such issuance or disposition of securities if required by any law or any regulation or order of any governmental or insurance regulatory authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company may merge or consolidate AIC into or with another direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) the Company may, subject to the provisions set forth in "Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets" below, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the entire capital stock of AIC at one time for at least a fair market value consideration as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a Board Resolution adopted in good faith. (Section 1009 of the Senior Indenture) CERTAIN COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES If Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Allstate Trust and (i) there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the related Preferred Securities Guarantee or Common Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice of its election to defer payments of interest on such Subordinated Debt Securities by extending the interest payment period as provided in the Subordinated Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Company or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing, and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1008 of the Subordinated Indenture) In the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust, for so long as such Securities remain outstanding, the Company will covenant (i) to directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities of such Allstate Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under the Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of such Trust Common Securities, (ii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause such Allstate Trust (a) to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of such Allstate Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such Allstate Trust, and (b) to continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use its 11 13 reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 1009 of the Subordinated Indenture) CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS The Company, without the consent of the Holders of any of the Outstanding Debt Securities under the Indentures, may consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any Person or may permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company, provided that any successor Person must be a corporation, partnership, or trust organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and must assume the Company's obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indentures, that after giving effect to the transaction no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing and that certain other conditions are met; provided such provisions will not be applicable to the direct or indirect transfer of the stock, assets or liabilities of any Subsidiary of the Company to another direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company. (Section 801) OUTSTANDING DEBT SECURITIES "Outstanding," when used with respect to Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under the Indentures, except: (1) Debt Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (2) Debt Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Debt Securities; provided that, if such Debt Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to the Indentures or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; (3) Debt Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1302 of the Indentures; and (4) Debt Securities which have been paid pursuant to the Indentures or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indentures, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Company. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Indentures (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to the Indentures, (b) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of the date of original issuance of such Debt Security in the manner provided as contemplated by the Indentures, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, of the amount determined as provided in clause (a) above), (c) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security is not determinable upon original issuance, the principal amount of such Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by the Indentures, and (d) Debt Securities beneficially owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Debt Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the Pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and 12 14 that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. Except as provided above or as may otherwise be provided in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, there are no "event risk" or similar provisions of the Indentures or the Debt Securities that are intended to afford protection to Holders in the event of a merger or other significant corporate event involving the Company. EVENTS OF DEFAULT Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due; (b) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in the applicable Indenture (other than a covenant included in the applicable Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, as provided in the applicable Indenture; (e) in the event Subordinated Debt Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Allstate Trust, the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Allstate Trust, except in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of such Allstate Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such Allstate Trust; and (f) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. (Section 501) If an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as provided in the applicable Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that is an Original Issue Discount Security or the principal amount of which is not determinable on original issuance thereof, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security, or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately; provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable Indenture. (Section 502) For information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver." Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series. (Section 512) No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any remedy thereunder, unless (i) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, (ii) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under the applicable Indenture, (iii) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against costs, expenses and 13 15 liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, (iv) the Trustee for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute such proceeding and (v) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series. (Section 507) However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due dates expressed in such Debt Security. (Section 508) The Company will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their knowledge, is in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults. (Section 1004) MODIFICATION AND WAIVER Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by the Company and the Trustee under the applicable Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security (except to the extent provided in a Prospectus Supplement), (b) reduce the principal amount of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d) change the currency of payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security, (e) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security, (f) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indentures, (g) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indentures or for waiver of certain defaults or (h) modify such provisions with respect to modification and waivers. (Section 902) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable Indenture. (Section 1010) The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the applicable Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. (Section 513) The applicable Indenture provides that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action thereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of the date of original issuance of such Debt Security, in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, of the amount determined as described in (i) above). If the principal amount payable at Stated Maturity of any Debt Security is not determinable upon original issuance, the principal amount of such Debt Security will be determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security. (Section 101) Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or 14 16 permitted by the applicable Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Debt Securities of such series, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the applicable Indenture. To be effective, any such action for which the Company has set a record date must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Debt Securities of the relevant series Outstanding on such record date within 180 days after the record date, or within such shorter period as the Company may specify from time to time. (Section 104) DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may elect at its option at any time to have the provisions of Section 1302, relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303, relating to defeasance of certain covenants in the Indentures, applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series. (Section 1301) Defeasance and Discharge. The Indentures provide that, upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1302 applied to any Debt Securities, the Company will be discharged from all its obligations with respect to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to exchange or register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust) upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304) Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The Indentures provide that, upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to any Debt Securities, the Company may omit to comply with certain covenants as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described herein under clause (d) (with respect to such covenants) under "Events of Default" as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Debt Securities. The Company, in order to exercise such option, will be required to deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. The Company will also be required, among other things, to deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event the Company exercised this option with respect to any Debt Securities and such Debt Securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in trust will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In such case, the Company will remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304) 15 17 NOTICES Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register. (Sections 101 and 106) TITLE The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308) GOVERNING LAW The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. (Section 112) REGARDING THE TRUSTEE State Street Bank and Trust Company, which is the Trustee under the Indentures described herein, performs other services for the Company and its affiliates. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS The Company may issue, together with other Securities or separately, Debt Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities. The Debt Warrants are to be issued under Debt Warrant Agreements (each a "Debt Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as Debt Warrant Agent (the "Debt Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Debt Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered. A copy of the form of Debt Warrant Agreement, including the form of Warrant Certificates representing the Debt Warrants (the "Debt Warrant Certificates"), reflecting the alternative provisions to be included in the Debt Warrant Agreements that will be entered into with respect to particular offerings of Debt Warrants, is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Debt Warrant Agreement and the Debt Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Debt Warrant Agreement and the Debt Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the definitions therein of capitalized terms. GENERAL Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the terms of Debt Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the Debt Warrant Agreement relating to such Debt Warrants and the Debt Warrant Certificates representing such Debt Warrants, including the following: (1) the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants; (2) the designation and terms of any related Debt Securities with which such Debt Warrants are issued and the number of such Debt Warrants issued with each such Debt Security; (3) the date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and the related Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (4) the principal amount of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of each Debt Warrant and the price at which such principal amount of Debt Securities may be purchased upon such exercise; (5) the Date on which the right to exercise such Debt Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire (the "Expiration Date"); (6) if the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants are original issue discount Debt Securities, a discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable thereto; and (7) whether the Debt Warrants represented by the Debt Warrant Certificate will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered. Debt Warrant Certificates will be exchangeable for new Debt Warrant Certificates of different denominations and Debt Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Debt Warrant Agent or 16 18 any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Debt Warrants, holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. EXERCISE OF DEBT WARRANTS Each Debt Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of Debt Securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Warrants offered thereby. Debt Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the Expiration Date set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. After the close of business of the Expiration Date, unexercised Debt Warrants will become void. Debt Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Warrants in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered. Upon receipt of payment and the Debt Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the Debt Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the Debt Warrants represented by such Debt Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Debt Warrant Certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of Debt Warrants. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK The Company is authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, none of which is currently issued and outstanding. The Board of Directors of the Company is authorized to provide for the issuance of the preferred stock in series, to establish or change the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the designation, relative rights, preferences and limitations of each such series, subject to such limitations as may be prescribed by law. In particular, the Board of Directors of the Company is authorized, without limitation, to determine with respect to each series of preferred stock the number of shares, the designation of the series, the dividend rate, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption provisions, liquidation rights and sinking fund provisions, all without further action by the Company's stockholders. The Preferred Stock will be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Stock will have preference over the Company's common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of a liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company. Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, each series of Preferred Stock will rank on a parity with each other series. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock do not purport to be complete and are subject, and are qualified in their entirety by reference, with respect to any particular series of Preferred Stock, to the description of the terms thereof included in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and to the applicable provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. DIVIDENDS Holders of shares of the Preferred Stock of each series shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, out of assets of the Company legally available for payment, cash or other dividends at such rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of the Company. Dividends on any series of the Preferred Stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Board of Directors of the Company fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of the Preferred Stock for which dividends are noncumulative, then the holders of such series of the Preferred Stock will have no right to receive a dividend 17 19 in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date, and the Company will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future dividend payment date. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of common stock, liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation price per share (as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement) plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock and any other shares of stock of the Company ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with the Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock and of such other shares will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Company. A consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. REDEMPTION The Preferred Stock will be redeemable in whole or in part, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the Company may not purchase or redeem any of the outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock unless full cumulative dividends, if any, have been paid or declared and set apart for payment upon all outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock for all past dividend periods, and unless all matured obligations of the Company with respect to all sinking funds, retirement funds or purchase funds for all series of preferred stock then outstanding have been met. VOTING RIGHTS Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the holders of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote under any circumstances. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES Each Allstate Trust may issue, from time to time, only one series of Preferred Securities having terms described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Restated Declaration") of each Allstate Trust will authorize the Regular Trustees of such Allstate Trust to issue on behalf of such Allstate Trust one series of Preferred Securities. Each Restated Declaration will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Securities will have such terms, including distributions, redemption, voting, liquidation and such other preferred, deferred or other special rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth in the Restated Declaration or made part of the Restated Declaration by the Trust Indenture Act, and which will mirror the terms of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by the Allstate Trust and described in the Prospectus Supplement related thereto. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of Restated Declaration, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Preferred Securities of any Allstate Trust for specific terms, including (i) the distinctive designation of such Preferred Securities; (ii) the number of Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust; (iii) the annual distribution rate (or method of determining such rate) for Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust and the date or dates upon which such distributions shall be payable; 18 20 provided, however, that distributions on such Preferred Securities shall be payable on a quarterly basis to holders of such Preferred Securities as of a record date in each quarter during which such Preferred Securities are outstanding; (iv) whether distributions on Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust shall be cumulative, and, in the case of Preferred Securities having such cumulative distribution rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which distributions on Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust shall be cumulative; (v) the amount or amounts which shall be paid out of the assets of such Allstate Trust to the holders of Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust upon voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Allstate Trust; (vi) the obligation or the option, if any, of such Allstate Trust to purchase or redeem Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust shall be purchased or redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (vii) the voting rights, if any, of Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust in addition to those required by law, including the number of votes per Preferred Security and any requirement for the approval by the holders of Preferred Securities, or of Preferred Securities issued by one or more Allstate Trusts, or of both, as a condition to specified action or amendments to the Declaration of such Allstate Trust; (viii) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Subordinated Debt Securities may be distributed to holders of Preferred Securities; (ix) if applicable, any securities exchange upon which the Preferred Securities shall be listed; and (x) any other relevant rights, preferences, privileges, limitations or restrictions of Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust not inconsistent with the Restated Declaration of such Allstate Trust or with applicable law. All Preferred Securities offered hereby will be guaranteed by the Company to the extent set forth below under "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees." Certain United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any offering of Preferred Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. In connection with the issuance of Preferred Securities, each Allstate Trust will issue one series of Common Securities. The Restated Declaration of each Allstate Trust will authorize the Regular Trustees of such trust to issue on behalf of such Allstate Trust one series of Common Securities having such terms including distributions, redemption, voting and liquidation rights or such restrictions as shall be set forth therein. The terms of the Common Securities issued by an Allstate Trust will be substantially identical to the terms of the Preferred Securities issued by such trust and the Common Securities will rank pari passu, and payments will be made thereon pro rata, with the Preferred Securities except that, upon an event of default under the Restated Declaration, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise will be subordinated to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Securities. Except in certain limited circumstances, the Common Securities will also carry the right to vote to appoint, remove or replace any of the Allstate Trustees of an Allstate Trust. All of the Common Securities of each Allstate Trust will be directly or indirectly owned by the Company. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS BY HOLDERS OF PREFERRED SECURITIES If an Event of Default under the Restated Declaration of an Allstate Trust occurs and is continuing, then the holders of Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust would rely on the enforcement by the Property Trustee of its rights as a holder of the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities against the Company. In addition, the holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the applicable Restated Declaration, including the right to direct the Property Trustee to exercise the remedies available to it as a holder of the Subordinated Debt Securities. If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities, a holder of Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities without first instituting any legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default under the applicable Restated Declaration has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or principal on the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the 19 21 redemption date), then a holder of Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the applicable series of Subordinated Debt Securities. In connection with such Direct Action, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities under the applicable Restated Declaration to the extent of any payment made by the Company to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES Set forth below is a summary of information concerning the Preferred Securities Guarantees which will be executed and delivered by the Company for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Preferred Securities. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will be qualified as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. State Street Bank and Trust Company will act as the independent trustee under each Preferred Securities Guarantee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee") for purposes of compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. The terms of each Preferred Securities Guarantee will be those set forth in such Preferred Securities Guarantee and those made part of such Preferred Securities Guarantee by the Trust Indenture Act. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject in all respects to the provisions of, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the form of Preferred Securities Guarantee, which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part, and the Trust Indenture Act. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities of the applicable Allstate Trust. GENERAL Pursuant to each Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will agree, to the extent set forth therein, to pay in full, to the holders of the Preferred Securities issued by an Allstate Trust, the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) (except to the extent paid by such Allstate Trust), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim which such Allstate Trust may have or assert. The following payments with respect to Preferred Securities issued by an Allstate Trust to the extent not paid by such Allstate Trust (the "Guarantee Payments") will be subject to the Preferred Securities Guarantee thereon (without duplication): (i) any accrued and unpaid distributions which are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities, to the extent such Allstate Trust shall have funds available therefor; (ii) the redemption price set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (the "Redemption Price"), which will not be lower than the liquidation amount, and all accrued and unpaid distributions, to the extent such Allstate Trust has funds available therefor with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by such Allstate Trust; and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of such Allstate Trust (other than in connection with the distribution of Subordinated Debt Securities to the holders of Preferred Securities or the redemption of all of the Preferred Securities), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount and all accrued and unpaid distributions on such Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent such Allstate Trust has funds available therefor and (b) the amount of assets of such Allstate Trust remaining available for distribution to holders of such Preferred Securities in liquidation of such Allstate Trust. The Company's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Company to the holders of Preferred Securities or by causing the applicable Allstate Trust to pay such amounts to such holders. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will not apply to any payment of distributions on the Preferred Securities except to the extent such Allstate Trust shall have funds available therefor. If the Company does not make interest payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities purchased by an Allstate Trust, such Allstate Trust will not pay distributions on the Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust and will not have funds available therefor. See "Description of Debt Securities -- Certain Covenants of the Company." The Preferred Securities Guarantee, when taken together with the Company's obligations under the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Subordinated Indenture and the Declaration, including its obligations to pay costs, expenses, debts and liabilities of such Allstate Trust (other than with respect to the Trust Securities), will 20 22 provide a full and unconditional guarantee on a subordinated basis by the Company of payments due on the Preferred Securities. The Company has also agreed separately to irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of the Allstate Trusts with respect to the Common Securities (the "Common Securities Guarantees") to the same extent as the Preferred Securities Guarantee, except that upon an event of default under the Subordinated Indenture, holders of Preferred Securities shall have priority over holders of Common Securities with respect to distributions and payments on liquidation, redemption or otherwise. CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY In each Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Company will covenant that, so long as any Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Allstate Trust remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an event of default under such Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Declaration of such Allstate Trust, then, unless otherwise set forth in a Prospectus Supplement (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Company or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Company shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to such Subordinated Debt Securities. MODIFICATION OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES; ASSIGNMENT Except with respect to any changes which do not adversely affect the rights of holders of Preferred Securities (in which case no vote will be required), each Preferred Securities Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation amount of the outstanding Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Allstate Trust. The manner of obtaining any such approval of holders of such Preferred Securities will be as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement. All guarantees and agreements contained in a Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Company and shall inure to the benefit of the holders of the Preferred Securities of the applicable Allstate Trust then outstanding. TERMINATION Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will terminate as to the Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Allstate Trust (a) upon full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust, (b) upon distribution of the Subordinated Debt Securities held by such Allstate Trust to the holders of the Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust or (c) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration of such Allstate Trust upon liquidation of such Allstate Trust. Each Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any holder of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Allstate Trust must restore payment of any sums paid under such Preferred Securities or such Preferred Securities Guarantee. The subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt Securities provide that in the event payment is made on the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Preferred Securities Guarantee in contravention of such provisions, such payments shall be paid over to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. 21 23 EVENTS OF DEFAULT An event of default under a Preferred Securities Guarantee will occur upon the failure of the Company to perform any of its payment or other obligations thereunder. The holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities relating to such Preferred Securities Guarantee have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of the Preferred Securities Guarantee or to direct the exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under such Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any holder of Preferred Securities relating to such Preferred Securities Guarantee may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Company to enforce the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's rights under such Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the relevant Allstate Trust, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has failed to make a guarantee payment, a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding against the Company for enforcement of the Preferred Securities Guarantee for such payment. The Company waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against such Allstate Trust or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Company. STATUS OF THE PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEES Unless otherwise indicated in a Prospectus Supplement, the Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute unsecured obligations of the Company and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Company, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Company and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Company in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any affiliate of the Company, and (iii) senior to Common Stock. The terms of the Preferred Securities provide that each holder of Preferred Securities issued by the applicable Allstate Trust by acceptance thereof agrees to the subordination provisions and other terms of the Preferred Securities Guarantee relating thereto. The Preferred Securities Guarantees will constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection (that is, the guaranteed party may institute a legal proceeding directly against the guarantor to enforce its rights under the guarantee without instituting a legal proceeding against any other person or entity). INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, prior to the occurrence of a default with respect to a Preferred Securities Guarantee, undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in such Preferred Securities Guarantee and, after default, shall exercise the same degree of care as a prudent individual would exercise in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by a Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request of any holder of Preferred Securities, unless offered reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. GOVERNING LAW The Preferred Securities Guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may sell any series of Debt Securities, Debt Warrants and Preferred Stock and the Allstate Trusts may sell the Preferred Securities being offered hereby (i) directly to one or more purchasers; (ii) through agents; (iii) to or through underwriters or dealers; or (iv) through a combination of any such methods of sale. The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, 22 24 at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the offered Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; the purchase price of such Securities and the proceeds to the Company and/or an Allstate Trust from such sale; any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters' or agents' compensation; any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers or any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed. Any initial public offering price, discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Any discounts, concessions or commissions received by underwriters or agents and any profits on the resale of Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Act. Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of underwriters to purchase the offered Securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and such underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such Securities, if any are purchased. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Under certain circumstances, the Company may repurchase offered Securities and reoffer them to the public as set forth above. The Company may also arrange for repurchase and resale of such offered Securities by dealers. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company may authorize underwriters, dealers or other persons acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Company, pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others (but in all cases such institutions must be approved by the Company). The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that the purchase of the offered Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. In connection with the offering of Securities, the Company and/or, if applicable, any Allstate Trust, may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional Securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial public offering price (with an additional underwriting commission), as may be set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. If the Company and/or, if applicable, any Allstate Trust, grants any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement for such Securities. The Securities may be a new issue of securities that have no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom Securities are sold for public offering and sale may make a market in such Securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Such Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any Securities. Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company and/or, if applicable, any Allstate Trust, underwriters and agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make in respect thereof. Such underwriters and agents may be customers of, engaged in transactions with, or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of business. LEGAL OPINION The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Chicago, Illinois, counsel for the Company. 23 25 EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedules incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. 24 26 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred with the Offerings described in this Registration Statement. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee. Registration Fee................................................ $293,105.50 *Printing Costs for Registration Statement, prospectus and related documents.............................................. 40,000.00 *Accounting Fees and Expenses.................................... 10,000.00 *Legal Fees and Expenses......................................... 150,000.00 *Trustees' Fees.................................................. 10,000.00 *Miscellaneous................................................... 21,894.50 ----------- *Total..................................................... $525,000.00 ===========
- ------------------------- * Estimated. ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, inter alia, empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Similar indemnity is authorized for such persons against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any such threatened, pending or completed action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and provided further that (unless a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise provides) such person shall not have been adjudged liable to the corporation. Any such indemnification may be made only as authorized in each specific case upon a determination by the shareholders or disinterested directors or by independent legal counsel in a written opinion that indemnification is proper because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct. Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145. The Company maintains policies insuring its and its subsidiaries' officers and directors against certain liabilities for actions taken in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. Article IV of the Bylaws of the Company provides for indemnification of the directors and officers of the Company to the full extent permitted by law, as now in effect or later amended. In addition, the Bylaws provide for indemnification against expenses incurred by a director or officer to be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceedings; provided, however, that if required by the Delaware General Corporation Law, an advancement of expenses will be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined II-1 27 that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The Bylaws further provide for a contractual cause of action on the part of directors and officers of the Company with respect to indemnification claims which have not been paid by the Company. The Company also has provided liability insurance for each director and officer for certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them while acting in their capacities as directors or officers of the Company. Article Ninth of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation limits to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as the same exists or may have been amended, the personal liability of the Company's directors to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of their fiduciary duty as directors. Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law currently provides that such provisions do not eliminate the liability of a director (i) for a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (relating to the declaration of dividends and purchase or redemption of shares in violation of the Delaware General Corporation Law), or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Reference is made to the forms of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to the Registration Statement for the Company's and the Underwriters' respective agreements to indemnify each other, and to provide contribution in circumstances where indemnification is unavailable. ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.1 Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to Debt Securities, Debt Warrants and Preferred Stock 1.2 Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to Preferred Securities and the related Preferred Securities Guarantees *4.1 Certificate of Incorporation of The Allstate Corporation incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995 (File No. 1-11840) *4.2 Bylaws of The Allstate Corporation incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(b) of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 1-11840) 4.3 Form of Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of , , between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee 4.4 Form of Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities, dated as of , , between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee 4.4A Form of Supplemental Indenture, dated as of , , between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee *4.5 Certificate of Trust of Allstate Financing I *4.6 Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing I *4.7 Certificate of Trust of Allstate Financing II *4.8 Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing II *4.9 Certificate of Trust of Allstate Financing III *4.10 Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing III *4.11 Certificate of Trust of Allstate Financing IV *4.12 Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing IV 4.13 Form of Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (substantially identical, except for names and dates, for Allstate Financing I, Allstate Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV)
II-2 28
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - ------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4.14 Form of Preferred Securities Guarantee (substantially identical, except for names and dates, for Allstate Financing I, Allstate Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV) 4.15 Form of Debt Warrant Agreement 4.16 Form of Debt Warrant Certificates (included as Exhibit A of Exhibit 4.15) 5 Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom *12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 15 Acknowledgment of Deloitte & Touche LLP 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP 23.2 Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (included in Exhibit 5) *24 Powers of Attorney *25.1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee for the Senior Indenture for the Senior Debt Securities *25.2 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee for the Subordinated Indenture for the Subordinated Debt Securities *25.3 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing I *25.4 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing II *25.5 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing III *25.6 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Property Trustee for the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Allstate Financing IV *25.7 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the Preferred Securities Guarantees
- ------------------------- * Previously filed. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. (a) The Undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and II-3 29 (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificate in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser. (f) The undersigned reigstrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305 (b)(2) of the Act. II-4 30 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Allstate Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment to this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Northbrook, State of Illinois, on this 30th day of September, 1996. THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION By /s/ ROBERT W. PIKE -------------------------------------- Name: Robert W. Pike Title: Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment to this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------ *JERRY D. CHOATE Chairman of the Board and September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer, Director Jerry D. Choate (Principal Executive Officer) *THOMAS J. WILSON Vice President and Chief September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Financial Officer Thomas J. Wilson (Principal Financial Officer) *SAMUEL H. PILCH Controller September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) Samuel H. Pilch *JAMES G. ANDRESS Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- James G. Andress *WARREN L. BATTS Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Warren L. Batts *EDWARD A. BRENNAN Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Edward A. Brennan *CHRISTOPHER F. EDLEY Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Christopher F. Edley *MICHAEL A. MILES Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Michael A. Miles *WILLIAM F. LAMOTHE Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- William F. LaMothe
II-5 31
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE - ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------ *NANCY C. REYNOLDS Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Nancy C. Reynolds *MARY ALICE TAYLOR Director September 30, 1996 - ---------------------------------------- Mary Alice Taylor
*By /s/ ROBERT W. PIKE ----------------------------- Attorney-in-fact II-6 32 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Allstate Financing I, Allstate Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV certify that they have reasonable grounds to believe that they meet all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and have duly caused this Amendment to this Registration Statement to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Northbrook, State of Illinois on this 30th day of September, 1996. ALLSTATE FINANCING I (Registrant) By: The Allstate Corporation, as Depositor By: /s/ ROBERT W. PIKE -------------------------------------- Name: Robert W. Pike Title: Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel ALLSTATE FINANCING II (Registrant) By: The Allstate Corporation, as Depositor By: /s/ ROBERT W. PIKE -------------------------------------- Name: Robert W. Pike Title: Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel ALLSTATE FINANCING III (Registrant) By: The Allstate Corporation, as Depositor By: /s/ ROBERT W. PIKE -------------------------------------- Name: Robert W. Pike Title: Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel ALLSTATE FINANCING IV (Registrant) By: The Allstate Corporation, as Depositor By: /s/ ROBERT W. PIKE -------------------------------------- Name: Robert W. Pike Title: Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel II-7
   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                        [FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT]
                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

                         DEBT SECURITIES, DEBT WARRANTS
                              AND PREFERRED STOCK


                             ______________________

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                             ______________________




                                                                  _______, ____


[Underwriters]
   c/o [        ]


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to issue and sell certain of its debt securities, debt
warrants and preferred stock registered under the Registration Statement
referred to in Section 2(a) (the "Securities").  The Company intends to enter
into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a "Pricing Agreement") in the form of
Annex I hereto, with such additions and deletions as the parties thereto may
determine, and, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and therein,
to issue and sell to the firms named in Schedule I of the applicable Pricing
Agreement (such firms constituting the "Underwriters" with respect to such
Pricing Agreement and the Securities specified therein) the principal amount of
its Securities specified in Schedule II to the applicable Pricing Agreement
(with respect to such Pricing Agreement, the "Designated Securities").

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or
pursuant to the Senior Indenture, Subordinated Indenture, Debt Warrant
Agreement or Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (including the
applicable Certificate of Designation), as applicable and in substantially the
form filed


   2

as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the "Securities Agreement") and
identified in such Pricing Agreement.

     1.(a)  Sales; Representatives.  Particular sales of Designated Securities
may be made from time to time to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom
the firms designated as representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities
in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto will act as representatives (the
"Representatives").  The term "Representatives" also refers to a single firm
acting as the sole representative of the Underwriters and to Underwriters who
act without any firm being designated as their representative.  This
Underwriting Agreement shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company
to sell any of the Securities or as an obligation of any of the Underwriters to
purchase any of the Securities.

     (b)  Pricing Agreements.  The obligation of the Company to issue and sell
any of the Securities and the obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase
any of the Securities shall be evidenced by the Pricing Agreement with respect
to the Designated Securities specified therein.  Such Pricing Agreement shall
specify the number or aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities,
the initial public offering price of such Designated Securities, the purchase
price to the Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the
Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the Representatives of
such Underwriters and the number or principal amount of such Designated
Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter.  In addition, such Pricing
Agreement shall set forth the date, time and manner of delivery of such
Designated Securities and payment therefor.  Such Pricing Agreement shall also
specify (in a manner consistent with the applicable Securities Agreement and
the Registration Statement and prospectus with respect thereto), the principal
terms of such Designated Securities.  A Pricing Agreement shall be in the form
of an executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by
an exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid transmission
device designed to produce a written record of communications transmitted.  The
obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each Pricing Agreement
shall be several and not joint.


                                       2
   3


     2.  Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants
to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

     (a)  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") (the file number of which is set forth in
Schedule II to the applicable Pricing Agreement), which has become effective,
for the registration under the Act of the Securities.  The Company proposes to
file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act a supplement or
supplements to the form of prospectus included in such registration statement
relating to the Securities and the plan of distribution thereof.  Such
registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, as amended at the date
of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the "Registration Statement"; such
prospectus in the form in which it appears in the Registration Statement is
hereinafter called the "Basic Prospectus"; and such supplemented form of
prospectus, in the form in which it shall be filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424 (including the Basic Prospectus as so supplemented) is hereinafter
called the "Final Prospectus."  Any preliminary form of the Final Prospectus
which has heretofore been filed pursuant to Rule 424 is hereinafter called the
"Preliminary Final Prospectus."  Any reference herein to the Registration
Statement, the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final
Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated
by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") on or before the date of
this Agreement, or the issue date of the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary
Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference
herein to the terms "amend," "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the
Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus
or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of
any document under the Exchange Act after the date of this Agreement, or the
issue date of the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the
Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference;

                                       3
   4

     (b)  As of the date hereof, when the Final Prospectus is first filed or
transmitted for filing pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, when, prior to the
Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), any amendment to the Registration
Statement becomes effective (including the filing of any document incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement), when any supplement to the Final
Prospectus is filed with the Commission and at the Closing Date, (i) the
Registration Statement, as amended as of any such time, and the Final
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as of any such time, and, in the case of
Securities issued pursuant to an Indenture, the Indenture will comply in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and the Exchange
Act and the respective rules thereunder and (ii) neither the Registration
Statement, as amended as of any such time, nor the Final Prospectus, as amended
or supplemented as of such time, will contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; provided,
however, that the Company makes no representations or warranties as to (i) that
part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statement of
Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the
Trustees (the "Form T-1s") or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from
the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating
to such Underwriter or the underwriting arrangements furnished in writing to
the Company by any Underwriter specifically for use in the Registration
Statement and the Final Prospectus.

     (c)  Each document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
and the Final Prospectus will comply in all material respects, as amended at
the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, with the Exchange Act.

     (d)  The Securities have been duly authorized and, when the Securities are
issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with
respect to such Securities, such Securities will have been duly executed,
authenticated, issued and delivered (and, in the case of Securities
representing capital 

                                       4
   5

stock of the Company, will be fully paid and nonassessable) and will constitute
valid and legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits
provided by the applicable Securities Agreement; such Securities Agreement has
been duly authorized and, in the case of Securities issued pursuant to an
Indenture, such Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
and, at the Time of Delivery for any Securities, each Securities Agreement will
constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other similar laws relating to
or affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity;
and

     (e)  The issue and sale of the Securities pursuant to any Pricing
Agreement, and compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the
Securities, the applicable Securities Agreement, this Agreement and any Pricing
Agreement, will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of
the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument for
borrowed money to which the Company or any of the subsidiaries listed in Annex
III hereto (each, a "Principal Subsidiary") is a party or by which the Company
or any of its Principal Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property
or assets of the Company or any of its Principal Subsidiaries is subject, nor
will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any of its Principal Subsidiaries
or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or insurance
regulatory authority or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its Principal Subsidiaries or any of their
properties, in each case other than such breaches, conflicts, violations or
defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, and
no authorization, approval, order, consent, registration or qualification of or
with any such court or insurance regulatory authority or other governmental
agency or body is required for the issue or sale of the Securities, except (i)
the registration under the Act of the Securities; and (ii) such authorizations,
approvals, orders, consents, regis-

                                       5


   6


trations or qualifications as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act or
state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters, in each case other than such
authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or qualifications
which (individually or in the aggregate) the failure to make, obtain or comply
with would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries considered as a whole.

     3.  Terms of Sale.  Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable
to any Designated Securities and authorization by the Representatives of the
release of such Designated Securities, the several Underwriters propose to
offer such Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set
forth in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

     4.  Delivery of Designated Securities.  Designated Securities to be
purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to the Pricing Agreement relating
thereto, in definitive form to the extent practicable, and in such authorized
denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request
upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Company, shall be
delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives for the account
of such Underwriter, against payment by such Underwriter or on its behalf of
the purchase price therefor in the funds specified in such Pricing Agreement,
all at the place and time and date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at
such other place and time and date as the Representatives and the Company may
agree upon in writing, such time and date being herein called the "Time of
Delivery" for such Securities.

     5.  Company Covenants.  The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters
of any Designated Securities:

     (a)  (i)  To prepare the Final Prospectus as amended and supplemented in
relation to the applicable Designated Securities in a form approved by the
Representatives and to timely file such Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the Act; (ii) to make no further amendment or any supplement to
the Registration Statement or Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented after
the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities and
prior to the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities unless the
Representatives for such 


                                       6
   7

Designated Securities shall have had a reasonable opportunity to review and
comment upon any such amendment or supplement prior to any filing thereof; (iii)
to advise the Representatives promptly of any such amendment or supplement after
such Time of Delivery and furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; (iv)
to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements
required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a
prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of such
Designated Securities, and during such same period to advise the
Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of (I) the time when
any amendment to any Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective
or any supplement to the Final Prospectus or any amended Final Prospectus has
been filed with the Commission, (II) the issuance by the Commission of any stop
order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Final Prospectus,
(III) the suspension of the qualification of such Designated Securities for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or (IV) any request by the Commission for the
amending or supplementing of any Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus
or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such
stop order or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of the Final
Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its best
efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

     (b)  Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representatives
may reasonably request to qualify such Securities for offering and sale under
the securities and insurance securities laws of such jurisdictions as the
Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the
continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as
may be necessary to complete the distribution of such Designated Securities,
provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to
qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction;

     (c)  To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Final Prospectus as
amended or supplemented 

                                       7
   8
in such quantities as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably
request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time in
connection with the offering or sale of such Designated Securities, and if at
such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Final
Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made
when such Final Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other
reason it shall be necessary during such period to amend or supplement the Final
Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by
reference in the Final Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange
Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to notify the Representatives and upon their
request to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any
dealer in securities as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time
reasonably request of an amended Final Prospectus or a supplement to the Final
Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such
compliance;

     (d)  To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the
effective date of the later filed of the Registration Statements (as defined in
Rule 158(c)), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which
need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158); and

     (e)  During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing Agreement
for any Designated Securities and continuing to and including the latter of (i)
the termination of trading restrictions for Designated Securities, as notified
to the Company by the Representatives or their counsel and (ii) the Time of
Delivery for such Designated Securities, not to offer, sell, contract to sell
or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company which are substantially
similar to such Designated Securities, without the prior written consent of the
Representatives, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                                       8
   9

     6.  Fees and Expenses.  The Company covenants and agrees with the several
Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i)
the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Securities under the Act and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Registration Statement, Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus and
the Final Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and
delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of
printing or producing this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any Securities
Agreement, any Blue Sky Survey and any Legal Investment Memoranda in connection
with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all
reasonable expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities for
offering and sale under state securities and insurance securities laws as
provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in
connection with the Blue Sky and Legal Investment surveys; (iv) the filing fees
incident to securing any required review by the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Securities; (v) any
fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Securities; (vi) the
cost of preparing the Securities; (vii) the fees and expenses of any Trustee,
Debt Warrant Agent, Paying Agent or Transfer Agent and the fees and
disbursements of counsel for any such Trustee, Debt Warrant Agent, Paying Agent
or Transfer Agent in connection with a Securities Agreement and the Securities
issued pursuant to any Securities Agreement; and (viii) all other costs and
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not
otherwise specifically provided in this Section.  It is understood, however,
that, except as provided in this Section, Section 8 and Section 11 hereof, the
Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of
their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by them, and
any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

     7.  Conditions to Underwriters' Obligations.  The obligations of the
Underwriters of any Designated Securities under the Pricing Agreement relating
to such Designated Securities shall be subject to the condition 

                                       9
   10
that all representations and warranties of the Company herein are, at and as of
the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, true and correct, the
condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder
to be performed at or before such Time of Delivery, and the following additional
conditions:

     (a)  The Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
applicable Designated Securities shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such
filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section
5(c) hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that
purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all
requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have
been complied with to the Representatives' reasonable satisfaction;

     (b)  [ ], counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to you their
written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

            (i)  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
       as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
       Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and
       conduct its business as described in the Final Prospectus as amended and
       supplemented; and each of Allstate Insurance Company ("AIC") and
       Allstate Life Insurance Company ("ALIC") has been duly incorporated and
       is validly existing as an insurance corporation under the laws of the
       State of Illinois, with corporate power and authority to own its
       properties and conduct its business as described in the Final Prospectus
       as amended or supplemented;

            (ii)  The issue and sale of the Designated Securities and the
       performance by the Company of its obligations under the applicable
       Securities Agreement and the consummation 

                                       10
   11

       by the Company of the transactions contemplated therein will not conflict
       with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or
       constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
       agreement or other material agreement or instrument relating to the
       Company or any of its subsidiaries, as such agreements or instruments
       have been amended, all as set forth on Schedule A attached hereto
       [Schedule A to be a list of material agreements]; nor will any such
       action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate or
       the By-Laws or any applicable United States law or statute or any order,
       rule or regulation of any United States court or governmental agency or
       body having jurisdiction over the Company, its subsidiaries or any of
       their respective properties, provided, that the foregoing opinion is
       limited to those statutes, laws, rules and regulations of the United
       States of America, the State of Delaware and the State of Illinois, in
       each case, which, in our opinion, are normally applicable to
       transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement, and provided
       further, that no opinion need be given with respect to (i) the Act, the
       Exchange Act, the Trust Indenture Act, the rules and regulations issued
       pursuant to each such act, any order, rule or regulation made or
       established by any insurance official or regulatory authority or the
       National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or state securities or
       Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the
       Designated Securities by the Underwriters or (ii) conflicts, breaches or
       violations which individually and in the aggregate both are not material
       to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and would not have
       a material adverse effect on the sale or ownership of the Designated
       Securities.

            (iii)  No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
       qualification of or with any United States court or governmental agency
       or body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated Securities
       by 

                                       11
   12

       the Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
       contemplated by this Agreement, except that we express no opinion with
       respect to such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders,
       registrations or qualifications (i) as may be required under the Act, the
       Exchange Act, the Trust Indenture Act, the rules and regulations issued
       pursuant to each such act, any order, rule or regulation made or
       established by any insurance official or regulatory authority or the
       National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or (ii) as may be
       required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the
       purchase and distribution of the Designated Securities by the
       Underwriters, (iii) the absence of which individually or in the aggregate
       both are not material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
       whole and would not have a material adverse effect on the sale or
       ownership of the Designated Securities or (iv) as may be required under
       foreign laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the
       Designated Securities by any international managers; provided, that the
       foregoing opinion is limited to those consents, approvals,
       authorizations, orders, registrations and qualifications under laws
       which, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the
       type contemplated by this Agreement;

            (iv)  This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
       Designated Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered
       by the Company;

            (v)  The Designated Securities have been duly authorized, and
       (assuming their due authentication by the Trustee, if applicable) have
       been duly executed, issued and delivered and constitute valid and
       legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits
       provided by the applicable Securities Agreement; and the Designated
       Securities and the applicable Securities Agreement conform in all
       material respects to the descriptions 

                                       12
   13


       thereof in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

            (vi)  The applicable Securities Agreement has been duly authorized,
       executed and delivered by the Company, and, in the case of the
       Certificate of Designation, has been filed with the Secretary of State
       of the State of Delaware, and constitutes a valid and legally binding
       instrument, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to
       enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of
       general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
       general equity principles; and, in the case of the Senior Indenture or
       the Subordinated Indenture, has been duly qualified under the Trust
       Indenture Act;

            (vii)  The Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented and any further amendments thereto made by the
       Company prior to such Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities (in
       each case other than with respect to the financial statements,
       financial, accounting and statistical data and related schedules
       incorporated by reference or included therein or excluded therefrom, or
       the exhibits to the Registration Statement including the Form T-1s, as
       to which such counsel need express no opinion or belief), appeared on
       their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to
       the requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the
       applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and, such
       counsel shall not be deemed to be passing upon and does not assume any
       responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
       statements contained in the Registration Statement and Final Prospectus;
       and

            (viii)  As such counsel, such counsel reviewed the Registration
       Statement and Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, participated
       in discussions with representatives of the Underwriters and of the
       Company 

                                       13
   14
       and its accountants at which contents of the Registration Statement and
       Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented and related matters were
       discussed; on the basis of the information that such counsel gained in
       the course of the performance of their services referred to above,
       although such counsel shall not be deemed to be passing upon and shall
       not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness
       of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Final
       Prospectuses and not be required to have made an independent check or
       verification thereof (except as described in paragraph (v) hereof), on
       the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to the attention of such
       counsel in the course of such review which have led such counsel to
       believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration Statement or any
       further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of
       Delivery (other than the financial statements and the financial,
       accounting and statistical data and related schedules incorporated by
       reference or included therein or excluded therefrom, or the exhibits to
       the Registration Statement including the Form T-1s, as to which such
       counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a
       material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
       therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
       that, as of its date, the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented or
       any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to
       the Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and financial,
       accounting and statistical data and related schedules incorporated by
       reference or included therein or excluded therefrom, or the exhibits to
       the Registration Statement including the Form T-1s, as to which such
       counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a
       material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the
       statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
       made not misleading.

