PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 24, 1998)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
$220,158,539
[LOGO FOR IMPAC FUNDING CORPORATION]
MASTER SERVICER
IMH ASSETS CORP.
COMPANY
IMPAC CMB TRUST SERIES 1998-2
COLLATERALIZED ASSET-BACKED BONDS, SERIES 1998-2
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$177,820,358 6.70%(1) Class A Bonds $7,903,127 7.25%(1) Class M-3 Bonds
$ 11,854,691 6.95%(1) Class M-1 Bonds $6,209,600 7.25%(1) Class B Bonds
$ 16,370,763 7.25%(1) Class M-2 Bonds
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) Subject to an increase of 0.50% as described herein.
------------------------
The Series 1998-2 Collateralized Asset-Backed Bonds will include the
following five classes (the "Bonds"): (i) Class A Bonds (the "Senior Bonds");
(ii) Class M-1 Bonds, Class M-2 Bonds and Class M-3 Bonds (collectively, the
"Class M Bonds"); and (iii) Class B Bonds (the "Class B Bonds"; and together
with the Class M Bonds, the "Subordinate Bonds"). The Bonds will represent
obligations of the Impac CMB Trust Series 1998-2 (the "Issuer"), which will be
formed pursuant to a Trust Agreement to be dated as of March 24, 1998 (as
amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated March 27,
1998, the "Trust Agreement"), between IMH Assets Corp. (the "Company") and
Wilmington Trust Company, as owner trustee (the "Owner Trustee"). The Bonds will
be issued pursuant to an Indenture to be dated as of March 27, 1998 (the
"Indenture"), between the Issuer and Bankers Trust Company of California, N.A.,
as indenture trustee (the "Indenture Trustee").
(CONTINUED ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
--------------------------
THE ASSETS PLEDGED TO SECURE THE BONDS ARE THE SOLE SOURCE OF PAYMENTS ON THE
BONDS. THE BONDS WILL REPRESENT OBLIGATIONS SOLELY OF THE ISSUER AND WILL NOT
REPRESENT AN INTEREST IN OR OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY, THE MASTER SERVICER,
THE OWNER TRUSTEE, THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THEIR
AFFILIATES, OTHER THAN THE ISSUER. NEITHER THE BONDS NOR THE
UNDERLYING MORTGAGE LOANS ARE INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY
ANY GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY.
THESE BONDS 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
SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS NOT PASSED ON OR ENDORSED THE
MERITS OF THIS OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
--------------------------
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD REVIEW THE INFORMATION SET FORTH UNDER "RISK
FACTORS" ON PAGE S-10 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE INFORMATION SET
FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 13 OF THE PROSPECTUS
BEFORE PURCHASING ANY OF THE BONDS.
There is currently no secondary market for the Bonds. Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc. (the "Underwriter") intends to make a secondary market in the Bonds, but is
not obligated to do so. There can be no assurance that a secondary market for
the Bonds will develop or, if it does develop, that it will continue or provide
Bondholders with sufficient liquidity of investment. The Bonds will not be
listed on any securities exchange.
The Bonds will be purchased from the Company by the Underwriter and will be
offered by the Underwriter from time to time to the public in negotiated
transactions or otherwise at varying prices to be determined at the time of
sale. The proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Bonds are expected to be
approximately $219 million, plus accrued interest thereon from the Cut-off Date
(as defined herein), before the deduction of expenses payable by the Company
estimated to be approximately $450,000.
The Bonds are offered by the Underwriter subject to prior sale, when, as and
if delivered to and accepted by the Underwriter and subject to cer tain other
conditions. The Underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
such offer and to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the Bonds will be made in book-entry form through the Same Day Funds
Settlement System of The Depository Trust Company as discussed herein, on or
about March 27, 1998, against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is March 24, 1998
<PAGE>
(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE)
The Bonds will represent indebtedness of the related trust fund (the "Trust
Fund") created by the Trust Agreement. The Trust Fund will consist of
fixed-rate, conventional, one- to four-family, first lien mortgage loans (the
"Mortgage Loans").
The Mortgage Loans were generally underwritten in accordance with the
related underwriting standards described in "Description of the Mortgage
Pool--Underwriting" and Appendix A to this Prospectus Supplement. See also "Risk
Factors--Underwriting Standards" in this Prospectus Supplement. Approximately
34.20% of the Mortgage Loans, by aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage
Loans as of the Cut-off Date, are secured by Mortgaged Properties in California.
See "Risk Factors--Delinquencies and Potential Delinquencies" in this Prospectus
Supplement.
Payments on the Bonds will be made on the 25th day of each month or, if such
day is not a business day, then on the next business day, commencing in April
1998 (each, a "Payment Date"). Interest will accrue on each class of Bonds at
the interest rate set forth on the cover hereof, subject to increase as
described herein. Payments in respect of principal of the Bonds will be made as
described under "Description of the Bonds--Principal Distributions" herein.
The Bonds may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, by the Issuer on any
Payment Date on or after the earlier of (i) the Payment Date on which the
aggregate Principal Balance (as defined herein) of the Mortgage Loans is less
than or equal to 20% of the aggregate Principal Balance of such Mortgage Loans
as of the Cut-off Date or (ii) the Payment Date occurring in March 2008. See
"Description of the Bonds--Optional Redemption" herein.
The Bonds initially will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee
of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), as further described herein. The
interests of beneficial owners of the Bonds will be represented by book entries
on the records of DTC and the participating members of DTC. Definitive Bonds
will be available only under the limited circumstances described herein. See
"Description of the Bonds--Book-Entry Bonds" herein.
It is a condition of the issuance of the Senior Bonds that they be rated
"Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and "AAA" by Fitch IBCA,
Inc. ("Fitch"). It is a condition to the issuance of the Class M-1 Bonds that
they be rated not lower than "AAA" by Fitch and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co.
("DCR"). It is a condition to the issuance of the Class M-2 Bonds that they be
rated not lower than "AA" by Fitch and DCR. It is a condition to the issuance of
the Class M-3 Bonds that they be rated not lower than "A" by Fitch and DCR. It
is a condition to the issuance of the Class B Bonds that they be rated not lower
than "BBB" by Fitch and DCR.
THE YIELD TO MATURITY ON THE BONDS WILL DEPEND ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE
RATE AND TIMING OF PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS (INCLUDING PREPAYMENTS, REPURCHASES,
DEFAULTS AND LIQUIDATIONS) ON THE MORTGAGE LOANS. THE MORTGAGE LOANS GENERALLY
MAY BE PREPAID IN FULL OR IN PART AT ANY TIME; HOWEVER, PREPAYMENT MAY SUBJECT
THE MORTGAGOR TO A PREPAYMENT CHARGE WITH RESPECT TO APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE
MORTGAGE LOANS. IN ADDITION, THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF EACH CLASS OF SUBORDINATE
BONDS WILL BE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO LOSSES DUE TO DEFAULTS ON THE MORTGAGE
LOANS (AND THE TIMING THEREOF), TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES ARE NOT COVERED
BY ANY CLASS OF BONDS SUBORDINATE THERETO OR BY THE CERTIFICATES, AS DESCRIBED
HEREIN. SEE "CERTAIN YIELD AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" HEREIN AND "YIELD AND
PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS" IN THE PROSPECTUS.
THE BONDS OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT CONSTITUTE PART OF A
SEPARATE SERIES OF BONDS BEING OFFERED PURSUANT TO THE COMPANY'S PROSPECTUS
DATED MARCH 24, 1998, OF WHICH THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS A PART AND WHICH
ACCOMPANIES THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THE PROSPECTUS CONTAINS IMPORTANT
INFORMATION REGARDING THIS OFFERING WHICH IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROSPECTUS AND THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT IN FULL. SALES OF THE BONDS MAY NOT BE CONSUMMATED UNLESS THE
PURCHASER HAS RECEIVED BOTH THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS.
UNTIL NINETY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE BONDS, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS
DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE
PROSPECTUS TO WHICH IT RELATES. THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE
OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND PROSPECTUS WHEN
ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
S-2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere herein and in the Prospectus.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined herein have the meanings assigned in the Prospectus.
The Bonds............................... $220,158,539 Collateralized
Asset-Backed Bonds, Series 1998-2. The
Bonds will be issued pursuant to an
Indenture, dated as of March 27, 1998
between the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee.
Issuer.................................. The Bonds will be issued by Impac CMB
Trust Series 1998-2 (the "Issuer"), a
Delaware business trust established
pursuant to a Trust Agreement, dated
as of March 24, 1998 (as amended and
restated by the Amended and Restated
Trust Agreement dated March 27, 1998,
the "Trust Agreement"), between the
Company and the Owner Trustee. The
Bonds will represent obligations
solely of the Issuer, and the proceeds
of the assets of the Issuer (such
assets, the "Trust Fund") will be the
sole source of payments on the Bonds.
Company................................. IMH Assets Corp. (the "Company"). See
"The Company" in the Prospectus.
Master Servicer......................... Impac Funding Corporation ("Impac
Funding" or the "Master Servicer")
formerly known as ICI Funding
Corporation, an affiliate of the
Seller and the Company. See "Impac
Funding Corporation" in the Prospectus
and "Description of the Servicing
Agreement--The Master Servicer; the
Subservicer" herein.
Subservicer............................. The Mortgage Loans will be subserviced
by Wendover Funding, Inc.
("Wendover"). See "Description of the
Servicing Agreement--The Master
Servicer; the Subservicer" herein.
Seller.................................. Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. ("Impac
Holdings" or the "Seller"), formerly
known as Imperial Credit Mortgage
Holdings, Inc., a publicly-traded real
estate investment trust and an
affiliate of the Master Servicer and
the Company.
Owner Trustee........................... Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware
trust company.
Indenture Trustee....................... Bankers Trust Company of California,
N.A., a national banking association.
Cut-off Date............................ March 1, 1998.
S-3
<PAGE>
Delivery Date........................... On or about March 27, 1998.
Payment Date............................ The 25th day of each month (or, if
such day is not a business day, the
next business day), commencing on
April 27, 1998 (each, a "Payment
Date").
Registration and Denominations.......... The Bonds will be issued, maintained
and transferred on the book-entry
records of DTC and its Participants
(as defined in the Prospectus). The
Bonds will be offered in registered
form in the name of Cede & Co., as
nominee of DTC. No Beneficial Owner
will be entitled to receive a Bond in
fully registered, certificated form (a
"Definitive Bond"), except under the
limited circumstances described
herein. The Bonds will be issued in
denominations of $25,000 and integral
multiples of $1 in excess thereof. See
"Description of the Bonds--Book-Entry
Bonds" herein.
The Mortgage Pool....................... The Mortgage Pool will consist of a
pool of conventional, fixed-rate,
first lien Mortgage Loans with an
aggregate principal balance as of the
Cut-off Date of approximately
$225,803,630. The Mortgage Loans are
secured by first liens on fee simple
interests in one- to four-family
residential real properties (each, a
"Mortgaged Property"). At origination,
the Mortgage Loans had individual
principal balances of at least $20,000
but not more than $682,500, with an
average principal balance of
approximately $150,363. The Mortgage
Loans have terms to maturity from the
date of origination or modification of
not more than 30 years, and a weighted
average remaining term to maturity of
approximately 349 months as of the
Cut-off Date. The Mortgage Loans will
bear interest at Mortgage Rates of at
least 7.000% per annum but not more
than 13.250% per annum, with a
weighted average Mortgage Rate of
9.004% per annum as of the Cut-off
Date. For a further description of the
Mortgage Loans, see "Description of
the Mortgage Pool" herein.
Interest Distributions.................. With respect to any Payment Date,
"Accrued Bond Interest" will be equal
to, in respect of each class of Bonds,
one month's interest accrued at the
related Bond Interest Rate on the Bond
Principal Balance thereof immediately
prior to such Payment Date. With
respect to each class of Bonds, the
Bond Interest Rate will be the fixed
rate set forth on the cover hereof;
provided, however, that on the Payment
Date immediately following the earlier
of (i) the Payment Date on which the
aggregate Principal Balance (as
defined herein) of the Mortgage Loans
is less than or equal to 20% of the
aggregate Principal Balance of the
Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date
or (ii) the Payment Date occurring in
March
S-4
<PAGE>
2008, the Bond Interest Rate on each
class of Bonds will be increased by
0.50% per annum. Accrued Bond Interest
will be payable to the Bonds on a pro
rata basis, less any interest
shortfalls not covered with respect to
such class by Subordination, or by the
Master Servicer, in each case as
described herein, including any
Prepayment Interest Shortfall (as
defined herein) allocated thereto for
such Payment Date. See "Description of
the Bonds--Interest Distributions"
herein.
Principal Distributions................. Holders of the Bonds will be entitled
to receive a distribution of principal
on each Payment Date, on a pro rata
basis, in the manner set forth herein,
to the extent of the Bond Principal
Distribution Amount (as defined
herein).
See "Description of the
Bonds--Principal Distributions"
herein.
Credit Enhancement...................... The credit enhancement provided for
the benefit of the Bondholders
consists solely of the subordination
provisions, including the priority of
payment provisions, provided herein.
Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans,
to the extent not covered by the
Certificates, will be allocated to the
Bonds in the order of priority as
described herein under "Description of
the Bonds--Allocation of Losses;
Subordination." In addition, on each
Payment Date, to the extent not used
to pay Accrued Bond Interest and any
Unpaid Interest Shortfalls on the
Bonds, the Interest Remittance Amount
will be used to cover Realized Losses
on the Bonds for such Payment Date and
unreimbursed Realized Losses from
prior Payment Dates. See "Description
of the Bonds--Interest Distributions"
herein.
The Certificates........................ Trust Certificates, Series 1998-2 (the
"Certificates"). The Certificates will
be issued in one or more classes
pursuant to the Trust Agreement and
will represent the beneficial
ownership interest in the Issuer. The
Certificates will be issued in an
initial aggregate principal amount of
$5,645,091. The Certificates are not
offered hereby.
Advances................................ The Master Servicer is required to
make Advances in respect of delinquent
payments of both principal and
interest on the Mortgage Loans,
subject to the limitations described
herein. See "Description of the
Bonds--Advances" herein and
"Description of the Bonds--Advances"
in the Prospectus.
S-5
<PAGE>
Allocation of Losses;
Subordination.......................... On each Payment Date, Realized Losses
shall be allocated as follows: first,
to the Certificates; second, to the
Class B Bonds; third, to the Class M-3
Bonds; fourth, to the Class M-2 Bonds;
fifth, to the Class M-1 Bonds; and
sixth, to the Senior Bonds, in each
case until the Certificate Principal
Balance or Bond Principal Balance of
such class of Certificates or Bonds,
as applicable, has been reduced to
zero.
Neither the Bonds nor the Mortgage
Loans are insured or guaranteed by any
governmental agency or instrumentality
or by the Company, the Master
Servicer, the Seller, the Owner
Trustee, the Indenture Trustee or any
affiliate thereof.
Optional Redemption of
the Bonds.............................. The Bonds may be redeemed in whole,
but not in part, by the Issuer on any
Payment Date on or after the earlier
of (i) the Payment Date on which the
aggregate Principal Balance (as
defined herein) of the Mortgage Loans
is less than or equal to 20% of the
aggregate Principal Balance of the
Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date
or (ii) the Payment Date occurring in
March 2008. See "Description of the
Bonds--Optional Redemption" herein and
"The Agreements--Termination;
Redemption of Bonds" in the
Prospectus.
Special Prepayment
Considerations........................ The rate and timing of principal
payments on the Bonds will depend,
among other things, on the rate and
timing of principal payments
(including prepayments, defaults,
liquidations and purchases of the
related Mortgage Loans due to a breach
of a representation or warranty) on
the Mortgage Loans. As is the case
with mortgage-backed securities
generally, the Bonds are subject to
substantial inherent cash- flow
uncertainties because the Mortgage
Loans may be prepaid at any time;
however, a prepayment may subject the
related Mortgagor to a prepayment
charge with respect to approximately
half of the Mortgage Loans. Generally,
when prevailing interest rates
increase, prepayment rates on mortgage
loans tend to decrease, resulting in a
slower return of principal to
investors at a time when reinvestment
at such higher prevailing rates would
be desirable. Conversely, when
prevailing interest rates decline,
prepayment rates on mortgage loans
tend to increase, resulting in a
faster return of principal to
investors at a time when reinvestment
at comparable yields may not be
possible.
S-6
<PAGE>
As described herein, during certain
periods all or a disproportionately
large percentage of Mortgagor
prepayments on the Mortgage Loans will
be allocated to the Bonds and, during
certain periods, no Mortgagor
prepayments or, relative to the
Certificate Percentage, a
disproportionately small percentage of
such prepayments will be distributed
on the Certificates. To the extent
that no prepayments or a
disproportionately small percentage of
such prepayments are distributed to
the Certificates, the percentage level
of subordination afforded the Bonds by
the Certificates, in the absence of
offsetting Realized Losses allocated
thereto, will be increased, and the
weighted average lives of the
Certificates will be extended. Unless
the Bond Principal Balances of the
Bonds have been reduced to zero, the
Certificates will be entitled to
receive no distributions of Mortgagor
prepayments prior to the Payment Date
in April 2003.
Investors in the Bonds should note
that all principal payments payable to
the Bonds, including prepayments, will
be allocated to such classes of Bonds
on a pro rata basis.
See "Description of the
Bonds--Principal Distributions," and
"Certain Yield and Prepayment
Considerations" herein and "Yield
Considerations" and "Maturity and
Prepayment Considerations" in the
Prospectus. For further information
regarding the effect of principal
prepayments on the weighted average
lives of the Bonds, see the table
entitled "Percent of Initial Bond
Principal Balance Outstanding at the
Following Percentages of CPR" herein.
Special Yield Considerations............ The multiple class structure of the
Bonds causes the yield of certain
classes to be particularly sensitive
to losses on the Mortgage Loans and
other factors. The yield to investors
on each class of Subordinate Bonds,
and particularly on the Class B Bonds,
will be extremely sensitive to losses
due to defaults on the Mortgage Loans
(and the timing thereof), to the
extent such losses are not covered by
any other class of Bonds subordinate
thereto or by the Certificates,
because the entire amount of such
losses will be allocable to such class
of Subordinate Bonds as described
herein.
See "Certain Yield and Prepayment
Considerations" herein and "Yield
Considerations" in the Prospectus.
The yield to maturity on the Bonds
will depend on, among other things,
the rate and timing of principal
payments
S-7
<PAGE>
(including prepayments, defaults,
liquidations and purchases of the
Mortgage Loans due to a breach of a
representation or warranty) on the
Mortgage Loans and the allocation
thereof to reduce the Bond Principal
Balance thereof. The yield to maturity
on the Bonds will also depend on the
related Bond Interest Rate and the
purchase price for such Bonds.
If a class of Bonds is purchased at a
premium and principal payments thereon
occur at a rate faster than
anticipated at the time of purchase,
the investor's actual yield to
maturity will be lower than that
assumed at the time of purchase.
Similarly, if a class of Bonds is
purchased at a discount and principal
payments thereon occur at a rate
slower than that assumed at the time
of purchase, the investor's actual
yield to maturity will be lower than
that assumed at the time of purchase.
The Bonds were structured assuming,
among other things, a constant
prepayment rate ("CPR") of 18% and
corresponding weighted average lives
as described herein. The prepayment,
yield and other assumptions to be used
for pricing purposes for the Bonds may
vary as determined at the time of
sale.
See "Certain Yield and Prepayment
Considerations" herein and "Yield
Considerations" in the Prospectus.
Federal Income Tax
Consequences........................... In the opinion of Tax Counsel (as
defined in the Prospectus), for
federal income tax purposes, each
class of Bonds will be characterized
as indebtedness and not as
representing an ownership interest in
the Trust Fund or an equity interest
in the Issuer or the Company. In
addition, for federal income tax
purposes, the Issuer will not be
classified as (i) an association
taxable as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes, (ii) a taxable
mortgage pool as defined in Section
7701(i) of the Code, or (iii) a
"publicly traded partnership" as
defined in Treasury Regulation Section
1.7704-1.
For further information regarding
certain federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the
Bonds see "Federal Income Tax
Consequences" herein and "Federal
Income Tax Consequences" and "State
and Other Tax Consequences" in the
Prospectus.
S-8
<PAGE>
ERISA Considerations.................... Fiduciaries of employee benefit plans
subject to the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"), or plans subject to
Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (the "Code"), should
carefully review with their legal
advisors whether the purchase or
holding of the Bonds could give rise
to a transaction prohibited or not
otherwise permissible under ERISA or
the Code. See "ERISA Considerations"
herein.
Legal Investment........................ The Senior, Class M-1 and Class M-2
Bonds will constitute "mortgage
related securities" for purposes of
SMMEA for so long as they are rated in
at least the second highest rating
category by one or more nationally
recognized statistical rating
agencies. Institutions whose
investment activities are subject to
legal investment laws and regulations
or to review by certain regulatory
authorities may be subject to
restrictions on investment in the
Bonds. The Class M-3 Bonds and the
Class B Bonds will not constitute
"mortgage related securities" for
purposes of SMMEA. See "Legal
Investment" herein and "Legal
Investment Matters" in the Prospectus.
Rating.................................. It is a condition of the issuance of
the Senior Bonds that they be rated
"Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service,
Inc. ("Moody's") and "AAA" by Fitch
IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch"). It is a
condition to the issuance of the Class
M-1 Bonds that they be rated not lower
than "AAA" by Fitch and Duff & Phelps
Credit Rating Co. ("DCR"). It is a
condition to the issuance of the Class
M-2 Bonds that they be rated not lower
than "AA" by Fitch and DCR. It is a
condition to the issuance of the Class
M-3 Bonds that they be rated not lower
than "A" by Fitch and DCR. It is a
condition to the issuance of the Class
B Bonds that they be rated not lower
than "BBB" by Fitch and DCR. A
security rating is not a
recommendation to buy, sell or hold
securities and may be subject to
revision or withdrawal at any time by
the assigning rating organization. A
security rating does not address the
frequency of prepayments of Mortgage
Loans, or the corresponding effect on
yield to investors.
See "Certain Yield and Prepayment
Considerations" and "Ratings" herein.
S-9
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Prospective Bondholders should consider, among other things, the items
discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus and the following factors in
connection with the purchase of the Bonds:
SUBORDINATION
The yield to investors on each class of Subordinate Bonds, and
particularly on such classes of Subordinate Bonds with lower payment priorities,
will be extremely sensitive to losses due to defaults on the Mortgage Loans (and
the timing thereof), to the extent such losses are not covered by any other
class of Bonds subordinate thereto or by the Certificates, because the entire
amount of such losses will be allocable to such class of Subordinate Bonds as
described herein. Furthermore, as described herein, the timing of receipt of
principal and interest by any class of Subordinate Bonds may be adversely
affected by losses even if such class does not ultimately bear such loss.
UNDERWRITING STANDARDS
The Mortgage Loans were originated using underwriting standards that
are in some respects less stringent than the underwriting standards applied by
other first mortgage loan purchase programs such as those run by FNMA or FHLMC.
In particular, the Seller's programs have different documentation requirements.
As a result, the Mortgage Loans may present a greater risk of loss than mortgage
loans originated under other first mortgage loan purchase programs. See
"Description of the Mortgage Pool--Underwriting" below and Appendix A attached
hereto for a detailed description of the underwriting standards of the Mortgage
Loans.
POTENTIAL DELINQUENCIES
Approximately 34.20% of the Mortgage Loans (by aggregate outstanding
principal balance as of the Cut-off Date), are secured by Mortgaged Properties
located in the State of California. In the event California experiences a
decline in real estate values, losses on the Mortgage Loans may be greater than
otherwise would be the case.
Approximately 0.31% of the Mortgage Loans (by aggregate outstanding
principal balance as of the Cut-off Date) will have Loan-to-Value Ratios in
excess of 80.00% but will not be covered by a primary mortgage insurance policy
or by the CMAC PMI Policy (as defined herein). Such Mortgage Loans will be
affected to a greater extent than the other Mortgage Loans in the Mortgage Pool
by any decline in the value of the related Mortgaged Property. No assurance can
be given that values of the Mortgaged Properties have remained or will remain at
their levels on the dates of origination of the related Mortgage Loans. If the
residential real estate market should experience an overall decline in property
values such that the outstanding balances of the Mortgage Loans, and any
secondary financing on the Mortgaged Properties, become equal to or greater than
the value of the Mortgaged Properties, the actual rates of delinquencies,
foreclosures and losses could be higher than those now generally experienced in
the mortgage lending industry. Any decrease in the value of the Mortgaged
Properties underlying such Mortgage Loans may result in the allocation of losses
to the Bonds which are not covered by the Certificates or by the Bonds
subordinate thereto. See "Primary Mortgage Insurance, Hazard Insurance; Claims
Thereunder" in the Prospectus.
LIMITED HISTORICAL DELINQUENCY AND FORECLOSURE EXPERIENCE
Impac Funding has limited historical delinquency and default experience
that may be referred to for purposes of estimating the future delinquency and
loss experience of the Mortgage Loans underwritten
S-10
<PAGE>
pursuant to the underwriting standards described herein, which include those of
non-related bulk purchasers. See "The Mortgage Pool--Delinquency and Foreclosure
Experience of Impac Funding" herein.
In addition, there can be no assurance that the delinquency experience
of the servicing portfolios described herein with respect to mortgage loans
serviced by Wendover will correspond to the delinquency experience of the
Mortgage Loans underwritten pursuant to such underwriting standards. See
"Description of the Servicing Agreement--The Master Servicer; the Subservicers"
herein.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On March 5, 1997, Fortune Mortgage filed a complaint against various
parties, including the Master Servicer and the Seller and certain individuals
who are officers and/or directors of such entities. The claims arise out of a
sale of a group of loan production offices by Imperial Credit Industries, Inc.
("ICII"), a former affiliate of the Master Servicer, to Imperial First Mortgage,
an unrelated third-party. The complaint alleges that the sale was induced by
fraudulent misrepresentations and omissions, including but not limited to an
allegation that the loan production offices were engaged in illegal kickback
practices which were not disclosed to the buyer, as well as misrepresentations
concerning the volume and profitability of the loan production offices. The
complaint seeks general damages, special and/or consequential damages,
reasonable attorney's fees and costs of suit on all of the causes of action. In
addition, the complaint also seeks exemplary and punitive damages. The complaint
alleges specifically that plaintiffs have been damaged in a sum in excess of
$2.5 million by virtue of the defendants' conduct, and that the defendants have
been unjustly enriched in a sum in excess of $10 million. The matter will be
arbitrated before the American Arbitration Association. The Master Servicer
intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit; however, there can be no assurance
that an adverse decision in such lawsuit would not have a material adverse
affect on the ability of the Master Servicer to perform its obligations under
the Servicing Agreement.
A financial institution has contended it has a claim against Impac
Holdings in connection with certain communications between Impac Holdings and
the institution regarding a certain mortgage broker and transactions involving
that mortgage broker. No lawsuit has been filed and no damages have been
alleged. Impac Holdings believes that these contentions are without merit, and
if a lawsuit is ever filed, it will be vigorously defended; however, there can
be no assurance that an adverse decision in such lawsuit would not have a
material adverse affect on the ability of Impac Holdings to perform its
obligations as seller under the Mortgage Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement
(as defined herein).
See "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus for a description of certain other
risks and special considerations applicable to the Bonds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MORTGAGE POOL
GENERAL
The Mortgage Pool will consist of Mortgage Loans with an aggregate
principal balance outstanding as of the Cut-off Date, after deducting payments
of principal due on such date, of approximately $225,803,630. The Mortgage Pool
will consist of conventional, fixed-rate, first lien Mortgage Loans with terms
to maturity of not more than 30 years from the date of origination or
modification. With respect to Mortgage Loans which have been modified,
references herein to the date of origination shall be deemed to be the date of
the most recent modification. All percentages of the Mortgage Loans described
herein are approximate percentages (except as otherwise indicated) by aggregate
principal balance as of the Cut-off Date.
S-11
<PAGE>
The Company will acquire the Mortgage Loans to be included in the
Mortgage Pool from Impac Mortgage Holdings, Inc. ("Impac Holdings" or the
"Seller"), formerly known as Imperial Credit Mortgage Holdings, Inc., pursuant
to a Mortgage Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement dated the Delivery Date (the
"Mortgage Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement") between the Seller and the
Depositor. The Seller in turn acquired them from Impac Funding, which in turn
acquired them pursuant to various agreements from affiliates of Impac Funding
and various mortgage loan conduit sellers (collectively, the "Originators"). The
Company will convey the Mortgage Loans to the Issuer on the Delivery Date
pursuant to the Trust Agreement. The Seller will make certain representations
and warranties with respect to the Mortgage Loans in the Mortgage Loan Sale and
Contribution Agreement and, as more particularly described in the Prospectus,
will have certain repurchase or substitution obligations in connection with a
breach of any such representation or warranty, as well as in connection with an
omission or defect in respect of certain constituent documents required to be
delivered with respect to the Mortgage Loans, in any event if such breach,
omission or defect cannot be cured and it materially and adversely affects the
interests of holders of the Bonds and the Certificates. In addition, neither the
Company nor the Seller will be required to repurchase any Mortgage Loan in the
event of a breach of its representations and warranties with respect to such
Mortgage Loan if the substance of any such breach also constitutes fraud in the
origination of such affected Mortgage Loan. See "The Mortgage
Pools--Representations by Sellers" and "Description of the Bonds--Assignment of
Trust Fund Assets" in the Prospectus.
The Mortgage Loans will have been originated or acquired by the
Originators in accordance with the underwriting criteria described herein. See
"--Underwriting" below and Appendix A. All of the Mortgage Loans will be
subserviced by Wendover. See "Description of the Servicing Agreement--The
Master Servicer; the Subservicer" herein.
MORTGAGE INSURANCE
Each Mortgage Loan is required to be covered by a standard hazard
insurance policy (a "Primary Hazard Insurance Policy"). See "Primary Mortgage
Insurance, Hazard Insurance; Claims Thereunder--Hazard Insurance Policies" in
the Prospectus. In addition, except with respect to approximately 0.31% of the
Mortgage Loans, each Mortgage Loan with a Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination in
excess of 80.00% will be insured by a either (i) a primary mortgage insurance
policy (a "Primary Insurance Policy") issued by a private mortgage insurer or
(ii) an insurance policy (the "CMAC PMI Policy," and the Mortgage Loans covered
by such policy, the "CMAC PMI Insured Loans") issued by Commonwealth Mortgage
Assurance Company ("CMAC"). Each such Primary Insurance Policy and the CMAC PMI
Policy will insure against default under the Mortgage Note in an amount at least
equal to (i) with respect to each Mortgage Loan not originated under the
Seller's "Progressive Express Program" (as described herein under
"--Underwriting Standards"), the excess of such outstanding principal amount
over 75.00% of the value of the related Mortgaged Property used in determining
such Loan-to-Value Ratio (the "Appraised Value") of such Mortgage Loan until the
outstanding principal balance of such Mortgage Loan is reduced below 80.00% of
the Appraised Value or, based upon a new appraisal, the principal balance of
such Mortgage Loan represents less than 80.00% of the new appraised value or
(ii) with respect to each Mortgage Loan originated under the Seller's
"Progressive Express Program," (A) for which the outstanding principal balance
at origination of the such Mortgage Loan is between 80.00% and up to and
including 85.00% of the Appraised Value is covered by a Primary Insurance Policy
in an amount equal to 22.00% of the Appraised Value and (B) for which the
outstanding principal balance at origination of such Mortgage Loan exceeded
85.00% of the Appraised Value is covered by Primary Insurance Policy in an
amount equal to 30.00% of the Appraised Value.
The CMAC PMI Policy will be issued with respect to approximately 46.50%
of the Mortgage Loans. The aggregate amount of coverage under the CMAC PMI
Policy will not exceed 12.00% of the aggregate Principal Balance of the CMAC PMI
Insured Loans as of the Cut-off Date. Otherwise, coverage
S-12
<PAGE>
under the CMAC PMI Policy will be identical to typical primary mortgage
insurance coverage. The premium for the CMAC PMI Policy will be payable by the
Master Servicer, and will range from 0.50% per annum to 0.69% per annum of the
then current aggregate Principal Balance of the related Mortgage Loans. See
"Primary Mortgage Insurance, Hazard Insurance; Claims Thereunder--Primary
Mortgage Insurance Policies" in the Prospectus.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS
None of the Mortgage Loans will have been originated prior to May 1996,
or will have a maturity date later than March 2028. No Mortgage Loan will have a
remaining term to maturity as of the Cut-off Date of less than 164 months. The
weighted average remaining term to maturity of the Mortgage Loans as of the
Cut-off Date will be approximately 349 months. The weighted average original
term to maturity of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date will be
approximately 351 months.
As of the Cut-off Date, no Mortgage Loan will be one month or more
delinquent in payment of principal and interest.
None of the Mortgage Loans will be Buydown Mortgage Loans.
No Mortgage Loan provides for deferred interest or negative
amortization.
Set forth below is a description of certain additional characteristics
of the Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date (except as otherwise indicated).
All percentages of the Mortgage Loans are approximate percentages by aggregate
principal balance as of the Cut-off Date (except as otherwise indicated). Unless
otherwise specified, all principal balances of the Mortgage Loans are as of the
Cut-off Date and are rounded to the nearest dollar.