                                       14
   15

     (c)  Robert W. Pike, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the
Company, shall have furnished to you his written opinion, dated each Time of
Delivery for such Designated Securities, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

            (i)  Each Principal Subsidiary has been duly incorporated and is
       validly existing as an insurance corporation under the laws of its
       jurisdiction of incorporation;

            (ii)  All of the issued shares of capital stock of each Principal
       Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
       paid and nonassessable, and are owned of record directly or indirectly
       by the Company, AIC or ALIC, as the case may be (such counsel being
       entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions
       of local or in-house counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon
       certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, provided
       that such counsel shall state that he believes that both you and he are
       justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates);

            (iii)  Each Principal Subsidiary is duly licensed or authorized as
       an insurer or reinsurer in each other jurisdiction where it is required
       to be so licensed, except where the failure to be so licensed or
       authorized in any such jurisdiction does not have a material adverse
       effect on the financial condition, business or properties of the Company
       and its subsidiaries considered as a whole; the Company and each
       Principal Subsidiary have made all required filings under applicable
       insurance holding company statutes, and each is duly licensed or
       authorized as an insurance holding company in each jurisdiction where it
       is required to be so licensed, except where the failure to have made
       such filings or to be so licensed or authorized in any such jurisdiction
       does not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
       business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as
       a 

                                       15
   16
       whole; [the Company and each Principal Subsidiary have all necessary
       authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or
       qualifications of and from all insurance regulatory authorities to
       conduct their respective businesses as described in the Final Prospectus
       as amended or supplemented, except where the failure to have such
       authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or
       qualifications does not have a material adverse effect on the financial
       condition, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries
       considered as a whole;] and none of the Company or any Principal
       Subsidiary has received any notification from any insurance regulatory
       authority to the effect that any additional authorization, approval,
       order, consent, registration or qualification from such insurance
       regulatory authority is needed to be obtained by any of the Company or
       any Principal Subsidiary in any case where it could be reasonably
       expected that (x) the Company or any Principal Subsidiary would in fact
       be required either to obtain any such additional authorization,
       approval, order, consent, registration or qualification or cease or
       otherwise limit writing certain business and (y) obtaining such
       authorization, approval, order, consent, license, certificate, permit,
       registration or qualification or limiting such business would have a
       material adverse effect on the business, financial position or results
       of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole
       (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this
       clause upon opinions of local or in-house counsel and in respect of
       matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
       subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that he believes
       that both you and he are justified in relying upon such opinions and
       certificates);

            (iv)  Each Principal Subsidiary is in compliance with the
       requirements of the insurance laws and regulations of its state of
       incorporation and the insurance laws and regulations of other
       jurisdiction which are appli-

                                       16

   17

       cable to such Principal Subsidiary, and has filed all notices, reports,
       documents or other information required to be filed thereunder, or is
       subject to no material liability or disability by reason of the failure
       to so comply or file (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of
       this clause upon opinions of local or in-house counsel and in respect of
       matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
       subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that he believes
       that both you and he are justified in relying upon such opinions and
       certificates);

            (v)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set
       forth in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, there are no
       legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of
       its subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Company or
       any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to
       the Company or any of its subsidiaries, individually or in the
       aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
       effect on the financial condition, business or properties of the Company
       and its subsidiaries considered as a whole; and, to the best of such
       counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened;

            (vi)  The issue and sale of the Designated Securities by the
       Company, the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the
       Designated Securities, the applicable Securities Agreement, this
       Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated
       Securities will not result in any violation of any order, rule or
       regulation known to such counsel of any insurance regulatory authority
       having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
       of their properties which are normally applicable to transactions of the
       type contemplated by this Agreement, other than such breaches,
       conflicts, violations or defaults which, individually or in the
       aggregate, would not have a material ad-

                                       17
   18
       verse effect on the financial condition, business or properties of the
       Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole (such counsel being
       entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions
       of local or in-house counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon
       certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries, provided
       that such counsel shall state that he believes that both you and he are
       justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates);

            (vii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, the Company and its
       subsidiaries, as applicable, have filed all notices, reports, documents
       or other information required to be filed pursuant to, and have obtained
       all authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or
       qualifications required to be obtained under, and have otherwise complied
       with all requirements of, all applicable insurance laws and regulations
       known to such counsel to be normally applicable to the transactions
       contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the issuance and sale
       by the Company of the Designated Securities and, except as have been
       obtained pursuant to the foregoing clause, no filing, authorization,
       approval, order, consent, registration or qualification of or with any
       insurance regulatory agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any
       of its subsidiaries or any of their properties known to such counsel to
       be normally applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
       is required for the issue and sale of the Designated Securities or the
       consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this
       Agreement, the Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated
       Securities or the applicable Securities Agreement, except such filings,
       authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or
       qualifications which (individually or in the aggregate) the failure to
       make, obtain or comply with would not have a material adverse effect on
       the financial condition, business or properties of 

                                       18
   19

       the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole;

            (viii)  As general counsel to the Company, such counsel reviewed the
       Registration Statement and Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented,
       participated in various discussions with representatives of the
       Underwriters and of the Company and its accountants at which contents of
       the Registration Statement and Final Prospectus as amended or
       supplemented were discussed; on the basis of the information that such
       counsel gained in the course of his activities referred to above, such
       counsel confirms that the Registration Statement, as of its effective
       date, and the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented (in each case
       other than with respect to the financial statements, financial and
       accounting data and related schedules therein, as to which such counsel
       need express no opinion or belief), appeared on their face to be
       appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of
       the Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
       thereunder; and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not
       assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of
       the statements contained in the Registration Statement and Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented (except as expressly set forth in
       such opinion), on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to the
       attention of such counsel in the course of such review which has caused
       such counsel to believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration
       Statement or any further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to
       such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and financial
       and accounting data and related schedules therein and other than
       information under the captions "Description of Debt Securities,"
       "Description of Debt Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock,"
       "Description of Preferred Securities," "Description of Preferred
       Securities Guarantees" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus
       and in the descriptions of Designated Securities and underwriting matters
       contained in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as to which
       such counsel need express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a
       material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
       therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading or
       that, as of its date, the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented or
       any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to
       such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and financial
       and accounting data and related schedules therein and other than
       information under the captions "Description of Debt Securities,"
       "Description of Debt Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock,"
       "Description of Preferred Securities," "Description of Preferred
       Securities Guarantees" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus
       and in the descriptions of Designat-

                                       19
   20
       ed Securities and underwriting matters contained in the Final Prospectus
       as amended or supplemented, as to which such counsel need express no
       opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
       state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
       the statement therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further amendment or
       supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery
       (other than the financial statements and financial and accounting data
       and related schedules therein and other than information under the
       captions "Description of Debt Securities," "Description of Debt
       Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock," "Description of Preferred
       Securities," "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees" and "Plan
       of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus and in the descriptions of
       Designated Securities and underwriting matters contained in the Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as to which such counsel need
       express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
       omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
       therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
       not misleading or that, as of such Time of Delivery, either the
       Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented
       or any further amendment or supplement (when considered together with the
       document to which such supplement relates) thereto made by the Company
       prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and
       financial and accounting data and related schedules therein and other
       than information under the captions "Description of Debt Securities,"
       "Description of Debt Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock,"
       "Description of Preferred Securities," "Description of Preferred
       Securities Guarantees" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus
       and in the descriptions of Designated Securities and underwriting matters
       contained in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as to which
       such counsel need express 


                                       20
   21

       no opinion) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
       state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the
       light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
       and he does not know of any amendment to the Registration Statement
       required to be filed or of any contracts or other documents of a
       character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
       Statement or required to be incorporated by reference into the Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented or required to be described in the
       Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented
       which are not filed or described as required, in each case, other than
       with respect to the information under the captions "Description of Debt
       Securities," "Description of Debt Warrants," "Description of Preferred
       Stock," "Description of Preferred Securities," "Description of Preferred
       Securities Guarantees" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus
       and in the descriptions of Designated Securities and underwriting matters
       contained in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented; and

            (ix)  On the basis of the information that such counsel gained in
       the course of the review referred to in paragraph (ix) above (but without
       passing upon or assuming any responsibility for the accuracy,
       completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the documents
       described below), such counsel confirms that no facts have come to the
       attention of such counsel in the course of such review which have caused
       such counsel to believe that the documents incorporated by reference in
       the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented (other than the financial
       statements and financial, accounting and statistical data and related
       schedules therein or excluded therefrom, as to which such counsel need
       express no opinion), when they became effective or were filed with the
       Commission, as the case may be, did not comply as to form in all material
       respects with the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as
       applicable, and the rules and 

                                       21
   22


       regulations of the Commission thereunder; and he has no reason
       to believe that any of such documents, when they became effective or
       were so filed, as the case may be, contained, in the case of a
       registration statement which became effective under the Act, an untrue
       statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
       required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
       therein not misleading, or, in the case of other documents which were
       filed under the Act or the Exchange Act with the Commission, an untrue
       statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
       necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
       circumstances under which they were made when such documents were so
       filed, not misleading.

     (d)  On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Securities
and the Time of Delivery of such Designated Securities, Deloitte & Touche shall
have furnished to the Representatives a letter, dated the effective date of the
later filed of the Registration Statement or the most recent report filed with
the Commission containing financial statements and incorporated by reference in
the Registration Statement if the date of such report is later than such
effective date, and a letter dated such Time of Delivery, respectively, to the
effect set forth in Annex II hereto, and with respect to such letter dated such
Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

     (e)  (i)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented any
material adverse change in the financial condition, business or properties of
the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, otherwise than as set
forth or contemplated in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented (and
other than a catastrophe not meeting the threshold contemplated by (w) below),
and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented there shall not have been (w) any
catastrophe or any impending catastrophe which, in the Company's judgment, is
highly probable to result in gross 

                                       22
   23

underwriting losses in excess of $[500 million] pursuant to insurance coverage
written by the Company's subsidiaries, (x) any material addition, or any
development involving a prospective material addition, to either the Company's
consolidated reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
or the Company's consolidated reserve for life insurance policy benefits or (y)
any material increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company.

     (f)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating
accorded the Company's debt securities or financial strength or claims paying
ability by any of Moody's Investor Services, Inc., Standard & Poor's
Corporation or A.M. Best & Co. and (ii) no such organization shall have
publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible
negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's debt securities or
financial strength or claims paying ability, the effect of which, in any such
case described in Clause (i) or (ii), is in your judgment (after consultation
with the Company) so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the pubic offering or the delivery of the
Designated Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

     (g)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities
in New York declared by either Federal or New York State authorities; or (iii)
the material outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States
or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, if the
effect of any such event specified in this clause (iii) in the judgment of the
Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
public offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and 
in the manner contemplated by the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented; 
and

                                       23
   24


     (h)  The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities
certificates of officers of the Company reasonably satisfactory to the
Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the
Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such
Time of Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of
this Section and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably
request.

        8.(a)  Indemnification and Contribution.  The Company will indemnify
and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the
Securities, or any amendment or supplement (when considered together with the
document to which such supplement relates) thereto, or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon
an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the
Securities, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Securities and,
provided, further, that the Company


                                       24
   25
shall not be liable to any Underwriter under the indemnity agreement in
this subsection (a) with respect to any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final
Prospectus or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as the case may
be, to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such
Underwriter results from the fact such Underwriter sold Designated Securities to
a person to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior to the written
confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Final Prospectus or of the Final
Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, whichever is most recent, in any
case where such delivery is required by the Act if the Company had previously
furnished copies thereof to such Underwriter and the loss, claim, damage or
liability of such Underwriter results from an untrue statement or omission of a
material fact contained in the Preliminary Final Prospectus which was corrected
in the Final Prospectus (or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented).

     (b)  Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against
any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become
subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the
Securities, or any amendment or supplement (when considered together with the
document to which such supplement relates) thereto, or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
was made in any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the
Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating
to the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein; and will
reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Company in 

                                       25
   26


connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such
expenses are incurred.

     (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a)
or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection.  In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly,
with any other indemnifying party similar notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who
shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party and who may act in respect of actions involving more than
one indemnified party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under such
subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in
each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8, (i) an indemnifying
party shall only be liable for the legal fees and expenses of one national
counsel and appropriate local counsel for the indemnified parties with respect
to any proceeding or related proceedings and in connection with any one such
action, suit or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related
actions, suits or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and
expenses of only one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local
counsel) at any time for all such Underwriters and controlling persons not
having actual or potential differing interests with you or among themselves,
which firm shall be designated in writing by __________.

                                       26
   27

     (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Securities
on the other from the offering of the Designated Securities to which any such
loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof) relates.  If,
however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not
permitted by applicable law, or if the indemnified party failed to give the
notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also
the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the
Designated Securities on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable
consideration.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and such Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
as the total net proceeds from such offering (before deducting expenses)
received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions
received by such Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the
cover page of the Prospectus relating to such Designated Securities.  The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company on the one hand or such Underwriters on the other and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission.  With respect to any such Underwriter, such
relative fault shall also be determined by reference to the extent (if any) to
which such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) with respect to any Pre-

                                       27
   28

liminary Final Prospectus result from the fact that such Underwriter sold
Designated Securities to a person to whom there was not sent or given, at or
prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Final Prospectus
or of the Final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, if the Company had
previously furnished copies thereof to such Underwriter.  The Company and the
Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions
pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if
the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other
method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to above in this subsection (d).  The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be
deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter
shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the
total price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The obligations of the
Underwriters of Designated Securities in this subsection (d) to contribute are
several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect
to such Securities and not joint.

     (e)  The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriters within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company (including
any person 

                                       28
   29


who, with his consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to become
a director of the Company) and to each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of the Act.

     9.(a)  Defaulting Underwriters.  If any Underwriter shall default in its
obligation to purchase the Designated Securities which it has agreed to purchase
under the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, the
Representatives may in their discretion arrange for themselves or another party
or other parties to purchase such Designated Securities on the terms contained
herein.  If within thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the
Representatives do not arrange for the purchase of such Designated Securities,
then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours
within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the
Representatives to purchase such Designated Securities on such terms.  In the
event that, within the respective prescribed periods, the Representatives notify
the Company that the Representatives have so arranged for the purchase of such
Designated Securities, or the Company notifies the Representatives that it has
so arranged for the purchase of such Designated Securities, the Representatives
or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities for a period of not more than seven days, in order to
effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration
Statement or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, or in any other
documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any
amendments to the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus which in the
opinion of the Representatives may thereby be made necessary.  The term
"Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted
under this Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a
party to the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Securities.

     (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Designated Securities of any defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of

                                       29
   30

the Designated Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Designated
Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing Agreement
related to such Designated Securities and, in addition, to require each
nondefaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the principal
amount of Designated Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under
such Pricing Agreement;) of the Designated Securities of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its
default.

     (c)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities which remains unpurchased
exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of Designated
Securities, as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if the Company shall not
exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting
Underwriters to purchase Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities
shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any nondefaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company
and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     10.  Survival.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations,
warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as
set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively,
pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless
of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter, or the Company or any officer or director or
controlling person of the Company and shall survive delivery of and payment for
the Securities.

                                       30
   31

     11.  Effect of Termination of Pricing Agreement or Nondelivery of
Securities.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter
with respect to the Designated Securities covered by such Pricing Agreement
except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof; but, if for any other
reason, Designated Securities are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company
as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through the
Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by the
Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably
incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and
delivery of such Designated Securities, but the Company shall then be under no
further liability to any Underwriter in respect of such Designated Securities
except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof.

     12.  Reliance Upon Representatives.  In all dealings hereunder, the
Representatives shall act on behalf of the Underwriters of Designated
Securities and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any
statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or
given by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be designated for such
purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

     13.  Notices.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder
shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as
set forth in the Pricing Agreement; if to the Company, shall be delivered or
sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set
forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary; provided, however,
that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be
delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter
at its address set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex
constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company
by the Representatives upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.

                                       31
   32

     14.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement
shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters,
the Company, and, to the extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the
officers and directors of the Company and each person who controls the Company
or any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right
under or by virtue of this Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement.  No
purchaser of any of the Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed a
successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

     15.  Time; "Business Day."  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing
Agreement.  As used herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     16.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

     17.  Counterparts.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be
executed by any one or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       32
   33


     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us [     ] counterparts hereof.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION


                                        By: ____________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Underwriters]

                                       33
   34


                                                                      ANNEX I TO
                                                                    UNDERWRITING
                                                                       AGREEMENT


                               PRICING AGREEMENT

                                                                 _________, ____


[                 ]
As representatives of the
several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
     c/o [             ]


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement, dated ___________, ____ (the "Underwriting Agreement"),
between the Company on the one hand and
_________________________________________________________ on the other hand, to
issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the
"Underwriters") the Securities specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated
Securities").  Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set
forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth
therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the
Final Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to
be a representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in
relation to the Final Prospectus (as therein defined) and also a representation
and warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities
which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement.  Each reference to the
Representatives herein and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so
incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to you.  Unless otherwise
defined herein, terms 

                                       34
   35

defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined.  The
Representatives designated to act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf
of each of the Underwriters of the Designated Securities pursuant to Section ___
of the Underwriting Agreement and the address of the Representatives referred to
in such Section ___ are set forth at the end of Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the Final
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters
agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time
and place and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule
II hereto, the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the
name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us [           ] counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by
you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance
hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated
herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the
Underwriters and the Company.  It is understood that your acceptance of this
letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the
authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of
which shall be submitted to the Company for examination 

                                       35
   36

upon request, but without warranty on the part of the Representatives as to the
authority of the signers thereof.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION



                                             By: ______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:



Accepted as of the date hereof:

[                     ]

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

                                       36
   37


                             SCHEDULE I TO ANNEX I


                                                                     Principal
                                                                     Amount of
                                                                     Designated
                                                                   Securities to
Underwriters                                                        be Purchased
- ------------                                                       -------------
_________________________________  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
_________________________________  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
_________________________________  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
_________________________________  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

[Names of Underwriters]





                             Total .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .         ----------

                                                                     $
                                                                     ==========

                                       37
   38




                             SCHEDULE II TO ANNEX I


UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT DATED ______________, ____


REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. __________


TITLE, PURCHASE PRICE AND DESCRIPTION OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES


       Title:


       Number or Aggregate Principal Amount:


       Price to Public:


       Purchase Price by Underwriters (include accrued interest or
       amortization, if any):


       Sinking Fund Provisions:


       Redemption Provisions:


       Other Provisions:


APPLICABLE SECURITIES AGREEMENT:


MATURITY:


INTEREST RATE:

                                       38
   39


INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:


TIME OF DELIVERY AND LOCATION:


NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

     Designated Representatives:

     Address for Notices, etc.:


UNDERWRITERS:


[OTHER TERMS]:

                                       39
   40


                                                                     ANNEX II TO
                                                                    UNDERWRITING
                                                                       AGREEMENT


     Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

            (i)  They are independent certified public accountants with respect
       to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and
       the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

            (ii)  In their opinion, the financial statements, certain summary
       and selected consolidated financial and operating data, and any
       supplementary financial information and schedules (and, if applicable,
       pro forma financial information) audited by them and included or
       incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended or
       supplemented or the Registration Statement comply as to form in all
       material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act
       and the related published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if
       applicable, they have made a review in accordance with standards
       established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of
       the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements, and any
       supplementary financial information and schedules, selected financial
       data, pro forma financial information, prospective financial statements
       and/or condensed financial statements derived from audited financial
       statements of the Company for the periods specified in such letter, and,
       as indicated in their report thereon, copies of which have been
       furnished to the representatives of the Underwriters (the
       "Representatives");

            (iii)  On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
       audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
       consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other
       information referred 

                                      II-1
   41

       to below, a reading of the latest available interim financial statements
       of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of
       the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited
       financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented, inquiries of officials of the
       Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting
       matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in
       such letter, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe
       that:

                   (A)  the unaudited consolidated statements of income,
              consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash
              flows and certain summary and selected consolidated financial and
              operating data included or incorporated by reference in the Final
              Prospectus as amended or supplemented do not comply as to form in
              all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
              of the Act and the related published rules and regulations
              thereunder;

                   (B)  any other unaudited income statement data and balance
              sheet items included or incorporated by reference in the Final
              Prospectus as amended or supplemented do not agree with the
              corresponding items in the unaudited consolidated financial
              statements from which such data and items were derived, and any
              such unaudited data and items were not determined on a basis
              substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding
              amounts in the audited consolidated financial statements included
              or incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended
              or supplemented;

                                      II-2
   42




                   (C)  the unaudited financial statements which were not
              included or incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as
              amended or supplemented but from which were derived any unaudited
              condensed financial statements referred to in Clause (A) and any
              unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items included
              or incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended or
              supplemented and referred to in Clause (B) were not determined on
              a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the audited
              consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by
              reference in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

                   (D)  any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed
              financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
              Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented do not comply as to
              form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
              requirements of the Act and the published rules and regulations
              thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not been properly
              applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those
              statements.

                   (E)  as of a specified date not more than five business days
              prior to the date of such letter, there have been any changes in
              the consolidated capital stock or any increase in the
              consolidated borrowings or consolidated reserve for
              property-liability insurance claims and claims expense or
              consolidated reserve for life insurance policy benefits, or asset
              reserves of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in
              consolidated fixed in-

                                      II-3

   43


              come securities available for sale, consolidated equity
              securities, consolidated investments or shareholder equity, or any
              decrease in AIC's or ALIC's statutory capital and surplus, or
              other items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
              compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included
              or incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended
              or supplemented, except in each case for changes, increases or
              decreases which the Final Prospectus discloses have occurred or
              may occur or which are described in such letter; and

                   (F)  for the period from the date of the latest financial
              statements included or incorporated by reference in the Final
              Prospectus as amended or supplemented to the specified date
              referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases in
              consolidated premiums earned, consolidated net investment income,
              or other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases
              in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
              compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and
              with any other period of corresponding length specified by the
              Representatives, except in each case for decreases or increases
              which the Final Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur
              or which are described in such letter; and

            (iv)  In addition to the examination referred to in their report(s)
       included or incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended
       or supplemented and the limited procedures, inspection of minute books,
       inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraphs (ii) and (iii)
       above, they have carried out certain procedures as specified in their

                                      II-4

   44





       letter, not constituting an audit in accordance with generally accepted
       auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts, percentages and
       financial information specified by the Representatives, which are derived
       from the general accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries,
       which appear or are incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules
       to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives, and have
       compared certain of such specified amounts, percentages and financial
       information with the accounting records of the Company and its
       subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.


                                      II-5
   45



                                                                    ANNEX III TO
                                                                    UNDERWRITING
                                                                       AGREEMENT



PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARIES JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION - ---------------------- ----------------------------- Allstate Insurance Company Illinois Allstate Life Insurance Company Illinois
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                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.2


                        [FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT]

                             ALLSTATE FINANCING [I]

                              PREFERRED SECURITIES
                   GUARANTEED TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN THE
                       PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE BY
                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION



                             ______________________

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                             ______________________




                                                               __________, ____



[Underwriters]
   c/o [        ]



Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time Allstate Financing [I], a statutory business trust
formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), and The Allstate
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor" and, together with the
Trust, the "Offerors"), as Depositor of the Trust and as Guarantor, propose to
issue and sell certain of the Trust's preferred securities registered under the
Registration Statement referred to in Section 2(a).  The Trust and the
Guarantor intend to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a "Pricing
Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and deletions as
the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and conditions
stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in Schedule I
of the Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the "Underwriters" with
respect to such Pricing Agreement and the Securities specified therein) the
numbers of _____% _______________ Preferred Securities (liquidation amount of
$_____ per preferred security) of the Trust ("Pre-

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ferred Securities") specified in Schedule II to the Pricing Agreement.

     The Preferred Securities will be guaranteed by the Guarantor with respect
to distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise (the
"Preferred Securities Guarantee") pursuant to the Preferred Securities
Guarantee Agreement (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement"), dated as
of __________ ___, ____, between the Guarantor and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), and entitled to the benefits of
certain backup undertakings described in the Prospectus with respect to the
Company's agreement pursuant to the Supplemental Indenture (as defined herein)
to pay all expenses relating to administration of the Trust (the
"Undertakings").  The Preferred Securities and the related Preferred Securities
Guarantees are referred to herein as the "Securities."

     The Offerors understand that the Underwriters propose to make a public
offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives (as defined herein)
deem advisable after the Pricing Agreement has been executed and delivered, and
the Declaration (as defined herein), the Indenture (as defined herein), and the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement have been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").  The entire
proceeds from the sale of the Securities will be combined with the entire
proceeds from the sale by the Trust to the Guarantor of its common securities
(the "Common Securities")[, as guaranteed by the Guarantor, to the extent set
forth in the Prospectus, with respect to distributions and payments upon
liquidation and redemption (the "Common Securities Guarantee" and together with
the Preferred Securities Guarantee, the "Guarantees") pursuant to the Common
Securities Guarantee Agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee Agreement"
and, together with the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, the "Guarantee
Agreements"), dated as of __________ ___, ____, by the Guarantor,] and will be
used by the Trust to purchase the $__________ of ____% subordinated debt
securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities") issued by the Guarantor.  The
Preferred Securities and the Common Securities will be issued pursuant to the
amended and restated declaration of trust of the Trust, dated as of __________
___, ____ (the "Declaration"), among the Guarantor, as Depositor, __________,
__________ 

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and __________, as regular trustees (the "Regular Trustees"), State Street Bank
and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, as property trustee (the
"Property Trustee") and Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc., as Delaware
trustee (the "Delaware Trustee" and, together with the Regular Trustees and the
Property Trustee, the "Trustees"), and the holders from time to time of
undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.  The Subordinated
Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of __________
___, ____ (the "Base Indenture"), between the Guarantor and State Street Bank
and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Debt Trustee"), and a supplement to the Base
Indenture, dated as of __________ ___, ____ (the "Supplemental Indenture," and
together with the Base Indenture and any other amendments or supplements
thereto, the "Indenture"), between the Guarantor and the Debt Trustee.

     1.(a)  Sales; Representatives.  Particular sales of Securities may be made
from time to time to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom the firms
designated as representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities in the
Pricing Agreement relating thereto will act as representatives (the
"Representatives").  The term "Representatives" also refers to a single firm
acting as the sole representative of the Underwriters and to Underwriters who
act without any firm being designated as their representative.  This
Underwriting Agreement shall not be construed as an obligation of the Trust or
the Guarantor to sell any of the Securities or as an obligation of any of the
Underwriters to purchase any of the Securities.

     (b)  Pricing Agreements.  The obligation of the Trust or the Guarantor to
issue and sell any of the Securities and the obligation of any of the
Underwriters to purchase any of the Securities shall be evidenced by the
Pricing Agreement with respect to the Securities specified therein.  Such
Pricing Agreement shall specify the number of Preferred Securities, the initial
public offering price of such Preferred Securities, the purchase price to the
Underwriters of such Preferred Securities, the names of the Underwriters of
such Preferred Securities, the names of the Representatives of such
Underwriters and the number of such Preferred Securities to be purchased by
each Underwriter.  In addition, such Pricing Agreement shall set forth the

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date, time and manner of delivery of such Preferred Securities and payment
therefor.  Such Pricing Agreement shall also specify (in a manner consistent
with the Declaration and the Registration Statement and prospectus
with respect thereto), the principal terms of such Preferred Securities,
including the terms on which, and the terms of the securities into which, the
Preferred Securities will be exchangeable.  A Pricing Agreement shall be in the
form of an executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be
evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid
transmission device designed to produce a written record of communications
transmitted.  The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each
Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

     2.  Representations and Warranties. The Offerors jointly and severally
represent and warrant to, and agree with, each of the Underwriters that:

     (a)  The Offerors have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") (the file number of which is set forth in
Schedule II to the Pricing Agreement), which has become effective, for the
registration under the Act of, inter alia, the Securities.  The Offerors
propose to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act a
supplement or supplements to the form of prospectus included in such
registration statement relating to the Securities and the plan of distribution
thereof.  Such registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, as
amended at the date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the "Registration
Statement"; such prospectus in the form in which it appears in the Registration
Statement is hereinafter called the "Basic Prospectus"; and such supplemented
form of prospectus, in the form in which it shall be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424 (including the Basic Prospectus as so supplemented) is
hereinafter called the "Final Prospectus."  Any preliminary form of the Final
Prospectus which has heretofore been filed pursuant to Rule 424 is hereinafter
called the "Preliminary Final Prospectus."  Any reference herein to the
Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus
or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents
incorporated by reference therein pursuant 

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to Item 12 of Form S-3 which were filed under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act") on or before the date of this Agreement, or the issue
date of the Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final
Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference herein to the terms "amend,"
"amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration Statement, the
Basic Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall
be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange
Act after the date of this Agreement, or the issue date of the Basic Prospectus,
any Preliminary Final Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be,
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference;

     (b)  As of the date hereof, when the Final Prospectus is first filed or
transmitted for filing pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, when, prior to the
Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), any amendment to the Registration
Statement becomes effective (including the filing of any document incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement), when any supplement to the Final
Prospectus is filed with the Commission and at the Closing Date, (i) the
Registration Statement, as amended as of any such time, and the Final
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as of any such time, and the Indenture,
the Declaration and the Guarantee Agreements will comply in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Act, the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and the Exchange Act and the
respective rules thereunder and (ii) neither the Registration Statement, as
amended as of any such time, nor the Final Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented as of such time, will contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; provided,
however, that the Offerors make no representations or warranties as to (i) that
part of the Registration Statement which shall constitute the Statements of
Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of the
Trustees (the "Form T-1s") or (ii) the information contained in or omitted from
the Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating
to such Underwriter or the underwriting arrangements furnished in writing to
the Company 

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by any Underwriter specifically for use in the Registration Statement and the
Final Prospectus.

     (c)  Each document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement
and the Final Prospectus will comply in all material respects, as amended at
the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, with the Exchange Act.

     (d)  The Common Securities have been duly authorized by the Declaration
and, when issued and delivered by the Trust to [the Guarantor] against payment
therefor as described in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus,
will be validly issued and (subject to the terms of the Declaration) fully paid
and non-assessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust;
the issuance of the Common Securities is not subject to preemptive or other
similar rights; and at the Closing Time all of the issued and outstanding
Common Securities of the Trust will be directly owned by [the Guarantor] free
and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim
or equity.

     (e)  The Declaration has been duly authorized by the Guarantor and, at the
Closing Time, will have been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantor and
the Regular Trustees, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of
the Declaration by the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the
Declaration will, at the Closing Time, be a valid and binding obligation of the
Guarantor and the Regular Trustees, enforceable against the Guarantor and the
Regular Trustees in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally or by
general principles of equity (the "Bankruptcy Exceptions"); and at the Closing
Time, the Declaration will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act.

     (f)  Each of the Guarantee Agreements has been duly authorized by the
Guarantor and, when validly executed and delivered by the Guarantor, and, in
the case of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Preferred Securities Guarantee
Agreement by the Guarantee Trustee, will constitute a valid and binding
obligation 

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of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms
except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy
Exceptions; and the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, at the Closing
Time, will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

     (g)  The Preferred Securities have been duly authorized by the Declaration
and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement against payment of
the consideration set forth in the Pricing Agreement, will be validly issued
and (subject to the terms of the Declaration) fully paid and non-assessable
undivided beneficial interests in the Trust and will be entitled to the
benefits of the Declaration; the issuance of the Preferred Securities is not
subject to preemptive or other similar rights; and (subject to the terms of the
Declaration) holders of Preferred Securities will be entitled to the same
limitation of personal liability under Delaware law as extended to stockholders
of private corporations for profit.

     (h)  The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Guarantor and, when
validly executed and delivered by the Guarantor, will constitute a valid and
binding agreement of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in
accordance with its terms except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be
limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions; and at the Closing Time, the Indenture
will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

     (i)  The Subordinated Debt Securities have been duly authorized by the
Guarantor and, at the Closing Time, will have been duly executed by the
Guarantor and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture
and delivered against payment therefor as described in the Final Prospectus,
will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, enforceable
against the Guarantor in accordance with their terms except to the extent that
enforcement thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions, and will be in
the form contemplated by, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture.

     (j)  Each of the Regular Trustees of the Trust is an employee of the
Guarantor and has been duly 

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authorized by the Guarantor to execute and deliver the Declaration; the
Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Regular Trustees and is
a valid and binding obligation of each Regular Trustee, enforceable against such
Regular Trustee in accordance with its terms except to the extent that
enforcement thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions.

     (k)  The issue and sale of the Preferred Securities pursuant to the Pricing
Agreement, and compliance by the Offerors with all of the provisions of the
Securities, this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement, the Declaration, the
Indenture, the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Guarantee Agreements and the
Guarantees, will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of
the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument for
borrowed money to which the Trust, the Guarantor or any of the subsidiaries
listed in Annex III hereto (each, a "Principal Subsidiary") is a party or by
which the Trust, the Guarantor or any of the Principal Subsidiaries is bound or
to which any of the property or assets of the Trust, the Guarantor or any of the
Principal Subsidiaries is subject, nor will such action result in any violation
of the provisions of the Declaration or Certificate of Trust of the Trust or the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Guarantor or any of the Principal
Subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
insurance regulatory authority or other governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over the Trust, the Guarantor or any of the Principal Subsidiaries
or any of their properties, in each case other than such breaches, conflicts,
violations or defaults which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
material adverse effect on the Trust or the Guarantor and its subsidiaries
considered as a whole, and no authorization, approval, order, consent,
registration or qualification of or with any such court or insurance regulatory
authority or other governmental agency or body is required for the issue or sale
of the Securities, except (i) the registration under the Act of the Securities;
and (ii) such authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or
qualifications as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act or state or
foreign securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters, in each 

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case other than such authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations
or qualifications which (individually or in the aggregate) the failure to make,
obtain or comply with would not have a material adverse effect on the Trust or
the Guarantor and its subsidiaries considered as a whole.

     3.  Terms of Sale.  Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement and
authorization by the Representatives of the release of the Preferred
Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer such Preferred Securities
for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Final Prospectus as
amended or supplemented.

     4.  Delivery of Preferred Securities.  Preferred Securities to be
purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to the Pricing Agreement, in definitive
form to the extent practicable, and in such authorized denominations and
registered in such names as the Representatives may request upon at least
forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Trust and the Guarantor, shall be
delivered by or on behalf of the Trust to the Representatives for the account
of such Underwriter, against payment by such Underwriter or on its behalf of
the purchase price therefor in the funds specified in the Pricing Agreement,
all at the place and time and date specified in the Pricing Agreement or at
such other place and time and date as the Representatives and the Trust and the
Guarantor may agree upon in writing, such time and date being herein called the
"Time of Delivery" for such Securities.

     5.  Offeror Covenants.  The Offerors jointly and severally agree with each
of the Underwriters as follows:

     (a)  (i)  To prepare the Final Prospectus as amended and supplemented in
relation to the Preferred Securities in a form approved by the Representatives
and to timely file such Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act;
(ii) to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration
Statement or Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented after the date of the
Pricing Agreement and prior to the Time of Delivery for such Preferred
Securities unless the Representatives for such Preferred Securities shall have
had a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon any such amendment or
supplement prior to any filing thereof; (iii) to 

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advise the Representatives promptly of any such amendment or supplement after
such Time of Delivery and furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; (iv)
to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements
required to be filed by the Guarantor with the Commission pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a
prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of such Preferred
Securities, and during such same period to advise the Representatives, promptly
after it receives notice thereof, of (I) the time when any amendment to any
Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to
the Final Prospectus or any amended Final Prospectus has been filed with the
Commission, (II) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of the Final Prospectus, (III) the
suspension of the qualification of such Preferred Securities for offering or
sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding
for any such purpose, or (IV) any request by the Commission for the amending or
supplementing of any Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus or for
additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such stop order
or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of the Final Prospectus or
suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its best efforts to obtain
its withdrawal;

     (b)  Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representatives
may reasonably request to qualify such Preferred Securities (and the Preferred
Securities Guarantee) and the Subordinated Debt Securities for offering and
sale under the securities and insurance securities laws of such jurisdictions
as the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit
the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long
as may be necessary to complete the distribution of such Preferred Securities,
provided that in connection therewith none of the Offerors shall be required to
qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction;

     (c)  To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Final Prospectus as
amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives may from time
to time reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a 

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prospectus is required at any time in connection with the offering or sale of
such Preferred Securities, and if at such time any event shall have occurred as
a result of which the Final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would
include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made when such Final Prospectus is
delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary
during such period to amend or supplement the Final Prospectus or to file under
the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus
in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to
notify the Representatives and upon their request to prepare and furnish without
charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the
Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Final
Prospectus or a supplement to the Final Prospectus which will correct such
statement or omission or effect such compliance;

     (d)  The Trust will make generally available to its securityholders as
soon as practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the
effective date of the later filed of the Registration Statements (as defined in
Rule 158(c)), an earnings statement of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries
(which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Guarantor,
Rule 158); and

     (e)  During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing Agreement
for any Preferred Securities and continuing to and including the latter of (i)
the termination of trading restrictions for Preferred Securities, as notified
to the Guarantor by the Representatives or their counsel and (ii) the Time of
Delivery for such Preferred Securities, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or
otherwise dispose of any Preferred Securities, any security convertible into or
exchangeable into or exercisable for Preferred Securities or the Subordinated
Debt Securities or any debt securities substantially similar to the
Subordinated Debt Securities or equity securities substantially similar to the
Preferred Securities (except for the Subordinated Debt Securities and the
Preferred Securities issued pursuant 

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to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Representatives,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     6.  Fees and Expenses.  The Guarantor covenants and agrees with the
several Underwriters that the Guarantor will pay or cause to be paid the
following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Guarantor's counsel
and accountants in connection with the registration of the Preferred
Securities, the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Subordinated Debt
Securities under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the
preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, Basic
Prospectus, any Preliminary Final Prospectus and the Final Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, any Blue Sky Survey and any Legal
Investment Memoranda; (iii) all reasonable expenses in connection with the
qualification of the Preferred Securities, the Preferred Securities Guarantee
and the Subordinated Debt Securities for offering and sale under state
securities and insurance securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters
in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and
Legal Investment surveys; (iv) the filing fees incident to securing any
required review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; (v)
any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Preferred
Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities; (vi) the cost of preparing the
Preferred Securities; (vii) the fees and expenses of the Debt Trustee,
including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Debt Trustee in
connection with the Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities; (viii) the
fees and expenses of the Property Trustee, and the Guarantee Trustee, including
the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Property Trustee in connection
with the Declaration and the Certificate of Trust; and (ix) all other costs and
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not
otherwise specifically provided in this Section.  It is understood, however,
that, except as provided in this Section, Section 8 and Section 11 hereof, the
Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees
of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale 

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of any of the Preferred Securities by them, and any advertising expenses
connected with any offers they may make.

     7.  Conditions to Underwriters' Obligations.  The obligations of the
Underwriters hereunder and under the Pricing Agreement shall be subject to the
condition that all representations and warranties of the Offerors herein are,
at and as of the Time of Delivery, true and correct, the condition that the
Offerors shall have performed all of their respective obligations hereunder to
be performed at or before such Time of Delivery, and the following additional
conditions:

     (a)  The Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
Preferred Securities shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the rules
and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(c) hereof; no
stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any
part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall
have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for
additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied
with to the Representatives' reasonable satisfaction;

     (b)  [          ], counsel for the Guarantor, shall have furnished to you
their written opinion, dated as of Time of Delivery, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

            (i)  The Guarantor has been duly incorporated and is
       validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
       laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate power and
       authority to own its properties and conduct its business as
       described in the Final Prospectus as amended and supplemented;
       and each of Allstate Insurance Company ("AIC") and Allstate Life
       Insurance Company ("ALIC") has been duly incorporated and is
       validly existing as an insurance corporation under the laws of
       the State of Illinois, with corporate power and authority to own
       its properties and conduct its 

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       business as described in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

            (ii)  The issue and sale of the Preferred Securities and
       the performance by the Offerors of their respective obligations
       under this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Declaration,
       the Preferred Securities, the Common Securities, the Indenture,
       the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Guarantee Agreements and
       the Guarantees, and the consummation of the transactions
       contemplated herein and therein will not conflict with or result
       in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute
       a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
       agreement or other material agreement or instrument relating to
       the Trust or the Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries, as such
       agreements or instruments have been amended, all as set forth on
       Schedule A attached hereto [Schedule A to be a list of material
       agreements]; nor will any such action result in any violation of
       the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the
       By-Laws of the Guarantor or the Declaration or the Certificate
       of Trust of the Trust or any applicable United States law or
       statute or any order, rule or regulation of any United States
       court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over
       the Guarantor, its subsidiaries or any of their respective
       properties, provided, that the foregoing opinion is limited to
       those statutes, laws, rules and regulations of the United States
       of America, the State of Delaware and the State of Illinois, in
       each case, which, in such counsel's opinion, are normally
       applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by this
       Agreement, and provided further, that no opinion need be given
       with respect to (i) the Act, the Exchange Act, the Trust
       Indenture Act, the rules and regulations issued pursuant to each
       such act, any order, rule or regulation made or established by
       any insurance official or regulatory authority or the National
       Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or state securities or
       Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution
       of the Preferred 

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       Securities by the Underwriters or (ii) conflicts, breaches or violations
       which individually and in the aggregate both are not material to the
       Trust or the Guarantor and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and would
       not have a material adverse effect on the sale or ownership of the
       Preferred Securities.

            (iii)  No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
       qualification of or with any United Sates court or governmental agency or
       body is required for the issuance and sale of the Common Securities or
       the offering of the Preferred Securities, the Subordinated Debt
       Securities or the Guarantees or the consummation by the Company of the
       transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that we express no
       opinion with respect to such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders,
       registrations or qualifications (i) as may be required under the Act, the
       Exchange Act, the Trust Indenture Act, the rules and regulations issued
       pursuant to each such act, any order, rule or regulation made or
       established by any insurance official or regulatory authority or the
       National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or (ii) as may be
       required under state securities or Blue Sky laws, (iii) the absence of
       which individually or in the aggregate both are not material to the
       Guarantor and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and would not have a
       material adverse effect on the sale or ownership of the Preferred
       Securities or (iv) as may be required under foreign laws in connection
       with the purchase and distribution of the Preferred Securities by any
       international managers; provided, that the foregoing opinion is limited
       to those consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations and
       qualifications under laws which, in our experience, are normally
       applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement;

            (iv)  This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement have been
       duly authorized, 


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       executed and delivered by each of the Trust and the Guarantor;

            (v)  The Trust has been duly created and is validly
       existing in good standing as  business trust under the Delaware
       Act; all filings required under the laws of the State of
       Delaware with respect to the formation and valid existence of
       the Trust as a business trust have been made; the Trust has all
       necessary power and authority to own property and to conduct its
       business as described in the Registration Statement and the
       Final Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations
       under this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Preferred
       Securities and the Common Securities; the Trust is duly
       qualified and in good standing as a foreign company in any other
       jurisdiction in which such qualification is necessary, except to
       the extent that the failure to so qualify or be in good standing
       would not have a material adverse effect on the Trust; and the
       Trust is not a party to or otherwise bound by any agreement
       other than those described in the Final Prospectus;

            (vi)  The Common Securities have been duly authorized for
       issuance and, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance
       with the Declaration and as described in the Prospectus,
       will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable
       undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust, and
       the issuance of the Common Securities is not subject to
       preemptive or other similar rights;

            (vii)  The Preferred Securities have been duly authorized
       for issuance and, when issued, delivered and paid for in
       accordance with the Declaration and this Agreement, will be
       validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable undivided
       beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust; the holders of
       the Preferred Securities will be entitled to the same limitation
       of personal liability under Delaware law as is extended to
       stockholders of private corporations for profit; and the issu-


                                       16
   17


       ance of the Preferred Securities is not subject to preemptive or other
       similar rights.  We bring to your attention that the Preferred Securities
       holders may be obligated, pursuant to the Declaration, to (a) provide
       indemnity and/or security in connection with and pay taxes or
       governmental charges arising from transfers of Preferred Securities and
       the issuance of replacement Preferred Securities, and (b) provide
       security and indemnity in connection with requests of or directions to
       the Property Trustee to exercise its rights and powers under the
       Declaration; and the Declaration has been duly qualified under the Trust
       Indenture Act;

            (viii)  The Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented and any further amendments thereto made by the
       Guarantor prior to such Time of Delivery for the Preferred Securities (in
       each case other than with respect to the financial statements, financial,
       accounting and statistical data and related schedules incorporated by
       reference or included therein or excluded therefrom, or the exhibits to
       the Registration Statement including the Form T-1s, as to which such
       counsel need express no opinion or belief), appeared on their face to be
       appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of
       the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable rules and
       regulations of the Commission thereunder; and, such counsel shall not be
       deemed to be passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the
       accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
       Registration Statement and Final Prospectus; and

            (ix)  As such counsel, such counsel reviewed the
       Registration Statement and Final Prospectus as amended or
       supplemented, participated in discussions with representatives
       of the Underwriters and of the Guarantor and its accountants at
       which contents of the Registration Statement and Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented and related matters 


                                       17
   18


       were discussed; on the basis of the information that such counsel gained
       in the course of the performance of their services referred to above,
       although such counsel shall not be deemed to be passing upon and shall
       not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness
       of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Final
       Prospectuses and not be required to have made an independent check or
       verification thereof, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come
       to the attention of such counsel in the course of such review which have
       led such counsel to believe that, as of its effective date, the
       Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made by the
       Guarantor prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial
       statements and the financial, accounting and statistical data and related
       schedules incorporated by reference or included therein or excluded
       therefrom, or the exhibits to the Registration Statement including the
       Form T-1s, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an
       untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
       required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
       not misleading or that, as of its date, the Final Prospectus as amended
       or supplemented or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by
       the Guarantor prior to the Time of Delivery (other than the financial
       statements and financial, accounting and statistical data and related
       schedules incorporated by reference or included therein or excluded
       therefrom, or the exhibits to the Registration Statement including the
       Form T-1s, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an
       untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
       necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
       under which they were made not misleading.

     (c)  Robert W. Pike, Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the
Guarantor, shall have furnished to you his written opinion, dated each 



                                       18
   19



Time of Delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to the 
effect that:

            (i)  Each Principal Subsidiary has been duly incorporated
       and is validly existing as an insurance corporation under the
       laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation;

            (ii)  All of the issued shares of capital stock of each
       Principal Subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and
       issued, are fully paid and nonassessable, and are owned of
       record directly or indirectly by the Guarantor, AIC or ALIC, as
       the case may be (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect
       of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local or in-house
       counsel and in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of
       officers of the Guarantor or its subsidiaries, provided that
       such counsel shall state that he believes that both you and he
       are justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates);

            (iii)  Each Principal Subsidiary is duly licensed or
       authorized as an insurer or reinsurer in each other jurisdiction
       where it is required to be so licensed, except where the failure
       to be so licensed or authorized in any such jurisdiction does
       not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition,
       business or properties of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries
       considered as a whole; the Guarantor and each Principal
       Subsidiary have made all required filings under applicable
       insurance holding company statutes, and each is duly licensed or
       authorized as an insurance holding company in each jurisdiction
       where it is required to be so licensed, except where the
       failure to have made such filings or to be so licensed or
       authorized in any such jurisdiction does not have a material
       adverse effect on the financial condition, business or
       properties of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries considered as a
       whole; [the Guarantor and each Principal Subsidiary have all
       necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, consents,
       registrations or qualifications of and from all insurance regu-


                                       19
   20


       latory authorities to conduct their respective businesses as
       described in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented,
       except where the failure to have such authorizations, approvals,
       orders, consents, registrations or qualifications does not have
       a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business
       or properties of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries considered
       as a whole;] and none of the Guarantor or any Principal
       Subsidiary has received any notification from any insurance
       regulatory authority to the effect that any additional
       authorization, approval, order, consent, registration or
       qualification from such insurance regulatory authority is needed
       to be obtained by any of the Guarantor or any Principal
       Subsidiary in any case where it could be reasonably expected
       that (x) the Guarantor or any Principal Subsidiary would in fact
       be required either to obtain any such additional authorization,
       approval, order, consent, registration or qualification or cease
       or otherwise limit writing certain business and (y) obtaining
       such authorization, approval, order, consent, license,
       certificate, permit, registration or qualification or limiting
       such business would have a material adverse effect on the
       business, financial position or results of operations of the
       Guarantor and its subsidiaries, considered as a whole (such
       counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this
       clause upon opinions of local or in-house counsel and in respect
       of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the
       Guarantor or its subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall
       state that he believes that both you and he are justified in
       relying upon such opinions and certificates);

            (iv)  Each Principal Subsidiary is in compliance with the
       requirements of the insurance laws and regulations of its state of
       incorporation and the insurance laws and regulations of other
       jurisdiction which are applicable to such Principal Subsidiary, and has
       filed all notices, reports, documents or other information required to be
       filed thereunder, or is subject to no material liability or disabil-


                                       20
   21


       ity by reason of the failure to so comply or file (such
       counsel being entitled to rely in respect of this clause upon
       opinions of local or in-house counsel and in respect of matters
       of fact upon certificates of officers of the Guarantor its
       subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that he
       believes that both you and he are justified in relying upon such
       opinions and certificates);

            (v)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than
       as set forth in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented,
       there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which
       the Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries is a party or to which
       any property of the Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries is the
       subject which, if determined adversely to the Guarantor or any
       of its subsidiaries, individually or in the aggregate, could
       reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
       financial condition, business or properties of the Guarantor and
       its subsidiaries considered as a whole; and, to the best of such
       counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened;

            (vi)  The issue and sale of the Preferred Securities, and the
       performance by the Offerors of their respective obligations under the
       Preferred Securities, this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the
       Declaration, the Common Securities, the Indenture, the Subordinated Debt
       Securities, the Guarantee Agreements and the Guarantees, and the
       consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein will not
       result in any violation of any order, rule or regulation known to such
       counsel of any insurance regulatory authority having jurisdiction over
       the Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties which
       are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by this
       Agreement, other than such breaches, conflicts, violations or defaults
       which, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material
       adverse effect on the financial condition, business or properties of 


                                       21
   22


       the Guarantor and its subsidiaries considered as a whole (such counsel
       being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in this clause upon
       opinions of local or in-house counsel and in respect of matters of fact
       upon certificates of officers of the Guarantor or its subsidiaries,
       provided that such counsel shall state that he believes that both you and
       he are justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates);

            (vii)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, the Trust
       and the Guarantor and its subsidiaries, as applicable, have
       filed all notices, reports, documents or other information
       required to be filed pursuant to, and have obtained all
       authorizations, approvals, orders, consents, registrations or
       qualifications required to be obtained under, and have otherwise
       complied with all requirements of, all applicable insurance laws
       and regulations known to such counsel to be normally applicable
       to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection
       with the issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities and,
       except as have been obtained pursuant to the foregoing clause,
       no filing, authorization, approval, order, consent, registration
       or qualification of or with any insurance regulatory agency
       having jurisdiction over the Guarantor or any of its
       subsidiaries or any of their properties known to such counsel to
       be normally applicable to the transactions contemplated by this
       Agreement is required for the issue and sale of the Preferred
       Securities or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
       by this Agreement, the Pricing Agreement, the Declaration, the
       Indenture, the Guarantee Agreements and the Guarantees, except
       such filings, authorizations, approvals, orders, consents,
       registrations or qualifications which (individually or in the
       aggregate) the failure to make, obtain or comply with would not
       have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business 
       or properties of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries considered as a 
       whole;


                                       22
   23



            (viii)  Each of the Guarantee Agreements has been duly
       authorized, executed and delivered by the Guarantor; the
       Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, assuming it is duly
       authorized, executed, and delivered by the Guarantee Trustee,
       constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor,
       enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms,
       except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by
       Bankruptcy Exceptions; and the Preferred Securities Guarantee
       Agreement has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

            (ix)  The Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by
       the Guarantor and, assuming due authorization, execution, and
       delivery thereof by the Debt Trustee, is a valid and binding
       obligation of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor
       in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that
       enforcement thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions,
       and the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust
       Indenture Act;

            (x)  The Subordinated Debt Securities are in the form
       contemplated by the Indenture, have been duly authorized,
       executed and delivered by the Guarantor and, when authenticated
       by the Debt Trustee in the manner provided for in the Indenture
       and delivered against payment therefor, will constitute valid
       and binding obligations of the Guarantor enforceable against the
       Guarantor in accordance with their terms, except to the extent
       that enforcement thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy
       Exceptions;

            (xi)  The Declaration has been duly authorized, executed
       and delivered by the Guarantor and each of the Regular Trustees
       and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor
       and each of the Regular Trustees, enforceable against the
       Guarantor and each of the Regular Trustees in accordance with
       its terms, except to the extent that the enforce-


                                       23
   24


       ment thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions;

            (xii)  As general counsel to the Guarantor, such counsel
       reviewed the Registration Statement and Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented, participated in various discussions
       with representatives of the Underwriters and of the Guarantor
       and its accountants at which contents of the Registration
       Statement and Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented were
       discussed; on the basis of the information that such counsel
       gained in the course of his activities referred to above, such
       counsel confirms that the Registration Statement, as of its
       effective date, and the Final Prospectus, as amended or
       supplemented (in each case other than with respect to the
       financial statements, financial and accounting data and related
       schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no
       opinion or belief), appeared on their face to be appropriately
       responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the
       Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
       thereunder; and, although such counsel is not passing upon and
       does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy,
       completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the
       Registration Statement and Final Prospectus as amended or
       supplemented (except as expressly set forth in such opinion), on
       the basis of the foregoing, no facts have come to the attention
       of such counsel in the course of such review which has caused
       such counsel to believe that, as of its effective date, the
       Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made by
       the Offerors prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the
       financial statements and financial and accounting data and
       related schedules therein and other than information under the
       captions "Description of Debt Securities," "Description of Debt
       Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock," "Description of
       Preferred Securities," "Description of Preferred Securities
       Guarantees" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus
       and in the descriptions of Preferred 


                                       24
   25


       Securities, Preferred Securities Guarantees, Subordinated Debt Securities
       and underwriting matters contained in the Final Prospectus as amended or
       supplemented, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained
       an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
       fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
       therein not misleading or that, as of its date, the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented or any further amendment or supplement thereto
       made by the Offerors prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the
       financial statements and financial and accounting data and related
       schedules therein and other than information under the captions
       "Description of Debt Securities," "Description of Debt Warrants,"
       "Description of Preferred Stock," "Description of Preferred Securities,"
       "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees" and "Plan of
       Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus and in the descriptions of
       Preferred Securities, Preferred Securities Guarantees, Subordinated Debt
       Securities and underwriting matters contained in the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented, as to which such counsel need express no
       opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
       state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the
       light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or
       that, as of such Time of Delivery, either the Registration Statement or
       the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further amendment
       or supplement (when considered together with the document to which such
       supplement relates) thereto made by the Offerors prior to such Time of
       Delivery (other than the financial statements and financial and
       accounting data and related schedules therein and other than information
       under the captions "Description of Debt Securities," "Description of Debt
       Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock," "Description of Preferred
       Securities," "Description of Preferred Securities Guarantees" and "Plan
       of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus and in the descriptions of
       Preferred Securities, Preferred


                                       25
   26


       Securities Guarantees, Subordinated Debt Securities, and
       underwriting matters contained in the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented, as to which such counsel need express
       no opinion) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or
       omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
       therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
       made, not misleading; and he does not know of any amendment to
       the Registration Statement required to be filed or of any
       contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed
       as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be
       incorporated by reference into the Final Prospectus as amended
       or supplemented or required to be described in the Registration
       Statement or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented
       which are not filed or described as required, in each case,
       other than with respect to the information under the captions
       "Description of Debt Securities," "Description of Debt
       Warrants," "Description of Preferred Stock," "Description of
       Preferred Securities," Description of Preferred Securities
       Guarantees" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus
       and in the descriptions of Preferred Securities, Preferred
       Securities Guarantees, Subordinated Debt Securities and
       underwriting matters contained in the Final Prospectus as
       amended or supplemented; and

            (xiii)  On the basis of the information that such counsel
       gained in the course of the review referred to in paragraph
       (xiv) above (but without passing upon or assuming any
       responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
       statements contained in the documents described below), such
       counsel confirms that no facts have come to the attention of
       such counsel in the course of such review which have caused such
       counsel to believe that the documents incorporated by reference
       in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented (other than
       the financial statements and financial, accounting and
       statistical data and related schedules therein or excluded
       therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opin-


                                       26
   27


       ion), when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as
       the case may be, did not comply as to form in all material respects with
       the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the
       rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and he has no reason
       to believe that any of such documents, when they became effective or were
       so filed, as the case may be, contained, in the case of a registration
       statement which became effective under the Act, an untrue statement of a
       material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
       therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or,
       in the case of other documents which were filed under the Act or the
       Exchange Act with the Commission, an untrue statement of a material fact
       or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
       statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
       were made when such documents were so filed, not misleading.

     (d)  [         ], counsel of State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
Property Trustee under the Declaration, and Guarantee Trustee under the
Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreements, shall have furnished to you their
written opinion, dated as of the Time of Delivery, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

            (i)  State Street Bank and Trust Company is a Massachusetts
       trust company with trust powers, duly organized, validly
       existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth
       of Massachusetts with all necessary power and authority to
       execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its
       obligations under the terms of the Declaration and the Preferred
       Securities Guarantee Agreement;

            (ii)  The execution, delivery and performance by the
       Property Trustee of the Declaration and the execution, delivery
       and performance by the Guarantee Trustee of the Preferred
       Securities Guarantee Agreement have been duly authorized by all
       necessary corporate 


                                       27
   28


       action on the part of the Property Trustee, in the case of the
       Declaration, and the Guarantee Trustee, in the case of the Preferred
       Securities Guarantee Agreement.  The Declaration and the Preferred
       Securities Guarantee Agreement have been duly executed and delivered by
       the Property Trustee, in the case of the Declaration, and the Guarantee
       Trustee, in the case of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, and
       constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Property
       Trustee, in the case of the Declaration, and the Guarantee Trustee, in
       the case of the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, enforceable
       against the Property Trustee, in the case of the Declaration, and the
       Guarantee Trustee, in the case of the Preferred Securities Guarantee
       Agreement, in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof
       may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions;

            (iii)  The execution, delivery and performance of the
       Declaration and the Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement by
       the Property Trustee, in the case of the Declaration, and the
       Guarantee Trustee, in the case of the Preferred Securities
       Guarantee Agreement, does not conflict with or constitute a
       breach of the Articles of Organization or Bylaws of the Property
       Trustee, in the case of the Declaration, or the Guarantee
       Trustee, in the case of the Preferred Securities Guarantee
       Agreement; and

            (iv)  No consent, approval or authorization of, or
       registration with or notice to, any Massachusetts or federal
       banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or
       performance by the Property Trustee of the Declaration or by the
       Guarantee Trustee of the Preferred Securities Guarantee
       Agreement.

     (e)  [         ], counsel of Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc., as
Delaware Trustee under the Declaration, shall have furnished to you their
written opinion, dated as of the Time of Delivery, in form 


                                       28
   29


and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

            (i)  Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc. is a Delaware
       banking corporation with trust powers, duly organized, validly
       existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
       Delaware with all necessary power and authority to execute and
       deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the
       terms and the Declaration;

            (ii)  The execution, delivery and performance by the
       Delaware Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by
       all necessary corporate action on the part of the Delaware
       Trustee.  The Declaration has been duly executed and delivered
       by the Delaware Trustee and constitutes the legal, valid and
       binding obligations of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against
       the Delaware Trustee, in accordance with its terms, except as
       enforcement thereof may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions;

            (iii)  The execution, delivery and performance of the
       Declaration by the Delaware Trustee does not conflict with or
       constitute a breach of the Articles of Organization or Bylaws of
       the Delaware Trustee; and

            (iv)  No consent, approval or authorization of, or
       registration with or notice to, any banking or trust authority
       of the State of Delaware or federal banking authority governing
       the banking and trust powers of the Delaware Trustee is required
       for the execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware
       Trustee of the Declaration.

     (f)  The opinion of [              ], special tax counsel to the Guarantor
and the Trust, generally to the effect that:

            (i)  Under current law, the Trust will be classified for
       United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust 


                                       29
   30



       and not as an association taxable as a corporation; accordingly, 
       for United States federal income tax purposes, each holder of
       Preferred Securities generally will be considered the owner of
       an undivided interest in the Subordinated Debt Securities, and
       each holder will be required to include in its gross income any
       original issue discount accrued with respect to its allocable
       share of the Subordinated Debt Securities;

            (ii)  Under current law the Subordinated Debt Securities will be
       classified for United States federal income tax purposes as indebtedness
       of the Guarantor; and

            (iii)  The discussion set forth in the Final Prospectus
       under the heading "United States Federal Income Taxation" is a
       fair and accurate summary of the matters addressed therein,
       based upon current law and the assumptions stated or referred to
       therein.

     Such opinion may be conditioned on, among other things, the initial and
continuing accuracy of the facts, financial and other information, covenants
and representations set forth in certificates of officers of the Guarantor and
the Trust and other documents deemed necessary for such opinion.

     (g)  On the date of the Pricing Agreement and the Time of Delivery,
Deloitte & Touche shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter, dated
the effective date of the later filed of the Registration Statement or the most
recent report filed with the Commission containing financial statements and
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement if the date of such
report is later than such effective date, and a letter dated such Time of
Delivery, respectively, to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto, and with
respect to such letter dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives.

     (h)  (i)  Neither the Guarantor nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as 


                                       30
   31


amended or supplemented any material adverse change in the financial condition,
business or properties of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries considered as a
whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Final Prospectus as
amended or supplemented (and other than a catastrophe not meeting the threshold
contemplated by (w) below), and (ii) since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented there
shall not have been (w) any catastrophe or any impending catastrophe which, in
the Company's judgment, is highly probable to result in gross underwriting
losses in excess of $[500 million] pursuant to insurance coverage written by the
Guarantor's subsidiaries, (x) any material addition, or any development
involving a prospective material addition, to either the Guarantor's
consolidated reserve for property-liability insurance claims and claims expense
or the Guarantor's consolidated reserve for life insurance policy benefits or
(y) any material increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Guarantor.

     (i)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement (i) no downgrading
shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Guarantor's debt securities or
financial strength or claims paying ability by any of Moody's Investor
Services, Inc., Standard & Poor's Corporation or A.M. Best & Co. and (ii) no
such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance
or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the
Guarantor's debt securities or financial strength or claims paying ability, the
effect of which, in any such case described in Clause (i) or (ii), is in your
judgment (after consultation with the Guarantor) so material and adverse as to
make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the pubic offering or the
delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

     (j)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement there shall not have
occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in
trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general
moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York declared by either
Federal or New York State authorities; or (iii) the material outbreak or
escalation of hostilities involving the United States or 


                                       31
   32


the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, if the
effect of any such event specified in this clause (iii) in the judgment of the
Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public
offering or the delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner
contemplated by the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented; and

     (k)  The Guarantor shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at the Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the
Guarantor reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives as to the accuracy of
the representations and warranties of the Guarantor herein at and as of such
Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Guarantor of all of its
obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as
to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (h) of this Section and as to
such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.

     8.(a)  Indemnification and Contribution.  The Offerors will indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject,
under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the
Securities, or any amendment or supplement (when considered together with the
document to which such supplement relates) thereto, or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided,
however, that the Offerors shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon
an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Final
Prospectus as amended or sup-


                                       32
   33


plemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any such
amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Offerors by any Underwriter of Securities through
the Representatives expressly for use in the Final Prospectus as amended or
supplemented relating to such Securities and, provided, further, that the
Offerors shall not be liable to any Underwriter under the indemnity agreement in
this subsection (a) with respect to any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Final
Prospectus or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented, as the case may
be, to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such
Underwriter results from the fact such Underwriter sold Securities to a person
to whom there was not sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of
such sale, a copy of the Final Prospectus or of the Final Prospectus as then
amended or supplemented, whichever is most recent, in any case where such
delivery is required by the Act if the Guarantor had previously furnished copies
thereof to such Underwriter and the loss, claim, damage or liability of such
Underwriter results from an untrue statement or omission of a material fact
contained in the Preliminary Final Prospectus which was corrected in the Final
Prospectus (or the Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented).

     (b)  Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Offerors
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Offerors may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the
Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating
to the Securities, or any amendment or supplement (when considered together
with the document to which such supplement relates) thereto, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
was made in any Preliminary Final Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the
Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus 


                                       33
   34


relating to the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to the Offerors by such
Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein; and will
reimburse the Offerors for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
the Offerors in connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claim as such expenses are incurred.

     (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying
party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party
otherwise than under such subsection.  In case any such action shall be brought
against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate
therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly, with any other
indemnifying party similar notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with
the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party and
who may act in respect of actions involving more than one indemnified party),
and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Section 8, (i) an indemnifying party shall only be liable for the legal fees and
expenses of one national counsel and appropriate local counsel for the
indemnified parties with respect to any proceeding or related proceedings and in
connection with any one such action, suit or proceeding or separate but
substantially similar or related actions, suits or proceedings in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of only one separate 


                                       34
   35


firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such
Underwriters and controlling persons not having actual or potential differing
interests with you or among themselves, which firm shall be designated in
writing by __________.

     (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable
to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Offerors on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Securities on the
other from the offering of the Securities to which any such loss, claim, damage
or liability (or action in respect thereof) relates.  If, however, the
allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by
applicable law, or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required
under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the Offerors on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Securities on
the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well
as any other relevant equitable consideration.  The relative benefits received
by the Offerors on the one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from such offering
(before deducting expenses) received by the Offerors bear to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriters, in each
case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus relating to
such Securities.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among
other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Offerors on the one hand or such Underwriters on the
other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such 


                                       35
   36


statement or omission.  With respect to any such Underwriter, such relative
fault shall also be determined by reference to the extent (if any) to which such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) with
respect to any Preliminary Final Prospectus result from the fact that such
Underwriter sold Securities to a person to whom there was not sent or given, at
or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of the Final
Prospectus or of the Final Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, if the
Offerors had previously furnished copies thereof to such Underwriter.  The
Offerors and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contributions pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d).  The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this
subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending
any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection
(d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The obligations of the
Underwriters of Securities in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to such
Securities and not joint.

     (e)  The obligations of the Offerors under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Offerors may otherwise have and shall
extend upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriters within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under 


                                       36
   37


this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective
Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and
conditions, to each officer and director of the Guarantor (including any person
who, with his consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to become
a director of the Guarantor), to each trustee of the Trust and to each person,
if any, who controls an Offeror within the meaning of the Act.

     9.(a)  Defaulting Underwriters.  If any Underwriter shall default in its
obligation to purchase the Securities which it has agreed to purchase under the
Pricing Agreement, the Representatives may in their discretion arrange for
themselves or another party or other parties to purchase the Securities on the
terms contained herein.  If within thirty-six hours after such default by any
Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase of such
Securities, then the Offerors shall be entitled to a further period of
thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other parties
satisfactory to the Representatives to purchase such Securities on such terms.
In the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, the Representatives
notify the Offerors that the Representatives have so arranged for the purchase
of such Securities, or the Offerors notify the Representatives that they have so
arranged for the purchase of such Securities, the Representatives or the
Offerors shall have the right to postpone the Time of Delivery for such
Securities for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever
changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented, or in any other documents or
arrangements, and the Offerors agree to file promptly any amendments to the
Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus which in the opinion of the
Representatives may thereby be made necessary.  The term "Underwriter" as used
in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with
like effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing
Agreement.

     (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Securities of any defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives
and the Offerors as provided in subsection (a) 


                                       37
   38


above, the aggregate principal amount of such Securities which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of
the Securities, then the Offerors shall have the right to require each
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Securities which
such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing Agreement and, in
addition, to require each nondefaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata
share (based on the principal amount of Securities which such Underwriter agreed
to purchase under such Pricing Agreement;) of the Securities of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its
default.

     (c)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the
Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives
and the Offerors as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate principal
amount of Securities which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the
aggregate principal amount of Securities, as referred to in subsection (b)
above, or if the Offerors shall not exercise the right described in subsection
(b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Securities of a
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement shall
thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any nondefaulting
Underwriter or the Offerors, except for the expenses to be borne by the
Guarantor and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity
and contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall
relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     10.  Survival.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations,
warranties and other statements of the Offerors and the several Underwriters,
as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively,
pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless
of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on
behalf of any Underwriter, or the Offerors or any officer or director or
controlling person of the Offerors and shall survive delivery of and payment
for the Securities.


                                       38
   39



     11.  Effect of Termination of Pricing Agreement or Nondelivery of
Securities.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof, the Offerors shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter
with respect to the Securities except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8
hereof; but, if for any other reason, Securities are not delivered by or on
behalf of the Offerors as provided herein, the Guarantor will reimburse the
Underwriters through the Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses
approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and disbursements of
counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the
purchase, sale and delivery of such Securities, but the Offerors shall then be
under no further liability to any Underwriter in respect of such Securities
except as provided in Section 6 and Section 8 hereof.

     12.  Reliance Upon Representatives.  In all dealings hereunder, the
Representatives shall act on behalf of the Underwriters of Securities and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such of the
Representatives, if any, as may be designated for such purpose in the Pricing
Agreement.

     13.  Notices.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder
shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as
set forth in the Pricing Agreement; if to the Guarantor and the Trust, shall be
delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to their respective
addresses set forth in the Registration Statement; provided, however, that any
notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or
sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address
set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Offerors by the
Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof.

     14.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement
shall be binding upon, and 


                                       39
   40


inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Offerors, and, to the
extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the
Guarantor, the trustees of the Trust and each person who controls an Offeror or
any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right
under or by virtue of this Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement.  No
purchaser of any of the Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed a
successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

     15.  Time; "Business Day."  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing
Agreement.  As used herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     16.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

     17.  Counterparts.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be
executed by any one or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.


                                       40
   41




     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us [     ] counterparts hereof.

                                             Very truly yours,

                                             THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION



                                             By: ______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


                                             ALLSTATE FINANCING [I]



                                             By: ______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Underwriters]



                                       41
   42


                                                                      ANNEX I TO
                                                                    UNDERWRITING
                                                                       AGREEMENT



                               PRICING AGREEMENT

                                                                 _________, ____


[                 ]
As representatives of the
several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto
     c/o [             ]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Allstate Financing [I], a statutory business trust formed under the laws
of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), and The Allstate Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor" and, together with the Trust, the
Offerors"), propose, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in
the Underwriting Agreement, dated ___________, ____ (the "Underwriting
Agreement"), among the Offerors on the one hand and
_________________________________________________________ on the other hand, to
issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the
"Underwriters") the Securities specified in Schedule II hereto (the
"Securities").  Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set
forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth
therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the
Final Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to
be a representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in
relation to the Final Prospectus (as therein defined) and also a representation
and warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Final
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to the Securities which are the
subject of this Pricing Agreement.  Each 



                                      I-1
   43


reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to
you.  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting
Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Representatives designated to
act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf of each of the Underwriters
of the Securities pursuant to Section ___ of the Underwriting Agreement and the
address of the Representatives referred to in such Section ___ are set forth at
the end of Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the Final
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Securities, in the form
heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Offerors agree to
sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Trust, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the number of Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in
Schedule I hereto.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us [           ] counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by
you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance
hereof, including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated
herein by reference, shall constitute a binding agreement among each of the
Underwriters and the Offerors.  It is understood that your acceptance of this
letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the
authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of
which shall be submitted to the Offerors for examination upon request, but
without warranty on the part of 


                                      I-2
   44


the Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION



                                          By: _______________________________


                                              Name:
                                              Title:


                                          ALLSTATE FINANCING [I]



                                          By: ________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:


Accepted as of the date hereof:

[                     ]

On behalf of each of the Underwriters



                                      I-3
   45


                             SCHEDULE I TO ANNEX I



                                           Number
                                             of
                                        Securities to
Underwriters                            Be Purchased
- ------------                            -------------

_______________________ . . . . . . . . 
_______________________ . . . . . . . . 
_______________________ . . . . . . . . 
_______________________ . . . . . . . . 
[Names of Underwriters]



                 Total . . . . . . . . .   ------------



                                      I-4
   46


                             SCHEDULE II TO ANNEX I


UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT DATED ______________, ____


REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. __________


TITLE, PURCHASE PRICE AND DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES



          Title: _____ % _____________________ Preferred Securities ("  ")
                 (Liquidation Amount of $Per Security)


          Number:


          Price to Public:


          Purchase Price per Security to be Paid by Underwriters:


          Compensation Per Security to be Paid by the Guarantor to the
          Underwriters:


          Other Provisions:


NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

          Representatives:

          Address for Notices, etc.:




                                      I-5
   47


                                                                     ANNEX II TO
                                                                    UNDERWRITING
                                                                       AGREEMENT



     Pursuant to Section 7(g) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

            (i)  They are independent certified public accountants with
       respect to the Guarantor and its subsidiaries within the meaning
       of the Act and the applicable published rules and regulations
       thereunder;

            (ii)  In their opinion, the financial statements, certain
       summary and selected consolidated financial and operating data,
       and any supplementary financial information and schedules (and,
       if applicable, pro forma financial information) audited by them
       and included or incorporated by reference in the Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented or the Registration
       Statement comply as to form in all material respects with the
       applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the related
       published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable,
       they have made a review in accordance with standards established
       by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the
       unaudited consolidated interim financial statements, and any
       supplementary financial information and schedules, selected
       financial data, pro forma financial information, prospective
       financial statements and/or condensed financial statements
       derived from audited financial statements of the Guarantor for
       the periods specified in such letter, and, as indicated in their
       report thereon, copies of which have been furnished to the
       representatives of the Underwriters (the "Representatives");

            (iii)  On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting
       an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
       standards, consisting of a reading of the unaudited finan-


                                      II-1
   48

       cial statements and other information referred to below, a reading of the
       latest available interim financial statements of the Guarantor and its
       subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the Guarantor and its
       subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial statements
       included or incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended
       or supplemented, inquiries of officials of the Guarantor and its
       subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and such
       other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter,
       nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                      (A)  the unaudited consolidated
                 statements of income, consolidated balance
                 sheets and consolidated statements of cash
                 flows and certain summary and selected
                 consolidated financial and operating data
                 included or incorporated by reference in the
                 Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented
                 do not comply as to form in all material
                 respects with the applicable accounting
                 requirements of the Act and the related
                 published rules and regulations thereunder;

                      (B)  any other unaudited income
                 statement data and balance sheet items
                 included or incorporated by reference in the
                 Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented
                 do not agree with the corresponding items in
                 the unaudited consolidated financial
                 statements from which such data and items
                 were derived, and any such unaudited data
                 and items were not determined on a basis
                 substantially consistent with the basis for
                 the corresponding amounts in the audited
                 consolidated financial statements in-


                                      II-2
   49

                 cluded or incorporated by reference in the Final
                 Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

                      (C)  the unaudited financial statements
                 which were not included or incorporated by
                 reference in the Final Prospectus as amended
                 or supplemented but from which were derived
                 any unaudited condensed financial statements
                 referred to in Clause (A) and any unaudited
                 income statement data and balance sheet
                 items included or incorporated by reference
                 in the Final Prospectus as amended or
                 supplemented and referred to in Clause (B)
                 were not determined on a basis substantially
                 consistent with the basis for the audited
                 consolidated financial statements included
                 or incorporated by reference in the Final
                 Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

                      (D)  any unaudited pro forma
                 consolidated condensed financial statements
                 included or incorporated by reference in the
                 Final Prospectus as amended or supplemented
                 do not comply as to form in all material
                 respects with the applicable accounting
                 requirements of the Act and the published
                 rules and regulations thereunder or the pro
                 forma adjustments have not been properly
                 applied to the historical amounts in the
                 compilation of those statements.

                      (E)  as of a specified date not more
                 than five business days prior to the date of
                 such letter, there have been any 

                                      II-3
   50

                 changes in the consolidated capital stock or any
                 increase in the consolidated borrowings or
                 consolidated reserve for property-liability
                 insurance claims and claims expense or
                 consolidated reserve for life insurance policy
                 benefits, or asset reserves of the Guarantor
                 and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in
                 consolidated fixed income securities
                 available for sale, consolidated equity
                 securities, consolidated investments or
                 shareholder equity, or any decrease in AIC's
                 or ALIC's statutory capital and surplus, or
                 other items specified by the
                 Representatives, in each case as compared
                 with amounts shown in the latest balance
                 sheet included or incorporated by reference
                 in the Final Prospectus as amended or
                 supplemented, except in each case for
                 changes, increases or decreases which the
                 Final Prospectus discloses have occurred or
                 may occur or which are described in such
                 letter; and

                      (F)  for the period from the date of
                 the latest financial statements included or
                 incorporated by reference in the Final
                 Prospectus as amended or supplemented to the
                 specified date referred to in Clause (E)
                 there were any decreases in consolidated
                 premiums earned, consolidated net investment
                 income, or other items specified by the
                 Representatives, or any increases in any
                 items specified by the Representatives, in
                 each case as compared with the comparable
                 period of the preceding year and 

                                      II-4
   51

                 with any other period of corresponding length
                 specified by the Representatives, except in
                 each case for decreases or increases which
                 the Final Prospectus discloses have occurred
                 or may occur or which are described in such
                 letter; and

            (iv)  In addition to the examination referred to in their
       report(s) included or incorporated by reference in the Final
       Prospectus as amended or supplemented and the limited
       procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other
       procedures referred to in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, they
       have carried out certain procedures as specified in their
       letter, not constituting an audit in accordance with generally
       accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts,
       percentages and financial information specified by the
       Representatives, which are derived from the general accounting
       records of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries, which appear or
       are incorporated by reference in the Final Prospectus as amended
       or supplemented or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules
       to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives,
       and have compared certain of such specified amounts, percentages
       and financial information with the accounting records of the
       Guarantor and its subsidiaries and have found them to be in
       agreement.