S-13
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL BALANCES OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS AT ORIGINATION
PERCENTAGE OF
ORIGINAL CUT-OFF DATE
MORTGAGE LOAN NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
----------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$0.01 - $50,000.00 .................... 62 2,662,716 1.18%
$50,000.01 - $100,000.00.................... 394 31,063,593 13.76
$100,000.01 - $150,000.00.................... 465 58,153,507 25.75
$150,000.01 - $200,000.00.................... 283 49,020,587 21.71
$200,000.01 - $250,000.00.................... 134 29,703,904 13.15
$250,000.01 - $300,000.00.................... 81 22,137,691 9.80
$300,000.01 - $350,000.00.................... 36 11,666,881 5.17
$350,000.01 - $400,000.00.................... 29 10,806,279 4.79
$400,000.01 - $450,000.00.................... 5 2,121,906 0.94
$450,000.01 - $500,000.00.................... 5 2,378,136 1.05
$500,000.01 - $550,000.00.................... 2 1,075,052 0.48
$550,000.01 - $600,000.00.................... 3 1,770,062 0.78
$600,000.01 - $650,000.00.................... 4 2,561,667 1.13
$650,000.01 - $700,000.00.................... 1 681,649 0.30
----- ------------ ------
Total................................... 1,504 $225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============ ======
</TABLE>
The average original principal balance of the Mortgage Loans will be
approximately $150,363.
PRINCIPAL BALANCES OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS AT THE CUT-OFF DATE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE CUT-OFF DATE
MORTGAGE LOAN NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
PRINCIPAL BALANCE MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
----------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$0.01 - $50,000.00............... 62 $ 2,662,716
$50,000.01 - $100,000.00................. 396 31,263,427 13.85
$100,000.01 - $150,000.00................. 464 58,103,557 25.73
$150,000.01 - $200,000.00................. 283 49,070,538 21.73
$200,000.01 - $250,000.00................. 133 29,504,069 13.07
$250,000.01 - $300,000.00................. 81 22,137,691 9.80
$300,000.01 - $350,000.00................. 36 11,666,881 5.17
$350,000.01 - $400,000.00................. 29 10,806,279 4.79
$400,000.01 - $450,000.00................. 5 2,121,906 0.94
$450,000.01 - $500,000.00................. 5 2,378,136 1.05
$500,000.01 - $550,000.00................. 2 1,075,052 0.48
$550,000.01 - $600,000.00................. 3 1,770,062 0.78
$600,000.01 - $650,000.00................. 4 2,561,667 1.13
$650,000.01 - $700,000.00................. 1 681,649 0.30
----- --=------- ------
Total................................. 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
The average current principal balance of the Mortgage Loans will be
approximately $150,135.
S-14
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MORTGAGE RATES
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
MORTGAGE RATES MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
-------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
7.000% - 7.499%................. 4 $ 847,645 0.38%
7.500% - 7.999%................. 43 9,501,654 4.21
8.000% - 8.499%................. 189 32,202,857 14.26
8.500% - 8.999%................. 404 59,619,594 26.40
9.000% - 9.499%................. 471 69,199,913 30.65
9.500% - 9.999%................. 318 44,810,994 19.85
10.000% - 10.499%................. 49 6,470,463 2.87
10.500% - 10.999%................. 17 2,118,310 0.94
11.000% - 11.499%................. 3 346,626 0.15
11.500% - 11.999%................. 2 150,151 0.07
12.000% - 12.499%................. 3 500,466 0.22
13.000% - 13.499%................. 1 34,957 0.02
----- ------------- ------
1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
The weighted average Mortgage Rate of the Mortgage Loans will be
approximately 9.004% per annum.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ORIGINAL LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIOS
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
ORIGINAL LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIOS MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
----------------------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than or equal to 25.00%............... 2 $ 124,565 0.06%
25.01% - 30.00%............................ 2 99,616 0.04
30.01% - 35.00%............................ 7 977,656 0.43
35.01% - 40.00%............................ 5 399,013 0.18
40.01% - 45.00%............................ 15 2,412,963 1.07
45.01% - 50.00%............................ 23 2,642,031 1.17
50.01% - 55.00%............................ 13 1,436,749 0.64
55.01% - 60.00%............................ 27 2,513,253 1.11
60.01% - 65.00%............................ 37 5,521,871 2.45
65.01% - 70.00%............................ 53 8,208,662 3.64
70.01% - 75.00%............................ 142 21,699,649 9.61
75.01% - 80.00%............................ 382 59,836,474 26.50
80.01% - 85.00%............................ 73 9,951,133 4.41
85.01% - 90.00%............................ 667 101,902,993 45.13
90.01% - 95.00%............................ 56 8,077,003 3.58
----- ------------- ------
Total................................... 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
The minimum and maximum Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination of the
Mortgage Loans were approximately 19.71% and 95.00%, respectively, and the
weighted average Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination of the Mortgage Loans was
approximately 82.20%.
S-15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MORTGAGE LOAN PROGRAM
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
LOAN PROGRAM MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
------------ -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Full Documentation........................... 108 $ 15,237,767 6.75%
Limited Documentation........................ 286 46,221,302 20.47
No Ratio..................................... 113 17,744,311 7.86
Alternative Documentation.................... 6 740,914 0.33
No Income/No Asset........................... 146 18,765,037 8.31
Express (Non Verified Assets)................ 640 93,001,742 41.19
Express (Verified Assets).................... 205 34,092,557 15.10
----- ------------- ------
Total................................... 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
See "--Underwriting" below for a description of Impac Funding's
documentation programs.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RISK CATEGORIES OF MORTGAGE LOANS
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
CREDIT GRADE MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
------------ -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
A+(1)........................................ 4 $ 1,062,753
A(1)......................................... 606 90,426,311 40.05
A-(1)........................................ 44 6,715,307 2.97
B(1)......................................... 3 198,301 0.09
CX(1)........................................ 1 34,957 0.02
Progressive Express 1(2)..................... 408 59,429,538 26.32
Progressive Express 2(2)..................... 362 57,161,756 25.31
Progressive Express 3(2)..................... 42 5,976,236 2.65
Progressive Express 4(2)..................... 30 4,349,324 1.93
Progressive Express 5(2)..................... 3 291,348 0.13
Progressive Express 6(2)..................... 1 157,798 0.07
----- ------------- ----
Total................................... 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) All of the Mortgage Loans were reviewed and placed into risk categories
generally based on the credit standards
of the Progressive Program. See "-- Underwriting" herein.
(2) These Mortgage Loans were originated under Impac Funding's Progressive
Express Program. See "--Underwriting" herein.
S-16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OCCUPANCY TYPE
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
OCCUPANCY TYPE (AS INDICATED BY BORROWER) MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
----------------------------------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Owner-Occupied Primary Residence........... 1,365 $ 211,625,815 93.72%
Second Homes............................... 90 10,241,126 4.54
Investor................................... 49 3,936,689 1.74
----- ------------- ------
Total.................................... 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROPERTY TYPES
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
PROPERTY TYPE MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
------------- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Single-family............................... 1,301 $ 199,404,683 88.31%
Condominium................................. 108 11,605,465 5.14
Two-to Four-Family.......................... 57 9,685,085 4.29
PUD......................................... 38 5,108,397 2.26
----- ------------- ------
Total.................................. 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF MORTGAGED PROPERTIES
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
STATE MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
----- -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
California................................. 388 $ 77,228,951 34.20%
Florida.................................... 274 32,339,840 14.32
New York................................... 137 21,462,538 9.50
New Jersey................................. 130 19,174,876 8.49
Texas...................................... 102 11,097,544 4.91
Nevada..................................... 51 7,532,970 3.34
Other (no more than 3% in any one state)... 422 56,966,911 25.23
----- ---------- -----
Total................................. 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
===== ============= ======
</TABLE>
No more than approximately 0.50% of the Mortgage Loans will be secured
by Mortgaged Properties located in any one zip code.
S-17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PURPOSES OF MORTGAGE LOANS
PERCENTAGE OF
CUT-OFF DATE
NUMBER OF AGGREGATE UNPAID AGGREGATE
LOAN PURPOSE MORTGAGE LOANS PRINCIPAL BALANCE PRINCIPAL BALANCE
------------ -------------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Purchase................................... 1,217 $ 165,912,181 73.48%
Refinance/Equity Take-Out.................. 205 31,606,659 14.00
Refinance/No Equity Take-Out............... 161 26,808,367 11.87
Construction............................... 11 1,476,423 0.65
----- ------------- ------
Total................................. 1,504 $ 225,803,630 100.00%
</TABLE>
In general, in the case of a Mortgage Loan made for "rate/term"
refinance purposes, substantially all of the proceeds are used to pay in full
the principal balance of a previous mortgage loan of the mortgagor with respect
to a Mortgaged Property and to pay origination and closing costs associated with
such refinancing. Mortgage Loans made for "equity take out" refinance purposes
may involve the use of the proceeds to pay in full the principal balance of a
previous mortgage loan and related costs except that a portion of the proceeds
are generally retained by the mortgagor for uses unrelated to the Mortgaged
Property. The amount of such proceeds retained by the mortgagor may be
substantial.
Specific information with respect to the Mortgage Loans will be
available to purchasers of the Bonds on or before the time of issuance of such
Bonds. If not included in the Prospectus Supplement, such
information will be included in the Form 8-K.
UNDERWRITING
The Mortgage Loans were acquired by Impac Funding from the Originators.
Approximately 43.71% and 56.29% of the Mortgage Loans were underwritten pursuant
to Impac Funding's Progressive Program and the Progressive Express Program,
respectively, as described in Appendix A attached hereto. All of the Mortgage
Loans were generally underwritten in accordance with the description in the
Prospectus. All of the Mortgage Loans were reviewed for completeness of
documentation. See "The Mortgage Pools-Underwriting Standards" in the
Prospectus.
DELINQUENCY AND FORECLOSURE EXPERIENCE OF IMPAC FUNDING
Based solely upon information provided by Impac Funding, the following
tables summarize, for the respective dates indicated, the delinquency,
foreclosure, bankruptcy and REO property status with respect to all mortgage
loans originated or acquired by Impac Funding. The indicated periods of
delinquency are based on the number of days past due on a contractual basis. The
monthly payments under all of such mortgage loans are due on the first day of
each calendar month.
S-18
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At December 31, 1996 At December 31, 1997
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
NUMBER PRINCIPAL NUMBER PRINCIPAL
OF LOANS AMOUNT OF LOANS AMOUNT
-------- ------ -------- ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Loans Outstanding............... 11,996 $1,550,121 28,494 $3,028,554
DELINQUENCY(1)
Period of Delinquency:
30-59 Days.................... 587 $66,272 1,167 $136,427
60-89 Days.................... 118 15,089 282 33,203
90 Days or More............... 3 95 69 6,454
------ --------- ------ --------
Total Delinquencies............... 708 $81,456 1,518 $176,084
====== ======== ======= ========
Delinquencies as a Percentage
of Total Loans Outstanding............ 5.90% 5.25% 5.33% 5.81%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
1 The delinquency balances, percentages and numbers set forth under this
heading exclude (a) delinquent mortgage loans that were in foreclosure at
the respective dates indicated ("Foreclosure Loans"), (b) delinquent
mortgage loans as to which the related mortgagor was in bankruptcy
proceedings at the respective dates indicated ("Bankruptcy Loans") and (c)
REO properties that have been purchased upon foreclosure of the related
mortgage loans. All Foreclosure Loans, Bankruptcy Loans and REO properties
have been segregated into the sections of the table entitled "Foreclosures
Pending," "Bankruptcies Pending" and "REO Properties," respectively, and are
not included in the "30-59 Days," "60-89 Days," "90 Days or More" and "Total
Delinquencies" sections of the table. See the section of the table entitled
"Total Delinquencies plus Foreclosures Pending and Bankruptcies Pending" for
total delinquency balances, percentages and numbers which include
Foreclosure Loans and Bankruptcy Loans, and see the section of the table
entitled "REO Properties" for delinquency balances, percentages and numbers
related to REO properties that have been purchased upon foreclosure of the
related mortgage loans.
S-19
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At December 31, 1996 At December 31, 1997
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
NUMBER PRINCIPAL NUMBER PRINCIPAL
OF LOANS AMOUNT OF LOANS AMOUNT
-------- ------ -------- ------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FORECLOSURES PENDING(2)............... 180 $25,697 378 $41,792
Foreclosures Pending as a
Percentage of Total Loans
Outstanding........................... 1.50% 1.66% 1.33% 1.38%
BANKRUPTCIES PENDING(3)............... 55 $6,315 140 $15,517
Bankruptcies Pending as a
Percentage of Total Loans
Outstanding........................... 0.46% 0.41% 0.49% 0.51%
Total Delinquencies plus
Foreclosures Pending and
Bankruptcies Pending.................. 943 $113,468 2,036 $233,393
Total Delinquencies plus
Foreclosures Pending and
Bankruptcies Pending as a
Percentage of Total Loans
Outstanding........................... 7.86% 7.32% 7.15% 7.71%
REO PROPERTIES(4)..................... 2 $ 429 80 $9,276
REO Properties as a Percentage
of Total Loans Outstanding............ 0.02% 0.03% 0.28% 0.31%
</TABLE>
The above data on delinquency, foreclosure, bankruptcy and REO property
status are calculated on the basis of the total mortgage loans originated or
acquired by Impac Funding. However, the total amount of mortgage loans on which
the above data are based includes many mortgage loans which were not, as of the
respective dates indicated, outstanding long enough to give rise to some of the
indicated periods of delinquency or to foreclosure or bankruptcy proceedings or
REO property status. In the absence of such mortgage loans, the delinquency,
foreclosure, bankruptcy and REO property percentages indicated above would be
higher and could be substantially higher.
--------
2 Mortgage loans that are in foreclosure but as to which the mortgaged property
has not been liquidated at the respective dates indicated. It is generally the
Master Servicer's policy, with respect to mortgage loans originated by Impac
Funding, to commence foreclosure proceedings when a mortgage loan is between
31 and 60 days delinquent.
3 Mortgage loans as to which the related mortgagor is in bankruptcy proceedings
at the respective dates indicated.
4 REO properties that have been purchased upon foreclosure of the related
mortgage loans, including mortgaged properties that were purchased by Impac
Funding after the respective dates indicated.
S-20
<PAGE>
Based solely on information provided by Impac Funding, the following
table presents the changes in Impac Funding's charge-off and recoveries for the
period indicated.
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997
------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Charge-offs:
Mortgage Loan Properties................... $ 291
REO Properties............................. 4,863
Recoveries:
Mortgage Loan Properties................... 62
REO Properties............................. 18
Net charge-offs:................................ 5,073*
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans
outstanding during the twelve months ended
December 31, 1997.................................... 0.22%**
- ---------------
* Does not include losses from the sale of delinquent loans of $2,321,617
recorded by Impac Funding during the twelve months ended December 31,
1997.
** The ratio of net charge-offs was based upon annualized charge-offs for
the twelve months ended December 31, 1997. The average loans outstanding
during the twelve months ended December 31, 1997, was computed using
monthly balances.
From November 1995 through December 1996, Impac Funding experienced no
charge-offs and no recoveries.
The above data on charge-offs and recoveries are calculated on the
basis of the total mortgage loans originated or acquired by Impac Funding.
However, the total amount of mortgage loans on which the above data are based
includes many mortgage loans which were not, as of the respective dates
indicated, outstanding long enough to give rise to some of the indicated
charge-offs. In the absence of such mortgage loans, the charge-off percentages
indicated above would be higher and could be substantially higher. Because the
Mortgage Pool will consist of a fixed group of Mortgage Loans, the actual
charge-off percentages with respect to the Mortgage Pool may therefore be
expected to be higher, and may be substantially higher, than the percentages
indicated above.
The information set forth in the preceding paragraphs concerning Impac
Funding has been provided by Impac Funding.
For loss and delinquency information with respect to mortgage loans
similar to the Mortgage Loans serviced by Wendover, see "Description of the
Servicing Agreement--The Master Servicer; the
Subservicers" herein.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The description in this Prospectus Supplement of the Mortgage Pool and
the Mortgaged Properties is based upon the Mortgage Pool as constituted at the
close of business on the Cut-off Date, as adjusted for
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the scheduled principal payments due on or before such date. The Company
believes that the information set forth herein will be substantially
representative of the characteristics of the Mortgage Pool as it will be
constituted at the time the Bonds are issued although the range of Mortgage
Rates and maturities and certain other characteristics of the Mortgage Loans in
the Mortgage Pool may vary.