                                      II-5
   52

                                                                    ANNEX III TO
                                                                    UNDERWRITING
                                                                       AGREEMENT




PRINCIPAL JURISDICTION SUBSIDIARIES OF INCORPORATION ---------------------------------- ---------------- Allstate Insurance Company ....... Illinois Allstate Life Insurance Company .. Illinois
III-1
   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3

                           [FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE]

================================================================================





                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

                                       TO

                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                    Trustee



                              ___________________


                                   INDENTURE

                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

                          Dated as of _______ __, ____


                              ___________________





================================================================================

   2

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                             _____________________

PAGE ---- PARTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 RECITALS OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION SECTION 101. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Company Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Corporate Trust Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Defaulted Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Depositary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Exchange Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Expiration Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Global Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Interest Payment Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Investment Company Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Notice of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Officers' Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Opinion of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Original Issue Discount Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. 3 Place of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Predecessor Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Redemption Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Regular Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Responsible Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Securities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Security Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Special Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Stated Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 U.S. Government Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 110. Separability Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 112. Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 113. Legal Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 114. Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS SECTION 201. Forms Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 302. Denominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 304. Temporary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. ii 4 SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 309. Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 310. Computation of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES SECTION 501. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 512. Control by Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 605. May Hold Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. iii 5 SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 704. Reports by Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 802. Successor Substituted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SECTION 1005. Existence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. iv 6 SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens on Stock of Allstate Insurance Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 1009. Limitations on Disposition of Stock of Allstate Insurance Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 SECTION 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 SECTION 1306. Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. v 7 ......................................................... CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING TO SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318, INCLUSIVE, OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION SECTION 310(A)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 (A)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 (A)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (A)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608 610 SECTION 311(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 SECTION 312(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701 702 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 SECTION 313(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 SECTION 314(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704 (A)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 1004 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (C)(L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 (C)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 (C)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 SECTION 315(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 (E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514 SECTION 316(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 (A)(L)(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502 512 (A)(L)(B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513 (A)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 SECTION 317(A)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503 (A)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1003 SECTION 318(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
________________ NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. 8 INDENTURE, dated as of ____ __, ____, between The Allstate Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a trust company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee"). RECITALS OF THE COMPANY The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the "Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided. All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done. NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH: For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows: ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION SECTION 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular; (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein; (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting princi- 9 ples" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation; (4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and (5) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104. "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "AIC" means Allstate Insurance Company, an insurance company duly organized and existing under the insurance laws of the State of Illinois, or any Person successor thereto. "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series. "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board. "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois or any Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time. 2 10 "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Person. "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered. "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust. "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1303. "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307. "Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1302. "Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 301. "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501. "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time. "Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104. "Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 202 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities). "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register. "Indebtedness" of any person means the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due on indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (a) indebtedness for money borrowed, and (b) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of this definition, "indebtedness for money borrowed" means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such Person for 3 11 the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of properly, assets or businesses (provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any other business or property or assets shall not be considered Indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created), and (iii) any obligations of such Person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such Person is a party. "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term "Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301. "interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity. "Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security. "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time. "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise. "Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 501(4) or 501(5). "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company. "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for (and an employee of) the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. 4 12 "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502. "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except: (1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; (3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1302; and (4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities beneficially owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, 5 13 consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301. "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security. "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture. "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture. "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301. "Responsible Officer" of the Trustee means an officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time. "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 305. 6 14 "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307. "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any instalment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such instalment of principal or interest is due and payable. "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries and which is engaged primarily in the insurance business. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended. "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. "U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1304. "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words (including the word "Assistant") added before or after the title "vice president". SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture. 7 15 Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include, (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with. SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents. Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers, or other management employee of the Company or any Subsidiary stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or such Subsidiary, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument. 8 16 SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive and may be relied upon by the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient. The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security. The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record 9 17 date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106. The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106. With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date. 10 18 Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: ____ The Allstate Corporation Indenture, or (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company. SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the written approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. 11 19 SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be. SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. SECTION 110. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture. SECTION 112. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. SECTION 113. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of 12 20 this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity. SECTION 114. Computations. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of any computation made under the provisions of this Indenture. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee upon its request a copy of any such certificate or opinion. ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS SECTION 201. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be in such form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate provisions as are required or permitted by this indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form: 13 21 THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture ........................................... As Trustee By........................................... Authorized Signatory ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, (1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series); (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities 14 22 authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); (3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the series is payable; (5) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable; (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable; (10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; (11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 101; 15 23 (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined); (13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502; (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined); (15) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 or both such Sections and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced; (16) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 202 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 305 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof; (17) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502; (18) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten which applies to Securities of the series; and 16 24 (19) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(5), but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture with respect to such series, provided that no such term may modify or delete any provision hereof if imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, and provided, further that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee hereunder shall have been consented to in writing by the Trustee). If any of the foregoing terms are not available at the time such Board Resolution is adopted, or such Officers' Certificate or any supplemental indenture is executed, such resolutions, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture may reference the document or documents to be created in which such terms will be set forth prior to the issuance of such Securities. All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers' Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series. SECTION 302. Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities. 17 25 At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating, (1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and (3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles and any other customary exceptions reasonably requested by such counsel. If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only 18 26 evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. SECTION 304. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchange- able for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor. SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. 19 27 At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer. If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed by the Company in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part. The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities: (1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such 20 28 Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 301. (3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct. (4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306, 906 or 1107 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof. SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. 21 29 Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities. SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below: (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be 22 30 paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2). (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security. SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. SECTION 309. Cancellation. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order. 23 31 SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when (1) either (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, or (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds: (A) money in an amount; (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount; or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants 24 32 expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee; to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive. SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee. ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES SECTION 501. Events of Default. "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body): 25 33 (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or (2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or (5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or AIC in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or AIC a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or AIC under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or AIC or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (6) the commencement by the Company or AIC of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or AIC in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or AIC or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts 26 34 generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or AIC in furtherance of any such action; or (7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series. SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series, (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; 27 35 and (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy. SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the 28 36 Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607. No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement. adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar committee. SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607; SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and 29 37 THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company, its successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series; (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders. SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. 30 38 SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted. SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy. SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be. SECTION 512. Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. 31 39 SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series, or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company. SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted. 32 40 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section. SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults. If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series. SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 601: (1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution; (3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting 33 41 any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate; (4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; (5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; (6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and (7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder. SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. SECTION 605. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise 34 42 deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent. SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as agreed with the Company herein or otherwise. SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents or attorneys), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of it or of its agents or attorneys; and (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part or on the part of its agents or attorneys, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent 35 43 and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series. SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, and such Trustee may be Trustee for one or more other series of Securities hereunder. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611. The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If at any time: (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or 36 44 (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees. If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. 37 45 SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be. 38 46 No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article. SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor). SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining 39 47 authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section. Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section. The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607. If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form: 40 48 This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. ................................................, As Trustee By............................................, As Authenticating Agent By............................................ Authorized Signatory 41 49 ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (l) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, and (2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, that no such list need be provided in any case to the extent it would include names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. 42 50 A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange. SECTION 704. Reports by Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission. ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. (a) Subject to Section 801(c), the Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company, unless: (1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer 43 51 or lease and, if a supplemented indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with. (b) Subject to Section 801(c), any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any such transaction shall be treated as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction. (c) The provisions of Section 801(a) and (b) shall not be applicable to the direct or indirect transfer of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any Subsidiary to another Subsidiary. SECTION 802. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes: (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely 44 52 for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or (3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or (4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or (5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding; or (6) to secure the Securities; or (7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or (8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or (9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or (10) to conform any provision hereof to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized 45 53 by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supple-mental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1010, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1010, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8). A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof. SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by 46 54 this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and each other Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where 47 55 Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series. 48 56 The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money. Any money or U.S. Government Obligation deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company at its option on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. SECTION 1005. Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders. 49 57 SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all buildings and equipment owned by it to be maintained and kept in such condition, repair and working order as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary in the interest of its business and that of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from selling, abandoning or otherwise disposing of, or discontinuing the operation or maintenance of, any of such properties if such action is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary. SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or governmental charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings. SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens on Stock of Allstate Insurance Company. The Company will not, and it will not permit any Subsidiary of the Company to, at any time directly or indirectly create, assume, incur or permit to exist any Indebtedness secured by a pledge, lien or other encumbrance (any pledge, lien or other encumbrance being hereinafter in this Section referred to as a "lien") on the capital stock of AIC without making effective provision whereby the Securities then Outstanding (and, if the Company so elects, any other Indebtedness of the Company that is not subordinate to the Securities and with respect to which the governing instruments require, or pursuant to which the Company is otherwise obligated or required, to provide such security) shall be equally and ratably secured with such secured Indebtedness so long as such other Indebtedness shall be secured. For purposes of this Section 1008 only, "Indebtedness", in addition to those items specified in Section 101 hereof, shall include any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, any Person for the payment of amounts due under a swap agreement or other similar instrument or agreement or foreign currency hedge exchange or similar instrument or agreement. If the Company shall hereafter be required to secure the Securities equally and ratably with any other Indebtedness pursuant to this Section, (i) the Company will promptly deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that the foregoing covenant has been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel the foregoing covenant has been complied with and that any instruments executed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in the performance of the foregoing covenant comply with the requirements of the foregoing covenant and (ii) the Trustee is 50 58 hereby authorized to enter into an indenture or agreement supplemental hereto and to take such action, if any, as it may deem advisable to enable it to enforce the rights of the holders of the Securities so secured. SECTION 1009. Limitations on Disposition of Stock of Allstate Insurance Company. Except in a transaction governed by Article Eight hereof, so long as Securities of any series are Outstanding, the Company will not issue, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of, securities convertible into or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, capital stock (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) of AIC, nor will it permit AIC to issue (other than to the Company) any shares (other than directors' qualifying shares) of, or securities convertible into, or warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of, capital stock of (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind) AIC if, after giving effect to any such transaction and the issuances of the maximum number of shares issuable upon the conversion or exercise of all such convertible securities, warrants, rights or options, the Company would own, directly or indirectly, less than 80% of the shares of AIC (other than preferred stock having no voting rights of any kind); provided, however, that (i) any issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition permitted by the foregoing may only be made for at least a fair market value consideration, as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a Board Resolution adopted in good faith, and (ii) the foregoing shall not prohibit any such issuance or disposition of securities if required by any law or any regulation or order of any governmental or insurance regulatory authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (iii) the Company may merge or consolidate AIC into or with another direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company and (iv) the Company may, subject to the provisions of Article Eight, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the entire capital stock of AIC at one time for at least a fair market value consideration, as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to a Board Resolution adopted in good faith. SECTION 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(18), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series or in any of Sections 1006 to 1009, inclusive, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect. 51 59 ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article. SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction. SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence. 52 60 The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall state: (1) the Redemption Date, (2) the Redemption Price, (3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed, (4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date, (5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and (6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case. Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable. 53 61 SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date. SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security. SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. 54 62 ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities. SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be 55 63 given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107. ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 or Section 1303 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 301 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 1302 or 1303, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities. 56 64 SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 801(3), Sections 1006 through 1009, inclusive, and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(18), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4) (with respect to any of Section 801(3), Sections 1006 through 1009, inclusive, and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(18), 901(2) or 901(7)) and 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or Section 1303 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be: (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, "U.S. Government Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option 57 65 of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt. (2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur. (4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate to the effect that it has been informed by the relevant securities exchange(s) that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit. (5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day). (6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any indenture or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound. 58 66 (7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder. (8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities. Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities. SECTION 1306. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; 59 67 provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust. This instrument may he executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written. THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION By: ------------------------------- Name: Title: Attest: - ------------------------------------------- Name: Title: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee By ----------------------------- Name: Title: Attest: - ------------------------------------------- Name: Title: 60 68 STATE OF ) ) ss.: COUNTY OF ) On the ___ day of ________, ____, before me personally came __________________ to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is __________________________ of STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts Trust Company described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said association; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said trust company; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority. ______________________ STATE OF ) ) ss.: COUNTY OF ) On the ___ day of ________, ____, before me personally came __________________ to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is __________________________ of THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION, one of the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority. ______________________ 61
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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4


                        [FORM OF SUBORDINATED INDENTURE]

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                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

                                       TO

                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                    Trustee



                              ___________________


                                   Indenture

                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

                      Dated as of _____________ ___, _____


                              ___________________





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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Page ---- PARTIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 RECITALS OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION SECTION 101. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Allstate Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Common Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Common Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Company Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Corporate Trust Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Declaration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Defaulted Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Depositary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Exchange Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Expiration Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Global Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Interest Payment Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Investment Company Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Notice of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Officers' Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Opinion of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. 3 Original Issue Discount Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Place of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Predecessor Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Preferred Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Preferred Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Property Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Redemption Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Regular Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Responsible Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Securities Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Security Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Special Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Stated Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Trust Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 U.S. Government Obligation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 110. Separability Clause . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 112. Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 113. Legal Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 114. Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 115. Acknowledgement of Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS SECTION 201. Forms Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. ii 4 ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SECTION 302. Denominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 304. Temporary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 309. Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 310. Computation of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES SECTION 501. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 512. Control by Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. iii 5 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 605. May Hold Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 704. Reports by Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 802. Successor Substituted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. iv 6 ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 SECTION 1005. Existence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1008. Limitation on Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 SECTION 1009. Covenants as to Allstate Trusts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 SECTION 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities . . . . . . . . . . 57 SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . 58 SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 SECTION 1306. Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
___________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. v 7 ARTICLE FOURTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES SECTION 1401. Agreement to Subordinate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 SECTION 1402. Default on Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 SECTION 1403. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 SECTION 1404. Subrogation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 SECTION 1405. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 SECTION 1406. Notice by the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 SECTION 1407. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . 66 SECTION 1408. Subordination May Not Be Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
________________ NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. vi 8 ................................................................................ CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THIS INDENTURE RELATING TO SECTIONS 310 THROUGH 318, INCLUSIVE, OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939:
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION INDENTURE SECTION SECTION 310(A)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 (A)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 (A)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (A)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608 610 SECTION 311(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 SECTION 312(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 701 702 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 SECTION 313(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 703 SECTION 314(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 704 (A)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 1004 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (C)(L) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 (C)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 (C)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 SECTION 315(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 (D) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 (E) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514 SECTION 316(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 (A)(L)(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 502 512 (A)(L)(B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 513 (A)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOT APPLICABLE (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508 (C) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 SECTION 317(A)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503 (A)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504 (B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1003 SECTION 318(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
________________ NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. 9 INDENTURE, dated as of _________ ___, _____, between The Allstate Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a trust company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee"). RECITALS OF THE COMPANY The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the "Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, including, without limitation, Securities to be issued and sold from time to time to one or more Allstate Trusts (as defined herein). All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done. NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH: For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows: ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION SECTION 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular; (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein; (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted accounting princi 10 ples" with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation; (4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture; and (5) the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. "Act", when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104. "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "AIC" means Allstate Insurance Company, an insurance company duly organized and existing under the insurance laws of the State of Illinois, or any Person successor thereto. "Allstate Trusts" means, collectively, Allstate Financing I, Allstate Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV, each a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, or any other similar trust created for the purpose of issuing preferred securities in connection with the issuance of Securities under this Indenture. "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series. "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of that board. "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois or any Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close. 2 11 "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time. "Common Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of an Allstate Trust which rank pari passu with Preferred Securities issued by such Allstate Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights of holders of Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of Preferred Securities. "Common Securities Guarantee" means any guarantee that the Company may enter into with any Person or Persons that operate directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Common Securities of such Allstate Trust. "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean such successor Person. "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee. "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered. "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust. "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1303. "Declaration," with respect to an Allstate Trust, means the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of such Allstate Trust. "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307. "Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1302. "Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 301. "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501. 3 12 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time. "Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104. "Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 202 (or such legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities). "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register. "Indebtedness" of any person means the principal of and premium, if any, and interest due on indebtedness of such Person, whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, which is (a) indebtedness for money borrowed, and (b) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. For the purposes of this definition, "indebtedness for money borrowed" means (i) any obligation of, or any obligation guaranteed by, such Person for the repayment of borrowed money, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other written instruments, (ii) any obligation of, or any such obligation guaranteed by, such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar written instruments, including obligations assumed or incurred in connection with the acquisition of properly, assets or businesses (provided, however, that the deferred purchase price of any other business or property or assets shall not be considered Indebtedness if the purchase price thereof is payable in full within 90 days from the date on which such indebtedness was created), and (iii) any obligations of such Person as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and leases of property or assets made as part of any sale and lease-back transaction to which such Person is a party. "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term "Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301. "interest", when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity. "Interest Payment Date", when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security. "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time. 4 13 "Maturity", when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise. "Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 501(4) or 501(5). "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 1004 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company. "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for (and an employee of) the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502. "Outstanding", when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except: (1) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; (3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1302; and (4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; 5 14 provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B) above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities beneficially owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company. "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 301. "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security. "Preferred Securities" means undivided beneficial interests in the assets of an Allstate Trust which rank pari passu with Common Securities issued by such Allstate Trust; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights of holders 6 15 of Common Securities to payment in respect of distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights of holders of Preferred Securities. "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means any guarantee that the Company may enter into with State Street Bank and Trust Company or other Persons that operate directly or indirectly for the benefit of holders of Preferred Securities of an Allstate Trust. "Property Trustee" has the meaning set forth in the Declaration of the applicable Allstate Trust. "Redemption Date", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture. "Redemption Price", when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture. "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301. "Responsible Officer" of the Trustee means an officer in the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time. "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings specified in Section 305. "Senior Indebtedness" means with respect to the Company, (i) the principal or any premium and interest in respect of (A) indebtedness of the Company, for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures (other than the Securities), bonds or other similar instruments issued by the Company; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of the Company for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; (v) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; (vi) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company), except for (1) any such 7 16 indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or pari passu with the Subordinated Debt Securities and (2) any indebtedness between or among the Company or its affiliates, including all other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, issued to (a) any other Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust and (b) any other trust, or a trustee of such trust, partnership or other entity affiliated with the Company that is a financing vehicle of the Company (a "financing entity") in connection with the issuance by such financing entity of preferred securities unless otherwise expressly provided in the terms of such debt securities; and (vii) renewals, extensions or refundings of any of the indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above unless, in the case of any particular indebtedness, renewal, extension or refunding, under the express provisions of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, such indebtedness or such renewal, extension or refunding thereof is not superior in right of payment to the Securities. "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307. "Stated Maturity", when used with respect to any Security or any instalment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such instalment of principal or interest is due and payable. "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries and which is engaged primarily in the insurance business. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended. "Trust Securities" means, collectively, Common Securities and Preferred Securities of an Allstate Trust. "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series. "U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1304. 8 17 "Vice President", when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words (including the word "Assistant") added before or after the title "vice president". SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture. Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include, (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto; (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with. SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents. Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his 9 18 certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers, or other management employee of the Company or any Subsidiary stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or such Subsidiary, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous. Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument. SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive and may be relied upon by the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient. The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security. 10 19 The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106. The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be cancelled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106. 11 20 With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date. Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with, (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: _______ The Allstate Corporation Indenture, or (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company. SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice 12 21 with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the written approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder. SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be. SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. SECTION 110. Separability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture. 13 22 SECTION 112. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. SECTION 113. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity. SECTION 114. Computations. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants of recognized standing selected by the Board of Directors shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of any computation made under the provisions of this Indenture. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee upon its request a copy of any such certificate or opinion. SECTION 115. Acknowledgement of Rights. The Company acknowledges that, with respect to any Securities held by an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust, if the Property Trustee of such Trust fails to enforce its rights under this Indenture as the Holder of the series of Securities held as the assets of such Allstate Trust, any holder of Preferred Securities may institute legal proceedings directly against the Company to enforce such Property Trustee's rights under this Indenture without first instituting any legal proceedings against such Property Trustee or any other person or entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Company to pay interest or principal on the applicable series of Securities on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), the Company acknowledges that a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such holder of the principal of or interest on the applicable series of Securities having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such holder on or after the respective due date specified in the applicable series of Securities. 14 23 ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS SECTION 201. Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be in such form as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate provisions as are required or permitted by this indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. SECTION 202. Form of Legend for Global Securities. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form: THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. SECTION 203. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture 15 24 ........................................... As Trustee By........................................ Authorized Signatory ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, (1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series); (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); (3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the series is payable; (5) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates 16 25 on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable; (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable; (10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; (11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of "Outstanding" in Section 101; (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined); (13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502; (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated 17 26 Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined); (15) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 or both such Sections and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced; (16) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 202 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 305 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof; (17) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502; (18) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten which applies to Securities of the series; and (19) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(5), but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture with respect to such series, provided that no such term may modify or delete any provision hereof if imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, and provided, further that any modification or deletion of the rights, duties or immunities of the Trustee hereunder shall have been consented to in writing by the Trustee). If any of the foregoing terms are not available at the time such Board Resolution is adopted, or such Officers' Certificate or any supplemental indenture is executed, such resolutions, Officers' Certificate or supplemental indenture may reference the document or documents to be created in which such terms will be set forth prior to the issuance of such Securities. All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolu- 18 27 tion referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers' Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series. SECTION 302. Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating, (1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; 19 28 (2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and (3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles and any other customary exceptions reasonably requested by such counsel. If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. SECTION 304. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, 20 29 substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor. SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange. Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied 21 30 by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer. If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed by the Company in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 Business Days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part. The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities: (1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by Section 301. (3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct. (4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306, 906 or 1107 or otherwise, shall be 22 31 authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof. SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities. SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name 23 32 that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest. Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below: (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2). (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security. 24 33 SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. SECTION 309. Cancellation. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order. SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when 25 34 (1) either (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, or (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds: (A) money in an amount; (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount; or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee; to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive. 26 35 SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee. ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES SECTION 501. Events of Default. "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body): (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or (2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series; or (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or 27 36 (5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or AIC in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company or AIC a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or AIC under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or AIC or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (6) the commencement by the Company or AIC of a voluntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or AIC in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or AIC or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company or AIC in furtherance of any such action; or (7) in the event Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Allstate Trust, such Allstate Trust shall have voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved, wound up its business or otherwise terminated its existence, except in connection with (i) the distribution of Securities to holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of their interests in such Allstate Trust, (ii) the redemption of all of the outstanding Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust or (iii) certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such Allstate Trust; or (8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series. SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal 28 37 amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable. At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series, (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon. 29 38 SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and (to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable and, if the Securities are held by an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust, without duplication of any other amounts paid by an Allstate Trust or trustee in respect thereof) interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy. SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607. 30 39 No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement. adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or other similar committee. SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607; SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company, its successors or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct. SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits. 31 40 No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series; (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series; it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders. SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder. SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and 32 41 in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted. SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy. SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be. SECTION 512. Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture, and (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series 33 42 waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default (1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series, or (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected[; provided, however, that if the Securities of such series are held by an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust, such waiver or modification to such waiver shall not be effective until the holders of a majority in liquidation preference of Trust Securities of the applicable Allstate Trust shall have consented to such waiver or modification to such waiver; provided, further, that if the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security is required, such waiver shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the applicable Allstate Trust shall have consented to such waiver]. Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company. SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted. 34 43 ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section. SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults. If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series. SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 601: (1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution; (3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting 35 44 any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate; (4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon; (5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction; (6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney; and (7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder. SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof. SECTION 605. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise 36 45 deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent. SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as agreed with the Company herein or otherwise. SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust); (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents or attorneys), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of it or of its agents or attorneys; and (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part or on the part of its agents or attorneys, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests. If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series. 37 46 SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, and such Trustee may be Trustee for one or more other series of Securities hereunder. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611. The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If at any time: (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder, or (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, 38 47 then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees. If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securi- ties of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office. SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, 39 48 upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be. No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article. SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion 40 49 or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor). SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section. 41 50 Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section. The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 607. If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. ................................................, As Trustee By............................................, As Authenticating Agent By............................................ 42 51 Authorized Signatory 43 52 ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (l) semi-annually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, and (2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, that no such list need be provided in any case to the extent it would include names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. 44 53 A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange. SECTION 704. Reports by Company. The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission. ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms. (a) Subject to Section 801(c), the Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Company shall not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company, unless: (1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer 45 54 or lease and, if a supplemented indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with. (b) Subject to Section 801(c), any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of any such transaction shall be treated as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction. (c) The provisions of Section 801(a) and (b) shall not be applicable to the direct or indirect transfer of all or any portion of the stock, assets or liabilities of any Subsidiary to another Subsidiary. SECTION 802. Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities. ARTICLE NINE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes: (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely 46 55 for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or (3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or (4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or (5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding; or (6) to secure the Securities; or (7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or (8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or (9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or (10) to conform any provision hereof to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized 47 56 by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supple-mental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any instalment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or change the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date), or (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1010, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1010, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8); provided, further, that if the Securities of such series are held by an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until the holders of not less than a majority in liquidation preference of Trust Securities of the applicable Allstate Trust shall have consented to such supplemental indenture; provided, further, that if the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Security is required, such supplemental indenture shall not be effective until each holder of the Trust Securities of the applicable Allstate Trust shall have consented to such supplemental indenture. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. 48 57 It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof. SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby. SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in ex- change for Outstanding Securities of such series. 49 58 ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture. SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York and each other Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescis- sion and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. 50 59 Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series. The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money. Any money or U.S. Government Obligation deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company at its option on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers' Certificate, stating 51 60 whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge. SECTION 1005. Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders. SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all buildings and equipment owned by it to be maintained and kept in such condition, repair and working order as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary in the interest of its business and that of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from selling, abandoning or otherwise disposing of, or discontinuing the operation or maintenance of, any of such properties if such action is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary. SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or governmental charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings. SECTION 1008. Limitation on Dividends. If Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities by such Allstate Trust and (i) there shall have occurred any event that would constitute an Event of Default, (ii) the Company shall be in default with respect to its payment of any obligations under the related Preferred Securities Guarantee or Common Securities Guarantee, or (iii) the Company shall have given notice 52 61 of its election to defer payments of interest on such Securities by extending the interest payment period as provided in this Indenture and such period, or any extension thereof, shall be continuing, then (a) the Company shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's capital stock or (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Company or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payment with respect to the foregoing, and (b) the Company shall not make any payments of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which rank pari passu with or junior to such Securities. SECTION 1009. Covenants as to Allstate Trusts. In the event Securities are issued to an Allstate Trust or a trustee of such trust in connection with the issuance of Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust, for so long as such Trust Securities remain outstanding, the Company will covenant (i) to directly or indirectly maintain 100% ownership of the Common Securities of such Allstate Trust; provided, however, that any permitted successor of the Company under this Indenture may succeed to the Company's ownership of such Common Securities, (ii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause such Allstate Trust (a) to remain a statutory business trust, except in connection with the distribution of Securities to the holders of Trust Securities in liquidation of such Allstate Trust, the redemption of all of the Trust Securities of such Allstate Trust, or certain mergers, consolidations or amalgamations, each as permitted by the Declaration of such Allstate Trust, and (b) to continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes and (iii) to use its reasonable efforts to cause each holder of Trust Securities to be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the Securities. SECTION 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(18), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series or in any of Sections 1006 to 1009, inclusive, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, 53 62 the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect. ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with this Article. SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction. SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such 54 63 series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed. SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register. All notices of redemption shall state: (1) the Redemption Date, (2) the Redemption Price, (3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed, (4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date, (5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and (6) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case. 55 64 Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable. SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date. SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, regis- tered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security. SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. 56 65 ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". If provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by the terms of such Securities. SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be 57 66 given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107. ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 or Section 1303 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, designated pursuant to Section 301 as being defeasible pursuant to such Section 1302 or 1303, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities. SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securi- ties when payments are due, (2) the Company's obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities. 58 67 SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 801(3), Sections 1006 through 1009, inclusive, and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(18), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4) (with respect to any of Section 801(3), Sections 1006 through 1009, inclusive, and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(18), 901(2) or 901(7)) and 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remain- der of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or Section 1303 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be: (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, "U.S. Government Obligation" means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option 59 68 of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt. (2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur. (4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate to the effect that it has been informed by the relevant securities exchange(s) that neither such Securities nor any other Securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit. (5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day). (6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any indenture or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound. 60 69 (7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such Act or exempt from registration thereunder. (8) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities. Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities. SECTION 1306. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, 61 70 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust. ARTICLE FOURTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES SECTION 1401. Agreement to Subordinate. The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities issued hereunder and under any supplemental indenture or by any resolutions by the Board of Directors ("Additional Provisions") by such Holder's acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Fourteen; and each holder of a Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such provisions. The payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all Securities issued hereunder and under any Additional Provisions shall, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred. No provision of this Article Fourteen shall prevent the occurrence of any default or Event of Default hereunder. SECTION 1402. Default on Senior Indebtedness. In the event and during the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal, premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including redemption and sinking fund payments) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee when such payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 1402, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness 62 71 may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee in writing within 90 days of such payment of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of Senior Indebtedness. SECTION 1403. Liquidation; Dissolution; Bankruptcy. Upon any payment by the Company or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article Fourteen, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or by the Trustee under the Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any payment or distribution is made to the Holders or to the Trustee. In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the Trustee before all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, or provision is made for such payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, and their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. 63 72 For purposes of this Article Fourteen, the words "cash, property or securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article Fourteen with respect to the Securities to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, that may at the time be outstanding, provided that (i) such Senior Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the terms and conditions provided for in Article Eight of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 1403 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated in Article Eight of this Indenture. Nothing in Section 1402 or in this Section 1403 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 606 of this Indenture. SECTION 1404. Subrogation. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the rights of the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Fourteen, and no payment over pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fourteen to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness by Holders or the Trustee, shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the Holders of the Securities, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Fourteen are and are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Indebtedness on the other hand. Nothing contained in this Article Fourteen or elsewhere in this Indenture, any Additional Provisions or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders of the Securities the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and creditors of the Company, as the case may be, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the 64 73 Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Fourteen of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company, as the case may be, received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article Fourteen, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Six of this Indenture, and the Holders shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders, for the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Fourteen. SECTION 1405. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder by such Holder's acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on such Holder's behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Fourteen and appoints the Trustee such Holder's attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. SECTION 1406. Notice by the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fourteen. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article Fourteen or any other provision of this Indenture or any Additional Provisions, the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fourteen, unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or a holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Six of this Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects to assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 1506 at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply the same to 65 74 the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business Days prior to such date. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Article Six of this Indenture, shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be (or a trustee on behalf of such holder), to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or holders. In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Fourteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Fourteen, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. SECTION 1407. Rights of the Trustee; Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Fourteen in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and nothing in this Indenture or any Additional Provisions shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Fourteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture or any Additional Provisions against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Article Six of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or deliver to Holders, the Company or any other Person money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Fourteen or otherwise. Nothing in this Article Fourteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607. SECTION 1408. Subordination May Not Be Impaired. No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company, as the case may be, or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the 66 75 Company, as the case may be, with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Fourteen or the obligations hereunder of the holders of the Securities to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company, as the case may be, and any other Person. 67 76 This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original. But all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written. THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION By: ------------------------------------ Name: Title: Attest: - ---------------------------- Name: Title: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee By: ----------------------------------- Name: Title: Attest: - ---------------------------- Name: Title: 68 77 STATE OF ) ) ss.: COUNTY OF ) On the ___ day of ________, ____, before me personally came __________________ to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is __________________________ of STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said trust company; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said trust company; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority. _____________________________ STATE OF ) ) ss.: COUNTY OF ) On the ___ day of ________, ____, before me personally came __________________ to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is __________________________ of THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION, one of the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority. _____________________________ 69
   1





                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.4A





                        [FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]





                      ====================================


                         [FIRST] SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                            Dated as of           ,
                                       ------- ---  -----
                                    between

                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

                                      and

                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

                       as Trustee under the Indenture for
                         Subordinated Debt Securities,

                            Dated as of            ,
                                        ------- ---  -----

                     =====================================
   2

                              TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                          Page
                                                                          ----
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1.     Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2

                                   ARTICLE II
                 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBENTURES

         SECTION 2.1.     Designation and Principal Amount  . . . . . . .   3

         SECTION 2.2.     Maturity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3

         SECTION 2.3.     Form and Payment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3

         SECTION 2.4.     Global Debenture  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4

         SECTION 2.5.     Interest  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   5


                                  ARTICLE III
                          REDEMPTION OF THE DEBENTURES

         SECTION 3.1.     Special Event Redemption  . . . . . . . . . . .   6

         SECTION 3.2.     Optional Redemption by Company  . . . . . . . .   7

         SECTION 3.3.     No Sinking Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8


                                   ARTICLE IV
                      EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

         SECTION 4.1.     Extension of Interest Payment Period  . . . . .   8

         SECTION 4.2.     Notice of Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9

         SECTION 4.3.     Limitation on Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . .   9


                                   ARTICLE V
                                    EXPENSES

         SECTION 5.1.     Payment of Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

         SECTION 5.2.     Payment Upon Resignation or Removal . . . . . .  11


                                   ARTICLE VI
                          COVENANT TO LIST ON EXCHANGE

         SECTION 6.1.     Listing on an Exchange  . . . . . . . . . . . .  11


                                  ARTICLE VII
                               FORM OF DEBENTURE

         SECTION 7.1.     Form of Debenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                          ORIGINAL ISSUE OF DEBENTURES

         SECTION 8.1.     Original Issue of Debentures  . . . . . . . . .  19






                                       i
   3

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 9.1.     Ratification of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . .  19

         SECTION 9.2.     Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals  . . . . .  19 

         SECTION 9.3.     Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

         SECTION 9.4.     Separability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19

         SECTION 9.5.     Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20






                                       ii
   4

                 [FIRST] SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of ______ __,___ (the
"First Supplemental Indenture"), between The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as
trustee (the "Trustee") under the Indenture, dated as of ______ __,___, between
the Company and the Trustee (the "Indenture").

                 WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Indenture to
the Trustee to provide for the future issuance of the Company's unsecured
subordinated debt securities to be issued from time to time in one or more
series as might be determined by the Company under the Indenture, in an
unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered
as provided in the Indenture;

                 WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company
desires to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Securities to
be known as its ___% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due ____ (the
"Debentures"), the form and substance of such Debentures and the terms,
provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Indenture
and this First Supplemental Indenture;

                 WHEREAS, [Allstate Financing I], a Delaware statutory business
trust (the "Trust"), has offered to the public $_____ million aggregate
liquidation amount of its ___% ____________ Preferred Securities (the
"Preferred Securities"), representing undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Trust and proposes to invest the proceeds from such offering,
together with the proceeds of the issuance and sale by the Trust to [the
Company] of $_____ million aggregate liquidation amount of its ___%
_____________ Common Securities, in $____ million aggregate principal amount of
the Debentures; and

                 WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee execute
and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture and all requirements necessary to
make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument in accordance with
its terms, and to make the Debentures, when executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the
Company, have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this First
Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects:

                 NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase and acceptance
of the Debentures by the Holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting forth,
as provided in the Indenture, the form and substance of the Debentures and the
terms, provisions and conditions thereof, the Company covenants and agrees with
the Trustee as follows:

   5

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1.     Definition of Terms.

                 Unless the context otherwise requires:

                 (a)      a term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning
when used in this First Supplemental Indenture;

                 (b)      a term defined anywhere in this First Supplemental
Indenture has the same meaning throughout;

                 (c)      the singular includes the plural and vice versa;

                 (d)      a reference to a Section or Article is to a Section
or Article of this First Supplemental Indenture;

                 (e)      headings are for convenience of reference only and do
not affect interpretation;

                 (f)      the following terms have the meanings given to them
in the Declaration:  (i) Business Day; (ii) Clearing Agency; (iii) Delaware
Trustee; (iv) Depositary; (v) Dissolution Tax Opinion; (vi) No Recognition
Opinion; (vii) Preferred Security Certificate; (viii) Pricing Agreement; (ix)
Property Trustee; (x) Regular Trustees; (xi) Tax Event; and (xii) Underwriting
Agreement;

                 (g)      the following terms have the meanings given to them
in this Section 1.1(g):

                 "Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.5.

                 "Compounded Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1.

                 "Declaration" means the Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust of [Allstate Financing I], a Delaware statutory business trust, dated as
of  ______ __,___.

                 "Deferred Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1.

                 "Dissolution Event" means that, as a result of the occurrence
and continuation of a Tax Event, the Trust is to be dissolved in accordance
with the Declaration, and the Debentures held by the Property Trustee are to be
distributed to the holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust pro rata
in accordance with the Declaration.





                                       2
   6

                 "Extended Interest Payment Period" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 4.1.

                 "Global Debenture" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.4.

                 "Maturity Date" means the date on which the Debentures mature
and on which the principal shall be due and payable together with all accrued
and unpaid interest thereon including Compounded Interest and Additional
Interest, if any.

                 "Non Book-Entry Preferred Securities" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.4.

                 "Optional Redemption Price" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.2.


                                   ARTICLE II
                 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBENTURES

SECTION 2.1.     Designation and Principal Amount.

                 There is hereby authorized a series of Securities designated
the "___% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due ___", limited in
aggregate principal amount to $________, which amount shall be as set forth in
any written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of
Debentures pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Indenture.

SECTION 2.2.     Maturity.

                 The Maturity Date is  ______ __,___.

SECTION 2.3.     Form and Payment.

                 Except as provided in Section 2.4, the Debentures shall be
issued in fully registered certificated form without interest coupons.
Principal and interest on the Debentures issued in certificated form will be
payable, the transfer of such Debentures will be registrable and such
Debentures will be exchangeable for Debentures bearing identical terms and
provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee; provided, however, that
payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to
the Holder at such address as shall appear in the Security Register.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Holder of any Debentures is the
Property Trustee, the payment of the principal of and interest (including
Compounded Interest and Additional Interest, if any) on such Debentures held by
the Property Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Property Trustee.





                                       3
   7

SECTION 2.4.     Global Debenture.

                 (a)  In connection with a Dissolution Event,

                          (i)     the Debentures in certificated form may be
         presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee in exchange for a
         global Debenture in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
         aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debentures (a "Global
         Debenture"), to be registered in the name of the Depositary, or its
         nominee, and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary for crediting
         to the accounts of its participants pursuant to the instructions of
         the Regular Trustees.  The Company upon any such presentation shall
         execute a Global Debenture in such aggregate principal amount and
         deliver the same to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in
         accordance with the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture.
         Payments on the Debentures issued as a Global Debenture will be made
         to the Depositary; and

                          (ii)    if any Preferred Securities are held in non
         book-entry certificated form, the Debentures in certificated form may
         be presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee and any Preferred
         Security Certificate which represents Preferred Securities other than
         Preferred Securities held by the Clearing Agency or its nominee ("Non
         Book-Entry Preferred Securities") will be deemed to represent
         beneficial interests in Debentures presented to the Trustee by the
         Property Trustee having an aggregate principal amount equal to the
         aggregate liquidation amount of the Non Book-Entry Preferred
         Securities until such Preferred Security Certificates are presented to
         the Security Registrar for transfer or reissuance at which time such
         Preferred Security Certificates will be cancelled and a Debenture,
         registered in the name of the holder of the Preferred Security
         Certificate or the transferee of the holder of such Preferred Security
         Certificate, as the case may be, with an aggregate principal amount
         equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Security
         Certificate cancelled, will be executed by the Company and delivered
         to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in accordance with the
         Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture.  On issue of such
         Debentures, Debentures with an equivalent aggregate principal amount
         that were presented by the Property Trustee to the Trustee will be
         deemed to have been cancelled.

                 (b)      A Global Debenture may be transferred, in whole but
not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary, or to a successor
Depositary selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such
successor Depositary.





                                       4
   8

                 (c)      If at any time the Depositary notifies the Company
that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the
Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable
statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice
or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, the Company will
execute, and, subject to Article II of the Indenture, the Trustee, upon written
notice from the Company, will authenticate and make available for delivery the
Debentures in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized
denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of the Global Debenture in exchange for such Global Debenture.  In
addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Debentures shall no
longer be represented by a Global Debenture.  In such event the Company will
execute, and subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture, the Trustee, upon
receipt of an Officers' Certificate evidencing such determination by the
Company, will authenticate and deliver the Debentures in definitive registered
form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Debenture in
exchange for such Global Debenture.  Upon the exchange of the Global Debenture
for such Debentures in definitive registered form without coupons, in
authorized denominations, the Global Debenture shall be cancelled by the
Trustee.  Such Debentures in definitive registered form issued in exchange for
the Global Debenture shall be registered in such names and in such authorized
denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or
indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.  The Trustee
shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in
whose names such Securities are so registered.

SECTION 2.5.     Interest.

                 (a)      Each Debenture will bear interest at the rate of ___%
per annum (the "Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance until the
principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law)
on any overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded
quarterly, payable (subject to the provisions of Article Four) quarterly in
arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year (each,
an "Interest Payment Date," commencing on ____________ __, ____), to the Person
in whose name such Debenture or any predecessor Debenture is registered, at the
close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment,
which, in respect of any Debentures of which the Property Trustee is the Holder
of a Global Debenture, shall be the close of business on the Business Day next
preceding that Interest





                                       5
   9

Payment Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if the Preferred
Securities are no longer in book-entry only form, except if the Debentures are
held by the Property Trustee, the Debentures are not represented by a Global
Debenture, the Company may select a regular record date for such interest
installment which shall be any date at least one Business Day before an
Interest Payment Date.

                 (b)      The amount of interest payable for any period will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  Except as
provided in the following sentence, the amount of interest payable for any
period shorter than a full quarterly period for which interest is computed,
will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in such a
30-day period. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on the
Debentures is not a Business Day, then payment of interest payable on such date
will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without
any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if
such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall
be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same
force and effect as if made on such date.

                 (c)      If, at any time while the Property Trustee is the
Holder of any Debentures, the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay
any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature
(other than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other
taxing authority, then, in any case, the Company will pay as additional
interest ("Additional Interest") on the Debentures held by the Property
Trustee, such additional amounts as shall be required so that the net amounts
received and retained by the Trust and the Property Trustee after paying such
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the
amounts the Trust and the Property Trustee would have received had no such
taxes, duties, assessments or other government charges been imposed.


                                  ARTICLE III
                          REDEMPTION OF THE DEBENTURES

SECTION 3.1.     Special Event Redemption.

                 If a Tax Event has occurred and is continuing and:

                 (a)      the Company has received a Redemption Tax Opinion; or

                 (b)      after receiving a Dissolution Tax Opinion, the
Regular Trustees shall have been informed by tax counsel





                                       6
   10

         rendering the Dissolution Tax Opinion that a No Recognition Opinion
         cannot be delivered to the Trust,

then, notwithstanding Section 3.2(a) but subject to Section 3.2(b), the Company
shall have the right upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice to
the Holders of the Debentures to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part,
for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event (the "90 Day
Period") at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be
redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of such
redemption (the "Redemption Price"); provided that if at the time there is
available to the Company the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day
Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action ("Ministerial Action"),
such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar
reasonable measure which has no adverse effect on the Company, the Trust or the
Holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust, the Company shall pursue
such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption; and provided, further, that the
Company shall have no right to redeem the Debentures while the Trust is
pursuing any Ministerial Action pursuant to its obligations under the
Declaration.  The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York
time, on the date of such redemption or such earlier time as the Company
determines, provided that the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the
date such Redemption Price is to be paid.

SECTION 3.2.     Optional Redemption by Company.

                 (a)      Subject to the provisions of Section 3.2(b) and to
the provisions of Article XIV of the Indenture, except as otherwise may be
specified in this First Supplemental Indenture, the Company shall have the
right to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or
after ______ __,___, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date
of such redemption (the "Optional Redemption Price").  Any redemption pursuant
to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days
notice to the Holder of the Debentures, at the Optional Redemption Price.  If
the Debentures are only partially redeemed pursuant to this Section 3.2, the
Debentures will be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized
by the Trustee; provided, that if at the time of redemption the Debentures are
registered as a Global Debenture, the Depositary shall determine, in accordance
with its procedures, the principal amount of such Debentures held by each
Holder of Debenture to be redeemed.  The Optional Redemption Price shall be
paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date of such redemption or at
such earlier time as the Company determines provided that the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Optional Redemption
Price





                                       7
   11

by 10:00 a.m., New York time, on the date such Optional Redemption Price is to
be paid.

                 (b)      If a partial redemption of the Debentures would
result in the delisting of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust from
any national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed, the Company shall not be permitted to effect such
partial redemption and may only redeem the Debentures in whole.

SECTION 3.3.     No Sinking Fund.

                 The Debentures are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking
fund.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                      EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

SECTION 4.1.     Extension of Interest Payment Period.

                 The Company shall have the right, at any time and from time to
time during the term of the Debentures, to defer payments of interest by
extending the interest payment period of such Debentures for a period not
exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (the "Extended Interest Payment Period"),
during which Extended Interest Payment Period no interest shall be due and
payable; provided that no Extended Interest Payment Period may extend beyond
the Maturity Date.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest, the
payment of which has been deferred because of the extension of the interest
payment period pursuant to this Section 4.1, will bear interest thereon at the
Coupon Rate compounded quarterly for each quarter of the Extended Interest
Payment Period ("Compounded Interest").  At the end of the Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid on the
Debentures, including any Additional Interest and Compounded Interest
(together, "Deferred Interest") that shall be payable to the Holders of the
Debentures in whose names the Debentures are registered in the Security
Register on the first record date after the end of the Extended Interest
Payment Period.  Before the termination of any Extended Interest Payment
Period, the Company may further extend such period; provided, that such period
together with all such further extensions thereof shall not exceed 20
consecutive quarters, or extend beyond the maturity date of the Debentures.
Upon the termination of any Extended Interest Payment Period and upon the
payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the Company may commence a new
Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing requirements.  No
interest shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest Payment Period,
except at the end thereof, but the Company may prepay at any time all or any





                                       8
   12

portion of the interest accrued during an Extended Interest Payment Period.

SECTION 4.2.     Notice of Extension.

                 (a)      If the Property Trustee is the only registered Holder
of the Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment
Period, the Company shall give written notice to the Regular Trustees, the
Property Trustee and the Trustee of its selection of such Extended Interest
Payment Period one Business Day before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding
date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities issued by the Trust are
payable, or (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the record
date, or the date such Distributions are payable, to the New York Stock
Exchange or other applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the
Preferred Securities issued by the Trust, but in any event at least one
Business Day before such record date.

                 (b)      If the Property Trustee is not the only Holder of the
Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest Payment Period,
the Company shall give the Holders of the Debentures and the Trustee written
notice of its selection of such Extended Interest Payment Period at least 10
Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date, or (ii) the date the Company is required to give notice of the record or
payment date of such interest payment to the New York Stock Exchange or other
applicable self-regulatory organization or to Holders of the Debentures.

                 (c)      The quarter in which any notice is given pursuant to
paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 4.2 shall be counted as one of the 20
quarters permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period permitted
under Section 4.1.

Section 4.3.     Limitation on Dividends.

                 If (i) the Company shall exercise its right to defer payment
of interest as provided in Section 4.1 or (ii) there shall have occurred any
Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, then (a) the Company shall not
declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or
redeem, purchase or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its
capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of common
stock in connection with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations
under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the
Company's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of
the Company's capital stock for another class or series of the Company's
capital stock or (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the
Company's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of
such capital stock of





                                       9
   13

the Company or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee
payment with respect to the foregoing, and (b) the Company shall not make any
payments of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or
redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company which
rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures.


                                   ARTICLE V
                                    EXPENSES

SECTION 5.1.     Payment of Expenses.

                 In connection with the offering, sale and issuance of the
Debentures to the Property Trustee and in connection with the sale of the Trust
Securities by the Trust, the Company, in its capacity as borrower with respect
to the Debentures, shall:

                 (a)      pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering,
sale and issuance of the Debentures, including commissions to the underwriters
payable pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and the Pricing Agreement and
compensation and expenses of the Trustee under the Indenture in accordance with
the provisions of Section 607 of the Indenture;

                 (b)      pay all costs and expenses of the Trust (including,
but not limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of the
Trust, the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities (including
commissions to the underwriters in connection therewith), the fees and expenses
of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the costs and expenses
relating to the operation of the Trust, including without limitation, costs and
expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or bookkeeping services,
expenses for printing and engraving and computing or accounting equipment,
paying agent(s), registrar(s), transfer agent(s), duplicating, travel and
telephone and other telecommunications expenses and costs and expenses incurred
in connection with the acquisition, financing, and disposition of Trust
assets);

                 (c)      be primarily and fully liable for any indemnification
obligations arising with respect to the Declaration; and

                 (d)      pay any and all taxes (other than United States
withholding taxes attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities,
costs and expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.





                                       10
   14

SECTION 5.2.     Payment Upon Resignation or Removal.

                 Upon termination of this First Supplemental Indenture or the
Indenture or the removal or resignation of the Trustee, unless otherwise
stated, the Company shall pay to the Trustee all amounts accrued to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.  Upon termination of the Declaration
or the removal or resignation of the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee,
as the case may be, pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Declaration, the Company
shall pay to the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, as the case may be,
all amounts accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                          COVENANT TO LIST ON EXCHANGE

SECTION 6.1.     Listing on an Exchange.

                 If the Debentures are to be issued as a Global Debenture in
connection with the distribution of the Debentures to the holders of the
Preferred Securities issued by the Trust upon a Dissolution Event, the Company
will use its best efforts to list such Debentures on the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. or on such other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then
listed.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                               FORM OF DEBENTURE

SECTION 7.1.     Form of Debenture.

                 The Debentures and the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication
to be endorsed thereon are to be substantially in the following forms:

                          (FORM OF FACE OF DEBENTURE)

                 [IF THE DEBENTURE IS TO BE A GLOBAL DEBENTURE, INSERT - This
Debenture is a Global Debenture within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter
referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a
Depositary.  This Debenture is exchangeable for Debentures registered in the
name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only in the limited
circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Debenture
(other than a transfer of this Debenture as a whole by the Depositary to a
nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary
or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in limited
circumstances.

                 Unless this Debenture is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street,





                                       11
   15

New York, New York) to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer,
exchange or payment, and any Debenture issued is registered in the name of Cede
& Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest
herein.]

No. ______________________________                                  CUSIP No.




                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

                ___% SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
                                    DUE ____

                 THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company", which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________ or registered assigns, the principal sum of _____________
Dollars ($___________) on  __________ __, ____, and to pay interest on said
principal sum from __________ __, ____, or from the most recent interest
payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date") to which interest has
been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to deferral as set forth
herein) in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each
year commencing __________ __, ____, at the rate of ___% per annum until the
principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any overdue
principal and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the extent that
payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any overdue
installment of interest at the same rate per annum compounded quarterly.  The
amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  In the event that any
date on which interest is payable on this Debenture is not a Business Day, then
payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding
day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in
respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in the next
succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date.  The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more Predecessor
Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close of
business on the regular record date for such interest installment, which shall
be the close of





                                       12
   16

business on the business day next preceding such Interest Payment Date.   [IF
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE THE DEBENTURES ARE NO LONGER
REPRESENTED BY A GLOBAL Debenture -- which shall be the close of business on
the ____ business day next preceding such Interest Payment Date.]  Any such
interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith
cease to be payable to the registered Holders on such regular record date and
may be paid to the Person in whose name this Debenture (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a special
record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such defaulted
interest, notice whereof shall be given to the registered Holders of this
series of Debentures not less than 10 days prior to such special record date,
or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debentures may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in the Indenture.  The principal of (and premium, if any) and the
interest on this Debenture shall be payable at the office or agency of the
Trustee maintained for that purpose in any coin or currency of the United
States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of
public and private debts; provided, however, that payment of interest may be
made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the registered Holder at
such address as shall appear in the Security Register.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, so long as the Holder of this Debenture is the Property Trustee, the
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this
Debenture will be made at such place and to such account as may be designated
by the Property Trustee.

                 The indebtedness evidenced by this Debenture is, to the extent
provided in the Indenture, subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Debenture is issued subject to the
provisions of the Indenture with respect thereto.  Each Holder of this
Debenture, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such
provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee on his or her behalf to take
such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the
subordination so provided and (c) appoints the Trustee his or her
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.  Each Holder hereof, by his or
her acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of the acceptance of the
subordination provisions contained herein and in the Indenture by each holder
of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or hereafter incurred, and
waives reliance by each such holder upon said provisions.

                 This Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under the
Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any
purpose until the Certificate of Authentica-

                                      13

   17

tion hereon shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.

                 The provisions of this Debenture are continued on the reverse
side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have the same
effect as though fully set forth at this place.

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to
be executed.

                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION

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


Attest:

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





                                       14
   18




                    (FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION)

                         CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

                 This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

Dated
     -----------------------------
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
as Trustee


By
  --------------------------------
  Authorized Signatory


                         (FORM OF REVERSE OF DEBENTURE)

                 This Debenture is one of a duly authorized series of
Debentures of the Company (herein sometimes referred to as the "Debentures"),
specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be issued in one or more series
under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of ____________ __, ____, duly
executed and delivered between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by the First Supplemented
Indenture dated as of ____________ __, ____, between the Company and the
Trustee (the Indenture as so supplemented, the "Indenture"), to which Indenture
and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a
description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders of the
Debentures.  By the terms of the Indenture, the Debentures are issuable in
series that may vary as to amount, date of maturity, rate of interest and in
other respects as provided in the Indenture.  This series of Debentures is
limited in aggregate principal amount as specified in said First Supplemental
Indenture.

                 Because of the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, in
certain circumstances, this Debenture may become due and payable at the
principal amount together with any interest accrued thereon (the "Redemption
Price").  The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York
time, on the date of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company
determines.  The Company shall have the right to redeem this Debenture at the
option of the Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part at any
time on or after ____________ __, ____ (an "Optional Redemption"), or at any
time in certain circumstances upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, at a
redemption price





                                       15
   19

equal to 100% of the principal amount plus any accrued but unpaid interest, to
the date of such redemption (the "Optional Redemption Price").  Any redemption
pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon not less than 30 days nor more
than 60 days notice, at the Optional Redemption Price.  If the Debentures are
only partially redeemed by the Company pursuant to an Optional Redemption, the
Debentures will be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any other method utilized
by the Trustee; provided, that if, at the time of redemption, the Debentures
are registered as a Global Debenture, the Depositary shall determine the
principal amount of such Debentures held by each Debentureholder to be redeemed
in accordance with its procedures.

                 In the event of redemption of this Debenture in part only, a
new Debenture or Debentures of this series for the unredeemed portion hereof
will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

                 In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture,
shall have occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Debentures
may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in
the manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the
Indenture.

                 The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and
the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than [a majority in]
aggregate principal amount of the Debentures of each series affected at the
time outstanding, as defined in the Indenture, to execute supplemental
indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any
manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders
of the Debentures; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall
(i) extend the fixed maturity of any Debentures of any series, or reduce the
principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof,
without the consent of the Holder of each Debenture so affected, or (ii) reduce
the aforesaid percentage of Debentures, the Holders of which are required to
consent to any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders
of each Debenture then outstanding and affected thereby.  The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of [a majority in] aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures of any series at the time outstanding
affected thereby, on behalf of all of the Holders of the Debentures of such
series, to waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants
contained in the Indenture, or established pursuant to the Indenture with
respect to such series, and its consequences, except a default in the payment
of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any of the Debentures of
such series.  Any such consent or waiver by the registered Holder of this
Debenture (unless revoked as





                                       16
   20

provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and
upon all future Holders and owners of this Debenture and of any Debenture
issued in exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of
transfer or otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such
consent or waiver is made upon this Debenture.

                 No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the
Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on this Debenture at the time and place and at
the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

                 The Company shall have the right at any time during the term
of the Debentures and from time to time to extend the interest payment period
of such Debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters (an "Extended Interest
Payment Period"), at the end of which period the Company shall pay all interest
then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon at the rate specified
for the Debentures to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable
under applicable law); provided that no Extended Interest Payment Period may
last beyond the maturity date of the Debentures.  Before the termination of any
such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may further extend such
Extended Interest Payment Period, provided that such Extended Interest Payment
Period together with all such further extensions thereof shall not exceed 20
consecutive quarters or extend the maturity date of the Debentures.  At the
termination of any such Extended Interest Payment Period and upon the payment
of all accrued and unpaid interest and any additional amounts then due, the
Company may commence a new Extended Interest Payment Period.

                 As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations therein set forth, this Debenture is transferable by the registered
Holder hereof on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this
Debenture for registration of transfer at the office or agency of [the Trustee]
in the City and State of New York accompanied by a written instrument or
instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly
executed by the registered Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Debentures of authorized denominations
and for the same aggregate principal amount and series will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees. No service charge will be made for any
such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation thereto.

                 Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this
Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and the Security
Registrar may deem and treat the registered holder





                                       17
   21

hereof as the absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Debenture shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment
of or on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any, and interest due
hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to
the contrary.

                 No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of
or the interest on this Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise
in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against any
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of
any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the
acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof,
expressly waived and released.

                 [The Debentures of this series are issuable only in registered
form without coupons in denominations of $___ and any integral multiple
thereof.]  [This Global Debenture is exchangeable for Debentures in definitive
form only under certain limited circumstances set forth in the Indenture.
Debentures of this series so issued are issuable only in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $___ and any integral multiple thereof.]
As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations [herein and]
therein set forth, Debentures of this series [so issued] are exchangeable for a
like aggregate principal amount of Debentures of this series of a different
authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

                 All terms used in this Debenture that are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

                 THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THE
INDENTURE AND THE DEBENTURES WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS
THEREOF.





                                       18
   22



                                  ARTICLE VIII
                          ORIGINAL ISSUE OF DEBENTURES

SECTION 8.1.     Original Issue of Debentures.

                 Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $__________
may, upon execution of this First Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the
Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall
thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debentures to or upon the written order
of the Company, signed by its Chairman, its Vice Chairman, its President, or
any Vice President and its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, without any
further action by the Company.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.1.     Ratification of Indenture.

                 The Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental
Indenture, is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this First
Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and
to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 9.2.     Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals.

                 The recitals herein contained are made by the Company and not
by the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness
thereof.  The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency
of this First Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 9.3.     Governing Law.

                 This First Supplemental Indenture and each Debenture shall be
deemed to be a contract made under the internal laws of the State of New York,
and for all purposes shall be construed in accordance with the laws of said
State.

SECTION 9.4.     Separability.

                 In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this
First Supplemental Indenture or in the Debentures shall for any reason be held
to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this
First Supplemental Indenture or of the Debentures, but this First Supplemental
Indenture and the Debentures shall be construed as if such





                                       19
   23

invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein
or therein.

SECTION 9.5.     Counterparts.

                 This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any
number of counterparts each of which shall be an original; but such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.





                                       20
   24

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
[First] Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective
corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, on the date or dates
indicated in the acknowledgements and as of the day and year first above
written.

                                        THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION


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


[Seal]
Attest:


By:
   --------------------

                                        STATE STREET BANK AND
                                           TRUST COMPANY,
                                        as Trustee


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

Attest:

By:
   -------------------




                                      21
   1





                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.13




              [FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST]




                      ====================================





                        AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION

                                    OF TRUST


                             [ALLSTATE FINANCING I]


                         Dated as of ________ __, ____





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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            

                                   ARTICLE I
                         INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS

                                                                                                           
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SECTION 1.1      Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2

                                                            ARTICLE II
                                                        TRUST INDENTURE ACT

SECTION 2.1      Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9
SECTION 2.2      Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
SECTION 2.3      Reports by the Property Trustee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
SECTION 2.4      Periodic Reports to Property Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
SECTION 2.5      Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
SECTION 2.6      Events of Default; Waiver  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   11
SECTION 2.7      Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13

                                                            ARTICLE III
                                                           ORGANIZATION

SECTION 3.1      Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
SECTION 3.2      Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   13
SECTION 3.3      Purpose  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 3.4      Authority  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 3.5      Title to Property of the Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 3.6      Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 3.7      Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   17
SECTION 3.8      Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   18
SECTION 3.9      Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   21
SECTION 3.10     Certain Rights of Property Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
SECTION 3.11     Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
SECTION 3.12     Execution of Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
SECTION 3.13     Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
SECTION 3.14     Duration of Trust  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
SECTION 3.15     Mergers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26