A Current Report on Form 8-K will be available to purchasers of the
Bonds and will be filed, together with the Servicing Agreement, the Trust
Agreement and the Indenture, with the Securities and Exchange Commission within
fifteen days after the initial issuance of the Bonds. In the event Mortgage
Loans are removed from or added to the Mortgage Pool as set forth in the
preceding paragraph, such removal or addition will be reported in the Current
Report on Form 8-K.
See "The Mortgage Pools" and "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans"
in the Prospectus.
THE ISSUER
The Issuer is a business trust formed under the laws of the State of
Delaware pursuant to the Trust Agreement dated as of March 24, 1998 between the
Company and Wilmington Trust Company as the Owner Trustee (as amended and
restated by the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement dated March 27, 1998, the
"Trust Agreement") for the transactions described in this Prospectus Supplement.
The Trust Agreement constitutes the "governing instrument" under the laws of the
State of Delaware relating to business trusts. After its formation, the Issuer
will not engage in any activity other than (i) acquiring and holding the
Mortgage Loans and the other assets of the Trust Fund and proceeds therefrom,
(ii) issuing the Bonds and Certificates, (iii) making payments on the Bonds and
the Certificates and (iv) engaging in other activities that are necessary,
suitable or convenient to accomplish the foregoing or are incidental thereto or
connected therewith.
The assets of the Issuer will consist of the Mortgage Loans and certain
related assets.
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
Wilmington Trust Company is the Owner Trustee under the Trust
Agreement. The Owner Trustee is a Delaware banking corporation and its principal
offices are located in Wilmington, Delaware. The Owner Trustee will receive a
fee on each Payment Date at a rate equal to 0.0017% per annum (the "Owner
Trustee Fee Rate") on the aggregate Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans.
Neither the Owner Trustee nor any director, officer or employee of the
Owner Trustee will be under any liability to the Issuer or the Bondholders under
the Trust Agreement under any circumstances, except for the Owner Trustee's own
misconduct, gross negligence, bad faith or grossly negligent failure to act or
in the case of the inaccuracy of certain representations made by the Owner
Trustee in the Trust Agreement. All persons into which the Owner Trustee may be
merged or with which it may be consolidated or any person resulting from such
merger or consolidation shall be the successor of the Owner Trustee under the
Trust Agreement.
THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
Bankers Trust Company of California, N.A., will act as Indenture
Trustee with respect to the Indenture. The Indenture Trustee will receive a fee
on each Payment Date at a rate equal to 0.0125% per annum (the "Indenture
Trustee Fee Rate"; and together with the Owner Trustee Fee Rate, the
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"Administrative Fee Rate") on the aggregate Principal Balance of the Mortgage
Loans. The Indenture Trustee will provide to a prospective or actual Bondholder
without charge, upon written request, a copy of the Indenture. Requests should
be addressed to the Indenture Trustee at 3 Park Plaza, 16th Floor, Irvine,
California 92614, Attention: Impac CMB Trust Series 1998-2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
GENERAL
The Series 1998-2 Collateralized Asset-Backed Bonds will include the
following five classes (the "Bonds"): (i) Class A Bonds (the "Senior Bonds"),
(ii) Class M-1 Bonds, Class M-2 Bonds and Class M-3 Bonds (collectively, the
"Class M Bonds"); and (iii) Class B Bonds (the "Class B Bonds"; and together
with the Class M Bonds, the "Subordinate Bonds"). The Bonds will represent
obligations of the Impac CMB Trust Series 1998-2 (the "Issuer"), which will be
formed pursuant to the Trust Agreement. The Bonds will be issued pursuant to the
Indenture.
The Bonds will be secured by the pledge by the Issuer of its assets to
the Indenture Trustee pursuant to the Indenture which will consist of the
following (such assets, collectively, the "Trust Fund"): (i) the Mortgage Loans;
(ii) collections in respect of principal and interest of the Mortgage Loans
received after the Cut-Off Date (other than payments due on or before the
Cut-off Date); (iii) the amounts on deposit in any Collection Account (as
defined in the Prospectus), including the account in which amounts are deposited
prior to payment to the Bondholders (the "Payment Account"), including net
earnings thereon; (iv) certain insurance policies maintained by the related
Mortgagors or by or on behalf of the Master Servicer or related subservicer in
respect of the Mortgage Loans; (v) the CMAC PMI Policy; (vi) an assignment of
the Company's rights under the Mortgage Loan Sale and Contribution Agreement (as
defined herein) and the Servicing Agreement; and (vii) proceeds of the
foregoing.
The Bonds will be issued in denominations of $25,000 and integral
multiples of $1 in excess thereof. See "--Book-Entry Bonds" below.
BOOK-ENTRY BONDS
GENERAL. Beneficial Owners that are not Participants or Intermediaries
(as defined in the Prospectus) but desire to purchase, sell or otherwise
transfer ownership of, or other interests in, the related Book-Entry Bonds may
do so only through Participants and Intermediaries. In addition, Beneficial
Owners will receive all payments of principal of and interest on the related
Book-Entry Bonds from the Paying Agent (as defined in the Prospectus) through
DTC and Participants. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners may experience delays in
their receipt of payments. Unless and until Definitive Bonds are issued for the
related Book-Entry Bonds, it is anticipated that the only registered Bondholder
of such Book-Entry Bonds will be Cede, as nominee of DTC. Beneficial Owners will
not be recognized by the Indenture Trustee or the Master Servicer as
Bondholders, as such term is used in the Indenture, and Beneficial Owners will
be permitted to receive information furnished to Bondholders and to exercise the
rights of Bondholders only indirectly through DTC, its Participants and
Intermediaries.
Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC
and its operations (the "Rules"), DTC is required to make book-entry transfers
of Book-Entry Bonds among Participants and to receive and transmit payments of
principal of, and interest on, such Book-Entry Bonds. Participants and
Intermediaries with which Beneficial Owners have accounts with respect to such
Book-Entry Bonds similarly are required to make book-entry transfers and receive
and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective Beneficial Owners.
Accordingly, although Beneficial Owners will not possess physical
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Bonds evidencing their interests in the Book-Entry Bonds, the Rules provide a
mechanism by which Beneficial Owners, through their Participants and
Intermediaries, will receive payments and will be able
to transfer their interests in the Book-Entry Bonds.
None of the Company, the Master Servicer, the Subservicers, the Owner
Trustee or the Indenture Trustee will have any liability for any actions taken
by DTC or its nominee, including, without limitation, actions for any aspect of
the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Book-Entry Bonds held by Cede, as nominee for DTC, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.
DEFINITIVE BONDS. Definitive Bonds will be issued to Beneficial Owners
or their nominees, respectively, rather than to DTC or its nominee, only under
the limited conditions set forth in the Prospectus under "Description of the
Bonds--Form of Bonds."
Upon the occurrence of an event described in the Prospectus in the
third paragraph under "Description of the Bonds--Form of Bonds," the Indenture
Trustee is required to notify, through DTC, Participants who have ownership of
Book-Entry Bonds as indicated on the records of DTC of the availability of
Definitive Bonds for their Book-Entry Bonds. Upon surrender by DTC of the
definitive Bonds representing the Book-Entry Bonds and upon receipt of
instructions from DTC for re-registration, the Indenture Trustee will reissue
the Book-Entry Bonds as Definitive Bonds issued in the respective principal
amounts owned by individual Beneficial Owners, and thereafter the Indenture
Trustee will recognize the holders of such Definitive Bonds as Bondholders under
the Indenture.
For additional information regarding DTC and the Book-Entry Bonds, see
"Description of the Bonds--Form of Bonds" in the Prospectus.
PAYMENTS
Payments on the Bonds will be made by the Indenture Trustee or the
Paying Agent on the 25th day of each month or, if such day is not a Business
Day, then the next succeeding Business Day, commencing in April 1998. Payments
on the Bonds will be made to the persons in whose names such Bonds are
registered at the close of business on the day prior to each Payment Date or, if
the Bonds are no longer Book-Entry Bonds, on the Record Date. See "Description
of the Bonds--Payments" in the Prospectus. Payments will be made by check or
money order mailed (or upon the request, at least five Business Days prior to
the related Record Date, of a Holder owning Bonds having denominations
aggregating at least $5,000,000, by wire transfer or otherwise) to the address
of the person entitled thereto (which, in the case of Book-Entry Bonds, will be
DTC or its nominee) as it appears on the Security Register in amounts calculated
as described herein as of the Determination Date. However, the final payment in
respect of the Bonds will be made only upon presentation and surrender thereof
at the office or the agency of the Indenture Trustee specified in the notice to
Holders of such final payment. A "Business Day" is any day other than (i) a
Saturday or Sunday or (ii) a day on which banking institutions in New York City,
Delaware, California or in the city in which the corporate trust offices of the
Indenture Trustee are located, are required or authorized by law to be closed.
INTEREST DISTRIBUTIONS
The "Interest Remittance Amount" for any Payment Date is equal to (i) the
portion allocable to interest of all scheduled monthly payments on the Mortgage
Loans received or Advanced during the related Collection Period, after deduction
of the related servicing fees and any subservicing fees (collectively, the
"Servicing Fees"), any premiums paid in connection with the CMAC PMI Policy, and
the related fees of the Owner Trustee and the Indenture Trustee, (ii) any fees
or penalties, including prepayment penalties,
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not retained by any Subservicer, (iii) interest on amounts held in the
Collection Account and (iv) certain unscheduled collections, including Insurance
Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds and proceeds from repurchases of (and certain
amounts received in connection with any substitutions for) the Mortgage
Loans,
received during the related Collection Period, to the extent such amounts are
allocable to interest.
On each Payment Date, the Paying Agent shall make the following
distributions, to the extent of the Interest Remittance Amount:
(i) first, to the Bondholders on a pro rata basis, an amount equal
to the Accrued Bond Interest (as defined below) thereon for such Payment
Date, plus any unreimbursed Unpaid Interest Shortfalls (as defined below)
thereon;
(ii) second, to the Bondholders in the following order: first to
the Class A Bonds, second to the Class M-1 Bonds, third, to the Class M-2
Bonds, fourth, to the Class M-3 Bonds, and fifth, to the Class B Bonds, in
each case in respect of any Realized Losses to be allocated thereto on such
Payment Date, or previously allocated thereto on any prior Payment Date,
until the amount of such losses has been fully reimbursed; and
(iii) third, any amount remaining shall be paid to the
Certificates.
"Accrued Bond Interest" on any Payment Date with respect to each class of
Bonds will be equal to one month's interest accrued at the related Bond Interest
Rate on the Bond Principal Balance thereof immediately prior to such Payment
Date. With respect to each Bond, the "Bond Interest Rate" on each Payment Date
will be the fixed rate set forth on the cover hereof; provided, however, that on
the Payment Date immediately following the earlier of (i) the Payment Date on
which the aggregate Principal Balance (as defined herein) of the Mortgage Loans
is less than or equal to 20% of the aggregate Principal Balance of the Mortgage
Loans as of the Cut-off Date or (ii) the Payment Date occurring in March 2008,
the Bond Interest Rate on each class of Bonds will be increased by 0.50% per
annum. Interest on the Bonds in respect of any Payment Date will accrue during
the preceding calendar month on the basis of a 30-day month and a 360-day year.
If on any Payment Date the Interest Remittance Amount is insufficient to
pay Accrued Bond Interest on any class of Bonds, the shortfall will be allocated
first, to the Class B Bonds, second, to the Class M-3 Bonds, third, to the Class
M-2 Bonds, fourth, to the Class M-1 Bonds and fifth, to the Class A Bonds, in
each case in reduction of the Accrued Bond Interest otherwise payable thereon.
Such shortfalls could occur, for example, if delinquencies on the Mortgage Loans
were exceptionally high, were not covered by Advances and were concentrated in a
particular month. In addition, such shortfalls could occur if Prepayment
Interest Shortfalls or shortfalls due to the Relief Act were particularly high
in a particular month. Any such shortfalls will be carried forward and will bear
interest at the related Bond Interest Rate (such amount, including interest
thereon, as of any Payment Date, the "Unpaid Interest Shortfall") and be payable
on future Payment Dates.
The "Prepayment Interest Shortfall" for any Payment Date is equal to the
aggregate shortfall, if any, in collections of interest (adjusted to a rate less
the related Expense Fee Rate) resulting from Mortgagor prepayments on the
Mortgage Loans during the related Collection Period. Such shortfalls will result
because interest on prepayments in full is paid only to the date of prepayment,
and because no interest is paid on prepayments in part, as such prepayments in
part are applied to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage
Loans as of the Due Date in the month of prepayment. However, with respect to
any Payment Date, any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls resulting from prepayments
in full during the preceding calendar month will be offset by the Master
Servicer, but only to the extent such Prepayment Interest Shortfalls do not
exceed an amount equal to the related Servicing Fees for such Payment Date.
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Prepayment Interest Shortfalls resulting from partial prepayments will not be
offset by the Master Servicer from the Servicing Fees or otherwise. No assurance
can be given that the Servicing Fees available to cover Prepayment Interest
Shortfalls will be sufficient therefor. The "Expense Fee Rate," as determined
for each Mortgage Loan, is the sum of the Servicing Fee Rate, the Administrative
Fee Rate, and, with respect to the CMAC PMI Insured Loans, the rate per annum at
which the related premium accrues.
The "Bond Principal Balance" of any class of Bonds means the initial Bond
Principal Balance thereof as reduced by the sum of (x) all amounts actually
distributed to the holders of such Bonds on all prior Payment Dates on account
of principal and (y) the aggregate, cumulative amount of Realized Losses
allocated thereto (upon which interest will no longer accrue) on all prior
Payment Dates. The "Certificate Principal Balance" of the Certificates means as
of any date of determination the excess, if any, of (x) the aggregate Principal
Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of such date of determination over (y) the
aggregate Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds as of such date of determination.
The Certificate Principal Balance will initially be equal to $5,645,091.
The "Principal Balance" of any Mortgage Loan as of any date of
determination is equal to the principal balance thereof as of the Cut-off Date,
reduced by all amounts allocable to principal that have been distributed to the
Bondholders or to the Certificateholders with respect to such mortgage loan, and
as further reduced to the extent of any Realized Loss thereon on or before the
date of determination.
PRINCIPAL DISTRIBUTIONS
The "Principal Remittance Amount" for any Payment Date is equal to the sum
of
(i) the principal portion of all scheduled monthly payments on the
Mortgage Loans received or Advanced on the Mortgage Loans with respect to
the related Due Date;
(ii) the principal portion of all proceeds of the repurchase of a
Mortgage Loan (or, in the case of a substitution, certain amounts
representing a principal adjustment) pursuant to the Servicing
Agreement during the preceding calendar month; and
(iii) the principal portion of all other unscheduled collections
received with respect to the Mortgage Loans during the related Prepayment
Period (including, without limitation, full and partial Principal
Prepayments made by the respective Mortgagors, Liquidation Proceeds and
Insurance Proceeds), to the extent not distributed in the preceding month.
With respect to any Payment Date and the Mortgage Loans, the "Collection
Period" is the calendar month preceding the month of such Payment Date.
On each Payment Date, the Principal Remittance Amount will be distributed
to the Bonds and the Certificates as follows:
(i) first, to the Bonds, on a pro rata basis, based on the
then-current Bond Principal Balances thereof, an amount equal to the Bond
Principal Distribution Amount (as defined below), in reduction of the Bond
Principal Balances thereof, until such balances have been reduced to zero;
and
(ii) second, any amount remaining shall be paid to the
Certificates.
The "Bond Principal Distribution Amount" on each Payment Date will be equal
to the lesser of (a) the Principal Remittance Amount and (b) an amount equal to
the sum of the following:
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(i) the product of (A) the then-applicable Bond Percentage and (B) the
aggregate of the following amounts:
(1) the principal portion of all scheduled monthly payments on
the Mortgage Loans received or Advanced on the Mortgage Loans with
respect to the related Due Date;
(2) the principal portion of all proceeds of the repurchase of
a Mortgage Loan (or, in the case of a substitution, certain amounts
representing a principal adjustment) as required by the
Servicing Agreement during the preceding calendar month; and
(3) the principal portion of all other unscheduled collections
received during the preceding calendar month (other than full and
partial Mortgagor prepayments made by the respective Mortgagors and any
amounts received in connection with a Final Disposition (as defined
below) of a Mortgage Loan described in clause (ii) below), to the
extent applied as recoveries of principal;
(ii) in connection with the Final Disposition of a Mortgage Loan that
occurred in the preceding calendar month, an amount equal to the lesser of (A)
the then-applicable Bond Percentage of the Principal Balance of such Mortgage
Loan and (B) the then-applicable Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage (as
defined below) of the related unscheduled collections, including Insurance
Proceeds and Liquidation Proceeds, to the extent applied as recoveries of
principal;
(iii) the then-applicable Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage of
the aggregate of all full and partial Mortgagor prepayments made by the
respective Mortgagors of the Mortgage Loans during the preceding calendar month;
and
(iv) any amounts allocable to principal for any previous Payment Date
(calculated pursuant to clauses (i) through (iii) above) that remain
undistributed to the extent that any such amounts are not attributable to
Realized Losses which were allocated to the Certificates.
A "Final Disposition" of a defaulted Mortgage Loan is deemed to have
occurred upon a determination by the Master Servicer that it has received all
Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds and other payments or cash recoveries
which the Master Servicer reasonably and in good faith expects to be
finally recoverable with respect to such Mortgage Loan.
The "Bond Percentage," which initially will equal approximately 97.50%
and will in no event exceed 100%, will be recalculated for each Payment Date to
be the percentage equal to the aggregate Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds
immediately prior to such Payment Date divided by the aggregate Principal
Balance of all of the Mortgage Loans immediately prior to such Payment Date. The
"Certificate Percentage" as of any date of determination is equal to 100% minus
the Bond Percentage as of such date.
The "Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage" for any Payment Date
occurring prior to the Payment Date in April 2003 will equal 100%. The Bond
Accelerated Distribution Percentage for any Payment Date occurring after the
first five years following the Delivery Date will be as follows:
(i) for any Payment Date during the sixth year after the
Delivery Date, the Bond Percentage for such Payment Date plus 70% of
the Certificate Percentage for such Payment Date;
(ii) for any Payment Date during the seventh year after the
Delivery Date, the Bond Percentage for such Payment Date plus 60% of
the Certificate Percentage for such Payment
Date;
(iii) for any Payment Date during the eighth year after the
Delivery Date, the Bond
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Percentage for such Payment Date plus 40% of the Certificate Percentage
for such Payment Date;
(iv) for any Payment Date during the ninth year after the
Delivery Date, the Bond Percentage for such Payment Date plus 20% of
the Certificate Percentage for such Payment Date; and
(v) for any Payment Date thereafter, the Bond Percentage for
such Payment Date;
provided, that if on any Payment Date the Bond Percentage exceeds the initial
Bond Percentage, the Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage for such Payment
Date will equal 100%.
Any scheduled reduction to the Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage
described above shall not be made as of any Payment Date unless either:
(a)(i)(X) the outstanding principal balance of Mortgage Loans
delinquent 60 days or more averaged over the last six months, as a
percentage of the aggregate outstanding Certificate Principal Balance
of the Certificates, is less than 50% or (Y) the outstanding principal
balance of Mortgage Loans delinquent 60 days or more averaged over the
last six months, as a percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal
balance of all Mortgage Loans averaged over the last six months, does
not exceed 2%, and
(ii) Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans to date for such
Payment Date, if occurring during the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or
tenth year (or any year thereafter) after the Delivery Date, are less
than 30%, 35%, 40%, 45% or 50%, respectively, of the sum of the initial
Certificate Principal Balances of the Certificates;
or
(b)(i) the outstanding principal balance of Mortgage Loans
delinquent 60 days or more averaged over the last six months, as a
percentage of the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all
Mortgage Loans averaged over the last six months, does not exceed 4%,
and
(ii) Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans to date for such
Payment Date are less than 10% of the sum of the initial Certificate
Principal Balances of the Certificates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon reduction of the Bond Principal Balances of
the Bonds to zero, the Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage will equal 0%.
See "Subordination" in the Prospectus.
In no event will any Bond Principal Distribution Amount paid with
respect to any Payment Date and any class of Bonds be less than zero or greater
than the then outstanding Bond Principal Balance of
such Bond.
ALLOCATION OF LOSSES; SUBORDINATION
The Subordination provided to the Senior Bonds by the Subordinate Bonds
and the Certificates and the Subordination provided to each class of Subordinate
Bonds by the Certificates and by any class of Subordinate Bonds subordinate
thereto will cover Realized Losses on the Mortgage Loans. Any such Realized
Losses will be allocated as follows: first, to the Certificates; second, to the
Class B Bonds; third, to the Class M-3 Bonds; fourth, to the Class M-2 Bonds;
fifth, to the Class M-1 Bonds; and sixth, to the Senior Bonds, in each case
until the Certificate Principal Balance or Bond Principal Balance of such class
of Certificates or Bonds, as applicable, has been reduced to zero. Any
allocation of a Realized Loss (other
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than a Debt Service Reduction) to a Bond will be made by reducing the Bond
Principal Balance thereof. As used herein, "Debt Service Reduction" means a
reduction in the amount of the monthly payment due to certain bankruptcy
proceedings, but does not include any permanent forgiveness of principal. As
used herein, "Subordination" refers to the provisions discussed above for the
sequential allocation of Realized Losses among the various classes, as well as
all provisions effecting such allocations including the priorities for
distribution of cash flows between the Bonds and the Certificates in the amounts
described herein.
Allocations of the principal portion of Debt Service Reductions to the
Certificates will result from the priority of distributions of the Interest
Remittance Amount and the Principal Remittance Amount as described herein, which
distributions shall be made first to the Bonds and second to the Certificates.
An allocation of the interest portion of a Realized Loss as well as the
principal portion of Debt Service Reductions will not reduce the level of
Subordination, as such term is defined herein, until an amount in respect
thereof has been actually disbursed to Bonds. The holders of the Bonds will not
be entitled to any additional payments with respect to Realized Losses from
amounts otherwise distributable on any classes of Bonds subordinate thereto.
Accordingly, the Subordination provided to the Bonds by the Certificates with
respect to Realized Losses allocated on any Payment Date has the effect of
increasing the Bond Percentage of future distributions of principal of the
remaining Mortgage Loans.
With respect to any defaulted Mortgage Loan that is finally liquidated,
through foreclosure sale, disposition of the related Mortgaged Property if
acquired on behalf of the Securityholders by deed in lieu of foreclosure, or
otherwise, the amount of loss realized, if any, will equal the portion of the
Principal Balance remaining, if any, plus interest thereon through the last day
of the month in which such Mortgage Loan was finally liquidated, after
application of all amounts recovered (net of amounts reimbursable to the Master
Servicer or the Subservicer for Advances and expenses, including attorneys'
fees) towards interest and principal owing on the Mortgage Loan. Such amount of
loss realized is referred to herein as a "Realized Loss."
The application of the Bond Accelerated Distribution Percentage (when
it exceeds the Bond Percentage) to determine the Bond Principal Distribution
Amount will accelerate the amortization of the Bonds relative to the actual
amortization of the Mortgage Loans. To the extent that the Bonds are amortized
faster than the Mortgage Loans, in the absence of offsetting Realized Losses
allocated to the Certificates, the percentage interest evidenced by such Bonds
in the Trust Fund will be decreased (with a corresponding increase in the
interest in the Trust Fund evidenced by the Certificates), thereby increasing,
relative to their respective Certificate Principal Balances, the Subordination
afforded the Bonds by the Certificates.
ADVANCES
Prior to each Payment Date, the Master Servicer is required under the
Servicing Agreement to make Advances (out of its own funds, advances made by a
Subservicer, or funds held in the Collection Account (as described in the
Prospectus) for future payment or withdrawal) with respect to any payments of
interest and principal (net of the related Servicing Fees) which were due on
such Mortgage Loans on the immediately preceding Due Date and which are
delinquent on the business day next preceding the related Determination Date.
Such Advances are required to be made only to the extent they are
deemed by the Master Servicer to be recoverable from related late collections,
Insurance Proceeds, or Liquidation Proceeds with respect to the related Mortgage
Loan. The purpose of making such Advances is to maintain a regular cash flow to
the Bondholders, rather than to guarantee or insure against losses. Any failure
by the Master Servicer to make an Advance as required under the Servicing
Agreement will constitute an Event of Default
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thereunder, in which case the Indenture Trustee, as successor Master Servicer,
will be obligated to make any such Advance, in accordance with the terms of the
Servicing Agreement.
All Advances will be reimbursable to the Master Servicer on a first
priority basis from late collections, Insurance Proceeds or Liquidation Proceeds
from the Mortgage Loan as to which such unreimbursed Advance was made. In
addition, any Advances previously made which are deemed by the Master Servicer
to be nonrecoverable from related late collections, Insurance Proceeds and
Liquidation Proceeds may be reimbursed to the Master Servicer out of any funds
in the Collection Account prior to payments on the Bonds.
THE PAYING AGENT
The Paying Agent shall initially be the Indenture Trustee. The Paying
Agent shall have the revocable power to withdraw funds from the Payment Account
for the purpose of making payments to the
Bondholders.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
The Bonds may be redeemed in whole, but not in part, by the Issuer on
any Payment Date on or after the earlier of (i) the Payment Date on which the
sum of the aggregate Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans is less than or
equal to 20% of the aggregate Principal Balance of the Mortgage Loans as of the
Cut-off Date or (ii) the Payment Date occurring in March 2008. The purchase
price will be equal to 100% of the aggregate outstanding Bond Principal Balance
and accrued and unpaid interest thereon (including any Unpaid Interest
Shortfalls) at the Bond Interest Rate through the date on which the Bonds are
redeemed in full together with all amounts due and owing to the Indenture
Trustee. The "Final Scheduled Payment Date" with respect to the Bonds is the
Payment Date occurring in April 2028.
CERTAIN YIELD AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The yield to maturity of the Bonds will depend on the price paid by the
holder for such Bond, the Bond Interest Rate and the rate and timing of
principal payments (including payments in excess of required installments,
prepayments or terminations, liquidations and repurchases) on the Mortgage Loans
and the allocation thereof. In addition, the yield to maturity of the Bonds will
depend on the timing of the redemption, if any, of the Bonds by the Issuer. Such
yield may be adversely affected by a higher or lower than anticipated rate of
principal payments on the Mortgage Loans in the Trust Fund. The rate of
principal payments on such Mortgage Loans will in turn be affected by the
amortization schedules of the Mortgage Loans, the rate and timing of principal
prepayments thereon by the Mortgagors and liquidations of defaulted Mortgage
Loans and purchases of Mortgage Loans due to certain breaches of representations
and warranties. The timing of changes in the rate of prepayments, liquidations
and repurchases may, and the timing of losses will, significantly affect the
yield to an investor, even if the average rate of principal payments experienced
over time is consistent with an investor's expectation. Since the rate and
timing of principal payments on the Mortgage Loans will depend on future events
and on a variety of factors (as described more fully herein and in the
Prospectus under "Yield Considerations" and "Maturity and Prepayment
Considerations"), no assurance can be given as to such rate or the timing of
principal payments on the Bonds.
The Mortgage Loans may be prepaid in full or in part at any time,
although approximately half of the Mortgage Loans provide for payment of a
prepayment charge. The Mortgage Loans generally are assumable under certain
circumstances if, in the sole judgment of the Master Servicer or Subservicer,
the prospective purchaser of a Mortgaged Property is creditworthy and the
security for such Mortgage Loan
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<PAGE>
is not impaired by the assumption. In the event the Master Servicer or any
Subservicer does not approve an assumption, the related Mortgage Loan will be
due on sale. The Master Servicer shall enforce any due-on-sale clause contained
in any Mortgage Note or Mortgage, to the extent permitted under applicable law
and governmental regulations; provided, however, if the Master Servicer
determines that it is reasonably likely that any Mortgagor will bring, or if any
Mortgagor does bring, legal action to declare invalid or otherwise avoid
enforcement of a due-on-sale clause contained in any Mortgage Note or Mortgage,
the Master Servicer shall not be required to enforce the due-on-sale clause or
to contest such action. The extent to which the Mortgage Loans are assumed by
purchasers of the Mortgaged Properties rather than prepaid by the related
Mortgagors in connection with the sales of the Mortgaged Properties will affect
the weighted average life of the Bonds and may result in a prepayment experience
on the Mortgage Loans that differs from that on other conventional mortgage
loans. See "Maturity and Prepayment Considerations" in the Prospectus.
Prepayments, liquidations and purchases of the Mortgage Loans will result in
payments to holders of the Bonds of principal amounts which would otherwise be
distributed over the remaining terms of the Mortgage Loans. Factors affecting
prepayment (including defaults and liquidations) of mortgage loans include
changes in mortgagors' housing needs, job transfers, unemployment, mortgagors'
net equity in the mortgaged properties, changes in the value of the mortgaged
properties, mortgage market interest rates and servicing decisions.
The yield to investors on each class of Subordinate Bonds, and
particularly on such classes of Subordinate Bonds with lower payment priorities,
will be extremely sensitive to losses due to defaults on the Mortgage Loans (and
the timing thereof), to the extent such losses are not covered by any other
class of Bonds subordinate thereto or by the Certificates, because the entire
amount of such losses will be allocable to such class or classes of Subordinate
Bonds as described herein. Furthermore, as described herein, the timing of
receipt of principal and interest by any class of Subordinate Bonds may be
adversely affected by losses even if such class does not ultimately bear such
loss.
Because the Mortgage Rates on the Mortgage Loans and the Bond Interest
Rates on the Bonds are fixed, such rates will not change in response to changes
in market interest rates. Accordingly, if market interest rates or market yields
for securities similar to the Bonds were to rise, the market value of the Bonds
may decline.
The rate of default on Mortgage Loans which are refinance or limited
documentation mortgage loans, and on Mortgage Loans with high Loan-to-Value
Ratios, may be higher than for other types of Mortgage Loans. Furthermore, the
rate and timing of prepayments, defaults and liquidations on the Mortgage Loans
will be affected by the general economic condition of the region of the country
in which the related Mortgaged Properties are located. The risk of delinquencies
and loss is greater and prepayments are less likely in regions where a weak or
deteriorating economy exists, as may be evidenced by, among other factors,
increasing unemployment or falling property values. See "Maturity and Prepayment
Considerations" in the Prospectus.
The amount of interest otherwise payable to holders of the Bonds will
be reduced by any interest shortfalls to the extent not covered by the Master
Servicer as described herein. See "Yield Considerations" in the Prospectus and
"Description of the Bonds--Interest Distributions" herein for a discussion of
the effect of principal prepayments on the Mortgage Loans on the yield to
maturity of the Bonds and certain possible shortfalls in the collection of
interest.
In addition, the yield to maturity of the Bonds will depend on, among
other things, the price paid by the holders of the Bonds and the then applicable
Bond Interest Rate. The extent to which the yield to maturity of a Bond is
sensitive to prepayments will depend, in part, upon the degree to which it is
purchased at a discount or premium. In general, if a Bond is purchased at a
premium and principal payments thereon occur at a rate faster than anticipated
at the time of purchase, the investor's actual yield
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<PAGE>
to maturity will be lower than that assumed at the time of purchase. Conversely,
if a Bond is purchased at a discount and principal payments thereon occur at a
rate slower than that assumed at the time of purchase, the investor's actual
yield to maturity will be lower than that assumed at the time of purchase. For
additional considerations relating to the yield on the Bonds, see "Yield
Considerations" and "Maturity and Prepayment Considerations" in the Prospectus.
In addition, the yield to maturity on the Bonds may be affected by
shortfalls with respect to interest in the event that the interest accrued on
the Bonds at the Bond Interest Rate is greater than the amount of interest
accrued on the Mortgage Loans at the related Mortgage Rates less the weighted
average of the Expense Fee Rates. In such event, the resulting shortfall will
only be payable to the extent that on any future Payment Date interest accrued
on the Mortgage Loans at the related Mortgage Rates less such Expense Fee Rates
is greater than the interest accrued on the Bonds, and only to the extent of
funds available therefor as described in "Description of the Bonds-Interest
Distributions."
Weighted average life refers to the average amount of time that will
elapse from the date of issuance of a security to the date of payment to the
investor of each dollar distributed in reduction of principal of such security
(assuming no losses). The weighted average life of the Bonds will be influenced
by, among other things, the rate at which principal of the Mortgage Loans is
paid, which may be in the form of scheduled amortization, prepayments or
liquidations.
Prepayments on mortgage loans are commonly measured relative to a
prepayment standard or model. The model used in this Prospectus Supplement with
respect to the Mortgage Loans, the Constant Prepayment Rate model ("CPR"),
assumes that the outstanding principal balance of a pool of mortgage loans
prepays at a specified constant annual rate or CPR. In generating monthly cash
flows, this rate is converted to an equivalent constant monthly rate. To assume
an 18% CPR or any other CPR percentage is to assume that the stated percentage
of the outstanding principal balance of the pool is prepaid over the course of a
year. No representation is made that the Mortgage Loans will prepay at that or
any other rate.