                                                            ARTICLE IV
                                                             DEPOSITOR
SECTION 4.1      Depositor's Purchase of Common Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
SECTION 4.2      Responsibilities of the Depositor  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
i 3 Page ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 SECTION 5.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 5.10 Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 SECTION 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.7 Definitive Preferred Security Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
ii 4 ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS Page SECTION 10.1 Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Exculpation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.4 Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 11.3 Banking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 11.4 Withholding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 SECTION 14.2 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 14.4 Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SECTION 14.7 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 ANNEX I TERMS OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1-1 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A2-1 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1
iii 5 CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Section of Trust Indenture Act Section of of 1939, as amended Declaration - ------------------- ----------- 310(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3(a) [310(b)] 310(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable [311(a)] [311(b)] 311(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(a) 312(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.2(b) [312(c)] 313 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4 314(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5 314(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable [314(e) Inapplicable] 314(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable [No Reference] 315(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9(b) [315(b)] 315(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9(a) 315(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.9(a) [315(e)] 316(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Annex I [Not Applicable] [316(b)] 316(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6(e) [317(a)] - [Not Applicable] [317(b)] [318(a)] - ---------------
* This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Declaration and shall not affect the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. iv 6 AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST OF [ALLSTATE FINANCING I] _______ __, ____ AMENDED AND RESTATED DECLARATION OF TRUST ("Declaration"), dated and effective as of ______ __, ____, by the Trustees (as defined herein), the Depositor (as defined herein) and by the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial interests in the Trust to be issued pursuant to this Declaration; WHEREAS, the Trustees and the Depositor established [Allstate Financing I] (the "Trust"), a trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act pursuant to a Declaration of Trust dated as of August 21, 1996 (the "Original Declaration") and a Certificate of Trust filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 21, 1996, for the sole purpose of issuing and selling certain securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust and investing the proceeds thereof in certain Debentures of the Debenture Issuer; WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, no interests in the Trust have been issued; WHEREAS, all of the Trustees and the Depositor, by this Declaration, amend and restate each and every term and provision of the Original Declaration; and NOW, THEREFORE, it being the intention of the parties hereto to continue the Trust as a business trust under the Business Trust Act and that this Declaration constitute the governing instrument of such business trust, the Trustees declare that all assets contributed to the Trust will be held in trust for the benefit of the holders, from time to time, of the securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust issued hereunder, subject to the provisions of this Declaration. 7 ARTICLE I INTERPRETATION AND DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Declaration but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1; (b) a term defined anywhere in this Declaration has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Declaration" or "this Declaration" are to this Declaration as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Declaration to Articles and Sections and Annexes and Exhibits are to Articles and Sections of and Annexes and Exhibits to this Declaration unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Declaration unless otherwise defined in this Declaration or unless the context otherwise requires; and (f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act or any successor rule thereunder. "Agent" means any Paying Agent. "Authorized Officer" of a Person means any Person that is authorized to bind such Person. "Book Entry Interest" means a beneficial interest in a Global Certificate, ownership and transfers of which shall be maintained and made through book entries by a Clearing Agency as described in Section 9.4. "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or required by law to close. 2 8 "Business Trust Act" means Chapter 38 of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, 12 Del. Code Section 3801 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Certificate" means a Common Security Certificate or a Preferred Security Certificate. "Clearing Agency" means an organization registered as a "Clearing Agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act that is acting as depositary for the Preferred Securities and in whose name or in the name of a nominee of that organization shall be registered a Global Certificate and which shall undertake to effect book entry transfers and pledges of the Preferred Securities. "Clearing Agency Participant" means a broker, dealer, bank, other financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time the Clearing Agency effects book entry transfers and pledges of securities deposited with the Clearing Agency. "Closing Date" means the "Closing Date" and each "Time of Delivery" under the Underwriting Agreement. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission. "Common Securities" and "Common Security" have the meanings specified in Section 7.1. ["Common Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of ______ __, ____ of the Depositor in respect of the Common Securities.] "Common Security Certificate" means a definitive certificate in fully registered form representing a Common Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2. "Company Indemnified Person" means (a) any Regular Trustee; (b) any Affiliate of any Regular Trustee; (c) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives or agents of any Regular Trustee; or (d) any officer, employee or agent of the Trust or its Affiliates. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Property Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. 3 9 "Covered Person" means: (a) any officer, director, shareholder, partner, member, representative, employee or agent of (i) the Trust or (ii) the Trust's Affiliates; and (b) any Holder of Securities. "Debenture Issuer" means The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as issuer of the Debentures under the Indenture. "Debenture Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, as trustee under the Indenture until a successor is appointed thereunder, and thereafter means such successor trustee. "Debentures" means the series of Debentures to be issued by the Debenture Issuer under the Indenture to be held by the Property Trustee, a specimen certificate for such series of Debentures being Exhibit B. "Delaware Trustee" means Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc., a Delaware banking corporation, solely in its capacity as Delaware Trustee of the Trust heretofore formed and continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor Delaware Trustee appointed as herein provided in Section 5.2. "Definitive Preferred Security Certificates" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.7. "Depositor" means The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware corporation, in its capacity as depositor of the Trust. "Distribution" means a distribution payable to Holders of Securities in accordance with Section 6.1. "DTC" means The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency. ["Event of Default" in respect of the Securities means an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing in respect of the Debentures.] ["Event of Default" means any one of the following events (whatever the reasons for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body): (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture); or 4 10 (b) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Distribution when it becomes due and payable, and continuation of such default for a period of 30 days; or (c) default by the Property Trustee in the payment of any Redemption Price of any Trust Security when it becomes due and payable; or (d) default in the performance, or breach, in any material respect, of any covenant or warranty of the Trustees in this Declaration (other than a covenant or warranty, a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is dealt with in clause (b) or (c) above) and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the defaulting Trustee or Trustees by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate liquidation preference of the outstanding Preferred Securities a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder.] "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. "Fiduciary Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.4(b). "Global Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.4. "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Certificate representing a Security is registered, such Person being a beneficial owner within the meaning of the Business Trust Act. "Indemnified Person" means a Company Indemnified Person or a Fiduciary Indemnified Person. "Indenture" means the Subordinated Indenture, dated as of _______ __, ____, between the Debenture Issuer and the Debenture Trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures are to be issued. "Investment Company" means an "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act. "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. ["Investment Company Event" means the receipt by the Trust of an Opinion of Counsel, rendered by a law firm having a recognized national tax and securities practice, to the effect 5 11 that, as a result of the occurrence of a change in law or regulation or a change in interpretation or application of law or regulation by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority (a "Change in Investment Company Act Law"), the Trust is or will be considered an "investment company" that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act, which Change in Investment Company Act Law becomes effective on or after the date of original issuance of the Preferred Securities under this Declaration.] "Legal Action" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6(g). "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of more than 50% of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class. "Ministerial Action" has the meaning set forth in the terms of the Securities as set forth in Annex I. "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Declaration shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Certificate; (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with. 6 12 "Paying Agent" has the meaning specified in Section 7.2. "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature. "Preferred Securities" and "Preferred Security" have the meanings specified in Section 7.1. "Preferred Securities Guarantee" means the guarantee agreement to be dated as of ______ __, ____, of the Depositor in respect of the Preferred Securities. "Preferred Security Beneficial Owner" means, with respect to a Book Entry Interest, a Person who is the beneficial owner of such Book Entry Interest, as reflected on the books of the Clearing Agency, or on the books of a Person maintaining an account with such Clearing Agency (directly as a Clearing Agency Participant or as an indirect participant, in each case in accordance with the rules of such Clearing Agency). "Preferred Security Certificate" means a certificate representing a Preferred Security substantially in the form of Exhibit A- 1. "Pricing Agreement" means the pricing agreement among the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, and the underwriters designated by the Regular Trustees with respect to the offer and sale of the Preferred Securities. "Property Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, solely in its capacity as Property Trustee of the Trust heretofore formed and continued hereunder and not in its individual capacity, or its successor in interest in such capacity, or any successor Property Trustee appointed as herein provided. "Property Trustee Account" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.8(c). "Quorum" means a majority of the Regular Trustees or, if there are only two Regular Trustees, both of them. "Regular Trustee" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. "Related Party" means, with respect to the Depositor, any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Depositor 7 13 or any other Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding voting securities of the Depositor. "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Property Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee, including any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Property Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. "Rule 3a-5" means Rule 3a-5 under the Investment Company Act. "Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or any successor legislation. ["Special Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto.] "Securities Guarantees" means the Common Securities Guarantee and the Preferred Securities Guarantee. ["Super Majority" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(a)(ii).] "Tax Event" has the meaning set forth in Annex I hereto. ["10% in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided in the terms of the Preferred Securities or by the Trust Indenture Act, Holder(s) of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class or, as the context may require, Holders of outstanding Preferred Securities or Holders of outstanding Common Securities voting separately as a class, who are the record owners of 10% or more of the aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all outstanding Securities of the relevant class.] "Treasury Regulations" means the income tax regulations, including temporary and proposed regulations, promulgated under the Code by the United States Treasury, as such regulations 8 14 may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations). "Trustee" or "Trustees" means each Person who has signed this Declaration as a trustee, so long as such Person shall continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof, and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly appointed, qualified and serving as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, and references herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such Person or Persons solely in their capacity as trustees hereunder. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, or any successor legislation. ["Trust Property" means (a) the Debentures, (b) the rights of the Property Trustee under the Securities Guarantees, (c) any cash on deposit in, or owing to, the Property Trustee Account and (d) all proceeds and rights in respect of the foregoing and any other property and assets for the time being held or deemed to be held by the Property Trustee pursuant to the trusts of this Declaration.] "Underwriting Agreement" means the Underwriting Agreement for the offering and sale of Preferred Securities in the form of Exhibit C. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application. (a) This Declaration is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Declaration and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions. (b) The Property Trustee shall be the only Trustee which is a Trustee for the purposes of the Trust Indenture Act. (c) If and to the extent that any provision of this Declaration limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. (d) The application of the Trust Indenture Act to this Declaration shall not affect the nature of the Securities as equity securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust. 9 15 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities. (a) Each of the Depositor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide the Property Trustee (i) within 14 days after each record date for payment of Distributions, a list, in such form as the Property Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities ("List of Holders") as of such record date; provided that neither the Depositor nor the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Property Trustee by the Depositor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and (ii) at any other time, within 30 days of receipt by the Trust of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Property Trustee. The Property Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information contained in Lists of Holders given to it or which it receives in the capacity as Paying Agent (if acting in such capacity); provided that the Property Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Property Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Section Section 311(a), 311(b) and 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Property Trustee. Within 60 days after [May 15] of each year, the Property Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Property Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Property Trustee. Each of the Depositor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent. Each of the Depositor and the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust shall provide to the Property Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Declaration that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any 10 16 certificate or opinion required to be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver. (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default in respect of the Preferred Securities and its consequences; provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, the Event of Default under this Declaration shall also not be waivable; or [(ii) requires the consent or vote of greater than a majority in principal amount of the holders of the Debentures (a "Super Majority") to be waived under the Indenture, the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.] The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(a) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. Any waiver by the Holders of the Preferred Securities of an Event of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities shall also be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Holders of the Common Securities of any such Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities for all purposes of this Declaration without any further act, vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Common Securities, waive any past Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences; provided that, if the underlying Event of Default under the Indenture: 11 17 (i) is not waivable under the Indenture, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration shall also not be waivable; or [(ii) requires the consent or vote of a Super Majority to be waived, except where the Holders of the Common Securities are deemed to have waived such Event of Default under the Declaration as provided below in this Section 2.6(b), the Event of Default under the Declaration may only be waived by the vote of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities that the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding;] provided further, each Holder of Common Securities will be deemed to have waived any such Event of Default and all Events of Default with respect to the Common Securities and its consequences until all Events of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities have been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, and until such Events of Default have been so cured, waived or otherwise eliminated, the Property Trustee will be deemed to be acting solely on behalf of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and only the Holders of the Preferred Securities will have the right to direct the Property Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Securities. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) shall be in lieu of Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section Section 316(a)(1)(A) and 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act are hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b), upon such waiver, any such default shall cease to exist and any Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Declaration, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default with respect to the Common Securities or impair any right consequent thereon. (c) A waiver of an Event of Default under the Indenture by the Property Trustee at the direction of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, constitutes a waiver of the corresponding Event of Default under this Declaration. The foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(c) shall be in lieu of Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act and such Section 316(a)(1)(B) of the Trust Indenture Act is hereby expressly excluded from this Declaration and the Securities, as permitted by the Trust Indenture Act. 12 18 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice. (a) The Property Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Securities, notices of all defaults with respect to the Securities actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purposes of this Section 2.7(a) being hereby defined to be an Event of Default as defined in the Indenture, not including any periods of grace provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of any notice provided therein); provided that, except for a default in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Debentures or in the payment of any sinking fund installment established for the Debentures, the Property Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities. (b) The Property Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any default except: (i) a default under Sections [5.01(a) and 5.01(b)] of the Indenture; or (ii) any default as to which [a Responsible Officer of] the Property Trustee shall have received written notice or of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have actual knowledge. ARTICLE III ORGANIZATION SECTION 3.1 Name. The Trust is named ["Allstate Financing I"], as such name may be modified from time to time by the Regular Trustees following written notice to the Holders of Securities. The Trust's activities may be conducted under the name of the Trust or any other name deemed advisable by the Regular Trustees. SECTION 3.2 Office. The address of the principal office of the Trust is c/o The Allstate Corporation, 2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062. On ten Business Days written notice to the Holders of Securities, the Regular Trustees may designate another principal office. 13 19 SECTION 3.3 Purpose. The exclusive purposes and functions of the Trust are (a) to issue and sell Securities and use the proceeds from such sale to acquire the Debentures, and (b) except as otherwise limited herein, to engage in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust shall not borrow money, issue debt or reinvest proceeds derived from investments, pledge any of its assets, or otherwise undertake (or permit to be undertaken) any activity that would cause the Trust not to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.4 Authority. Subject to the limitations provided in this Declaration and to the specific duties of the Property Trustee, the Regular Trustees shall have exclusive and complete authority to carry out the purposes of the Trust. An action taken by the Regular Trustees in accordance with their powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust and an action taken by the Property Trustee on behalf of the Trust in accordance with its powers shall constitute the act of and serve to bind the Trust. In dealing with the Trustees acting on behalf of the Trust, no person shall be required to inquire into the authority of the Trustees to bind the Trust. Persons dealing with the Trust are entitled to rely conclusively on the power and authority of the Trustees as set forth in this Declaration. SECTION 3.5 Title to Property of the Trust. Except as provided in Section 3.8 with respect to the Debentures and the Property Trustee Account or as otherwise provided in this Declaration, legal title to all assets of the Trust shall be vested in the Trust. The Holders shall not have legal title to any part of the assets of the Trust, but shall have an undivided beneficial interest in the assets of the Trust. SECTION 3.6 Powers and Duties of the Regular Trustees. The Regular Trustees shall have the exclusive power, duty and authority to cause the Trust to engage in the following activities: (a) to issue and sell the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with this Declaration; provided, however, that the Trust may issue no more than one series of Preferred Securities and no more than one series of Common Securities, and, provided further, that there shall be no interests in the Trust other than the Securities, and the issuance of Securities shall be limited to a simultaneous issuance of both Preferred Securities and Common Securities on each Closing Date; 14 20 (b) in connection with the issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities, at the direction of the Depositor, to: (i) execute and file with the Commission the registration statement on Form S-3 prepared by the Depositor, including any amendments thereto, pertaining to the Preferred Securities; (ii) execute and file any documents prepared by the Depositor, or take any acts as determined by the Depositor to be necessary in order to qualify or register all or part of the Preferred Securities in any State in which the Depositor has determined to qualify or register such Preferred Securities for sale; (iii) execute and file an application, prepared by the Depositor, to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities; (iv) execute and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A, including any amendments thereto, prepared by the Depositor, relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act; and (v) execute and enter into the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities; (c) to acquire the Debentures with the proceeds of the sale of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities; provided, however, that the Regular Trustees shall cause legal title to the Debentures to be held of record in the name of the Property Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and the Holders of Common Securities; (d) to give the Depositor and the Property Trustee prompt written notice of the occurrence of a Tax Event; provided that the Regular Trustees shall consult with the Depositor and the Property Trustee before taking or refraining from taking any Ministerial Action in relation to a Tax Event; (e) to establish a record date with respect to all actions to be taken hereunder that require a record date be established, including and with respect to, for the purposes of Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, Distributions, voting rights, redemptions and exchanges, and to issue relevant notices to the Holders of Preferred Securities and Holders of Common Securities as to such actions and applicable record dates; 15 21 (f) to take all actions and perform such duties as may be required of the Regular Trustees pursuant to the terms of the Securities; (g) to bring or defend, pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate, resort to legal action, or otherwise adjust claims or demands of or against the Trust ("Legal Action"), unless pursuant to Section 3.8(e), the Property Trustee has the exclusive power to bring such Legal Action; (h) to employ or otherwise engage employees and agents (who may be designated as officers with titles) and managers, contractors, advisors, and consultants and pay reasonable compensation for such services; (i) to cause the Trust to comply with the Trust's obligations under the Trust Indenture Act; (j) to give the certificate required by Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act to the Property Trustee, which certificate may be executed by any Regular Trustee; (k) to incur expenses that are necessary or incidental to carry out any of the purposes of the Trust; (l) to act as, or appoint another Person to act as, registrar and transfer agent for the Securities; (m) to give prompt written notice to the Holders of the Securities of any notice received from the Debenture Issuer of its election to defer payments of interest on the Debentures by extending the interest payment period under the Indenture; (n) to execute all documents or instruments, perform all duties and powers, and do all things for and on behalf of the Trust in all matters necessary or incidental to the foregoing; (o) to take all action that may be necessary or appropriate for the preservation and the continuation of the Trust's valid existence, rights, franchises and privileges as a statutory business trust under the laws of the State of Delaware and of each other jurisdiction in which such existence is necessary to protect the limited liability of the Holders of the Preferred Securities or to enable the Trust to effect the purposes for which the Trust was created; (p) to take any action, not inconsistent with this Declaration or with applicable law, that the Regular Trustees determine in their discretion to be necessary or desirable in carrying out the activities of the Trust as set out in this Section 3.6, including, but not limited to: 16 22 (i) causing the Trust not to be deemed to be an "investment company" required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (ii) causing the Trust to be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust; and (iii) cooperating with the Debenture Issuer to ensure that the Debentures will be treated as indebtedness of the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes; provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of Holders; and (q) to take all action necessary to cause all applicable tax returns and tax information reports that are required to be filed with respect to the Trust to be duly prepared and filed by the Regular Trustees, on behalf of the Trust. The Regular Trustees must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.6 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Regular Trustees shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set forth in Section 3.3. Subject to this Section 3.6, the Regular Trustees shall have none of the powers or the authority of the Property Trustee set forth in Section 3.8. Any expenses incurred by the Regular Trustees pursuant to this Section 3.6 shall be reimbursed by the Debenture Issuer. SECTION 3.7 Prohibition of Actions by the Trust and the Trustees. (a) The Trust shall not, and the Trustees (including the Property Trustee) shall not, engage in any activity other than as required or authorized by this Declaration. In particular, the Trust shall not and the Trustees (including the Property Trustee) shall cause the Trust not to: (i) invest any proceeds received by the Trust from holding the Debentures, but shall distribute all such proceeds to Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Declaration and of the Securities; (ii) acquire any assets other than as expressly provided herein; 17 23 (iii) possess Trust property for other than a Trust purpose; (iv) make any loans or incur any indebtedness other than loans represented by the Debentures; (v) possess any power or otherwise act in such a way as to vary the Trust assets or the terms of the Securities in any way whatsoever; (vi) issue any securities or other evidences of beneficial ownership of, or beneficial interest in, the Trust other than the Securities; or (vii) other than as provided in this Declaration or Annex I, (A) direct the time, method and place of exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (B) waive any past default that is waivable under the Indenture, (C) exercise any right to rescind or annul any declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable, or (D) consent to any amendment, modification or termination of the Indenture or the Debentures where such consent shall be required unless the Trust shall have received an opinion of counsel to the effect that such modification will not cause more than an insubstantial risk that for United States federal income tax purposes the Trust will not be classified as a grantor trust. SECTION 3.8 Powers and Duties of the Property Trustee. (a) The legal title to the Debentures shall be owned by and held of record in the name of the Property Trustee in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities. The right, title and interest of the Property Trustee to the Debentures shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter be appointed as Property Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents with regard to the Debentures have been executed and delivered. (b) The Property Trustee shall not transfer its right, title and interest in the Debentures to the Regular Trustees or to the Delaware Trustee (if the Property Trustee does not also act as Delaware Trustee). (c) The Property Trustee shall: (i) establish and maintain a segregated non-interest bearing trust account (the "Property Trustee Account") in the name of and under the exclusive con- 18 24 trol of the Property Trustee on behalf of the Holders of the Securities and, upon the receipt of payments of funds made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee, deposit such funds into the Property Trustee Account and make payments to the Holders of the Preferred Securities and Holders of the Common Securities from the Property Trustee Account in accordance with Section 6.1. Funds in the Property Trustee Account shall be held uninvested until disbursed in accordance with this Declaration. The Property Trustee Account shall be an account that is maintained with a banking institution[, which institution may be the Property Trustee in its individual capacity,] the rating on whose long-term unsecured indebtedness is at least equal to the rating assigned to the Preferred Securities by a "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; (ii) engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the redemption of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities to the extent the Debentures are redeemed or mature; and (iii) upon written notice of distribution issued by the Regular Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Securities, engage in such ministerial activities as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the distribution of the Debentures to Holders of Securities upon the occurrence of certain special events (as may be defined in the terms of the Securities) arising from a change in law or a change in legal interpretation or other specified circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (d) The Property Trustee shall take all actions and perform such duties as may be specifically required of the Property Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Securities. (e) The Property Trustee shall take any Legal Action which arises out of or in connection with an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge or the Property Trustee's duties and obligations under this Declaration or the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that if a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a Holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or 19 25 interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such Holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the Holders of the Common Securities will be subrogated to the rights of such Holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Debenture Issuer to such Holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. (f) The Property Trustee shall not resign as a Trustee unless either: (i) the Trust has been completely liquidated and the proceeds of the liquidation distributed to the Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of the Securities; or (ii) a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted that appointment in accordance with Section 5.7. (g) The Property Trustee shall have the legal power to exercise all of the rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Debentures under the Indenture and, if an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee occurs and is continuing, the Property Trustee shall, for the benefit of Holders of the Securities, enforce its rights as holder of the Debentures subject to the rights of the Holders pursuant to the terms of such Securities. (h) The Property Trustee may authorize one or more Persons (each, a "Paying Agent") to pay Distributions, redemption payments or liquidation payments on behalf of the Trust with respect to all securities and any such Paying Agent shall comply with Section 317(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any Paying Agent may be removed by the Property Trustee at any time and a successor Paying Agent or additional Paying Agents may be appointed at any time by the Property Trustee. (i) Subject to this Section 3.8, the Property Trustee shall have none of the duties, liabilities, powers or the authority of the Regular Trustees set forth in Section 3.6. The Property Trustee must exercise the powers set forth in this Section 3.8 in a manner that is consistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3, and the Property Trustee shall not take any action that is inconsistent with the purposes and functions of the Trust set out in Section 3.3. 20 26 SECTION 3.9 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Property Trustee. (a) The Property Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Declaration and no implied covenants shall be read into this Declaration against the Property Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) of which a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee has actual knowledge, the Property Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. (b) No provision of this Declaration shall be construed to relieve the Property Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: (A) the duties and obligations of the Property Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Declaration and the Property Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Declaration, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Declaration against the Property Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Property Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Declaration; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Declaration; 21 27 (ii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Property Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Property Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; (iii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under this Declaration; (iv) no provision of this Declaration shall require the Property Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Declaration or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Property Trustee against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it; (v) the Property Trustee's sole duty with respect to the custody, safe keeping and physical preservation of the Debentures and the Property Trustee Account shall be to deal with such property in a similar manner as the Property Trustee deals with similar property for its own account, subject to the protections and limitations on liability afforded to the Property Trustee under this Declaration and the Trust Indenture Act; (vi) the Property Trustee shall have no duty or liability for or with respect to the value, genuineness, existence or sufficiency of the Debentures or the payment of any taxes or assessments levied thereon or in connection therewith; (vii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any interest on any money received by it except as it may otherwise agree in writing with the Depositor. Money held by the Property Trustee need not be segregated from other funds held by it except in relation to the Property Trustee Account maintained by the Property Trustee pursuant to Section 3.8(c)(i) and except to the extent otherwise required by law; and 22 28 (viii) the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for monitoring the compliance by the Regular Trustees or the Depositor with their respective duties under this Declaration, nor shall the Property Trustee be liable for any default or misconduct of the Regular Trustees or the Depositor. SECTION 3.10 Certain Rights of Property Trustee. (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9: (i) the Property Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties; (ii) any direction or act of the Depositor or the Regular Trustees contemplated by this Declaration shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate; (iii) whenever in the administration of this Declaration, the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Property Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Depositor or the Regular Trustees; (iv) the Property Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (including any financing or continuation statement or any filing under tax or securities laws) or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof; (v) the Property Trustee may consult with counsel or other experts of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel and experts with respect to legal matters or advice within the scope of such experts' area of expertise shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion, such counsel may be counsel to the Depositor or any of its Affiliates, and may include any of its 23 29 employees. The Property Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Declaration from any court of competent jurisdiction; (vi) the Property Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Declaration at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the Property Trustee security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Property Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Property Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Property Trustee provided, that, nothing contained in this Section 3.10(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Property Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Declaration; (vii) the Property Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Property Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit; (viii) the Property Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys and the Property Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; (ix) any action taken by the Property Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Trust and the Holders of the Securities, and the signature of the Property Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action and no third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Property Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Declaration, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Property Trustee's or its agent's taking such action; 24 30 (x) whenever in the administration of this Declaration the Property Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Property Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of the Securities which instructions may only be given by the Holders of the same proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities as would be entitled to direct the Property Trustee under the terms of the Securities in respect of such remedy, right or action, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions; (xi) except as otherwise expressly provided by this Declaration, the Property Trustee shall not be under any obligation to take any action that is discretionary under the provisions of this Declaration; and (xii) the Property Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Declaration. (b) No provision of this Declaration shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Property Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Property Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts, or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Property Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.11 Delaware Trustee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration other than Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any powers, nor shall the Delaware Trustee have any of the duties and responsibilities of the Regular Trustees or the Property Trustee described in this Declaration. Except as set forth in Section 5.2, the Delaware Trustee shall be a Trustee for the sole and limited purpose of fulfilling the requirements of Section 3807 of the Business Trust Act and shall have no powers, duties or responsibilities whatsoever, except as expressly provided herein or in the Business Trust Act. 25 31 SECTION 3.12 Execution of Documents. Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act, a majority of or, if there are only two, any Regular Trustee or, if there is only one, such Regular Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents that the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. SECTION 3.13 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained in this Declaration and the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Depositor, and the Trustees do not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustees make no representations as to the value or condition of the property of the Trust or any part thereof. The Trustees make no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Declaration or the Securities. SECTION 3.14 Duration of Trust. The Trust, unless terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII hereof, shall have existence for fifty-five (55) years from the Closing Date. SECTION 3.15 Mergers. (a) The Trust may not consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by, or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any corporation or other body, except as described in Section 3.15(b) and (c). (b) The Trust may, with the consent of the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees and without the consent of the Holders of the Securities, the Delaware Trustee or the Property Trustee, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by a trust organized as such under the laws of any State; provided that: (i) such successor entity (the "Successor Entity") either: (A) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Trust under the Securities; or (B) substitutes for the Securities other securities having substantially the same terms as the Preferred Securities (the "Successor Securities") so long as the Successor 26 32 Securities rank the same as the Preferred Securities rank with respect to Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise; (ii) the Debenture Issuer expressly acknowledges a trustee of the Successor Entity that possesses the same powers and duties as the Property Trustee as the holder of the Debentures; (iii) the Preferred Securities or any Successor Securities are listed, or any Successor Securities will be listed upon notification of issuance, on any national securities exchange or with another organization on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or quoted; (iv) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not cause the Preferred Securities (including any Successor Securities) to be downgraded by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization; (v) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of such Holders' interests in the Preferred Securities as a result of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement); (vi) such Successor Entity has a purpose identical to that of the Trust; (vii) prior to such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Depositor has received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent counsel to the Trust experienced in such matters to the effect that: (A) such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement does not adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of the Holders of the Securities (including any Successor Securities) in any material respect (other than with respect to any dilution of the Holders' interest in the new entity); and (B) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, neither 27 33 the Trust nor the Successor Entity will be required to register as an Investment Company; (C) following such merger, consolidation, amalgamation or replacement, the Trust (or the Successor Entity) will continue to be classified as a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes; and (viii) the Depositor guarantees the obligations of such Successor Entity under the Successor Securities at least to the extent provided by the Preferred Securities Guarantee. (c) Notwithstanding Section 3.15(b), the Trust shall not, except with the consent of Holders of 100% in liquidation amount of the Securities, consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or be replaced by any other entity or permit any other entity to consolidate, amalgamate, merge with or into, or replace it if such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or replacement would cause the Trust or Successor Entity to be classified as other than a grantor trust for United States federal income tax purposes. ARTICLE IV DEPOSITOR SECTION 4.1 Depositor's Purchase of Common Securities. On the Closing Date the Depositor will purchase all of the Common Securities issued by the Trust, in an amount at least equal to [3%] of the capital of the Trust, at the same time as the Preferred Securities are sold. SECTION 4.2 Responsibilities of the Depositor. In connection with the issuance and sale of the Preferred Securities, the Depositor shall have the exclusive right and responsibility to engage in the following activities: (a) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 in relation to the Preferred Securities, including any amendments thereto; (b) to determine the States in which to take appropriate action to qualify or register for sale all or part of the Preferred Securities and to do any and all such acts, other than actions which must be taken by the Trust, and advise the Trust of actions it must take, and prepare for execution and filing any documents to be executed and filed by the Trust, as the Depositor 28 34 deems necessary or advisable in order to comply with the applicable laws of any such States; (c) to prepare for filing by the Trust an application to the New York Stock Exchange or any other national stock exchange or the Nasdaq National Market for listing upon notice of issuance of any Preferred Securities; (d) to prepare for filing by the Trust with the Commission a registration statement on Form 8-A relating to the registration of the Preferred Securities under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments thereto; and (e) to negotiate the terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Pricing Agreement providing for the sale of the Preferred Securities. ARTICLE V TRUSTEES SECTION 5.1 Number of Trustees. The number of Trustees initially shall be four (4), and: (a) at any time before the issuance of any Securities, the Depositor may, by written instrument, increase or decrease the number of Trustees; and (b) after the issuance of any Securities, the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased by vote of the Holders of a majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities; provided, however, that, the number of Trustees shall in no event be less than two (2); provided further that (1) one Trustee, in the case of a natural person, shall be a person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or that, if not a natural person, is an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware; (2) there shall be at least one Trustee who is an employee or officer of, or is affiliated with the Depositor (a "Regular Trustee"); and (3) one Trustee shall be the Property Trustee for so long as this Declaration is required to qualify as an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and such Trustee may also serve as Delaware Trustee if it meets the applicable requirements. SECTION 5.2 Delaware Trustee. If required by the Business Trust Act, one Trustee (the "Delaware Trustee") shall be: 29 35 (a) a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware; or (b) if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware, and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law; provided that, if the Property Trustee has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware and otherwise meets the requirements of applicable law, then the Property Trustee shall also be the Delaware Trustee and Section 3.11 shall have no application. SECTION 5.3 Property Trustee; Eligibility. (a) There shall at all times be one Trustee which shall act as Property Trustee which shall: (i) not be an Affiliate of the Depositor; and (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then for the purposes of this Section 5.3(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Property Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 5.3(a), the Property Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in Section 5.7(c). (c) If the Property Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Property Trustee and the Holder of the Common Securities (as if it were the obligor referred to in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. 30 36 (d) The Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Declaration for purposes of clause (i) of the first provision contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. (e) The initial Property Trustee shall be: State Street Bank and Trust Company SECTION 5.4 Certain Qualifications of Regular Trustees and Delaware Trustee Generally. Each Regular Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (unless the Property Trustee also acts as Delaware Trustee) shall be either a natural person who is at least 21 years of age or a legal entity that shall act through one or more Authorized Officers. SECTION 5.5 Regular Trustees. The initial Regular Trustees shall be: ____________________________ ____________________________ ____________________________ (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration and except if a meeting of the Regular Trustees is called with respect to any matter over which the Regular Trustees have power to act, any power of the Regular Trustees may be exercised by, or with the consent of, any one such Regular Trustee. (b) Unless otherwise determined by the Regular Trustees, and except as otherwise required by the Business Trust Act or applicable law, any Regular Trustee is authorized to execute on behalf of the Trust any documents which the Regular Trustees have the power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6; and (c) a Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purposes of signing any documents which the Regular Trustees have power and authority to cause the Trust to execute pursuant to Section 3.6. SECTION 5.6 Delaware Trustee. The initial Delaware Trustee shall be: Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc. 31 37 SECTION 5.7 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Trustees. (a) Subject to Section 5.7(b), Trustees may be appointed or removed without cause at any time except during an event of default: (i) until the issuance of any Securities, by written instrument executed by the Depositor; and (ii) after the issuance of any Securities, by vote of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities voting as a class at a meeting of the Holders of the Common Securities. (b) (i) The Trustee that acts as Property Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 5.7(a) until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Depositor; and (ii) the Trustee that acts as Delaware Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with this Section 5.7(a) until a successor Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Delaware Trustee under Sections 5.2 and 5.4 (a "Successor Delaware Trustee") has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Regular Trustees and the Depositor. (c) A Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until his successor shall have been appointed or until his death, removal or resignation. Any Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing signed by the Trustee and delivered to the Depositor and the Trust, which resignation shall take effect upon such delivery or upon such later date as is specified therein; provided, however, that: (i) No such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Property Trustee shall be effective: (A) until a Successor Property Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Property Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Depositor and the resigning Property Trustee; or (B) until the assets of the Trust have been completely liquidated and the proceeds 32 38 thereof distributed to the holders of the Securities; and (ii) no such resignation of the Trustee that acts as the Delaware Trustee shall be effective until a Successor Delaware Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument executed by such Successor Delaware Trustee and delivered to the Trust, the Depositor and the resigning Delaware Trustee. (d) The Holders of the Common Securities shall use their best efforts to promptly appoint a Successor Delaware Trustee or Successor Property Trustee as the case may be if the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee delivers an instrument of resignation in accordance with this Section 5.7. (e) If no Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 5.7 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of resignation or removal, the Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee resigning or being removed, as applicable, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. (f) No Property Trustee or Delaware Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Property Trustee or Successor Delaware Trustee, as the case may be. SECTION 5.8 Vacancies among Trustees. If a Trustee ceases to hold office for any reason and the number of Trustees is not reduced pursuant to Section 5.1, or if the number of Trustees is increased pursuant to Section 5.1, a vacancy shall occur. A resolution certifying the existence of such vacancy by the Regular Trustees or, if there are more than two, a majority of the Regular Trustees shall be conclusive evidence of the existence of such vacancy. The vacancy shall be filled with a Trustee appointed in accordance with Section 5.7. SECTION 5.9 Effect of Vacancies. The death, resignation, retirement, removal, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation, incompetence or incapacity to perform the duties of a Trustee shall not operate to annul the Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the number of Regular Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled by the appointment of a Regular Trustee in accordance with Section 5.7, the Regular 33 39 Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Regular Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Regular Trustees by this Declaration. SECTION 5.10 Meetings. If there is more than one Regular Trustee, meetings of the Regular Trustees shall be held from time to time upon the call of any Regular Trustee. Regular meetings of the Regular Trustees may be held at a time and place fixed by resolution of the Regular Trustees. Notice of any in-person meetings of the Regular Trustees shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 48 hours before such meeting. Notice of any telephonic meetings of the Regular Trustees or any committee thereof shall be hand delivered or otherwise delivered in writing (including by facsimile, with a hard copy by overnight courier) not less than 24 hours before a meeting. Notices shall contain a brief statement of the time, place and anticipated purposes of the meeting. The presence (whether in person or by telephone) of a Regular Trustee at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a Regular Trustee attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any activity on the ground that the meeting has not been properly called or convened. Unless provided otherwise in this Declaration, any action of the Regular Trustees may be taken at a meeting by vote of a majority of the Regular Trustees present (whether in person or by telephone) and eligible to vote with respect to such matter, provided that a Quorum is present, or without a meeting by the unanimous written consent of the Regular Trustees. In the event there is only one Regular Trustee, any and all action of such Regular Trustee shall be evidenced by a written consent of such Regular Trustee. SECTION 5.11 Delegation of Power. (a) Any Regular Trustee may, by power of attorney consistent with applicable law, delegate to any other natural person over the age of 21 his or her power for the purpose of executing any documents contemplated in Section 3.6, including any registration statement or amendment thereto filed with the Commission, or making any other governmental filing; and (b) the Regular Trustees shall have power to delegate from time to time to such of their number or to officers of the Trust the doing of such things and the execution of such instruments either in the name of the Trust or the names of the Regular Trustees or otherwise as the Regular Trustees may deem expedient, to the extent such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or contrary to the provisions of the Trust, as set forth herein. 34 40 Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, may be merged or converted or with which either may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, shall be the successor of the Property Trustee or the Delaware Trustee, as the case may be, hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION 6.1 Distributions. Holders shall receive Distributions (as defined herein) in accordance with the applicable terms of the relevant Holder's Securities. Distributions shall be made on the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities in accordance with the preferences set forth in their respective terms. If and to the extent that the Debenture Issuer makes a payment of interest (including [Compounded Interest (as defined in the Indenture), and] Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture)), premium and/or principal on the Debentures held by the Property Trustee (the amount of any such payment being a "Payment Amount"), the Property Trustee shall and is directed, to the extent funds are avail- able for that purpose, to make a distribution (a "Distribution") of the Payment Amount to Holders. ARTICLE VII ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES SECTION 7.1 General Provisions Regarding Securities. (a) The Regular Trustees shall on behalf of the Trust issue one class of preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Preferred Securities") and one class of common securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust having such terms as are set forth in Annex I (the "Common Securities.") The Trust shall issue no securities or other interests in the assets of the Trust other than the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities. 35 41 (b) The Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Trust by a Regular Trustee. Such signature shall be the manual signature of any present or any future Regular Trustee. In case any Regular Trustee of the Trust who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Regular Trustee before the Certificates so signed shall be delivered by the Trust, such Certificates nevertheless may be delivered as though the person who signed such Certificates had not ceased to be such Regular Trustee; and any Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Trust by such persons who, at the actual date of execution of such Security, shall be the Regular Trustees of the Trust, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Declaration any such person was not such a Regular Trustee Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. (c) The consideration received by the Trust for the issuance of the Securities shall constitute a contribution to the capital of the Trust and shall not constitute a loan to the Trust. (d) Upon issuance of the Securities as provided in this Declaration, the Securities so issued shall be deemed to be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. (e) Every Person, by virtue of having become a Holder or a Preferred Security Beneficial Owner in accordance with the terms of this Declaration, shall be deemed to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of, and shall be bound by, this Declaration. SECTION 7.2 Paying Agent. In the event that the Preferred Securities are not in book-entry only form, the Trust shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York, an office or agency where the Preferred Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent). The Trust may appoint the Paying Agent and may appoint one or more additional paying agents in such other locations as it shall determine. The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Trust may change any Paying Agent without prior notice to any Holder. The Trust shall notify the Property Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Declaration. If the Trust fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Paying Agent, the Property Trustee shall act as such. The Trust or any of its Affiliates may act as 36 42 Paying Agent. The Trust shall initially act as Paying Agent for the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities. ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION OF TRUST SECTION 8.1 Termination of Trust. (a) The Trust shall terminate: (i) upon the bankruptcy of the Depositor; (ii) upon the filing of a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent with respect to the Depositor; the filing of a certificate of cancellation with respect to the Trust after having obtained the consent of a majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class to file such certificate of cancellation or the revocation of the Depositor's charter and the expiration of 90 days after the date of revocation without a reinstatement thereof; (iii) upon the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Holder of the Common Securities, the Depositor or the Trust; (iv) when all of the Securities shall have been called for redemption and the amounts necessary for redemption thereof shall have been paid to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Securities; (v) upon the occurrence and continuation of a Special Event pursuant to which the Trust shall have been dissolved in accordance with the terms of the Securities and all of the Debentures endorsed thereon shall have been distributed to the Holders of Securities in exchange for all of the Securities; [or at the Depositor's direction (wholly discretionary and optional) to the Property Trustee to terminate and distribute the Debentures. However, in such case, if the distribution of Debentures is deemed not practical by the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee may dissolve the Trust and liquidate the assets instead;] or (vi) before the issuance of any Securities, with the consent of all of the Regular Trustees and the Depositor. (b) As soon as is practicable after the occurrence of an event referred to in Section 8.1(a), the Trustees shall file a 37 43 certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. (c) The provisions of Section 3.9 and Article X shall survive the termination of the Trust. ARTICLE IX TRANSFER OF INTERESTS SECTION 9.1 Transfer of Securities. (a) Securities may only be transferred, in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Declaration and in the terms of the Securities. Any transfer or purported transfer of any Security not made in accordance with this Declaration shall be null and void. (b) Subject to this Article IX, Preferred Securities shall be freely transferable. (c) The Depositor may not transfer the Common Securities. SECTION 9.2 Transfer of Certificates. The Regular Trustees shall provide for the registration of Certificates and of transfers of Certificates, which will be effected without charge but only upon payment (with such indemnity as the Regular Trustees may require) in respect of any tax or other government charges that may be imposed in relation to it. Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate, the Regular Trustees shall cause one or more new Certificates to be issued in the name of the designated transferee or transferees. Every Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Regular Trustees duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing. Each Certificate surrendered for registration of transfer shall be canceled by the Regular Trustees. A transferee of a Certificate shall be entitled to the rights and subject to the obligations of a Holder hereunder upon the receipt by such transferee of a Certificate. By acceptance of a Certificate, each transferee shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by this Declaration. SECTION 9.3 Deemed Security Holders. The Trustees may treat the Person in whose name any Certificate shall be registered on the books and records of the Trust as the sole holder of such Certificate and of the Securities represented by such Certificate for purposes of receiving 38 44 Distributions and for all other purposes whatsoever and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such Certificate or in the Securities represented by such Certificate on the part of any Person, whether or not the Trust shall have actual or other notice thereof. SECTION 9.4 Book Entry Interests. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of the Preferred Securities, the Preferred Securities Certificates, on original issuance, will be issued in the form of one or more, fully registered, global Preferred Security Certificates (each a "Global Certificate"), to be delivered to DTC, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or on behalf of, the Trust. Such Global Certificates shall initially be registered on the books and records of the Trust in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC, and no Preferred Security Beneficial Owner will receive a definitive Preferred Security Certificate representing such Preferred Security Beneficial Owner's interests in such Global Certificates, except as provided in Section 9.7. Unless and until definitive, fully registered Preferred Security Certificates (the "Definitive Preferred Security Certificates") have been issued to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7: (a) the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall be in full force and effect; (b) the Trust and the Trustees shall be entitled to deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes of this Declaration (including the payment of Distributions on the Global Certificates and receiving approvals, votes or consents hereunder) as the Holder of the Preferred Securities and the sole holder of the Global Certificates and shall have no obligation to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners; (c) to the extent that the provisions of this Section 9.4 conflict with any other provisions of this Declaration, the provisions of this Section 9.4 shall control; and (d) the rights of the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners shall be exercised only through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those established by law and agreements between such Preferred Security Beneficial Owners and the Clearing Agency and/or the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and transmit payments of Distributions on the Global Certificates to such Clearing Agency Participants. DTC will make book entry transfers among the Clearing Agency Participants. 39 45 SECTION 9.5 Notices to Clearing Agency. Whenever a notice or other communication to the Preferred Security Holders is required under this Declaration, unless and until Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall have been issued to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners pursuant to Section 9.7, the Regular Trustees shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be given to the Preferred Security Holders to the Clearing Agency, and shall have no notice obligations to the Preferred Security Beneficial Owners. SECTION 9.6 Appointment of Successor Clearing Agency. If any Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities, the Regular Trustees may, in their sole discretion, appoint a successor Clearing Agency with respect to such Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.7 Definitive Preferred Security Certificates. If: (a) a Clearing Agency elects to discontinue its services as securities depositary with respect to the Preferred Securities and a successor Clearing Agency is not appointed within 90 days after such discontinuance pursuant to Section 9.6; or (b) the Regular Trustees elect after consultation with the Depositor to terminate the book entry system through the Clearing Agency with respect to the Preferred Securities; then: (c) Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be prepared by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with respect to such Preferred Securities; and (d) upon surrender of the Global Certificates by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration instructions, the Regular Trustees shall cause Definitive Preferred Security Certificates to be delivered to Preferred Security Beneficial Owners in accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Trustees nor the Trust shall be liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and each of them may conclusively rely on and shall be protected in relying on, said instructions of the Clearing Agency. The Definitive Preferred Security Certificates shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may be produced in any other manner as is reasonably acceptable to the Regular Trustees, as evidenced by their execution 40 46 thereof, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements as the Regular Trustees may deem appropriate, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which Preferred Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage. SECTION 9.8 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If: (a) any mutilated Certificates should be surrendered to the Regular Trustees, or if the Regular Trustees shall receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Certificate; and (b) there shall be delivered to the Regular Trustees such security or indemnity as may be required by them to keep each of them harmless; then, in the absence of notice that such Certificate shall have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, any Regular Trustee on behalf of the Trust shall execute and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate of like denomination. In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 9.8, the Regular Trustees may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection therewith. Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section shall constitute conclusive evidence of an ownership interest in the relevant Securities, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time. ARTICLE X LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES, TRUSTEES OR OTHERS SECTION 10.1 Liability. (a) Except as expressly set forth in this Declaration, the Securities Guarantees and the terms of the Securities, the Depositor shall not be: (i) personally liable for the return of any portion of the capital contributions (or any return thereon) of the Holders of the Securities which shall be made solely from assets of the Trust; and 41 47 (ii) be required to pay to the Trust or to any Holder of Securities any deficit upon dissolution of the Trust or otherwise. (b) The Holder of the Common Securities shall be liable for all of the debts and obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Securities) to the extent not satisfied out of the Trust's assets. (c) Pursuant to Section 3803(a) of the Business Trust Act, the Holders of the Preferred Securities shall be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. SECTION 10.2 Exculpation. (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Trust or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith on behalf of the Trust and in a manner such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Declaration or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Trust and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Trust by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Trust, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 10.3 Fiduciary Duty. (a) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnified Person has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Trust or to any other Covered Person, an Indemnified Person acting under this Declaration shall not be liable to the Trust or to any other Covered Person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Declaration. The provisions of this Declaration, to the extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of an Indemnified Person otherwise existing at law or in equity (other than the duties imposed on 42 48 the Property Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act), are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and liabilities of such Indemnified Person. (b) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein: (i) whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between any Covered Persons; or (ii) whenever this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein provides that an Indemnified Person shall act in a manner that is, or provides terms that are, fair and reasonable to the Trust or any Holder of Securities, the Indemnified Person shall resolve such conflict of interest, take such action or provide such terms, considering in each case the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting practices or principles. In the absence of bad faith by the Indemnified Person, the resolution, action or term so made, taken or provided by the Indemnified Person shall not constitute a breach of this Declaration or any other agreement contemplated herein or of any duty or obligation of the Indemnified Person at law or in equity or otherwise. (c) Whenever in this Declaration an Indemnified Person is permitted or required to make a decision: (i) in its "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority, the Indemnified Person shall be entitled to consider such interests and factors as it desires, including its own interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of or factors affecting the Trust or any other Person; or (ii) in its "good faith" or under another express standard, the Indemnified Person shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject to any other or different standard imposed by this Declaration or by applicable law. SECTION 10.4 Indemnification. (a) (i) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, 43 49 administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Trust) by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the Company Indemnified Person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (ii) The Debenture Issuer shall indemnify, to the full extent permitted by law, any Company Indemnified Person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Trust to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a Company Indemnified Person against expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no such indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such Company Indemnified Person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Trust unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. (iii) To the extent that a Company Indemnified Person shall be successful on the merits or otherwise (including dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of an action without admission of liability) in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 44 50 10.4(a), or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified, to the full extent permitted by law, against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. (iv) Any indemnification under paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Debenture Issuer only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the Company Indemnified Person is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii). Such determination shall be made (1) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of such Regular Trustees who were not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the Common Security Holder of the Trust. (v) Expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by a Company Indemnified Person in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) of this Section 10.4(a) shall be paid by the Debenture Issuer in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Company Indemnified Person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Debenture Issuer as authorized in this Section 10.4(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no advance shall be made by the Debenture Issuer if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by the Regular Trustees by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees, (ii) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable, if a quorum of disinterested Regular Trustees so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion or (iii) the Common Security Holder of the Trust, that, based upon the facts known to the Regular Trustees, counsel or the Common Security Holder at the time such determination is made, such Company Indemnified Person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, or, with respect to any criminal proceeding, that such Company Indemnified Person believed or had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In no event shall any advance be made in instances where the Regular Trustees, independent legal coun- 45 51 sel or Common Security Holder reasonably determine that such person deliberately breached his duty to the Trust or its Common or Preferred Security Holders. (vi) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other paragraphs of this Section 10.4(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification and advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors of the Debenture Issuer or Preferred Security Holders of the Trust or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. All rights to indemnification under this Section 10.4(a) shall be deemed to be provided by a contract between the Debenture Issuer and each Company Indemnified Person who serves in such capacity at any time while this Section 10.4(a) is in effect. Any repeal or modification of this Section 10.4(a) shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing. (vii) The Debenture Issuer or the Trust may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Company Indemnified Person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Debenture Issuer would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a). (viii) For purposes of this Section 10.4(a), references to "the Trust" shall include, in addition to the resulting or surviving entity, any constituent entity (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger, so that any person who is or was a director, trustee, officer or employee of such constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another entity, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section 10.4(a) with respect to the resulting or surviving entity as he would have with respect to such constituent entity if its separate existence had continued. (ix) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Section 10.4(a) shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Company Indemnified Person and shall 46 52 inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. (b) The Debenture Issuer agrees to indemnify the (i) Property Trustee, (ii) the Delaware Trustee [(in its individual capacity)], (iii) any Affiliate of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, and (iv) any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, custodians, nominees or agents of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee (each of the Persons in (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Fiduciary Indemnified Person") for, and to hold each Fiduciary Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of such Fiduciary Indemnified Person) incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration or the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 10.4(b) shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Declaration. SECTION 10.5 Outside Businesses. Any Covered Person, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Trust, and the Trust and the Holders of Securities shall have no rights by virtue of this Declaration in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Trust, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper. No Covered Person, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee, or the Property Trustee shall be obligated to present any particular investment or other opportunity to the Trust even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Trust, could be taken by the Trust, and any Covered Person, the Depositor, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee shall have the right to take for its own account (individually or as a partner or fiduciary) or to recommend to others any such particular investment or other opportunity. Any Covered Person, the Delaware Trustee and the Property Trustee may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor, or may act as depositary for, trustee or agent for, or act on any committee or body of holders of, securities or other obligations of the Depositor or its Affiliates. 47 53 ARTICLE XI ACCOUNTING SECTION 11.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year ("Fiscal Year") of the Trust shall be the calendar year, or such other year as is required by the Code. SECTION 11.2 Certain Accounting Matters. (a) At all times during the existence of the Trust, the Regular Trustees shall keep, or cause to be kept, full books of account, records and supporting documents, which shall reflect in reasonable detail, each transaction of the Trust. The books of account shall be maintained on the accrual method of accounting, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. The Trust shall use the accrual method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. The books of account and the records of the Trust shall be examined by and reported upon as of the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust by a firm of independent certified public accountants selected by the Regular Trustees. (b) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, within [90] days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust, annual financial statements of the Trust, including a balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such Fiscal Year, and the related statements of income or loss; (c) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and delivered to each of the Holders of Securities, any annual United States federal income tax information statement, required by the Code, containing such information with regard to the Securities held by each Holder as is required by the Code and the Treasury Regulations. Notwithstanding any right under the Code to deliver any such statement at a later date, the Regular Trustees shall endeavor to deliver all such statements within 30 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Trust. (d) The Regular Trustees shall cause to be duly prepared and filed with the appropriate taxing authority, an annual United States federal income tax return, on a Form 1041 or such other form required by United States federal income tax law, and any other annual income tax returns required to be filed by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust with any state or local taxing authority. SECTION 11.3 Banking. The Trust shall maintain one or more bank accounts in the name and for the sole benefit of the Trust; provided, howev- 48 54 er, that all payments of funds in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee shall be made directly to the Property Trustee Account and no other funds of the Trust shall be deposited in the Property Trustee Account. The sole signatories for such accounts shall be designated by the Regular Trustees; provided, however, that the Property Trustee shall designate the signatories for the Property Trustee Account. SECTION 11.4 Withholding. The Trust and the Regular Trustees shall comply with all withholding requirements under United States federal, state and local law. The Trust shall request, and the Holders shall provide to the Trust, such forms or certificates as are necessary to establish an exemption from withholding with respect to each Holder, and any representations and forms as shall reasonably be requested by the Trust to assist it in determining the extent of, and in fulfilling, its withholding obligations. The Regular Trustees shall file required forms with applicable jurisdictions and, unless an exemption from withholding is properly established by a Holder, shall remit amounts withheld with respect to the Holder to applicable jurisdictions. To the extent that the Trust is required to withhold and pay over any amounts to any authority with respect to distributions or allocations to any Holder, the amount withheld shall be deemed to be a distribution in the amount of the withholding to the Holder. In the event of any claimed over withholding, Holders shall be limited to an action against the applicable jurisdiction. If the amount required to be withheld was not withheld from actual Distributions made, the Trust may reduce subsequent Distributions by the amount of such withholding. ARTICLE XII AMENDMENTS AND MEETINGS SECTION 12.1 Amendments. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Declaration or by any applicable terms of the Securities, this Declaration may only be amended by a written instrument approved and executed by: (i) the Regular Trustees (or, if there are more than two Regular Trustees a majority of the Regular Trustees); (ii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee; and 49 55 (iii) if the amendment affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Delaware Trustee, the Delaware Trustee; (b) no amendment shall be made, and any such purported amendment shall be void and ineffective: (i) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment, the Property Trustee shall have first received an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Depositor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); (ii) unless, in the case of any proposed amendment which affects the rights, powers, duties, obligations or immunities of the Property Trustee, the Property Trustee shall have first received: (A) an Officers' Certificate from each of the Trust and the Depositor that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and (B) an opinion of counsel (who may be counsel to the Depositor or the Trust) that such amendment is permitted by, and conforms to, the terms of this Declaration (including the terms of the Securities); and (iii) to the extent the result of such amendment would be to: (A) cause the trust to fail to continue to be classified for purposes of United States federal income taxation as a grantor trust; (B) reduce or otherwise adversely affect the powers of the Property Trustee in contravention of the Trust Indenture Act; or (C) cause the Trust to be deemed to be an Investment Company required to be registered under the Investment Company Act; (c) at such time after the Trust has issued any Securities that remain outstanding, any amendment that would adversely affect the rights, privileges or preferences of any Holder of Securities may be effected only with such additional requirements as may be set forth in the terms of such Securities; 50 56 (d) Section 9.1(c) and this Section 12.1 shall not be amended without the consent of all of the Holders of the Securities; (e) Article IV shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities; (f) the rights of the holders of the Common Securities under Article V to increase or decrease the number of, and appoint and remove Trustees shall not be amended without the consent of the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities; and (g) notwithstanding Section 12.1(c), this Declaration may be amended by the Depositor and the Trustees without the consent of the Holders of the Securities to: (i) cure any ambiguity; (ii) correct or supplement any provision in this Declaration that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Declaration; (iii) add to the covenants, restrictions or obligations of the Depositor; (iv) conform to any change in Rule 3a-5 or written change in interpretation or application of Rule 3a-5 by any legislative body, court, government agency or regulatory authority which amendment does not have a material adverse effect on the right, preferences or privileges of the Holders; and (v) modify, eliminate and add to any provision of this Declaration to such extent as may be necessary. SECTION 12.2 Meetings of the Holders of Securities; Action by Written Consent. (a) Meetings of the Holders of any class of Securities may be called at any time by the Regular Trustees (or as provided in the terms of the Securities) to consider and act on any matter on which Holders of such class of Securities are entitled to act under the terms of this Declaration, the terms of the Securities or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading. The Regular Trustees shall call a meeting of the Holders of such class if directed to do so by the Holders of at least 10% in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. Such direction shall be given by delivering to the Regular Trustees one or more calls in a writing stating that the signing Holders of Securities wish to call a 51 57 meeting and indicating the general or specific purpose for which the meeting is to be called. Any Holders of Securities calling a meeting shall specify in writing the Security Certificates held by the Holders of Securities exercising the right to call a meeting and only those Securities specified shall be counted for purposes of determining whether the required percentage set forth in the second sentence of this paragraph has been met. (b) Except to the extent otherwise provided in the terms of the Securities, the following provisions shall apply to meetings of Holders of Securities: (i) notice of any such meeting shall be given to all the Holders of Securities having a right to vote thereat at least 7 days and not more than 60 days before the date of such meeting. Whenever a vote, consent or approval of the Holders of Securities is permitted or required under this Declaration or the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed or admitted for trading, such vote, consent or approval may be given at a meeting of the Holders of Securities. Any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Holders of Securities may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by the Holders of Securities owning not less than the minimum amount of Securities in liquidation amount that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all Holders of Securities having a right to vote thereon were present and voting. Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Holders of Securities entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. The Regular Trustees may specify that any written ballot submitted to the Security Holder for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Trust within the time specified by the Regular Trustees; (ii) each Holder of a Security may authorize any Person to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Holder of Securities is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Holder of Securities executing it. Except as otherwise provided herein, all matters relating to the giving, voting or validity of proxies shall be governed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware relating to proxies, and judicial interpretations thereunder, as if the Trust were a Delaware corporation and 52 58 the Holders of the Securities were stockholders of a Delaware corporation; (iii) each meeting of the Holders of the Securities shall be conducted by the Regular Trustees or by such other Person that the Regular Trustees may designate; and (iv) unless the Business Trust Act, this Declaration, the terms of the Securities, the Trust Indenture Act or the listing rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are then listed or trading, otherwise provides, the Regular Trustees, in their sole discretion, shall establish all other provisions relating to meetings of Holders of Securities, including notice of the time, place or purpose of any meeting at which any matter is to be voted on by any Holders of Securities, waiver of any such notice, action by consent without a meeting, the establishment of a record date, quorum requirements, voting in person or by proxy or any other matter with respect to the exercise of any such right to vote. ARTICLE XIII REPRESENTATIONS OF PROPERTY TRUSTEE AND DELAWARE TRUSTEE SECTION 13.1 Representations and Warranties of Property Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Depositor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Property Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Depositor at the time of the Successor Property Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Property Trustee that: (a) the Property Trustee is a Massachusetts trust company with trust powers and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration; (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Property Trustee of the Declaration has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Property Trustee. The Declaration has been duly executed and delivered by the Property Trustee, and it constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Property Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles 53 59 of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Declaration by the Property Trustee does not conflict with or constitute a breach of the charter or by-laws of the Property Trustee; and (d) no consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any Massachusetts or federal banking authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Property Trustee, of this Declaration. SECTION 13.2 Representations and Warranties of Delaware Trustee. The Trustee that acts as initial Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and to the Depositor at the date of this Declaration, and each Successor Delaware Trustee represents and warrants to the Trust and the Depositor at the time of the Successor Delaware Trustee's acceptance of its appointment as Delaware Trustee that: (a) The Delaware Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with trust power and authority to execute and deliver, and to carry out and perform its obligations under the terms of, this Declaration. (b) The Delaware Trustee has been authorized to perform its obligations under the Certificate of Trust and this Declaration. This Declaration under Delaware law constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Delaware Trustee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity and the discretion of the court (regardless of whether the enforcement of such remedies is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). (c) No consent, approval or authorization of, or registration with or notice to, any banking authority of the State of Delaware or any federal banking authority governing the banking or trust powers of the Delaware Trustee is required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Delaware Trustee, of this Declaration. (d) The Delaware Trustee is a natural person who is a resident of the State of Delaware or, if not a natural person, an entity which has its principal place of business in the State of Delaware. 54 60 ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 14.1 Notices. All notices provided for in this Declaration shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows: (a) if given to the Trust, in care of the Regular Trustees at the Trust's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Trust may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities): [Allstate Financing I] c/o The Allstate Corporation 2775 Sanders Road Northbrook, Illinois 60062 Attention: Telecopy: (b) if given to the Delaware Trustee, at the mailing address set forth below (or such other address as Delaware Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities): Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc. 900 Market Street, 2nd Floor Wilmington, Delaware 19801 Attention: Corporate Trust Administration/ Richard N. Smith Telecopy: (c) if given to the Property Trustee, at the Property Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Property Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Securities): State Street Bank and Trust Company Two International Place Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Attention: Corporate Trust Department Telecopy: (d) if given to the Holder of the Common Securities, at the mailing address of the Depositor set forth below (or such other address as the Holder of the Common Securities may give notice to the Trust): 55 61 The Allstate Corporation 2775 Sanders Road Northbrook, Illinois 60062 Attention: Telecopy: (e) if given to any other Holder, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Trust. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 14.2 Governing Law. This Declaration and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights and remedies shall be governed by such laws without regard to principles of conflict of laws. SECTION 14.3 Intention of the Parties. It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Trust be classified for United States federal income tax purposes as a grantor trust. The provisions of this Declaration shall be interpreted to further this intention of the parties. SECTION 14.4 Headings. Headings contained in this Declaration are inserted for convenience of reference only and do not affect the interpretation of this Declaration or any provision hereof. SECTION 14.5 Successors and Assigns. Whenever in this Declaration any of the parties hereto is named or referred to, the successors and assigns of such party shall be deemed to be included, and all covenants and agreements in this Declaration by the Depositor and the Trustees shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed. SECTION 14.6 Partial Enforceability. If any provision of this Declaration, or the application of such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Declaration, or the applica- 56 62 tion of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby. SECTION 14.7 Counterparts. This Declaration may contain more than one counterpart of the signature page and this Declaration may be executed by the affixing of the signature of each of the Trustees to one of such counterpart signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers had signed a single signature page. 57 63 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused these presents to be executed as of the day and year first above written. __________________________________ ______________, as Regular Trustee __________________________________ ______________, as Regular Trustee __________________________________ ______________, as Regular Trustee DELAWARE TRUST CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC., as Delaware Trustee By:_______________________________ Name: Title: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Property Trustee By:_______________________________ Name: Title: THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION, as Depositor By:_______________________________ Name: Title: 58 64 ANNEX I TERMS OF _____% _________ PREFERRED SECURITIES _____% _________ COMMON SECURITIES Pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated as of _______ __, ____ (as amended from time to time, the "Declaration"), the designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities and the Common Securities are set out below (each capitalized term used but not defined herein has the meaning set forth in the Declaration or, if not defined in such Declaration, as defined in the Prospectus referred to below): 1. Designation and Number. (a) Preferred Securities. __________ Preferred Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of _____________________ dollars ($__________) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $___ per preferred security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% __________ Preferred Securities(SM) ("______"(SM))" (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred Security Certificates evidencing the Preferred Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice or to conform to the rules of any stock exchange on which the Preferred Securities are listed. (b) Common Securities. __________ Common Securities of the Trust with an aggregate liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of ______________________ dollars ($__________) and a liquidation amount with respect to the assets of the Trust of $___ per common security, are hereby designated for the purposes of identification only as "_____% ____________ Common Securities" (the "Common Securities"). The Common Security Certificates evidencing the Common Securities shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 to the Declaration, with such changes and additions thereto or deletions therefrom as may be required by ordinary usage, custom or practice. 2. Distributions. (a) Distributions payable on each Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of _____% (the "Coupon Rate") of the I-1 65 stated liquidation amount of $___ per Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. (b) Distributions on the Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from ______ __, ____, and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, commencing on ______ __, ____, except as otherwise described below. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters or extending beyond the maturity date of the Debentures (each an "Extension Period"), during which Extension Period no interest shall be due and payable on the Debentures; provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of maturity of the Debentures. As a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. (c) Distributions on the Securities will be payable to the Holders thereof as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the relevant record dates. While the Preferred Securities remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates shall be one Business Day prior to the relevant payment dates which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Subject to any applicable laws I-2 66 and regulations and the provisions of the Declaration, each such payment in respect of the Preferred Securities will be made as described under the heading "Description of the Preferred Securities -- Book-Entry Only Issuance -- The Depository Trust Company" in the Prospectus Supplement dated ______ __, ____, to the Prospectus dated ______ __, ____ (together, the "Prospectus"), of the Trust included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of the Depositor, the Trust and certain other business trusts. The relevant record dates for the Common Securities shall be the same record date as for the Preferred Securities. If the Preferred Securities shall not continue to remain in book-entry only form, the relevant record dates for the Preferred Securities, shall conform to the rules of any securities exchange on which the securities are listed and, if none, shall be selected by the Regular Trustees, which dates shall be at least one Business Day but less than 60 Business Days before the relevant payment dates, which payment dates correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. Distributions payable on any Securities that are not punctually paid on any Distribution payment date, as a result of the Debenture Issuer having failed to make a payment under the Debentures, will cease to be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the relevant record date, and such defaulted Distribution will instead be payable to the Person in whose name such Securities are registered on the special record date or other specified date determined in accordance with the Indenture. If any date on which Distributions are payable on the Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Distribution payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date. (d) In the event that there is any money or other property held by or for the Trust that is not accounted for hereunder, such property shall be distributed Pro Rata (as defined herein) among the Holders of the Securities. 3. Liquidation Distribution Upon Dissolution. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Trust, the Holders of the Securities on the date of the dissolution, winding-up or termination, as the case may be, will be entitled to receive out of the assets of the Trust available for distribution to Holders of Securities after satisfaction of liabilities of creditors an amount equal to the aggregate of the stated liquidation amount of $___ per Security plus accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon to the date of payment (such amount being the "Liquidation Distribution"), unless, in connection with such dissolution, winding-up or termination, Debentures in an aggregate stated I-3 67 principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of such Securities, with an interest rate equal to the Coupon Rate of, and bearing accrued and unpaid interest in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid Distributions on, such Securities, shall be distributed on a Pro Rata basis to the Holders of the Securities in exchange for such Securities. If, upon any such dissolution, the Liquidation Distribution can be paid only in part because the Trust has insufficient assets available to pay in full the aggregate Liquidation Distribution, then the amounts payable directly by the Trust on the Securities shall be paid on a Pro Rata basis. 4. Redemption and Distribution. (a) Upon the repayment of the Debentures in whole or in part, whether at maturity or upon redemption (either at the option of the Debenture Issuer or pursuant to a Tax Event as described below), the proceeds from such repayment or payment shall be simultaneously applied to redeem Securities having an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so repaid or redeemed at a redemption price of $___ per Security plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions thereon at the date of the redemption, payable in cash (the "Redemption Price"). Holders will be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice of such redemption. (b) If fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be so redeemed, the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities will be redeemed Pro Rata and the Preferred Securities to be redeemed will be as described in Section 4(f)(ii) below. (c) If, at any time, a Tax Event (as defined below) shall occur and be continuing the Regular Trustees shall, except in certain limited circumstances described in this Section 4(c), dissolve the Trust and, after satisfaction of creditors, cause Debentures held by the Property Trustee, having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on, and having the same record date for payment as the Securities, to be distributed to the Holders of the Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust on a Pro Rata basis, within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event (the "90 Day Period"); provided, however, that, as a condition of such dissolution and distribution, the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "No Recognition Opinion"), which opinion may rely on published revenue rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, to the effect that the Holders of the Securities will not recognize any gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of I-4 68 the dissolution of the Trust and the distribution of Debentures; and provided, further, that, if at the time there is available to the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within the 90 Day Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial action, such as filing a form or making an election, or pursuing some other similar reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the Trust, the Debenture Issuer, the Depositor or the Holders of the Securities ("Ministerial Action"), the Trust will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of dissolution. If in the event of a Tax Event, (i) after receipt of a Tax Event Opinion (as defined hereinafter) by the Regular Trustees, the Debenture Issuer has received an opinion (a "Redemption Tax Opinion") of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters that, as a result of a Tax Event, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Debenture Issuer would be precluded from deducting the interest on the Debentures for United States federal income tax purposes even after the Debentures were distributed to the Holders of Securities in liquidation of such Holders' interests in the Trust as described in this Section 4(c), or (ii) the Regular Trustees shall have been informed by such tax counsel that a No Recognition Opinion cannot be delivered to the Trust, the Debenture Issuer shall have the right at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, to redeem the Debentures in whole or in part for cash within 90 days following the occurrence of such Tax Event, and, following such redemption, Securities with an aggregate liquidation amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures so redeemed shall be redeemed by the Trust at the Redemption Price on a Pro Rata basis; provided, however, that, if at the time there is available to the Debenture Issuer or the Trust the opportunity to eliminate, within such 90 day period, the Special Event by taking some Ministerial Action, the Trust or the Debenture Issuer will pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption. "Tax Event" means that the Regular Trustees shall have received an opinion of a nationally recognized independent tax counsel experienced in such matters (a "Dissolution Tax Opinion") to the effect that on or after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, as a result of (a) any amendment to, clarification of or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting taxation, (b) any judicial decision, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt such procedures or regulations (an "Administrative Action") or (c) any amendment to, clarification of, or change in the official position or the interpretation of such Administrative Action or judicial decision that differs from the theretofore generally accepted position, in each case, by any legislative I-5 69 body, court, governmental authority or regulatory body, irrespective of the manner in which such amendment, clarification or change is made known, which amendment, clarification, or change is effective or such pronouncement or decision is announced, in each case, on or after, the first date of issuance of the Securities, there is more than an insubstantial risk that (i) the Trust is or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to United States federal income tax with respect to interest accrued or received on the Debentures, (ii) the Trust is, or will be within 90 days of the date thereof, subject to more than a de minimis amount of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, or (iii) interest payable by the Debenture Issuer to the Trust on the Debentures is not, or within 90 days of the date thereof will not be, deductible, in whole or in part, by the Debenture Issuer for United States federal income tax purposes. On and from the date fixed by the Regular Trustees for any distribution of Debentures and dissolution of the Trust: (i) the Securities will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, (ii) DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), as the record Holder of the Preferred Securities, will receive a registered global certificate or certificates representing the Debentures to be delivered upon such distribution and any certificates representing Securities, except for certificates representing Preferred Securities held by DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee), will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in the Debentures having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount of, with an interest rate identical to the Coupon Rate of, and accrued and unpaid interest equal to accrued and unpaid Distributions on such Securities until such certificates are presented to the Debenture Issuer or its agent for transfer or reissue. (d) The Trust may not redeem fewer than all the outstanding Securities unless all accrued and unpaid Distribu- tions have been paid on all Securities for all quarterly Distribution periods terminating on or before the date of redemption. (e) If the Debentures are distributed to holders of the Securities, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Debenture Issuer will use its best efforts to have the Debentures listed on the New York Stock Exchange or on such other exchange as the Preferred Securities were listed immediately prior to the distribution of the Debentures. (f) "Redemption or Distribution Procedures." (i) Notice of any redemption of, or notice of distribution of Debentures in exchange for the Securities (a "Redemption/Distribution Notice") will be given by I-6 70 the Trust by mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed or exchanged not fewer than 30 nor more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption or exchange thereof which, in the case of a redemption, will be the date fixed for redemption of the Debentures. For purposes of the calculation of the date of redemption or exchange and the dates on which notices are given pursuant to this Section 4(f)(i), a Redemption/ Distribution Notice shall be deemed to be given on the day such notice is first mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to Holders of Securities. Each Redemption/Distribution Notice shall be addressed to the Holders of Securities at the address of each such Holder appearing in the books and records of the Trust. No defect in the Redemption/Distribution Notice or in the mailing of either thereof with respect to any Holder shall affect the validity of the redemption or exchange proceedings with respect to any other Holder. (ii) In the event that fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be redeemed Pro Rata from each Holder of Preferred Securities, it being understood that, in respect of Preferred Securities registered in the name of and held of record by the DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) or any nominee, the distribution of the proceeds of such redemption will be made to each Clearing Agency Participant (or Person on whose behalf such nominee holds such securities) in accordance with the procedures applied by such agency or nominee. (iii) If Securities are to be redeemed and the Trust gives a Redemption/Distribution Notice, which notice may only be issued if the Debentures are redeemed as set out in this Section 4 (which notice will be irrevocable), then (A) while the Preferred Securities are in book-entry only form, with respect to the Preferred Securities, by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the redemption date, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related re- I-7 71 demption or maturity of the Debentures, the Property Trustee will deposit irrevocably with DTC or its nominee (or successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) funds sufficient to pay the applicable Redemption Price with respect to the Preferred Securities and will give DTC irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Redemption Price to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and (B) with respect to Preferred Securities issued in definitive form and Common Securities, provided that the Debenture Issuer has paid the Property Trustee a sufficient amount of cash in connection with the related redemption or maturity of the Debentures, the Property Trustee will pay the relevant Redemption Price to the Holders of such Securities by check mailed to the address of the relevant Holder appearing on the books and records of the Trust on the redemption date. If a Redemption/Distribution Notice shall have been given and funds deposited as required, if applicable, then immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such deposit, or on the redemption date, as applicable, distributions will cease to accrue on the Securities so called for redemption and all rights of Holders of such Securities so called for redemption will cease, except the right of the Holders of such Securities to receive the Redemption Price, but without interest on such Redemption Price. Neither the Regular Trustees nor the Trust shall be required to register or cause to be registered the transfer of any Securities that have been so called for redemption. If any date fixed for redemption of Securities is not a Business Day, then payment of the Redemption Price payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) except that, if such Business Day falls in the next calendar year, such payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made on such date fixed for redemption. If payment of the Redemption Price in respect of any Securities is improperly withheld or refused and not paid either by the Property Trustee or by the Depositor as guarantor pursuant to the relevant Securities I-8 72 Guarantee, Distributions on such Securities will continue to accrue from the original redemption date to the actual date of payment, in which case the actual payment date will be considered the date fixed for redemption for purposes of calculating the Redemption Price. (iv) Redemption/Distribution Notices shall be sent by the Regular Trustees on behalf of the Trust to (A) in respect of the Preferred Securities, DTC or its nominee (or any successor Clearing Agency or its nominee) if the Global Certificates have been issued or, if Definitive Preferred Security Certificates have been issued, to the Holder thereof, and (B) in respect of the Common Securities to the Holder thereof. (v) Subject to the foregoing and applicable law (including, without limitation, United States federal securities laws), provided the acquiror is not the Holder of the Common Securities or the obligor under the Indenture, the Depositor or any of its subsidiaries may at any time and from time to time purchase outstanding Preferred Securities by tender, in the open market or by private agreement. 5. Voting Rights - Preferred Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 5(b) and 7 and as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Preferred Securities will have no voting rights. (b) Subject to the requirements set forth in this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities, voting separately as a class may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration, including the right to direct the Property Trustee, as holder of the Debentures, to (i) exercise the remedies available under the Indenture, conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section ___ of the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable[; provided, however, that, where a consent under the Indenture would I-9 73 require the consent or act of the Holders of greater than a majority of the Holders in principal amount of Debentures affected thereby, (a "Super Majority"), the Property Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding]. The Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Property Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Preferred Securities under this paragraph unless the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If a Declaration Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such event is attributable to the failure of the Debenture Issuer to pay interest or principal on the Debentures on the date such interest or principal is otherwise payable (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), then a holder of Preferred Securities may directly institute a proceeding for enforcement of payment to such Holder of the principal of or interest on the Debentures having a principal amount equal to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities of such holder (a "Direct Action") on or after the respective due date specified in the Debentures. In connection with such Direct Action, the rights of the holders of the Common Securities Holder will be subrogated to the rights of such holder of Preferred Securities to the extent of any payment made by the Issuer to such holder of Preferred Securities in such Direct Action. Except as provided in the preceding sentences, the Holders of Preferred Securities will not be able to exercise directly any other remedy available to the holders of the Debentures. Any approval or direction of Holders of Preferred Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Preferred Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Preferred Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. I-10 74 No vote or consent of the Holders of the Preferred Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Preferred Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. Notwithstanding that Holders of Preferred Securities are entitled to vote or consent under any of the circumstances described above, any of the Preferred Securities that are owned by the Depositor or any Affiliate of the Depositor shall not be entitled to vote or consent and shall, for purposes of such vote or consent, be treated as if they were not outstanding. 6. Voting Rights - Common Securities. (a) Except as provided under Sections 6(b), (c), 7(a) and 8 as otherwise required by law and the Declaration, the Holders of the Common Securities will have no voting rights. (b) The Holders of the Common Securities are entitled, in accordance with Article V of the Declaration, to vote to appoint, remove or replace any Trustee or to increase or decrease the number of Trustees. (c) Subject to Section 2.6 of the Declaration and only after the Event of Default with respect to the Preferred Securities has been cured, waived, or otherwise eliminated and subject to the requirements of the second to last sentence of this paragraph, the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Common Securities, voting separately as a class, may direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Property Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Property Trustee under the Declaration, including (i) directing the time, method, place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Debenture Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Debenture Trustee with respect to the Debentures, (ii) waive any past default and its consequences that is waivable under Section ____ of the Indenture, or (iii) exercise any right to rescind or annul a declaration that the principal of all the Debentures shall be due and payable[; provided that, where a consent or action under the Indenture would require the consent or act of a Super Majority, the Property Trustee may only give such consent or take such action at the written direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Common Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding]. Pursuant to this Section 6(c), the Property Trustee shall not revoke any action previously authorized or approved by a vote of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. Other than with respect to directing the time, method and place of conducting any remedy available to the Property Trustee or the Debenture Trustee as set forth above, the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accor- I-11 75 dance with the directions of the Holders of the Common Securities under this paragraph unless the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. If the Property Trustee fails to enforce its rights under the Declaration, any Holder of Common Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against any Person to enforce the Property Trustee's rights under the Declaration, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Property Trustee or any other Person. Any approval or direction of Holders of Common Securities may be given at a separate meeting of Holders of Common Securities convened for such purpose, at a meeting of all of the Holders of Securities in the Trust or pursuant to written consent. The Regular Trustees will cause a notice of any meeting at which Holders of Common Securities are entitled to vote, or of any matter upon which action by written consent of such Holders is to be taken, to be mailed to each Holder of record of Common Securities. Each such notice will include a statement setting forth (i) the date of such meeting or the date by which such action is to be taken, (ii) a description of any resolution proposed for adoption at such meeting on which such Holders are entitled to vote or of such matter upon which written consent is sought and (iii) instructions for the delivery of proxies or consents. No vote or consent of the Holders of the Common Securities will be required for the Trust to redeem and cancel Common Securities or to distribute the Debentures in accordance with the Declaration and the terms of the Securities. 7. Amendments to Declaration and Indenture. (a) In addition to any requirements under Section 12.1 of the Declaration, if any proposed amendment to the Declaration provides for, or the Regular Trustees otherwise propose to effect, (i) any action that would adversely affect the powers, preferences or special rights of the Securities, whether by way of amendment to the Declaration or otherwise, or (ii) the dissolution, winding- up or termination of the Trust, other than as described in Section 8.1 of the Declaration, then the Holders of outstanding Securities voting together as a single class, will be entitled to vote on such amendment or proposal (but not on any other amendment or proposal) and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities, affected thereby, provided, however, if any amendment or proposal referred to in clause (i) above would adversely affect only the Preferred Securities or only the Common Securities, then only the affected class will be entitled to vote on such amendment or I-12 76 proposal and such amendment or proposal shall not be effective except with the approval of a Majority in liquidation amount of such class of Securities. (b) In the event the consent of the Property Trustee as the holder of the Debentures is required under the Indenture with respect to any amendment, modification or termination on the Indenture or the Debentures, the Property Trustee shall request the written direction of the Holders of the Securities with respect to such amendment, modification or termination and shall vote with respect to such amendment, modification or termination as directed by a Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities voting together as a single class[; provided, however, that where a consent under the Indenture would require the consent of a Super Majority, the Property Trustee may only give such consent at the direction of the Holders of at least the proportion in liquidation amount of the Securities which the relevant Super Majority represents of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures outstanding]; provided, further, that the Property Trustee shall not take any action in accordance with the directions of the Holders of the Securities under this Section 7(b) unless the Property Trustee has obtained an opinion of tax counsel to the effect that for the purposes of United States federal income tax the Trust will not be classified as other than a grantor trust on account of such action. 8. Pro Rata. A reference in these terms of the Securities to any payment, distribution or treatment as being "Pro Rata" shall mean pro rata to each Holder of Securities according to the aggregate liquidation amount of the Securities held by the relevant Holder in relation to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Securities outstanding unless, in relation to a payment, an Event of Default under the Declaration has occurred and is continuing, in which case any funds available to make such payment shall be paid first to each Holder of the Preferred Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Preferred Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Preferred Securities outstanding, and only after satisfaction of all amounts owed to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, to each Holder of Common Securities pro rata according to the aggregate liquidation amount of Common Securities held by the relevant Holder relative to the aggregate liquidation amount of all Common Securities outstanding. 9. Ranking. The Preferred Securities rank pari passu and payment thereon shall be made Pro Rata with the Common Securities except that, where a Declaration Event of Default occurs and is continuing the rights of Holders of the Common Securities to payment in I-13 77 respect of Distributions and payments upon liquidation, redemption and otherwise are subordinated to the rights to payment of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. 10. Listing. The Regular Trustees shall use their best efforts to cause the Preferred Securities to be listed for quotation on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. 11. Acceptance of Securities Guarantee and Indenture. Each Holder of Preferred Securities and Common Securities, by the acceptance thereof, agrees to the provisions of the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Common Securities Guarantee, respectively, including the subordination provisions therein and to the provisions of the Indenture. 12. No Preemptive Rights. The Holders of the Securities shall have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities. 13. Miscellaneous. These terms constitute a part of the Declaration. The Depositor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Preferred Securities Guarantee or the Common Securities Guarantee (as may be appropriate), and the Indenture to a Holder without charge on written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. I-14 78 EXHIBIT A-1 FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITY CERTIFICATE This Preferred Security is a Global Certificate within the meaning of the Declaration hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or a nominee of DTC. This Preferred Security is exchangeable for Preferred Securities registered in the name of a person other than DTC or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Declaration and no transfer of this Preferred Security (other than a transfer of this Preferred Security as a whole by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC) may be registered except in limited circumstances. Unless this Preferred Security is presented by an authorized representative of DTC (55 Water Street, New York, New York) to the Trust or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any Preferred Security issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of DTC and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein. Certificate Number Number of Preferred Securities CUSIP NO. _______________ Certificate Evidencing Preferred Securities of [Allstate Financing I] _____% ____________ Preferred Securities(SM) ("______(SM)) (liquidation amount $___ per Preferred Security) [Allstate Financing I], a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that ______________ (the "Holder") is the registered owner of preferred securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust designated the ____% _________ Preferred Securities (SM) (liquidation amount $___ per Preferred Security) (the "Preferred Securities"). The Preferred Securities are transferable on the books and A1-1 79 records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of ______ __, ____, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Preferred Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Preferred Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Depositor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Preferred Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebtedness and the Preferred Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ____ day of _______, ____. [ALLSTATE FINANCING I] By:_____________________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A1-2 80 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Preferred Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of _____% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $___ per Preferred Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. Except as otherwise described below, distributions on the Preferred Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on _____ __, ____, to ______ __, ____. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period"); provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures and as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. The Preferred Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. A1-3 81 _____________________ ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Preferred Security Certificate to: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ (Insert assignee's name and social security or tax identification number) ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ (Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ agent to transfer this Preferred Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her. Date: _______________________ Signature: __________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Security Certificate) Signature Guarantee*: ___________________________________ ___________________________ * Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A1-4 82 EXHIBIT A-2 FORM OF COMMON SECURITY CERTIFICATE Certificate Number Number of Common Securities Certificate Evidencing Common Securities of [Allstate Financing I] _____% __________ Common Securities (liquidation amount $___ per Common Security) [Allstate Financing I], a statutory business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust"), hereby certifies that [The Allstate Corporation] (the "Holder") is the registered owner of common securities of the Trust representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust designated the _____% __________ Common Securities (liquidation amount $___ per Common Security) (the "Common Securities"). The Common Securities are transferable on the books and records of the Trust, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designation, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Common Securities represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust dated as of ______ __, ____, as the same may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration"), including the designation of the terms of the Common Securities as set forth in Annex I to the Declaration. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Declaration. The Holder is entitled to the benefits of the Common Securities Guarantee to the extent provided therein. The Depositor will provide a copy of the Declaration, the Common Securities Guarantee and the Indenture to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Trust at its principal place of business. Upon receipt of this certificate, the Depositor is bound by the Declaration and is entitled to the benefits thereunder. By acceptance, the Holder agrees to treat, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Debentures as indebted- A2-1 83 ness and the Common Securities as evidence of indirect beneficial ownership in the Debentures. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust has executed this certificate this ___ day of ____________, ____. [ALLSTATE FINANCING I] By:_____________________________________ Name: Title: Regular Trustee A2-2 84 [FORM OF REVERSE OF SECURITY] Distributions payable on each Common Security will be fixed at a rate per annum of _____% (the "Coupon Rate") of the stated liquidation amount of $___ per Common Security, such rate being the rate of interest payable on the Debentures to be held by the Property Trustee. Distributions in arrears for more than one quarter will bear interest thereon compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate (to the extent permitted by applicable law). The term "Distributions" as used herein includes such cash distributions and any such interest payable unless otherwise stated. A Distribution is payable only to the extent that payments are made in respect of the Debentures held by the Property Trustee and to the extent the Property Trustee has funds available therefor. The amount of Distributions payable for any period will be computed for any full quarterly Distribution period on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and for any period shorter than a full quarterly Distribution period for which Distributions are computed, Distributions will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed per 90-day quarter. Except as otherwise described below, distributions on the Common Securities will be cumulative, will accrue from the date of original issuance and will be payable quarterly in arrears, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on ________ __, ____, to Holders of record fifteen (15) days prior to such payment dates, which payment dates shall correspond to the interest payment dates on the Debentures. The Debenture Issuer has the right under the Indenture to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment period from time to time on the Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters (each an "Extension Period"); provided that no Extension Period shall last beyond the date of the maturity of the Debentures and as a consequence of such deferral, Distributions will also be deferred. Despite such deferral, quarterly Distributions will continue to accrue with interest thereon (to the extent permitted by applicable law) at the Coupon Rate compounded quarterly during any such Extension Period. Prior to the termination of any such Extension Period, the Debenture Issuer may further extend such Extension Period; provided that such Extension Period together with all such previous and further extensions thereof may not exceed 20 consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity date of the Debentures. Payments of accrued Distributions will be payable to Holders as they appear on the books and records of the Trust on the first record date after the end of the Extension Period. Upon the termination of any Extension Period and the payment of all amounts then due, the Debenture Issuer may commence a new Extension Period, subject to the above requirements. The Common Securities shall be redeemable as provided in the Declaration. A2-3 85 _____________________ ASSIGNMENT FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers this Common Security Certificate to: _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ (Insert assignee's name and social security or tax identification number) _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ (Insert address and zip code of assignee) and irrevocably appoints ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ agent to transfer this Common Security Certificate on the books of the Trust. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her. Date: _______________________ Signature: __________________ (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Common Security Certificate) Signature Guarantee*: ___________________________________ _________________________ * Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A2-4 86 EXHIBIT B SPECIMEN OF DEBENTURE B-1 87 EXHIBIT C UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT C-1
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                                                                EXHIBIT 4.14