The table set forth below has been prepared on the basis of certain
assumptions as described below regarding the weighted average characteristics of
the Mortgage Loans that are expected to be included in the Trust Fund as
described under "Description of the Mortgage Pool" herein and the performance
thereof. The table assumes, among other things, that: (i) the Mortgage Loans
consist of eight hypothetical mortgage loans with the following characteristics:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REMAINING
ORIGINAL TERM TERM TO
PRINCIPAL NET TO MATURITY MATURITY
BALANCE MORTGAGE RATE MORTGAGE RATE (IN MONTHS) (IN MONTHS)
------- ------------- ------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 521,804.30 8.778857% 8.380978% 360 343
99,870.17 8.875000 8.610800 180 164
212,305,007.93 9.043612 8.510219 360 358
10,788,735.57 8.505772 8.188125 180 178
1,324,427.78 7.560118 7.182327 360 359
159,636.82 7.451817 7.187617 180 177
275,188.97 9.042491 8.778291 240 239
328,958.86 7.000000 6.735800 180 179
</TABLE>
(ii) payments on the Bonds are based upon a 30-day month and a 360-day year and
are received by the Bondholders, in cash, on the 25th day of each month,
commencing in April 1998; (iii) there are no delinquencies or losses on the
Mortgage Loans and principal payments on the Mortgage Loans are timely received
by the Master Servicer together with prepayments, if any, at the respective
constant percentages of CPR set forth in the following tables; (iv) there are no
repurchases of the Mortgage Loans; (v) there is no Prepayment Interest Shortfall
or any other interest shortfall in any month; (vi) the scheduled monthly payment
for each Mortgage Loan is calculated based on its principal balance, Mortgage
Rate and remaining
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<PAGE>
term to maturity such that such Mortgage Loan will amortize in amounts
sufficient to repay the remaining principal balance of such Mortgage Loan by its
remaining term to maturity; (vii) payments on the Mortgage Loans earn no
reinvestment return; (viii) there are no additional ongoing Trust Fund expenses
payable out of the Trust Fund; (ix) the Issuer exercises its option to redeem
the Bonds on the first Payment Date on which it would be permitted to do so (see
"Description of the Bonds--Optional Redemption" herein); (x) there are no
investment earnings on amounts in any Collection Account, including the Payment
Account, and no other miscellaneous servicing fees are passed through to the
Bondholders; and (xi) the Bonds will be purchased on March 27, 1998.
The actual characteristics and performance of the Mortgage Loans will
differ from the assumptions used in constructing the table set forth below,
which is hypothetical in nature and is provided only to give a general sense of
how the principal cash flows might behave under varying prepayment scenarios.
For example, it is very unlikely that the Mortgage Loans will prepay at a
constant level of CPR until maturity or that all of the Mortgage Loans will
prepay at the same level of CPR. Moreover, the diverse remaining terms to stated
maturity of the Mortgage Loans could produce slower or faster principal payments
than indicated in the table at the various constant percentages of CPR
specified, even if the weighted average remaining term to stated maturity of the
Mortgage Loans is as assumed. Any difference between such assumptions and the
actual characteristics and performance of the Mortgage Loans, or actual
prepayment experience, will affect the percentages of initial Bond Principal
Balance outstanding over time and the weighted average life of the Bonds.
Subject to the foregoing discussion and assumptions, the following table
indicates the weighted average life of the Bonds, and sets forth the percentages
of the initial Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds that would be outstanding
after each of the dates shown at various percentages of CPR.
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF INITIAL BOND PRINCIPAL BALANCE OUTSTANDING AT THE FOLLOWING PERCENTAGES OF CPR(1)
CLASS A BONDS, CLASS M-1 BONDS,
-------------------------------
CLASS M-2 BONDS, CLASS M-3 BONDS AND
------------------------------------
CLASS B BONDS
-------------
PAYMENT DATE 0% 6% 12% 18% 24% 30% 36%
- ------------ -- -- --- --- --- --- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Initial Percentage......................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
March 25, 1999............................................. 99 93 87 81 75 69 63
March 25, 2000............................................. 98 87 76 65 56 47 39
March 25, 2001............................................. 97 80 65 53 41 32 24
March 25, 2002............................................. 96 75 57 42 30 21 0
March 25, 2003............................................. 95 69 49 34 22 0 0
March 25, 2004............................................. 94 64 42 27 0 0 0
March 25, 2005............................................. 92 59 37 22 0 0 0
March 25, 2006............................................. 91 55 31 0 0 0 0
March 25, 2007............................................. 89 50 27 0 0 0 0
March 25, 2008 and thereafter.............................. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Weighted Average Life in Years(2).......................... 9.5 7.1 5.3 3.8 2.8 2.2 1.8
</TABLE>
- -----------------
(1) Assumes that an optional termination is exercised on the earlier of (i)
the Payment Date on which the aggregate Principal Balance of the
Mortgage Loans is less than or equal to 20% of the aggregate Principal
Balance of such Mortgage Loans as of the Cut-off Date or (ii) the
Payment Date occurring in March 2008.
(2) The weighted average life of a Bond is determined by (i) multiplying
the net reduction, if any, of Bond Principal Balance by the number of
years from the date of issuance of the Bond to the related Payment
Date, (ii) adding the results, and (iii) dividing the sum by the
aggregate of the net reductions of the Bond Principal Balance described
in (i) above.
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE SERVICING AGREEMENT
The following summary describes certain terms of the Servicing
Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1998 between the Company and the Master Servicer
(the "Servicing Agreement"). The summary does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the
Servicing Agreement. Whenever particular sections or defined terms of the
Servicing Agreement are referred to, such sections or defined terms are thereby
incorporated herein by reference.
THE MASTER SERVICER; THE SUBSERVICER
Impac Funding (in its capacity as master servicer, the "Master
Servicer") will act as master servicer for the Mortgage Loans pursuant to the
Servicing Agreement. See "Impac Funding" in the Prospectus. Impac Funding has
entered into a subservicing arrangement with Wendover. Notwithstanding these
agreements, Impac Funding will remain primarily liable for servicing the
Mortgage Loans. All of the Mortgage Loans will initially be subserviced by
Wendover.
WENDOVER. Wendover is a subservicer of residential, consumer and
commercial mortgage loans in 50 states. At December 31, 1997, Wendover serviced
approximately $7.81 billion outstanding principal amount of mortgage loans.
Additionally, Wendover provides origination and servicing for Federal Housing
Administration home equity conversion mortgages, specialized asset management
and default servicing for non-performing product, and special servicing
activities for government entities. As of December 31, 1997, Wendover employed
410 employees. Wendover is located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Wendover is an
approved servicer in good standing with FNMA and FHLMC.
Established in 1986, Wendover was originally owned by Sunbelt Savings
FSB, which was formed to receive the assets and certain liabilities of
Independent American Mortgage Services Inc. ("IAMSI") and other insolvent Texas
savings and loan associations. Wendover was a subsidiary of IAMSI until it was
purchased by Wendover Financial Services Corp. in June 1990. In October 1992,
Wendover was acquired by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street").
In June 1997, Wendover was acquired by Electronic Data Systems Corporation
The following table sets forth certain information concerning
delinquency experience including bankruptcies and foreclosures in progress on
one- to four-family residential mortgage, consumer, and commercial loans
included in Wendover's servicing portfolio at the dates indicated. Consumer and
commercial loans represented less than 3% of the overall portfolio volume at
September 30, 1997. As at December 31, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, the
total principal balance of loans being serviced by Wendover was (in millions)
$4,785.6, $7,160.8, $7,637.4, $9,819.8 and $7,811.4 respectively. The indicated
periods of delinquency are based on the number of days past due on a contractual
basis. No mortgage, consumer, or commercial loan is considered delinquent for
these purposes until it is one month past due on a contractual basis.
S-35
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
---------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- ---------------------
PERCENT OF PERCENT OF PERCENT OF PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
NUMBER SERVICING NUMBER SERVICING NUMBER SERVICING NUMBER SERVICING NUMBER SERVICING
OF LOANS PORTFOLIO(3) OF LOANS PORTFOLIO(3) OF LOANS PORTFOLIO(3) OF LOANS PORTFOLIO(3) OF LOANS PORTFOLIO(3)
-------- ------------ -------- ------------ -------- ------------ -------- ------------ -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total Portfolio(1) 78,372 100% 96,270 100% 94,662 100% 112,980 100% 95,164 100%
====== ==== ====== ==== ====== ==== ======= ==== ====== ====
Period of
Delinquency:
30-59 days.......... 2,778 2.85% 4,093 4.73% 5,364 6.10% 5,273 4.57% 4,789 4.78%
60-89 days.......... 679 0.66% 1,162 1.39% 1,291 1.46% 1,311 1.11% 1,845 1.15%
90 days or more(2).. 8,694 5.67% 10,082 5.98% 8,409 7.31% 6,097 4.20% 13,464 3.62%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ------ -----
Total Delinquencies
(excluding
Foreclosures) 12,151 9.18% 15,337 12.10% 15,064 14.87% 12,681 9.88% 20,098 9.55%
====== ===== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======= ===== ====== =====
Foreclosures
Pending 1,962 3.70% 1,632 2.28% 4,041 4.86% 4,240 4.41% 2,469 3.01%
</TABLE>
1 Includes loans subject to purchased mortgage servicing rights owned by
Wendover totalling 6,332 loans for $614.9 million unpaid principal
balance and 9,004 loans for $890.4 million unpaid principal balance as
of December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and 2,717 loans for $178.1
million unpaid principal balance as of December 31, 1997.
2 Includes bankruptcy delinquencies and pending foreclosure referrals.
3 Computed based on unpaid principal balance.
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<PAGE>
Wendover subservices for a variety of clients with portfolios that
include sub-performing and non-performing loans. In 1995 Wendover added several
new clients with an inordinate amount of loans that were severely delinquent, in
foreclosure, bankruptcy or the post-foreclosure claim process. Clients with
special needs or those with "B" or "C" quality portfolios are assigned to
Wendover's Asset Management Division. Such division handles approximately 400
delinquent loans per employee and is responsible for the collection, workout,
foreclosure, bankruptcy or REO management of each account in their respective
portfolios. Standards for these portfolios typically require intensive
collection activity which include collection contacts early and often,
innovative workout programs and fast track foreclosure processing where
appropriate.
GENERAL. There can be no assurance that the delinquency and foreclosure
experience of the Mortgage Loans will correspond to the delinquency and
foreclosure experience of the servicing portfolio of Wendover set forth in the
foregoing tables. The statistics shown above represent the respective
delinquency and foreclosure experiences only at the dates presented, whereas the
aggregate delinquency and foreclosure experience on the Mortgage Loans will
depend on the results obtained over the life of the Trust Fund. Each servicing
portfolio includes mortgage loans with a variety of payment and other
characteristics (including geographic location) which are not necessarily
representative of the payment and other characteristics of the Mortgage Loans.
In addition, Wendover's servicing portfolio includes consumer and commercial
loans. Each servicing portfolio includes mortgage loans underwritten pursuant to
guidelines not necessarily representative of those applicable to the Mortgage
Loans. It should be noted that if the residential real estate market should
experience an overall decline in property values, the actual rates of
delinquencies and foreclosures could be higher than those previously experienced
by Wendover. In addition, adverse economic conditions may affect the timely
payment by mortgagors of scheduled payments of principal and interest on the
Mortgage Loans and, accordingly, the actual rates of delinquencies and
foreclosures with respect to the Mortgage Loans.
SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES
The Servicing Fee for each Mortgage Loan is payable out of the interest
payments on such Mortgage Loan. The Servicing Fee Rate in respect of each
Mortgage Loan will be equal to 0.25% per annum of the outstanding principal
balance of such Mortgage Loan. The Servicing Fee consists of (a) servicing
compensation payable to the Master Servicer in respect of its master servicing
responsibilities and (b) subservicing and other related compensation payable to
the Subservicer (including such compensation paid to the Master Servicer as the
direct servicer of a Mortgage Loan for which there is no Subservicer). Wendover
will be entitled to retain in the form of additional servicing compensation half
of any late payment charges on the Mortgage Loans. The Master Servicer will not
be entitled to any such additional servicing compensation and any such amounts,
including prepayment penalties, to the extent received by the Master Servicer,
will be included in the Interest Remittance Amount.
THE INDENTURE
The following summary describes certain terms of the Indenture. The
summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the provisions of the Trust Agreement and Indenture.
Whenever particular defined terms of the Indenture are referred to, such defined
terms are thereby incorporated herein by reference. See "The Agreements" in the
Prospectus.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
An "Event of Default" with respect to the Bonds is defined in the
Indenture as follows: (a) the failure to pay (i) the Interest Remittance Amount
or the Principal Remittance Amount with respect to a
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<PAGE>
Payment Date on such Payment Date, or (ii) any Unpaid Interest Shortfall, but
only to the extent funds are available to make such payment as described under
"Description of the Bonds--Interest Distributions"and "--Principal
Distributions," as applicable; (b) a default in the observance of certain
negative covenants in the Indenture; (c) a default in the observance of any
other covenant of the Indenture, and the continuation of any such default for a
period of thirty days after notice to the Issuer by the Indenture Trustee, or by
the Holders of at least 25% of the Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds, as
applicable; (d) any representation or warranty made by the Issuer in the
Indenture or in any Bond or other writing delivered pursuant thereto having been
incorrect in a material respect as of the time made, and the circumstance in
respect of which such representation or warranty is incorrect not having been
cured within thirty days after notice thereof is given to the Issuer by the
Indenture Trustee, or by Bondholders representing at least 25% of the Bond
Principal Balance of the Bonds; (e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or reorganization of the Issuer; or (f) the failure by the Issuer
on the Final Scheduled Payment Date to reduce the Bond Principal Balance of the
Bonds to zero.
RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT
In case an Event of Default should occur and be continuing with respect
to the Bonds, the Indenture Trustee may, and on request of the Bondholders
representing more than 50% of the Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds then
outstanding shall, declare the principal of the Bonds to be due and payable.
Such declaration may under certain circumstances be rescinded by Bondholders
representing more than 50% of the Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds.
If, following an Event of Default, the Bonds have been declared to be
due and payable, the Indenture Trustee may, in its discretion (provided that the
Bondholders representing more than 50% of the Bond Principal Balance of the
Bonds have not directed the Indenture Trustee to sell the assets included in the
Trust Estate), refrain from selling such assets and continue to apply all
amounts received on such assets to payments due on the Bonds in accordance with
their terms, notwithstanding the acceleration of the maturity of such Bonds. The
Indenture Trustee, however, must sell the assets included in the Trust Estate if
collections in respect of such assets are determined to be insufficient to pay
certain expenses payable under the Indenture and to make all scheduled payments
on the Bonds, in which case payments will be made on the Bonds in the same
manner as described in the next sentence with regard to instances in which such
assets are sold. In addition, upon an Event of Default the Indenture Trustee may
sell the assets included in the Trust Estate, in which event the collections on,
or the proceeds from the sale of, such assets will be applied as provided below:
(i) to the payment of the fees of the Indenture Trustee and Owner Trustee which
have not been previously paid; (ii) to the Bondholders, the amount of interest
then due and unpaid on the Bonds, without preference or priority of any kind;
(iii) to the Bondholders, the amount of principal then due and unpaid on the
Bonds, without preference or priority of any kind; and (iv) to the Issuer.
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of
the Indenture Trustee, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, the Indenture Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights and powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any
of the Bondholders, unless such Bondholders shall have offered to the Indenture
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction. Subject to such provisions for indemnification and certain
limitations contained in the Indenture, Bondholders representing more than 50%
of the Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds shall have the right to direct the
time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to
the Indenture Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the
Indenture Trustee with respect to such Bonds; and Bondholders representing more
than 50% of the Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds may, in certain cases, waive
any default with respect thereto, except a default in the payment of principal
or interest or a default in respect of a covenant or provision of the
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<PAGE>
Indenture that cannot be modified without the waiver or consent of the holder of
each outstanding Bond affected thereby.
LIMITATION ON SUITS
No Bondholder will have any right to institute any proceedings with
respect to the Indenture unless (1) such Bondholder has previously given written
notice to the Indenture Trustee of a continuing Event of Default; (2)
Bondholders representing not less than 25% of the Bond Principal Balance of the
Bonds have made written request to the Indenture Trustee to institute
proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Indenture
Trustee; (3) such Bondholders have offered to the Indenture Trustee reasonable
indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
incurred in compliance with such request; (4) for 60 days after its receipt of
such notice, request and offer of indemnity the Indenture Trustee has failed to
institute any such proceedings; and (5) no direction inconsistent with such
written request has been given to the Indenture Trustee during such 60-day
period by the Bondholders representing more than 50% of the Bond Principal
Balance of the Bonds.
THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
The Indenture Trustee may resign at any time, in which event the Issuer
will be obligated to appoint a successor Indenture Trustee. The Indenture
Trustee also may be removed at any time by Bondholders representing more than
50% of the Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds if the Indenture Trustee ceases
to be eligible to continue as such under the Indenture or if the Indenture
Trustee becomes incapable of acting, bankrupt, insolvent or if a receiver or
public officer takes charge of the Indenture Trustee or its property. Any
resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee and appointment of a successor
Indenture Trustee will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment
by the successor Indenture Trustee.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
For federal income tax purposes, the Bonds will be characterized as
indebtedness and not as representing an ownership interest in the Trust Fund or
an equity interest in the Issuer or the Company. In addition, for federal income
tax purposes, the Issuer will not be classified as (i) an association taxable as
a corporation for federal income tax purposes, (ii) a taxable mortgage pool as
defined in Section 7701(i) of the Code, or (iii) a "publicly traded partnership"
as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.7704-1. The Bonds will not be
treated as having been issued with "original issue discount" (as defined in the
Prospectus). The prepayment assumption that will be used in determining the rate
of amortization of market discount and premium, if any, for federal income tax
purposes will be based on the assumption that, subsequent to the date of any
determination the Mortgage Loans will prepay at a rate equal to 18% CPR. No
representation is made that the Mortgage Loans will prepay at that rate or at
any other rate. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus.
The Bonds will not be treated as assets described in Section
7701(a)(19)(C) of the Code or "real estate assets" under Section 856(c)(4)(A) of
the Code. In addition, interest on the Bonds will not be treated as "interest on
obligations secured by mortgages on real property" under Section 856(c)(3)(B) of
the Code. The Bonds will also not be treated as "qualified mortgages" under
Section 860G(a)(3)(C) of the Code.
The Class B Bonds can be held only by a "U.S. Person" as defined in the
Code. Generally, a U.S. Person includes citizens and residents of the United
States, as well as partnerships and corporations organized in and under the laws
of the United States or any State thereof. Certain other entities may be treated
as a U.S. Person, and prospective investors are urged to consult their tax
advisors. By purchasing
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<PAGE>
the Class B Bonds, each purchaser will be deemed to represent that such
purchaser is a U.S. Person.
Prospective investors in the Bonds should see "Federal Income Tax
Consequences" and "State and Other Tax Consequences" in the Prospectus for a
discussion of the application of certain federal income and state and local tax
laws to the Issuer and purchasers of the Bonds.
METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an Underwriting
Agreement, dated March 24, 1998 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), among Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc. (the "Underwriter"), the Company and Impac Holdings, the
Underwriter has agreed to purchase and the Company has agreed to sell to the
Underwriter the Bonds. It is expected that delivery of the Bonds will be made
only in book-entry form through the Same Day Funds Settlement System of DTC on
or about March 27, 1998, against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.
The Bonds will be purchased from the Company by the Underwriter and
will be offered by the Underwriter from time to time to the public in negotiated
transactions or otherwise at varying prices to be determined at the time of
sale. The proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Bonds are expected to be
approximately $219 million, plus accrued interest thereon from the Cut-off Date,
before the deduction of expenses payable by the Company estimated to be
approximately $450,000. The Underwriter may effect such transactions by selling
the Bonds to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in
the form of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions from the
Underwriter. In connection with the sale of the Bonds, the Underwriter may be
deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of
underwriting compensation. The Underwriter and any dealers that participate with
the Underwriter in the distribution of the Bonds may be deemed to be
underwriters and any profit on the resale of the Bonds positioned by them may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of
1933.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company and Impac Holdings
will jointly and severally indemnify the Underwriter, and that under limited
circumstances the Underwriter will indemnify the Company, against certain civil
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or contribute to payments
required to be made in respect thereof.
There can be no assurance that a secondary market for the Bonds will
develop or, if it does develop, that it will continue or provide the Bondholders
with sufficient liquidity of investment. The primary source of information
available to investors concerning the Bonds will be the monthly statements
discussed in the Prospectus under "Description of the Bonds--Reports to
Bondholders," which will include information as to the outstanding principal
balance of the Bonds. There can be no assurance that any additional information
regarding the Bonds will be available through any other source. In addition, the
Company is not aware of any source through which price information about the
Bonds will be generally available on an ongoing basis. The limited nature of
such information regarding the Bonds may adversely affect the liquidity of the
Bonds, even if a secondary market for the Bonds becomes available.
LEGAL OPINIONS
Certain legal matters relating to the Bonds will be passed upon for the
Company by Thacher Proffitt & Wood, New York, New York and for the Underwriter
by Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.
S-40
<PAGE>
RATINGS
It is a condition of the issuance of the Senior Bonds that they be
rated "Aaa" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and "AAA" by Fitch
IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch"). It is a condition to the issuance of the Class M-1 Bonds
that they be rated not lower than "AAA" by Fitch and Duff & Phelps Credit Rating
Co. ("DCR"). It is a condition to the issuance of the Class M-2 Bonds that they
be rated not lower than "AA" by Fitch and DCR. It is a condition to the issuance
of the Class M-3 Bonds that they be rated not lower than "A" by Fitch and DCR.
It is a condition to the issuance of the Class B Bonds that they be rated not
lower than "BBB" by Fitch and DCR.
The rating process of Moody's addresses the structural and legal
aspects associated with the Bonds, including the nature of the underlying
mortgage loans. The ratings assigned to the Bonds do not represent any
assessment of the likelihood or rate of principal prepayments. The ratings do
not address the possibility that Bondholders might suffer a lower than
anticipated yield.
Fitch's ratings on mortgage pass-through Bonds address the likelihood
of the receipt by Bondholders of payments required under the Indenture. Fitch's
ratings take into consideration the credit quality of the mortgage pool,
structural and legal aspects associated with the Bonds, and the extent to which
the payment stream in the mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required
under the Bonds. Fitch's rating on the Bonds does not, however, constitute a
statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the mortgages. See "Certain
Yield and Prepayment Considerations" herein.
DCR's ratings on mortgage pass-through Bonds address the likelihood of
the receipt by Bondholders of payments required under the Indenture. DCR's
ratings take into consideration the credit quality of the mortgage pool,
structural and legal aspects associated with the Bonds, and the extent to which
the payment stream in the mortgage pool is adequate to make payments required
under the Bonds. DCR's rating on the Bonds does not, however, constitute a
statement regarding frequency of prepayments on the mortgages. See "Certain
Yield and Prepayment Considerations" herein.
The Company has not requested a rating on the Bonds by any rating
agency other than Moody's, Fitch and DCR. However, there can be no assurance as
to whether any other rating agency will rate the Bonds, or, if it does, what
rating would be assigned by any such other rating agency. A rating on the Bonds
by another rating agency, if assigned at all, may be lower than the ratings
assigned to the Bonds by Moody's, Fitch and DCR.
A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold
securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the
assigning rating organization. Each security rating should be evaluated
independently of any other security rating. In the event that the ratings
initially assigned to the Bonds are subsequently lowered for any reason, no
person or entity is obligated to provide any additional support or credit
enhancement with respect to the Bonds.
LEGAL INVESTMENT
The Senior, Class M-1 and Class M-2 Bonds will constitute "mortgage
related securities" for purposes of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement
Act of 1984 ("SMMEA") for so long as they are rated in at least the second
highest rating category by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating
agencies, and, as such, are legal investments for certain entities to the extent
provided in SMMEA. SMMEA provides, however, that states could override its
provision on legal investment and restrict or condition investment in mortgage
related securities by taking statutory action on or prior to October 3, 1991.
The Class M-3 Bonds and Class B Bonds will not constitute "mortgage related
securities" for
S-41
<PAGE>
purposes of SMMEA. See "Legal Investment" in the Prospectus.
The Company makes no representations as to the proper characterization
of the Bonds for legal investment or other purposes, or as to the ability of
particular investors to purchase the Bonds under applicable legal investment
restrictions. These uncertainties may adversely affect the liquidity of the
Bonds. Accordingly, all institutions whose investment activities are subject to
legal investment laws and regulations, regulatory capital requirements or review
by regulatory authorities should consult with their legal advisors in
determining whether and to what extent the Bonds constitute a legal investment
or are subject to investment, capital or other restrictions.
See "Legal Investment Matters" in the Prospectus.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA") and the Code impose certain requirements on employee benefit plans and
certain other retirement plans and arrangements (including, but not limited to,
individual retirement accounts and annuities), as well as on collective
investment funds and certain separate and general accounts of insurance
companies in which such plans or arrangements are invested (all of which are
hereinafter referred to as a "Plan") and on persons who are fiduciaries with
respect to such Plans. Any Plan fiduciary which proposes to cause a Plan to
acquire any of the Bonds would be required to determine whether such an
investment is permitted under the governing Plan instruments and is prudent and
appropriate for the Plan in view of its overall investment policy and the
composition and diversification of its portfolio. In addition, ERISA and the
Code prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of a Plan and
"disqualified persons" (within the meaning of the Code; "Disqualified Persons")
and "parties in interest" (within the meaning of ERISA; "Parties in Interest")
who have certain specified relationships to the Plan. Accordingly, prior to
making an investment in the Bonds, investing Plans should determine whether the
Issuer, the Seller, the Trust Fund, the Company, any underwriter, the Owner
Trustee, the Indenture Trustee, the Master Servicer, any other servicer, any
administrator, any provider of credit support or any of their affiliates is a
Party in Interest or Disqualified Person with respect to such Plan and, if so,
whether such transaction is subject to one or more statutory or administrative
exemptions. Additionally, an investment of the assets of a Plan in securities
may cause the assets included in the Trust Fund to be deemed "Plan Assets" of
such Plan, and any person with certain specified relationships to the Trust Fund
to be deemed a Party in Interest or Disqualified Person. The U.S. Department of
Labor (the "DOL") has promulgated regulations at 29 C.F.R. Section 2510.3-101
(the "DOL Regulations") defining the term "Plan Assets" for purposes of applying
the general fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and the prohibited
transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code. Under the DOL
Regulations, generally, when a Plan acquires an "equity interest" in another
entity (such as the Trust Fund), the underlying assets of that entity may be
considered to be Plan Assets. The DOL Regulations provide that the term "equity
interest" means any interest in an entity other than an instrument which is
treated as indebtedness under applicable local law and which has no "substantial
equity features." There can be no assurance given that the Bonds are or will be
treated as debt and not "equity interests" under the DOL Regulations. Because of
the factual nature of certain of the above-described provisions of ERISA, the
Code and the DOL Regulations, Plans or persons investing Plan Assets should
carefully consider whether such an investment might constitute or give rise to a
prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code. Any Plan fiduciary which
proposes to cause a Plan to acquire any of the Bonds should consult with its
counsel with respect to the potential consequences under ERISA and the Code of
the Plan's acquisition and ownership of such Bonds. In evaluating these
consequences, the rating of the Bonds should be considered in connection with
the status of the Bonds as debt with no "substantial equity features."
S-42
<PAGE>
No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations not contained in this Prospectus
Supplement and the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company
or by the Underwriter. This Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus do not
constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the Bonds
offered hereby to anyone in any jurisdiction in which the person making such
offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is
unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this
Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall,
under any circumstances, create an implication that information herein or
therein is correct as of any time since the date of this Prospectus Supplement
or the Prospectus.
------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Prospectus Supplement
Summary.............................................. S- 3
Risk Factors......................................... S-10
Description of the Mortgage Pool..................... S-11
The Issuer........................................... S-22
The Owner Trustee.................................... S-22
The Indenture Trustee................................ S-22
Description of the Bonds............................. S-23
Certain Yield and Prepayment Considerations.......... S-30
Description of the Servicing Agreement............... S-35
The Indenture........................................ S-37
Federal Income Tax Consequences...................... S-39
Method of Distribution............................... S-40
Legal Opinions....................................... S-40
Ratings.............................................. S-41
Legal Investment..................................... S-41
ERISA Considerations................................. S-42
Appendix A--Underwriting Guidelines Applicable
to the Mortgage Loans........................... A-1
Prospectus
Summary of Prospectus ............................... 4
Risk Factors......................................... 13
The Mortgage Pools................................... 18
Servicing of Mortgage Loans.......................... 28
Description of the Bonds............................. 35
Description of Credit Enhancement.................... 49
Purchase Obligations................................. 57
Primary Mortgage Insurance, Hazard
Insurance; Claims Thereunder....................... 58
The Company.......................................... 61
Impac Funding Corporation............................ 62
The Agreements....................................... 62
Yield Considerations................................. 66
Maturity and Prepayment Considerations............... 69
Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans.............. 70
Federal Income Tax Consequences...................... 83
State and Other Tax Consequences..................... 90
ERISA Considerations................................. 91
Legal Investment Matters ............................ 92
Use of Proceeds...................................... 93
Methods of Distribution.............................. 93
Legal Matters........................................ 95
Financial Information................................ 95
Rating............................................... 95
Index of Principal Definitions....................... 96
================================================================================
IMH ASSETS CORP.
IMPAC CMB TRUST
SERIES 1998-2
$220,158,539
COLLATERALIZED ASSET-BACKED BONDS,
SERIES 1998-2
------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
------------------
-----------------------------------
MARCH 24, 1998
BEAR, STEARNS & CO., INC.
================================================================================
S-43
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A -- UNDERWRITING GUIDELINES FOR THE MORTGAGE LOANS
IMPAC FUNDING PROGRAMS
THE PROGRESSIVE SERIES PROGRAM
GENERAL. The underwriting guidelines utilized in the Progressive Series
Program, as developed by Impac Funding, are intended to assess the borrower's
ability and willingness to repay the mortgage loan obligation and to assess the
adequacy of the mortgaged property as collateral for the mortgage loan. The
Progressive Series Program is designed to meet the needs of borrowers with
excellent credit, as well as those whose credit has been adversely affected. The
Progressive Series Program consists of six mortgage loan programs. Each program
has different credit criteria, reserve requirements, qualifying ratios and
Loan-to-Value Ratio restrictions. Series I is designed for credit history and
income requirements typical of "A" credit borrowers. In the event a borrower
does not fit the Series I criteria, the borrower's mortgage loan is placed into
either Series II, III, III+, IV or V, depending on which series' mortgage loan
parameters meets the borrower's unique credit profile. Series II, III, III+, IV
and V allow for less restrictive standards because of certain compensating or
offsetting factors such as a lower Loan-to-Value Ratio, verified liquid assets,
job stability, pride of ownership and, in the case of refinance mortgage loans,
length of time owning the mortgaged property. The philosophy of the Progressive
Series Program is that no single borrower characteristic should automatically
determine whether an application for a mortgage loan should be approved or
disapproved. Lending decisions are based on a risk analysis assessment after the
review of the entire mortgage loan file. Each mortgage loan is individually
underwritten with emphasis placed on the overall quality of the mortgage loan.
The Progressive Series I Program utilizes an average annual salary to calculate
the debt service-to-income ratio. Salaried borrowers are evaluated based on a 12
month salary history, and self-employed and commission borrowers are evaluated
on a 24 month basis. The debt service-to-income ratio for Series I borrowers is
required to be within the range of 36% to 50%. The Progressive Series II, III,
III+, IV and V Program borrowers are required to have debt service-to-income
ratios within the range of 45% to 60% calculated on the basis of monthly income
and depending on the Loan-to-Value Ratio of the Mortgage Loan.
Under the Progressive Series Program, Impac Funding underwrites one- to
four-family mortgage loans with Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination of up to
95%, depending on, among other things, a borrower's credit history, repayment
ability and debt service-to-income ratio, as well as the type and use of the
mortgaged property. Second lien financing of the mortgaged properties may be
provided by lenders other than Impac Funding at origination; however, the
combined Loan-to-Value Ratio ("CLTV") generally may not exceed 95% for mortgage
loan amounts up to $400,000 and 90% for mortgage loan amounts above $400,000. In
certain circumstances, Impac Funding may allow second lien financing with CLTVs
of up to 100%. The mortgage loans in the Progressive Series Program generally
bear rates of interest that are greater than those which are originated in
accordance with FHLMC and FNMA standards. In general, the maximum amount for
mortgage loans originated under the Progressive Series Program is $750,000;
however, Impac Funding may approve mortgage loans in excess of such amount on a
case-by-case basis.
All of the mortgage loans originated under the Progressive Series I, II
and III Programs are underwritten either by employees of Impac Funding or by
contracted mortgage insurance companies or delegated conduit sellers.
Substantially all of the mortgage loans originated under the Series III, IV and
V Programs are underwritten by employees of Impac Funding. All mortgage loans
originated under the Series III+, IV and V Programs are underwritten by
employees of Impac Funding. Substantially all of the
A-1
<PAGE>
Series I Program mortgage loans and all of the Series II and III Program
mortgage loans with Loan-to- Value Ratios at origination in excess of 80% are
insured by a Primary Insurance Policy. None of the Series III+ Program Mortgage
Loans with Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination in excess of 80% will be insured
by a Primary Insurance Policy. In general, all Series IV and Series V Program
Mortgage Loans have Loan- to-Value Ratios at origination which are less than or
equal to 80% and do not require a Primary Insurance Policy. Impac Funding
receives verbal verification from Impac Funding's conduit seller of employment
prior to funding or acquiring each Progressive Series Program mortgage loan.