                    [FORM OF PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE]





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                    PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT


                             [Allstate Financing I]


                          Dated as of _______ __, ____


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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


Page ____ ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 3.3 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred Securities Guarantee . . . . . . . . 12 ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
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Page ____ SECTION 5.6 Subrogation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SECTION 6.2 Ranking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SECTION 8.2 Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 9.2 Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 9.3 Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 SECTION 9.4 Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 SECTION 9.5 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
ii 4 PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE AGREEMENT This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), dated as of ______ __, ____, is executed and delivered by The Allstate Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a trust company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as trustee (the "Preferred Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Preferred Securities (as defined herein) of [Allstate Financing I], a Delaware statutory business trust (the "Issuer"). WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of _____ __, ____, among the trustees of the Issuer named therein, the Guarantor, as Depositor, and the holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof ___________ preferred securities, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $__________, designated the ___% ______________ Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities"); WHEREAS, the Preferred Securities will be issued by the Issuer and the proceeds thereof, together with the proceeds from the issuance of the Issuer's Common Securities (as defined below), will be used to purchase the Debentures (as defined in the Declaration) of the Guarantor which will be deposited with State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Property Trustee under the Declaration, as trust assets; and WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Preferred Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to the extent set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of the Preferred Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein. [WHEREAS, the Guarantor is also executing and delivering a guarantee agreement (the "Common Securities Guarantee") in substantially identical terms to this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the holders of the Common Securities (as defined herein), except that if an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture), has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under the Common Securities Guarantee are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments under this Preferred Securities Guarantee.] NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each Holder of Preferred Securities, which purchase the Guarantor 5 hereby agrees shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders. ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION SECTION 1.1 Definitions and Interpretation In this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) Capitalized terms used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee but not defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1; (b) a term defined anywhere in this Preferred Securities Guarantee has the same meaning throughout; (c) all references to "the Preferred Securities Guarantee" or "this Preferred Securities Guarantee" are to this Preferred Securities Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time; (d) all references in this Preferred Securities Guarantee to Articles and Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise specified; (e) a term defined in the Trust Indenture Act has the same meaning when used in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Preferred Securities Guarantee or unless the context otherwise requires; and (f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and vice versa. "Affiliate" has the same meaning as given to that term in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor rule thereunder. [An Affiliate of the Guarantor shall not be deemed to include the Issuer.] "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or Boston, Massachusetts are authorized or required by any applicable law to close. 2 6 "Common Securities" means the securities representing common undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Issuer. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Agreement is located at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. "Covered Person" means any Holder or beneficial owner of Preferred Securities. "Debentures" means the series of subordinated debt securities of the Guarantor designated the ___% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due __________ ___, ____ held by the Property Trustee (as defined in the Declaration) of the Issuer. "Event of Default" means a default by the Guarantor on any of its payment or other obligations under this Preferred Securities Guarantee[, provided, however, that, except with respect to a default in payment of any Guarantee Payments, the Guarantor shall have received notice of default and shall not have cured such default within 60 days after receipt of such notice]. "Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Preferred Securities, to the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) that are required to be paid on such Preferred Securities to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, (ii) the redemption price, including all accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Price") to the extent the Issuer has funds available therefor, with respect to any Preferred Securities called for redemption by the Issuer, and (iii) upon a voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer (other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders in exchange for Preferred Securities as provided in the Declaration), the lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount of $_________ per Preferred Security and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Preferred Securities to the date of payment, to the extent the Issuer shall have funds available therefor, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution"). If an event of default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing, the rights of holders of the Common Securities to receive payments under the Common 3 7 Securities Guarantee Agreement are subordinated to the rights of Holders of Preferred Securities to receive Guarantee Payments. "Holder" shall mean any holder, as registered on the books and records of the Issuer of any Preferred Securities; provided, however, that, in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Preferred Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder" shall not include the Guarantor[, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee] or any Affiliate of the Guarantor [or the Preferred Guarantee Trustee]. "Indemnified Person" means the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any Affiliate of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or any officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees, representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of _________ ___, ____, between the Guarantor (the "Debenture Issuer") and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which certain subordinated debt securities of the Debenture Issuer are to be issued to the Property Trustee of the Issuer. "Majority in liquidation amount of the Securities" means, except as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, a vote by Holder(s) of Preferred Securities, voting separately as a class, of more than 50% of the liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all Preferred Securities. "Officers' Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Authorized Officers of such Person. Any Officers' Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall include: (a) a statement that each officer signing the Officers' Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definition relating thereto; (b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the examination or investigation undertaken by each officer in rendering the Officers' Certificate; (c) a statement that each such officer has made such examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and 4 8 (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with. "Person" means a legal person, including any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity of whatever nature. "Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and thereafter means each such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. "Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject. "Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Preferred Guarantee Trustee under Section 4.1. "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. "Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Preferred Securities. ARTICLE II TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION 2.1 Trust Indenture Act; Application (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions; and (b) if and to the extent that any provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee limits, qualifies or conflicts 5 9 with the duties imposed by Section 310 to 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control. SECTION 2.2 Lists of Holders of Securities (a) The Guarantor shall provide the Preferred Guarantee Trustee with a list, in such form as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Preferred Securities ("List of Holders") as of such date, (i) within 1 Business Day after January 1 and June 30 of each year, and (ii) at any other time within 30 days of receipt by the Guarantor of a written request for a List of Holders as of a date no more than 14 days before such List of Holders is given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided, that the Guarantor shall not be obligated to provide such List of Holders at any time the List of Holders does not differ from the most recent List of Holders given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee by the Guarantor. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may destroy any List of Holders previously given to it on receipt of a new List of Holders. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall comply with its obligations under Sections 311(a), 311(b) and Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.3 Reports by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee Within 60 days after May 15 of each year, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall provide to the Holders of the Preferred Securities such reports as are required by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act, if any, in the form and in the manner provided by Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall also comply with the requirements of Section 313(d) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.4 Periodic Reports to Preferred Guarantee Trustee The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee[, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Holders] such documents, reports and information as required by Section 314 (if any) and the compliance certificate required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act in the form, in the manner and at the times required by Section 314 of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 2.5 Evidence of Compliance with Conditions Precedent The Guarantor shall provide to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such evidence of compliance with any conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee that relate to any of the matters set forth in Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act. Any certificate or opinion required to 6 10 be given by an officer pursuant to Section 314(c)(1) may be given in the form of an Officers' Certificate. SECTION 2.6 Events of Default; Waiver The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of Preferred Securities may, by vote, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities, waive any past Event of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. SECTION 2.7 Event of Default; Notice (a) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Preferred Securities, notices of all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the giving of such notice, provided, that, [except in the case of a default in the payment of a Guarantee Payment,] the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as [the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or] a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have received written notice, or of which a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee charged with the administration of the Declaration shall have obtained actual knowledge. SECTION 2.8 Conflicting Interests The Declaration shall be deemed to be specifically described in this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the purposes of clause (i) of the first proviso contained in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. 7 11 ARTICLE III POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 3.1 Powers and Duties of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be held by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Preferred Securities Guarantee to any Person except a Holder of Preferred Securities exercising his or her rights pursuant to Section 5.4(b) or to a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee on acceptance by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to act as Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (b) If an Event of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is continuing, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Preferred Securities Guarantee for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities. (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.6) and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs. (d) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be construed to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that: (i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default that may have occurred: 8 12 (A) the duties and obligations of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Preferred Securities Guarantee, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Preferred Securities Guarantee against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; and (B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Preferred Securities Guarantee; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements hereof or thereof; (ii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Preferred Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts upon which such judgment was made; (iii) the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; and (iv) no provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall require the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or indemnity, reasonably satisfactory 9 13 to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 3.2 Certain Rights of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.1: (i) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely, and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties. (ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor contemplated by this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate. (iii) Whenever, in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (unless other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively rely upon an Officers' Certificate which, upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by the Guarantor. (iv) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument (or any rerecording, refiling or registration thereof). (v) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may include any of its employees. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee from any court of competent jurisdiction. (vi) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee at the request or direction of any Holder, unless such Holder shall have pro- 10 14 vided to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, against the costs, expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the expenses of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in complying with such request or direction, including such reasonable advances as may be requested by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee; provided that, nothing contained in this Section 3.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (vii) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit. (viii) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians or attorneys, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder. (ix) Any action taken by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Preferred Securities, and the signature of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or its agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to the authority of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this Preferred Securities Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action. (x) Whenever in the administration of this Preferred Securities Guarantee the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or right or taking any other action hereunder, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee (i) may request instructions from the Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities, (ii) may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such other action until such instructions are received, and (iii) shall be 11 15 protected in conclusively relying on or acting in accordance with such instructions. (xi) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (b) No provision of this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be deemed to impose any duty or obligation on the Preferred Guarantee Trustee to perform any act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred or imposed on it in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal, or in which the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in accordance with applicable law, to perform any such act or acts or to exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power or authority available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to be a duty. SECTION 3.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Preferred Securities Guarantee The recitals contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be taken as the statements of the Guarantor, and the Preferred Guarantee Trustee does not assume any responsibility for their correctness. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. ARTICLE IV PREFERRED GUARANTEE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Preferred Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility (a) There shall at all times be a Preferred Guarantee Trustee which shall: (i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and (ii) be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any State or Territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or Person permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission to act as an institutional trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at 12 16 least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the supervising or examining authority referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section 4.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. (b) If at any time the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall cease to be eligible to so act under Section 4.1(a), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set out in Section 4.2(c). (c) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any "conflicting interest" within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and Guarantor shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. SECTION 4.2 Appointment, Removal and Resignation of Preferred Guarantee Trustee (a) Subject to Section 4.2(b), the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor except during an Event of Default. (b) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in accordance with Section 4.2(a) until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor. (c) The Preferred Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold office until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or until its removal or resignation. The Preferred Guarantee Trustee may resign from office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an instrument in writing executed by the Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such appointment by instrument in writing executed by such Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (d) If no Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 4.2 within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or resignation, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. 13 17 (e) No Preferred Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions to act of any Successor Preferred Guarantee Trustee. (f) Upon termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or removal or resignation of the Preferred Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.2, the Guarantor shall pay to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee all amounts accrued to the date of such termination, removal or resignation. ARTICLE V GUARANTEE SECTION 5.1 Guarantee The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when due, regardless of any defense, right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the Holders. SECTION 5.2 Waiver of Notice and Demand The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this Preferred Securities Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment, demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, the Issuer or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and demands. SECTION 5.3 Obligations Not Affected The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason of the happening from time to time of any of the following: (a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to the Preferred Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer; (b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer of all or any portion of the Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or any other sums payable under the terms of the Preferred Securities or the extension of time 14 18 for the performance of any other obligation under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Preferred Securities (other than an extension of time for payment of Distributions, Redemption Price, Liquidation Distribution or other sum payable that results from the extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures or any extension of the maturity date of the Debentures permitted by the Indenture); (c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right, privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Securities, or any action on the part of the Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind; (d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer; (e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the Preferred Securities; (f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or (g) any other circumstance whatsoever that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 5.3 that the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances. There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to, or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the foregoing. SECTION 5.4 Rights of Holders (a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Preferred Securities have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting of any proceeding for any remedy available to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Preferred Securities Guarantee or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Preferred Guarantee Trustee under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. (b) If the Preferred Guarantee Trustee fails to enforce such Preferred Securities Guarantee, any Holder of Preferred Securities may institute a legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the Preferred Guarantee 15 19 Trustee's rights under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, without first instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Preferred Guarantee Trustee or any other person or entity. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought first against the Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding directly against the Guarantor. SECTION 5.5 Guarantee of Payment This Preferred Securities Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of collection. SECTION 5.6 Subrogation The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of the Holders of Preferred Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Preferred Securities Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Preferred Securities Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders. SECTION 5.7 Independent Obligations The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Preferred Securities, and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Preferred Securities Guarantee notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a) through (g), inclusive, of Section 5.3 hereof. ARTICLE VI LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION SECTION 6.1 Limitation of Transactions So long as any Preferred Securities remain outstanding, if there shall have occurred an Event of Default or an event of default under the Declaration, then (a) the Guarantor shall not declare or pay any dividend on, make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase, acquire or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than (i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Common Stock in connection 16 20 with the satisfaction by the Guarantor of its obligations under any employee benefit plans, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of the Guarantor's capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock for another class or series of the Guarantor's capital stock or (iii) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Guarantor's capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock of the Guarantor or the security being converted or exchanged) or make any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing and (b) the Guarantor shall not make any payment of interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Guarantor which rank pari passu with or junior to the Debentures. SECTION 6.2 Ranking This Preferred Securities Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the Guarantor and will rank (i) subordinate and junior in right of payment to all other liabilities of the Guarantor, (ii) pari passu with the most senior preferred or preference stock now or hereafter issued by the Guarantor and with any guarantee now or hereafter entered into by the Guarantor in respect of any preferred or preference stock of any Affiliate of the Guarantor, and (iii) senior to the Guarantor's Common Stock. ARTICLE VII TERMINATION SECTION 7.1 Termination This Preferred Securities Guarantee shall terminate upon (i) full payment of the Redemption Price of all Preferred Securities, (ii) upon the distribution of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the Preferred Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in accordance with the Declaration upon liquidation of the Issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Preferred Securities Guarantee will continue to be effective or will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Preferred Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Preferred Securities or under this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 17 21 ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION SECTION 8.1 Exculpation (a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with this Preferred Securities Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such Indemnified Person by this Preferred Securities Guarantee or by law, except that an Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions. (b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the records of the Guarantor and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Guarantor, including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which Distributions to Holders of Preferred Securities might properly be paid. SECTION 8.2 Indemnification The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of defending itself against, or investigating, any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 8.2 shall survive the termination of this Preferred Securities Guarantee. 18 22 ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS SECTION 9.1 Successors and Assigns All guarantees and agreements contained in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities then outstanding. [Except in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale involving the Guarantor that is permitted under Article Eight of the Indenture and pursuant to which the assignee agrees in writing to perform the Guarantor's obligations hereunder, the Guarantor shall not assign its obligations hereunder.] SECTION 9.2 Amendments Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely affect the rights of Holders in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be required), this Preferred Securities Guarantee may only be amended with the prior approval of the Holders of at least a Majority in liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all the outstanding Preferred Securities. The provisions of Section [12.2] of the Declaration with respect to meetings of Holders of the Securities apply to the giving of such approval. SECTION 9.3 Notices All notices provided for in this Preferred Securities Guarantee shall be in writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows: (a) If given to the Preferred Guarantee Trustee, at the Preferred Guarantee Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Preferred Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Preferred Securities): State Street Bank and Trust Company Two International Place Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Attention: Corporate Trust Administration Telecopy: (b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may give notice of to the Holders of the Preferred Securities): 19 23 The Allstate Corporation 2775 Sanders Road Northbrook, Illinois 60062 Attention: _____________ Telecopy: _____________ (c) If given to any Holder of Preferred Securities, at the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer. All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid except that if a notice or other document is refused delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver. SECTION 9.4 Benefit This Preferred Securities Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Preferred Securities and, subject to Section 3.1(a), is not separately transferable from the Preferred Securities. SECTION 9.5 Governing Law THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF. 20 24 THIS PREFERRED SECURITIES GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above written. THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION, as Guarantor By: --------------------------------- Name: Title: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Preferred Guarantee Trustee By: --------------------------------- Name: Title: 21
   1





                                                                EXHIBIT 4.15


                       [FORM OF DEBT WARRANT AGREEMENT]
________________________________________________________________________________





                            THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION



                                      and



                              ____________________
                                As Warrant Agent



                               _________________



                               Warrant Agreement


                         Dated as of _________ __, ____


                               _________________




________________________________________________________________________________
   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS(1)

Page Parties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Recitals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ARTICLE I ISSUANCE, EXECUTION AND COUNTERSIGNATURE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES Section 1.1 Issuance of Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Section 1.2 Form of Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Section 1.3 Execution and Authentication of Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Section 1.4 Temporary Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Section 1.5 Payment of Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Section 1.6 Definition of Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ARTICLE II WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS Section 2.1 Warrant Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Section 2.2 Duration of Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Section 2.3 Exercise of Warrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ARTICLE III [REGISTRATION,] EXCHANGE, TRANSFER AND SUBSTITUTION OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES Section 3.1 [Registration,] Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Section 3.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Section 3.3 Persons Deemed Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Section 3.4 Cancellation of Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
____________________ (1) The Table of Contents is not a part of the Warrant Agree- ment. i 3
Page ARTICLE IV OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES c Section 4.1 No Rights as Holders of Warrant Debt Securities Conferred by Warrants or Warrant Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Section 4.2 Holder of Warrant Certificate May Enforce Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 ARTICLE V CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT Section 5.1 Warrant Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Section 5.2 Conditions of Warrant Agent's Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Section 5.3 Resignation, Removal and Appointment of Successor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS Section 6.1 Consolidations and Mergers of the Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Section 6.2 Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Section 6.3 Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Section 6.4 Notice and Demands to the Company and Warrant Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Section 6.5 Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Section 6.6 Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Section 6.7 Delivery of Prospectus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Section 6.8 Obtaining of Governmental Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Section 6.9 Persons Having Rights under Warrant Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Section 6.10 Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Section 6.11 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Section 6.12 Inspection of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Testimonium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Exhibit A - Form of Warrant Certificate
ii 4 This WARRANT AGREEMENT, dated as of __________ __, ____, between The Allstate Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Company"), and _____________________, a __________ organized and existing under the laws of _______________, as Warrant Agent (the "Warrant Agent"). WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Indenture, dated as of ____________ __, ____ (the "Indenture), with State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, herein called the "Trustee"), providing for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured and unsubordinated notes or other evidences of senior indebtedness, to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Indenture. WHEREAS, the Company proposes to sell [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants -- [title of Debt Securities being offered] (the "Offered Debt Securities") with] warrant certificates (such warrant certificates and other warrant certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement herein called the "Warrant Certificates") evidencing one or more warrants ("Warrants" or, individually, a "Warrant") representing the right to purchase [title of Debt Securities purchasable through exercise of Warrants ] (the "Warrant Debt Securities"); and WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrant Certificates, and in this Agreement wishes to set forth, among other things, the form and provisions of the Warrant Certificates and the terms and conditions on which they may be issued, exchanged, exercised and replaced; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows: 5 ARTICLE I ISSUANCE, EXECUTION AND COUNTERSIGNATURE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES Section 1.1 Issuance of Warrant Certificates. [If Warrants alone -- Upon issuance, each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants -- Warrant Certificates shall be [initially] issued in units with the Offered Debt Securities and shall [not] be separately transferable [before ____________ __, ____ (the "Detachable Date")]. Each such unit shall consist of a Warrant Certificate or Certificates evidencing an aggregate of ____ Warrants for each $___________ principal amount of Offered Debt Securities.] Each Warrant evidenced thereby shall represent the right, subject to the provisions contained herein and therein, to purchase Warrant Debt Securities in the aggregate principal amount of $________. Section 1.2 Form of Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Certificates (including the Form[s] of Exercise [and Assignment] to be set forth on the reverse thereof) shall be in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders (or in any other manner determined by the officers executing such Warrant Certificates) and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which the Warrant Certificates may be listed or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Warrant Certificates, as evidenced by their execution of the Warrant Certificates. Section 1.3 Execution and Authentication of Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, its President or one of its Vice Presidents (any reference to a Vice President of the Company herein shall be deemed to include any Vice President of the Company whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "Vice President") under its corporate seal reproduced thereon attested to by its Treasurer or 2 6 Secretary or one of its Assistant Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Warrant Certificates may be manual or facsimile. Warrant Certificates evidencing the right to purchase an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $____________ of Warrant Debt Securities (except as provided in Sections 1.4, 2.3(c), 3.1 and 3.2) may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent upon the execution of this Warrant Agreement or from time to time thereafter. The Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of Warrant Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company, authenticate Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants representing the right to purchase up to $_____________ aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities and shall deliver such Warrant Certificates to or upon the order of the Company. Subsequent to such original issuance of the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall authenticate a Warrant Certificate only if the Warrant Certificate is issued in exchange or substitution for one or more previously authenticated Warrant Certificates [If registered Warrants -- or in connection with their transfer], as hereinafter provided. Each Warrant Certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Warrant Agent. No Warrant Certificate shall be entitled to any benefit under this Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been authenticated by the manual signature of the Warrant Agent. Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that the Warrant Certificate so authenticated has been duly issued hereunder. Warrant Certificates bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at the time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Warrant Certificates or did not hold such offices at the date of such Warrant Certificates. 3 7 Section 1.4 Temporary Warrant Certificates. Pending the preparation of definitive Warrant Certificates, the Company may execute, and upon the order of the Company the Warrant Agent shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Warrant Certificates which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced substantially of the tenor of the definitive Warrant Certificates in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Warrant Certificates may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Warrant Certificates. If temporary Warrant Certificates are issued, the Company will cause definitive Warrant Certificates to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Warrant Certificates, the temporary Warrant Certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive Warrant Certificates upon surrender of the temporary Warrant Certificates at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent [or ], without charge to the Holder (as defined in Section 1.6 below). Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Warrant Certificates the Company shall execute and the Warrant Agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Warrant Certificates representing the same aggregate number of Warrants. Until so exchanged, the temporary Warrant Certificates shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as definitive Warrant Certificates. Section 1.5 Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay all stamp taxes and other duties, if any, to which, under the laws of the United States of America or any State or political subdivision thereof, this Agreement or the original issuance of the Warrant Certificates may be subject. Section 1.6 Definition of Holder. The term "Holder" as used herein shall mean [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable --, prior to the Detachable Date, the registered owner of the Offered Debt Security to which such Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and, after such Detachable Date,] [if bearer Warrants, the bearer of such Warrant Certificates] [if registered Warrants, the person in whose name at the time such Warrant Certificate shall 4 8 be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.01]. [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable -- Prior to the Detachable Date, the Company will, or will cause the registrar of the Offered Debt Securities to, make available to the Warrant Agent current information as to Holders of the Offered Debt Securities.] ARTICLE II WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS Section 2.1 Warrant Price. (2) During the period from ____________ __, ____ through and including ____________ __, ____, each Warrant shall entitle the Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to purchase from the Company the principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities stated in the Warrant Certificate at the exercise price of __% of the principal amount thereof [plus accrued amortization, if any, of the original issue discount of the Warrant Debt Securities] [plus accrued interest, if any, from the most recent date from which interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities or, if no interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities, from ____________ __, ____]. [In each case, the original issue discount ($__________ for each $1,000 principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities) will be amortized at a ___% annual rate, computed on a[n] [semi-]annual basis [using a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months].] Such exercise price of each Warrant is referred to in this Agreement as the "Exercise Price." Section 2.2 Duration of Warrants. Any Warrant evidenced by a Warrant Certificate may be exercised at any time, as specified herein, on or after [the date thereof] [____________ __, ____] and at or before the close of business on ____________ __, ____ (the "Expira- ____________________ (2) Complete and modify the provisions of this Section as appro- priate to reflect the exact terms of the Warrants and the Warrant Debt Securities. 5 9 tion Date"). Each Warrant not exercised at or before the close of business on the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights of the Holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant under this Agreement or otherwise shall cease. Section 2.3 Exercise of Warrants. (a) During the period specified in Section 2.2, any whole number of Warrants may be exercised by surrendering the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrants at the place or at the places set forth in the Warrant Certificate, with the purchase form set forth in the Warrant Certificate duly executed, accompanied [by payment in full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds]] [by surrender of the [specified aggregate amount of [identified securities]] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], of the Exercise Price for each Warrant exercised. The date on which payment in full of the Exercise Price for a Warrant and the duly executed and completed Warrant Certificate are received by the Warrant Agent shall be deemed to be the date on which such Warrant is exercised. The Warrant Agent shall deposit all funds received by it as payment for the exercise of Warrants to the account of the Company maintained with it for such purpose and shall advise the Company by telephone at the end of each day on which such a payment is received of the amount so deposited to its account. The Warrant Agent shall promptly confirm such telephonic advice to the Company in writing. (b) The Warrant Agent shall from time to time, as promptly as practicable after the exercise of any Warrants in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Warrant Certificates, advise the Company and the Trustee of (i) the number of Warrants so exercised, (ii) the instructions of each Holder of the Warrant Certificates evidencing such Warrants with respect to delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities to which such Holder is entitled upon such exercise, and instructions of such Holder as to delivery of Warrant Certificates evidencing the balance, if any, of the Warrants remaining after such exercise, and (iii) such other information as the Company or the Trustee shall reasonably require. 6 10 (c) As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrants, the Company shall issue, pursuant to the Indenture, in authorized denominations, to or upon the order of the Holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrants, the Warrant Debt Security or Warrant Debt Securities to which such Holder is entitled in fully registered form, registered in such name or names as may be directed by such Holder; and, if fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate were exercised, the Company shall execute and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually authenticate and deliver a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants remaining unexercised. (d) The Company shall not be required to pay any stamp or other tax or other governmental charge required to be paid in connection with any transfer involved in the issue of the Warrant Debt Securities; and in the event that any such transfer is involved, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any Warrant Debt Securities until such tax or other charge shall have been paid or it has been established to the Company's satisfaction that no such tax or other charge is due. ARTICLE III [REGISTRATION,] EXCHANGE, TRANSFER AND SUBSTITUTION OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES Section 3.1 [Registration,] Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates. [If registered Warrants -- The Warrant Agent shall keep, at its corporate trust office [and at ____________________________________], books in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register Warrant Certificates and transfers of outstanding Warrant Certificates]. [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable -- Prior to the Detachable Date, a Warrant Certificate may be exchanged or transferred only together with the Offered Debt Security to which such Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, an exchange or transfer of such Offered Debt Security. Additionally, on or prior to the Detachable Date, 7 11 each transfer or exchange of an Offered Debt Security [on the register of the Offered Debt Securities] shall operate also to transfer or exchange the Warrant Certificate or Certificates to which such Offered Debt Security was initially attached. After the Detachable Date, upon] [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are immediately detachable or if Warrants alone -- Upon] surrender at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent [or_____________ ____ ______] of Warrant Certificates properly endorsed [or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer] and accompanied by written instructions for [transfer or] exchange, all in form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent, such Warrant Certificates may be exchanged for other Warrant Certificates [If registered Warrants -- or may be transferred in whole or in part]; provided that Warrant Certificates issued in exchange for [or upon transfer of] surrendered Warrant Certificates shall evidence the same aggregate number of Warrants as the Warrant Certificates so surrendered. No service charge shall be made for any exchange [or transfer] of Warrant Certificates, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any such exchange [or transfer]. Whenever any Warrant Certificates are so surrendered for exchange [or transfer], the Company shall execute and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually authenticate and deliver to the person or persons entitled thereto a Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates as so requested. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any exchange [or transfer] which would result in the issuance of a Warrant Certificate evidencing a fraction of a Warrant or a number of full Warrants and a fraction of a Warrant. All Warrant Certificates issued upon any exchange [or transfer] of Warrant Certificates shall evidence the same obligations, and be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement, as the Warrant Certificates surrendered for such exchange [or transfer]. Section 3.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Warrant Certificates. If any mutilated Warrant Certificate is surrendered to the Warrant Agent, the Company shall execute and an officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually authenticate and deliver in exchange therefore a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. If there shall be delivered to the 8 12 Company and the Warrant Agent (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Warrant Certificate and of the ownership thereof and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Warrant Agent that such Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request an officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Warrant Certificate, a new Warrant Certificate of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contem- poraneously outstanding. Upon the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Warrant Agent) connected therewith. Every new Warrant Certificate issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Warrant Certificate shall evidence an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Warrant Certificates duly issued hereunder. The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Warrant Certificates. Section 3.3 Persons Deemed Owners. [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable -- Prior to the Detachable Date, the Company, the Warrant Agent and all other persons may treat the registered owner of any Offered Debt Security as the owner of the Warrant Certificates initially attached thereto for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificates, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding. After the Detachable Date,] [If registered Warrants -- and prior to due presentment of a Warrant Certificate for registration of transfer, the] [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are immediately detachable or Warrants alone -- The] Company, the 9 13 Warrant Agent and all other persons may treat the Holder as the owner thereof for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by the Warrants evidenced thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding. Section 3.4 Cancellation of Warrant Certificates. Any Warrant Certificate surrendered for exchange [, transfer] or exercise of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall, if surrendered to the Company, be delivered to the Warrant Agent, and [If Warrant Certificates are issued in bearer form -- , except as provided below,] all Warrant Certificates surrendered or so delivered to the Warrant Agent shall be promptly cancelled by it and shall not be reissued and, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, no Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in lieu or in exchange thereof. [If Warrant Certificates are issued in bearer form -- Warrant Certificates delivered to the Warrant Agent in exchange for Warrant Certificates of other denominations may be retained by the Warrant Agent for reissue as authorized hereunder.] The Company may at any time deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation any Warrant Certificates previously issued hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Warrant Certificates so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Warrant Agent. All cancelled Warrant Certificates held by the Warrant Agent shall be disposed of, as instructed by the Company, subject to applicable law. ARTICLE IV OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES Section 4.1 No Rights as Holders of Warrant Debt Securities Conferred by Warrants or Warrant Certificates. No Warrant Certificate or Warrant evidenced thereby shall entitle the Holder thereof to any of the rights of a Holder of the Warrant Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Warrant Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants in the Indenture. 10 14 Section 4.2 Holder of Warrant Certificate May Enforce Rights. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement, any Holder of any Warrant Certificate, without the consent of the Warrant Agent, the Trustee, the holder of any Warrant Debt Securities or the Holder of any other Warrant Certificate, may, on its own behalf and for its own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company suitable to enforce or otherwise in respect of, its right to exercise the Warrant or Warrants evidenced by his Warrant Certificate in the manner provided in the Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement. ARTICLE V CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT Section 5.1 Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints ________________________ as Warrant Agent of the Company in respect of the Warrants and the Warrant Certificates upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and ____________________________ hereby accepts such appointment. The Warrant Agent shall have the power and authority granted to and conferred upon it in the Warrant Certificates and hereby and such further power and authority to act on behalf of the Company as the Company may hereafter grant to or confer upon it. All of the terms and provisions with respect to such power and authority contained in the Warrant Certificates are subject to and governed by the terms and provisions hereof. Section 5.2 Conditions of Warrant Agent's Obligations. The Warrant Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth, upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following, to all of which the Company agrees and to all of which the rights hereunder of the Holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates shall be subject: (a) Compensation and Indemnification. The Company agrees promptly to pay the Warrant Agent the compensation to be agreed upon with the Company for all services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees) incurred by the Warrant Agent in 11 15 connection with the services rendered hereunder by the Warrant Agent. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent, arising out of or in connection with its acting as such Warrant Agent hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance at any time of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Company under this subsection (a) shall survive the exercise of the Warrant Certificates and the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent. (b) Agent for the Company. In acting under this Warrant Agreement and in connection with the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent is acting solely as agent of the Company and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the owners or Holders of the Warrant Certificates. (c) Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with counsel, which may include counsel for the Company, and the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon. (d) Documents. The Warrant Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon any notice, direction, consent, certificate, affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper parties. (e) Certain Transactions. The Warrant Agent, any of its officers, directors and employees, or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, any Warrant Certificates, with the same rights that it would have if it were not such Warrant Agent, officer, director, employee or other agent, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body of holders of 12 16 Warrant Debt Securities or other obligations of the Company as freely as if it were not such Warrant Agent, officer, director, employee or other agent. Nothing in this Warrant Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as Trustee under the Indenture. (f) No Liability for Interest. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrant Certificates unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Company and the Warrant Agent and except for the negligence of the Warrant Agent. (g) No Liability for Invalidity. The Warrant Agent shall not incur any liability with respect to the validity of this Agreement or any of the Warrant Certificates. (h) No Responsibility for Representations. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any of the recitals or representations contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agent's Certificate of Authentication thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company. (i) No Implied Obligations. The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to perform such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates specifically set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder which may tend to involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificates or any exercise of the Warrants evidenced thereby. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or in the Warrant Debt Securities or in the case of the receipt of 13 17 any written demand from a Holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceeding at law or otherwise or, except as provided in Section 6.4 hereof, to make any demand upon the Company. Section 5.3 Resignation, Removal and Appointment of Successor. (a) The Company agrees, for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates, that there shall at all times be a Warrant Agent hereunder until all of the Warrant Certificates are no longer exercisable. (b) The Warrant Agent may at any time resign as such agent by giving written notice to the Company of such intention on its part, specifying the date on which it desires its resignation to become effective; provided that, without the consent of the Company, such date shall not be less than [three months] after the date on which such notice is given. The Warrant Agent hereunder may be removed at any time by the filing with it of an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of the Company and specifying such removal and the date on which the Company expects such removal to become effective. Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the appointment by the Company of a successor Warrant Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers) by an instrument in writing filed with such successor Warrant Agent and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Warrant Agent pursuant to Section 5.3(d). (c) In case at any time the Warrant Agent shall resign, or be removed, or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or shall file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or make an assignment for the benefit of its creditors or consent to the appointment of a receiver or custodian of all or any substantial part of its property, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay or meet its debts as they mature, or if a receiver or custodian of it or of all or any substantial part of its property shall be appointed, or if an order of any court shall be entered approving 14 18 any petition filed by or against it under the provisions of any applicable bankruptcy or similar law, or if any public officer shall have taken charge or control of the Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs, a successor Warrant Agent, qualified as aforesaid, shall be appointed by the Company by an instrument in writing, filed with the successor Warrant Agent. Upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Warrant Agent and acceptance by the latter of such appointment, the Warrant Agent so superseded shall cease to be Warrant Agent hereunder. (d) Any successor Warrant Agent appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Warrant Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations of such predecessor with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, and such predecessor, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to transfer, deliver and pay over, and such successor Warrant Agent shall be entitled to receive, all monies, securities and other property on deposit with or held by such predecessor, as Warrant Agent hereunder. (e) Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent hereunder may be merged or converted or any corporation with which the Warrant Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Warrant Agent, provided that it shall be qualified as aforesaid, shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS Section 6.1 Consolidations and Mergers of the Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted 15 19 Subject to Certain Conditions. To the extent permitted in the Indenture, the Company may consolidate with, or sell or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other corporation. Section 6.2 Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein, and the predecessor corporation, except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Agreement and the Warrants. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Warrant Debt Securities issuable pursuant to the terms hereof. All the Warrant Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under the Indenture as the Warrant Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Indenture. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Warrant Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate. Section 6.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, without the consent of the Holder of any Warrant Certificate, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making such provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the Company may deem necessary or desirable; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Warrant Certificates in any material respect. The Warrant Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any amendment to this Agreement which affects the Warrant Agent's own rights, duties or immunities under this Agreement or otherwise. Section 6.4 Notice and Demands to the Company and Warrant Agent. If the Warrant Agent shall receive any notice or demand addressed to the Company by the Holder 16 20 of a Warrant Certificate pursuant to the provisions of the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall promptly forward such notice or demand to the Company. Section 6.5 Addresses. Any communications from the Company to the Warrant Agent with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to ___________________, Attention: ___________________, and any communications from the Warrant Agent to the Company with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to The Allstate Corporation, 2775 Sanders Road, Northbrook, Illinois 60062, Attention: ________________ (or such other address as shall be specified in writing by the Warrant Agent or by the Company). Section 6.6 Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant Certificate issued hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Section 6.7 Delivery of Prospectus. The Company will furnish to the Warrant Agent sufficient copies of a prospectus, appropriately supplemented, relating to the Warrant Debt Securities (the "Prospectus"), and the Warrant Agent agrees that, upon the exercise of any Warrant Certificate, the Warrant Agent will deliver to the person designated to receive Warrant Debt Securities, prior to or concurrently with the delivery of such Securities, a Prospectus. Section 6.8 Obtaining of Governmental Approvals. The Company will from time to time take all action which may be necessary to obtain and keep effective any and all permits, consents and approvals of governmental agencies and authorities and securities acts filings under United States Federal and State laws (including, without limitation, the maintenance of the effectiveness of a registration statement in respect of the Warrant Debt Securities under the Securities Act to 1933, as amended), which may be or become required in connection with exercise of the Warrant Certificates and the original issuance and delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities. Section 6.9 Persons Having Rights under Warrant Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied and nothing that may be inferred from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to 17 21 confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Holders of the Warrant Certificates any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof; and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Agreement contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and the Warrant Agent and their successors and of the Holders of the Warrant Certificates. Section 6.10 Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction hereof. Section 6.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Section 6.12 Inspection of Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent [and at ____________] for inspection by the Holder of any Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent may require such Holder to submit its Warrant Certificate for inspection by it. 18 22 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written. THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION By_____________________________________ Name: Title: [SEAL] Attest: _______________________________________ Name: Title: [NAME OF WARRANT AGENT] By_____________________________________ Name: Title: [SEAL] Attest: _______________________________________ Name: Title: 19 23 EXHIBIT A [FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE] [Face] Form of Legend if Offered [Prior to __________, this Warrant Debt Securities with Warrants Certificate may be transferred or which are not immediately detachable: exchanged if and only if the [Title of Offered Debt Security] to which it was initially attached is so transferred or exchanged.] Form of Legend if Warrants [Prior to ____________, Warrants are not immediately exercisable: evidenced by this Warrant Certificate cannot be exercised.] EXERCISABLE ONLY IF AUTHENTICATED BY THE WARRANT AGENT AS PROVIDED HEREIN VOID AFTER THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON _______ __, ____ THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION Warrant Certificate representing Warrants to purchase [Title of Warrant Debt Securities] as described herein ______________________ No. _________ Warrants This certifies that [the bearer is the] [_______________________ or registered assigns is the registered] owner of the above indicated number of Warrants, each Warrant entitling such [bearer [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable --, subject to the bearer qualifying as a "Holder" of this Warrant Certificate, as hereinafter defined] [registered owner] to purchase, at any time [after the close of business on _________ __, ____, and] on or before the close of business on __________ __, A - 1 24 ____, $_______ principal amount of [Title of Warrant Debt Securities] (the "Warrant Debt Securities") of The Allstate Corporation (the "Company"), issued or to be issued under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined), on the following basis.* [During the period from ________ __, ____ through and including ________ __, ____, each Warrant shall entitle the Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to purchase from the Company the principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities stated above in this Warrant Certificate at the exercise price of ___% of the principal amount thereof [plus accrued amortization, if any, of the original issue discount of the Warrant Debt Securities] [plus accrued interest, if any, from the most recent date from which interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities or, if no interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities, from __________ __, ____]; [in each case, the original issue discount ($________ for each $1,000 principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities) will be amortized at a ___% annual rate, computed on a[n] [semi-]annual basis[, using a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months] [(the "Exercise Price")]. The Holder of this Warrant Certificate may exercise the Warrants evidenced hereby, in whole or in part, by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the purchase form set forth hereon duly completed, accompanied [by payment in full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds]] [by surrender of the [specified aggregate principal amount of [identified securities]], the Exercise Price for each Warrant exercised, to the Warrant Agent (as hereinafter defined), at the corporate trust office of [name of Warrant Agent], or its successor as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent") [or at ________,] at the addresses specified on the reverse hereof and upon compliance with and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement (as hereinafter defined). This Warrant Certificate may be exercised only for the purchase of Warrant Debt Securities in the principal amount of [$1,000] or any integral multiple thereof. __________________________________ * Complete and modify the following provisions as appropriate to reflect the terms of the Warrants and the Warrant Debt Securities. A - 2 25 The term "Holder" as used herein shall mean [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable -- , prior to ___________ __, ____ (the "Detachable Date"), the registered owner of the Company's [title of Offered Debt Securities] to which such Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and after such Detachable Date,] [the bearer of such Warrant Certificate] [the person in whose name at the time such Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Warrant Agreement]. Any whole number of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may be exercised to purchase Warrant Debt Securities in registered form. Upon any exercise of fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, there shall be issued to the [bearer] [registered owner] hereof a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants remaining unexercised. This Warrant Certificate is issued under and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of ____________ __, ____ (the "Warrant Agreement"), between the Company and the Warrant Agent and is subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Holder of this Warrant Certificate consents by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office at the Warrant Agent [and at ____________]. The Warrant Debt Securities to be issued and delivered upon the exercise of warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate will be issued under and in accordance with an Indenture, dated as of ____________ __, ____ (the "Indenture"), between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, the "Trustee") and will be subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Debt Securities and in the Indenture. Copies of the Indenture, including the form of the Warrant Debt Securities, are on file at the corporate trust office of the Trustee [and at ____________________]. [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable -- Prior to A - 3 26 ___________ __, ____ (the "Detachable Date"), this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged or transferred only together with the [title of Offered Debt Security] (the "Offered Debt Security") to which this Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, an exchange or transfer of such Offered Debt Security. Additionally, on or prior to the Detachable Date each transfer of such Offered Debt Security on the register of the Offered Debt Securities shall operate also to transfer this Warrant Certificate. After the Detachable Date, this] [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are immediately detachable or Warrants alone -- This] Warrant Certificate, and all rights hereunder, may be transferred [If bearer Warrants -- by delivery and the Company and the Warrant Agent may treat the bearer hereof as the owner for all purposes] [If registered Warrants -- when surrendered at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent [or ___________] by the registered owner or his assigns, in person or by an attorney duly authorized in writing, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement]. [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are not immediately detachable -- Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, after] [If Offered Debt Securities and Warrants which are immediately detachable or Warrants alone -- After] authentication by the Warrant Agent and prior to the expiration of this Warrant Certificate, this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged at the corporate trust office at the Warrant Agent [or at _______________] for Warrant Certificates representing the same aggregate number of Warrants. This Warrant Certificate shall not entitle the [bearer] [registered owner] hereof to any of the rights of a [registered] [holder] of the Warrant Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of principal (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Warrant Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants of the Indenture. Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place. A - 4 27 This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the Warrant Agent. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant Certificate to be duly executed under its corporate seal. Dated: ____________ __, ____ THE ALLSTATE CORPORATION By:_________________________ Name: Title: Attest: ___________________________________________ Certificate of Authentication This is one of the Warrant Certificates referred to in the within-mentioned Warrant Agreement. ___________________________________________ As Warrant Agent By:________________________________________ Authorized Signature A - 5 28 [FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE] [REVERSE] (Instructions for Exercise of Warrants) To exercise any Warrants evidenced hereby, the Holder of this Warrant Certificate must pay [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds or by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], the Exercise Price in full for each of the Warrants exercised, to _______________, Corporate Trust Department, ______________, Attn: _____________ [or ________________], which payment should specify the name of the Holder of this Warrant Certificate and the number of Warrants exercised by such Holder. In addition, the Holder of this Warrant Certificate should complete the information required below and present in person or mail by registered mail this Warrant Certificate to the Warrant Agent at the addresses set forth below. [FORM OF EXERCISE] (To be executed upon exercise of Warrants.) The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ____ Warrants, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to purchase $________ principal amount of the [Title of Warrant Debt Securities] (the "Warrant Debt Securities") of The Allstate Corporation and represents that he has tendered payment for such Warrant Debt Securities [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds or by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds] to the order of The Allstate Corporation, c/o Treasurer, in the amount of $_________ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that said principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities be in fully registered form, in the authorized denominations, registered in such names and delivered, all as specified in accordance with the instructions set forth below. If said principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities is less than all of the Warrant Debt Securities purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of the Warrants evidenced hereby be issued and A - 6 29 delivered to the undersigned unless otherwise specified in the instructions below. Dated: Name___________________________________ __________________________________ (Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Holder) Address________________________________ _______________________________________ Signature______________________________ [If registered warrant -- (Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant Certificate and must bear a signature guarantee by a bank, trust company or member broker of the New York, Chicago or Pacific Stock Exchange.)] This Warrant may be exercised at the following addresses: By hand at ______________________________________ ______________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________ By mail at ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ (Instructions as to form and delivery of Warrant Debt Securities and/or Warrant Certificates): A - 7 30 [FORM OF ASSIGNMENT] (TO BE EXECUTED TO TRANSFER THE WARRANT CERTIFICATE) FOR VALUE RECEIVED ____________________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto Please insert social security or other identifying number _____________________________ ____________________________ (Please print name and address including zip code) ________________________________________________________________________________ the right represented by the within Warrant Certificate and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________, Attorney, to transfer said Warrant Certificate on the books of the Warrant Agent with full power of substitution. Dated: _______________________________________ Signature (Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of this Warrant Certificate and must bear a signature guarantee by a bank, trust company or member broker of the New York, Chicago or Pacific Stock Exchange) Signature Guaranteed: __________________________________] A - 8
   1





                                                                       EXHIBIT 5
                                September 30, 1996




The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
c/o The Allstate Corporation
2775 Sanders Road
Northbrook, Illinois  60062

    Re:    Registration Statement on Form S-3
           Registration No. 333-10857        

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   We have acted as special counsel to (1) Allstate Financing I, Allstate
Financing II, Allstate Financing III and Allstate Financing IV (each, an
"Allstate Trust" and, collectively, the "Allstate Trusts"), each a statutory
business trust formed under the laws of the State of Delaware, and (2) The
Allstate Corporation (the "Company"), a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware, in connection with the preparation of a Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-10857), filed by the Company and
the Allstate Trusts with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") on August 27, 1996, and Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the
Commission on September 30, 1996 (such Registration Statement, as so amended,
being hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement").  The
Registration Statement relates to the registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), of (i) preferred securities (the "Preferred
Securities") of each of the Allstate Trusts, (ii) debt securities of the
Company, consisting of senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities")
and subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities" and,
together with the Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities"), (iii)
warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt Warrants") and (iv) preferred
stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Stock").
Items (i) through (iv) are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities."
The Securities are being registered for offering and sale from time to time
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act.
   2

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 2

The aggregate public offering price of the Securities will not exceed
$1,500,000,000.

   The Preferred Securities of each Allstate Trust are to be issued pursuant to
the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of such Allstate Trust (each a
"Declaration" and, collectively, the "Declarations"), each such Declaration
being among the Company, as depositor and as the issuer of certain Subordinated
Debt Securities to be held by the Property Trustee (as defined below) of such
Allstate Trust, Delaware Trust Capital Management, Inc., as Delaware trustee
(the "Delaware Trustee"), State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Property
Trustee"), and certain employees of the Company to be specified by the Company,
as regular trustees (together, the "Regular Trustees").

   The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture") between the Company, as issuer, and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as trustee.  The Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under   
an Indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture" and, together with the Senior
Indenture, the "Indentures") between the Company, as issuer, and State Street
Bank and Trust Company, as trustee (the "Subordinated Debt Trustee"), and under
one or more separate supplements (each, a "Subordinated Indenture Supplement")
between the Company, as issuer, and the Subordinated Debt Trustee.

   The Warrants are to be issued pursuant to either the Warrant Agreement for
Warrants Sold Alone or the Warrant Agreement for Warrants Sold Attached to Debt
Securities, each between the Company, as issuer, and State Street Bank and
Trust Company, as warrant agent (collectively, the "Warrant Agreements").

   The shares of Preferred Stock are to be issued pursuant to the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation with such terms as are set forth in the related
Certificate of Designations to be filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware.

   This opinion is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item
601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.  Capitalized terms used but not
otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration
Statement.

   In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies,
certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents as we
have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth
herein, including (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the form of Underwriting
Agreement for

   3

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 3

the Debt Securities, the Debt Warrants and the Preferred Stock, included as
Exhibit 1.1 to the Registration Statement; (iii) the form of Underwriting
Agreement for the Preferred Securities, included as Exhibit 1.2 to the
Registration Statement; (iv) the certificate of trust of each of the Allstate   
Trusts (the "Certificates of Trust"), filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on August 21, 1996; (v) the declaration of each of the
Allstate Trusts, dated as of August 16, 1996; (vi) the form of the Declaration
of each of the Allstate Trusts (including the designations of the terms of the
Preferred Securities of such Allstate Trust annexed thereto), included as
Exhibit 4.13 to the Registration Statement; (vii) the form of the Preferred
Securities of each of the Allstate Trusts; (viii) the form of the preferred
securities guarantee agreement (the "Preferred Securities Guarantee"), between
the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as guarantee trustee (the
"Guarantee Trustee")included as Exhibit 4.14 to the Registration Statement;
(ix) the form of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to be issued pursuant to the
Subordinated Indenture; (x) the form of the Subordinated Indenture, included as
Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement; (xi) the form of Subordinated
Indenture Supplement, included as Exhibit 4.4A to the Registration Statement;
(xii) the form of the Senior Debt Securities to be  issued pursuant to the
Senior Indenture; (xiii) the form of the Senior Indenture, included as Exhibit
4.3 to the Registration Statement; and (xiv) the forms of Warrant Agreements,
included as Exhibit 4.15  to the Registration Statement; and (xv) the
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company, each as amended to
date; (xvi) copies of certain resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of
the Company, relating to the issuance of the Securities, the filing of the
Registration Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and related
matters.

   In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural
persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents
submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies.  In making our examination of
documents executed by parties other than the Company or the Allstate Trusts, we
have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into
and perform
   4

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 4

all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all
requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such
parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof.  In
addition, we have assumed that the Declaration of each Allstate Trust, the
Preferred Securities of each Allstate Trust, the Preferred Securities
Guarantee, the Subordinated Debt Securities, the Subordinated Indenture, the
Subordinated Indenture Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities, the Senior
Indenture, the Debt Warrants and the Warrant Agreements when executed, will
be executed in substantially the forms reviewed by us and that the terms of the
Subordinated Debt Securities and Senior Debt Securities when established in
conformity with their respective Indentures will not violate any applicable
law.  As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which we have
not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written
statements and representations of officers, trustees and other representatives
of the Company, the Allstate Trusts and others.

   In rendering our opinions expressed below, we express no opinion as to the
applicability or effect of any fraudulent transfer or similar law on any of the
Indentures, the Declarations, the Warrant Agreements or the Securities or any
transactions contemplated thereby.

   Members of our firm are admitted to the practice of law in the States of 
Delaware and New York, and we express no opinion as to the laws of any other
jurisdiction other than the Federal laws of the United States of America to the
extent specifically referred to herein.  The Securities may be issued from time
to time on a delayed or continuous basis and this opinion is limited to
the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof.

   Based on and subject to the foregoing and to the other qualifications and
limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

   1.  With respect to the shares of the Preferred Stock, when (i) the
Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary
post-effective amendments), becomes effective, (ii) an appropriate Prospectus
Supplement with respect to such shares has been prepared, delivered and filed in
compliance with the Act
   5

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 5

and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (iii) the Underwriting
Agreement with respect to such shares is duly executed and delivered by the
Company and the other parties thereto, (iv) the directors and appropriate
officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve
the issuance and terms of such shares and related matters, including the
adoption of a Certificate of Designations relating to such Preferred Stock (the
"Certificate") and the filing of the Certificate with the Secretary of State of
the State of Delaware, and (v) certificates representing such shares are duly
executed, countersigned, registered and delivered upon payment of the
agreed-upon consideration therefor, such shares, when issued and sold in
accordance with the related Underwriting Agreement, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

   2.  With respect to each of the Debt Securities, when (i) the Registration
Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective
amendments), becomes effective; (ii) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with
respect to the Debt Securities has been prepared, delivered and filed in
compliance with the Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder;
(iii) the Underwriting Agreement with respect to the Debt Securities is duly
executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (iv) the
directors and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary
corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities and
related matters; (v) the proposed Indenture pursuant to which the Debt
Securities are to be issued shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and duly executed and
delivered by the Company and the trustee under such Indenture; and (vi) the Debt
Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the
provisions of such Indenture and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof upon
payment of the agreed-upon consideration therefor, the Debt Securities, when
issued and sold in accordance with such Indenture and any related supplement
thereto and the Underwriting Agreement, will be valid and binding obligations
of the Company, enforceable against the Company, in accordance with their
respective terms, except that such enforcement may be subject to or limited by
(a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general
principles of equity (regardless
   6

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 6

of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law),
(c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to
obtain certain remedies, (d) requirements that a claim with respect to any
securities denominated other than in United States dollars (or a judgment
denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be
converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date
determined pursuant to applicable law, and (e) governmental authority to limit,
delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or in
foreign currency or composition currency.

   3.  With respect to the Warrants, when (i) the Registration Statement, as
finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), becomes
effective, (ii) an appropriate Prospectus Supplement with respect to the
Warrants has been prepared, delivered and filed in compliance with the Act and
the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, (iii) the directors and
appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action
to approve the issuance and terms of the Warrants and related matters, (iv) the
Warrant Agreement or Warrant Agreements relating thereto are duly executed and
delivered by the Company and the respective parties thereto, and (v)
certificates representing the Warrants are duly executed, countersigned,
registered and delivered upon payment of the agreed-upon consideration
therefor, the Warrants, when issued and sold in accordance with the related
Warrant Agreement, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company, in accordance with their respective terms,
except that such enforcement may be subject to or limited by (a) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter
in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of
equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law), (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights
of parties to obtain certain remedies, (d) requirements that a claim with
respect to any securities denominated other than in United States dollars (or a
judgment denominated other than in United States dollars in respect of such
claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing
on a date determined pursuant to applicable law, and (e) governmental authority
to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States or
in foreign currency or composition currency.

   4.  The Preferred Securities of each Allstate Trust, when (i) the
Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-
effective amendments), becomes effective, (ii) an appropriate Prospectus
Supplement with respect to the Preferred Securities has been prepared,
delivered and filed in compliance with the Act and the applicable rules and
regulations thereunder, (iii) the Underwriting Agreement with respect to the
Preferred Securities is duly executed and delivered by the Company, such
Allstate Trust and the other parties thereto, (iv) the Allstate Trustees have
taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of the Preferred
Securities and related matters, (v) the Declaration of such Allstate Trust
shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and duly executed and
delivered by the parties thereto, will be duly authorized
   7

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 7

for issuance and, when issued and executed in accordance with such Declaration
and paid for as set forth in such Prospectus Supplement and Underwriting
Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable,
representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of such Allstate
Trust; and the holders of such Preferred Securities will be entitled to the
same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of private
corporations for profit organized under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.  We bring to your attention, however, that the holders of
Preferred Securities of each Allstate Trust may be obligated, pursuant to the
Declaration of such Allstate Trust, to (a) provide indemnity and/or security in
connection with and pay taxes or governmental charges arising from transfers of
Preferred Securities and (b) provide security and indemnity in connection with
the requests of or directions to the Property Trustee of such Allstate Trust to
exercise its rights and powers under the Declaration of such Allstate Trust.

   5.  The Preferred Securities Guarantee, when duly executed and delivered by
the Company and the other parties thereto, will be a valid and binding
agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
its terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (i)
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws now
or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a
proceeding at law or in equity).

   This opinion is furnished to you solely for your benefit in connection with
the filing of the Registration Statement and, except as set forth below, is not
to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any other purpose
or relied upon by any other person for any purpose without our prior written
consent.  We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission
as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.  We also hereby consent to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Legal Opinion" in the base prospectus
which forms a part of the Registration Statement and under the heading "Legal
Opinion" in any supplement thereto.  In giving this consent, we do not thereby
admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
   8

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Financing  I
Allstate Financing II
Allstate Financing III
Allstate Financing IV
September 30, 1996
Page 8



                                            Very truly yours,


   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 15

The Allstate Corporation
Allstate Plaza
Northbrook, Illinois

We have reviewed, in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the unaudited interim financial
information of The Allstate Corporation and subsidiary for the periods ended
March 31, 1996 and 1995 and June 30, 1996 and 1995; as indicated in our reports
dated May 13, 1996 and August 14, 1996, respectively; because we did not
perform an audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.

   
We are aware that our reports referred to above, which were included in your
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1996 and June
30, 1996, are being used in this Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No.
333-10857.
    

We are also aware that the aforementioned reports, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under
the Securities Act of 1933, are not considered a part of the Registration
Statement prepared or certified by an accountant or a report prepared or
certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.



Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, Illinois
   
September 30, 1996
    

   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1



                        INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



   
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to 
Registration Statement No. 333-10857 of The Allstate Corporation on Form S-3 
of our reports dated March 1, 1996, appearing in and incorporated by reference
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Allstate Corporation for the year 
ended December 31, 1995.
    



Deloitte & Touche LLP

Chicago, Illinois
   
September 30, 1996