FULL/ALTERNATIVE DOCUMENTATION AND REDUCED DOCUMENTATION PROGRESSIVE
SERIES PROGRAMS. Each prospective borrower completes a mortgage loan application
which includes information with respect to the applicant's liabilities, income,
credit history, employment history and personal information. Impac Funding
requires a credit report on each applicant from a credit reporting company. The
report typically contains information relating to credit history with local and
national merchants and lenders, installment debt payments and any record of
defaults, bankruptcies, repossessions or judgments.
The Progressive Series Program allows for approval of an application
pursuant to the (a) Full/Alternative Documentation Program, or (b) the Limited
Documentation Program, the Lite Documentation Program, the "No Ratio" Program or
the "No Income, No Assets" Program (any of the foregoing, a "Reduced
Documentation Program"). The Full/Alternative Documentation Program requires the
following documents: (i) Uniform Residential Loan Application (FNMA Form 1003 or
FHLMC Form 65), (ii) Statement of Assets and Liabilities (FNMA Form 1003A or
FHLMC 65A), (iii) Residential Mortgage Credit Report with records obtained from
at least two separate repositories, (iv) Verification of Employment Form
providing a complete two year employment history, (v) Verification of Deposit
Form for all liquid assets, verifying minimum cash reserves based upon the
Loan-to-Value Ratio and borrower's income, and (vi) a Uniform Residential
Appraisal Report (FNMA Form 1004 or FHLMC Form 70). The Full/Alternative
Documentation Program allows for the use of certain alternative documents in
lieu of the Verification of Deposit Form and Verification of Employment Form.
These include W-2 Statements, tax returns and one pay check from the most recent
full month for verification of income and the most recent three months personal
bank statements for verification of liquid assets. In addition, self-employed
borrowers must provide federal tax returns for the previous two to three years,
including K-l's, federal business tax returns for two years, year-to-date
financial statements, a business credit report (for corporations) and a signed
IRS Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Tax Returns).
Under the Limited Documentation Program, which is available to
borrowers in every Progressive Series Program, Impac Funding obtains from
prospective borrowers either a verification of deposits or bank statements for
the most recent two-month period preceding the mortgage loan application. In
addition, the Lite Documentation Program is available to Series III+, Series IV
and Series V self-employed borrowers where the previous 12 months bank
statements are utilized in lieu of tax returns. Under these programs the
borrower provides income information on the mortgage loan application, and the
debt service-to-income ratio is calculated. However, income is not verified.
Permitted maximum Loan-to-Value Ratios (including secondary financing) under the
Limited Documentation and Lite Documentation Programs generally are limited.
The Progressive Series Program also allows for approval of applications
pursuant to the "No Ratio" Program and "No Income, No Assets" Program. The "No
Ratio" Program, available to borrowers in the Series I and Series II Programs,
is designed for a mortgage loan which requires a minimum 20% down payment from
the borrower with employment information, but no income information, stated on
the
A-2
<PAGE>
application (and, therefore, the debt service-to-income ratio is not
calculated). The verification of assets is confirmed by written verification of
deposits and supported by bank statements. With respect to the "No Ratio"
Program, a mortgage loan with a Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination in excess of
80% is not eligible.
The "No Income, No Assets" Program, available to borrowers in the
Series I Program, requires a much larger down payment than under the "No Ratio"
Program. Under this program, the borrower provides no income information, but
provides employment and unverified asset information on the mortgage loan
application. With respect to the "No Income, No Assets" Program, a mortgage loan
with a Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination in excess of 80% is generally not
eligible.
Under all Progressive Series Programs, Impac Funding's or the conduit
seller verbally verifies the borrower's employment prior to closing. Credit
history, collateral quality and the amount of the down payment are important
factors in evaluating a mortgage loan submitted under one of the Reduced
Documentation Programs. In addition, in order to qualify for a Reduced
Documentation Program, a mortgage loan must conform to certain criteria
regarding maximum loan amount, property type and occupancy status. Mortgage
loans having a Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination in excess of 80% for Series I,
II and III and mortgage loans on mortgaged property used as a second or vacation
home by the prospective borrowers are not eligible for a Reduced Documentation
Program. In general, the maximum loan amount for mortgage loans underwritten in
accordance with Series I, II and III Reduced Documentation Program is $750,000
for purchase transactions and rate-term transactions and a maximum loan amount
of $650,000 for cash out refinance transactions. The maximum loan amount for
mortgage loans underwritten in accordance with Series III+, IV and V Reduced
Documentation Program is $450,000, however, exceptions are granted on a
case-by-case basis. Secondary financing is allowed in the origination of the
Limited Documentation Program but must meet the CLTV requirements described
above and certain other requirements for subordinate financing. Secondary
financing may also be allowed in the case of the "No Ratio" or the "No Income,
No Assets" Programs. In all cases, liquid assets must support the level of
income of the borrower as stated in proportion to the type of employment of the
borrower. Full Documentation is requested by the underwriter if it is the
judgment of the underwriter that the compensating factors are insufficient for
loan approval.
CREDIT HISTORY. The Progressive Series Program defines an acceptable
credit history in each of the Series I, II and III Programs. The Series I
Program defines an acceptable credit history as a borrower who has "A" credit,
meaning a minimum of five trade accounts, with 24 months credit history, no
30-day delinquent mortgage payments in the last 24 months, and a maximum of two
30-day delinquent payments on any installment credit account within the past 24
months. No bankruptcies or foreclosures are allowed in the past 24 months. No
judgments, suits, liens, collections or charge-offs are allowed within the past
24 months.
With respect to the Series II Program, a borrower must have a minimum
of five trade accounts with no late mortgage payments for the past 12 months and
may have one 30-day delinquent mortgage payment within the past 13th through
24th months. A borrower may not have more than three 30-day delinquent payments
on any revolving credit account and a maximum of three 30-day delinquent
payments within the past 24 months on any installment credit account. All
bankruptcies must be at least 24 months old, fully discharged and the borrower
must have re-established a satisfactory credit history. Foreclosures are not
allowed in the past 24 months.
A-3
<PAGE>
With respect to the Series III Program, a borrower may not have more
than two 30-day delinquent mortgage payments within the past 24 months. The
borrower may not have more than three 30-day delinquent payments and one 60-day
delinquent payment on revolving debt in the last 24 months and may not have more
than three 30-day delinquent and one 60-day delinquent payment on any
installment credit account in the past 24 months. Any open judgment, suit, lien,
collection or charge-off must be paid prior to closing. Bankruptcies must be at
least 24 months old, fully discharged and the borrower must have reestablished a
satisfactory credit history. No late mortgage payments are permitted on equity
take-out refinances under the Limited Documentation Program offered under the
Progressive Series Program.
With respect to the Series III+ Program, a borrower may not have more
than two 30-day delinquent mortgage payments within the past 12 months. The
borrower may not have more than two 30- day delinquent payments and one 60-day
delinquent payment on revolving debt in the last 12 months and may not have more
than two 30-day delinquent payments and one 60-day delinquent payment on any
installment credit account in the past 12 months. Any open judgments, suits,
liens, collections, charge-offs not to exceed $500 must be paid in full at
closing. Bankruptcies must be at least 24 months old, fully discharged and the
borrower must have re-established a satisfactory credit history. Foreclosures
are not allowed in the past 24 months.
With respect to the Series IV Program, a borrower may not have more
than four 30-day delinquent mortgage payments or three 30-day delinquent
mortgage payments and one 60-day delinquent mortgage payment within the past 12
months. The borrower may not have more than four 30-day delinquent payments or
two 60-day delinquent payments or one 90-day delinquent payment on revolving
debt in the last 12 months and may not have more than four 30-day delinquent
payments or two 60-day delinquent payments or one 90-day delinquent payment on
any installment credit account in the past 12 months. Any open judgments, suits,
liens, collections, charge-offs not to exceed $1,000 must be paid in full at
closing. Bankruptcies must be at least 18 months old, fully discharged and the
borrower must have re-established a satisfactory credit history. Foreclosures
are not allowed in the past 18 months.
With respect to the Series V Program, a borrower may not have more than
five 30-day delinquent mortgage payments or two 60-day delinquent mortgage
payments and one 90-day delinquent mortgage payment within the past 12 months.
The borrower may not have more than six 30-day delinquent payments or three
60-day delinquent payments or two 90-day delinquent payments on revolving debt
in the last 12 months and may not have more than six 30-day delinquent payments
or three 60-day delinquent payments or two 90-day delinquent payments on any
installment credit account in the past 12 months. Any open judgments, suits,
liens, collections, charge-offs not to exceed $4,000 must be paid in full at
closing. Bankruptcies must be at least 12 months old, fully discharged and the
borrower must have re-established a satisfactory credit history. Foreclosures
are not allowed in the past 12 months.
QUALITY CONTROL. Impac Funding generally performs a pre-funding audit
on each Progressive Series Program mortgage loan. This audit includes a review
for compliance with Progressive Series Program parameters and accuracy of the
legal documents. Impac Funding performs a quality control review on a minimum of
25% of the mortgage loans originated or acquired under the Progressive Series
Program for complete re-verification of employment, income and liquid assets
used to qualify for such mortgage loan. Such review also includes procedures
intended to detect evidence of fraudulent documentation and/or imprudent
activity during the processing, funding, servicing or selling of the mortgage
loan. Verification of occupancy and applicable information is made by regular
mail.
A-4
<PAGE>
APPRAISALS. One- to four-family residential properties that are to
secure Progressive Series Program mortgage loans are appraised by qualified
independent appraisers who are approved by Impac Funding's correspondents. Such
appraisers inspect and appraise the subject property and verify that such
property is in acceptable condition. Following each appraisal, the appraiser
prepares a report which includes a market value analysis based on recent sales
of comparable homes in the area and, when deemed appropriate, replacement cost
analysis based on the current cost of constructing a similar home. All
appraisals are required to conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice adopted by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal
Foundation and must be on forms acceptable to FNMA and FHLMC. As part of Impac
Funding's quality control procedures, either field or desk appraisal reviews are
obtained on 10% of all mortgage loans originated under the Progressive Series
Program. Selected mortgage loans will also be reviewed for compliance and
document accuracy. Historically, desk and/or field appraisal reviews are
required on all mortgage loans originated under the Progressive Series Program
with Loan-to- Value Ratios in excess of 65% on mortgaged properties located in
the State of California, Loan-to-Value Ratios in excess of 70% on any properties
in all other states, loan amounts in excess of $350,000, nonowner occupied
properties, second home properties, cash-out refinance mortgage loans and
whenever in the underwriter's judgment it is necessary to reverify the appraised
value of the property. Effective February 3, 1997, each loan includes one full
appraisal and an enhanced review appraisal by a national appraisal company
designated by Impac Funding. The enhanced appraisal review is not required when
the full appraisal is ordered by the Conduit Seller from one of Impac Funding's
approved national appraisal companies. Impac Funding has approved acceptable
appraisal and review policies in lieu of the above from other nationally
recognized mortgage lenders.
VARIATIONS. Impac Funding uses the foregoing parameters as guidelines
only. On a case-by-case basis, Impac Funding may determine that the prospective
mortgagor warrants an exception outside the standard Progressive Series Program
guidelines. An exception may be allowed if the loan application reflects certain
compensating factors, including (i) the prospective mortgagor has demonstrated
an ability to save and devote a greater portion of income to basic housing
needs; (ii) the prospective mortgagor may have a potential for increased
earnings and advancement because of education or special job training, even if
the prospective mortgagor has just entered the job market; (iii) the prospective
mortgagor has demonstrated an ability to maintain a debt free position; (iv) the
prospective mortgagor may have short term income that is verifiable but could
not be counted as stable income because it does not meet the remaining term
requirements; and (v) the prospective mortgagor's net worth is substantial
enough to suggest that repayment of the loan is within the prospective
mortgagor's ability.
THE PROGRESSIVE EXPRESS(TM) PROGRAM
GENERAL. In July 1996, Impac Funding developed an additional Series to
the Progressive Program, the "Progressive Express(TM) Program". The concept of
the Progressive Express(TM) Program is to underwrite the loan focusing on the
borrower's Credit Score, ability and willingness to repay the mortgage loan
obligation, and assess the adequacy of the mortgage property as collateral for
the loan. The Credit Score is an electronic evaluation of past and present
credit accounts on the borrower's credit bureau report. This includes all
reported accounts as well as public records and inquiries. The Progressive
Express(TM) Program offers six levels of mortgage loan programs. The Progressive
Express(TM) Program has a minimum Credit Score that must be met by the
borrower's primary wage earner and does not allow for exceptions to the Credit
Score requirement. The Credit Score requirement is as follows: Progressive
Express(TM) I 681 & above, Progressive Express(TM) II 680-621, Progressive
Express(TM) III 620-601, Progressive Express(TM) IV 600-581, Progressive
Express(TM) V 580-551, and Progressive Express(TM) VI 550-500. Each Progressive
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Express(TM) program has different Credit Score requirements, credit criteria,
reserve requirements, and Loan-to-Value Ratio restrictions. Progressive
Express(TM) I is designed for credit history and income requirements typical of
"A+" credit borrowers. In the event a borrower does not fit the Progressive
Express(TM) I criteria, the borrower's mortgage loan is placed into either
Progressive Express(TM) II, III, IV, V, or VI, depending on which series'
mortgage loan parameters meets the borrower unique credit profile.
All of the mortgage loans originated under the Progressive Express(TM)
program are underwritten either by employees of Impac Funding or by contracted
mortgage insurance companies or delegated conduit sellers. Under the Progressive
Express(TM) Program, Impac Funding underwrites single family dwellings with
Loan-to-Value Ratios at origination of up to 95%. In order for the property to
be eligible for the Progressive Express(TM) Program, it must be a single family
residence (1 unit only), condominium, and/or planned unit development (PUD).
Progressive Express(TM) Programs I through IV with Loan-to-Value Ratios at
origination in excess of 80% are insured by Commonwealth Mortgage Assurance
Company ("CMAC"). Loan-to-Value Ratios of 80.01% to 85% require 22% mortgage
insurance coverage and 85.01% to 90% require 30% mortgage insurance coverage.
The borrower can select to have primary mortgage insurance covered by their loan
payment or they can elect to close their loan without primary mortgage
insurance, in which case CMAC has issued to Impac Funding a modified primary
mortgage insurance pool policy.
Each respective buyer completes a Progressive Express(TM) Doc loan
application and certifies the following when signing the application; property
is intended to be owner-occupied, funds are not from a gift, borrower is
presently employed, and the transaction is not a non-arms length transaction. At
the time of signing loan documents, Progressive Express(TM) I - IV borrowers
execute a "Borrower's Certification" certifying the above and that the borrower
has 4 months principal, interest, taxes, and insurance reserves available,
exclusive of cash-out proceeds. The borrower must disclose employment and assets
on the application, however, there is no verification of the information. The
Conduit Seller obtains a Verbal Verification of Employment on each borrower.
Impac Funding uses the foregoing parameters as guidelines only. Sellers may
include certain criteria that Impac Funding may not enforce, particularly, when
a fixed rate loan includes an Addendum to the Note for a prepayment penalty.
Full documentation is requested by the underwriter if it is the judgment of the
underwriter that the compensating factors are insufficient for loan approval
under the Progressive Product Line.
CREDIT HISTORY. The Progressive Express(TM) Program defines an
acceptable credit history in each of the programs I through VI. Progressive
Express(TM) I defines an acceptable credit history as a borrower who has "A+"
credit, meaning a minimum of 5 trade accounts, no 30-day delinquent mortgage
payments in the past 24 months, and a maximum of two 30-day delinquent payments
on any revolving credit accounts within the past 24 months and one 30-day
delinquent payment on any installment credit accounts within the past 24 months.
All bankruptcies must be at least 24 months old, fully discharged and the
borrower must have re-established a satisfactory credit history. Foreclosures
are not allowed in the past 3 years. No judgments, suits, liens, collections or
charge-offs are allowed within the past 24 months. Tax liens are not allowed.
With respect to Progressive Express(TM) II, a borrower must have a
minimum of 5 trade accounts, no late mortgage payments for the past 12 months,
and a maximum of two 30-day or no 60-day delinquent payments on any revolving
credit accounts and a maximum of one 30-day or no 60-day delinquent payments on
any installment credit accounts in the past 12 months. All bankruptcies must be
at least 24 months old, fully discharged and the borrower must have
re-established a satisfactory credit history.
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<PAGE>
Foreclosures are not allowed in the past 3 years. Judgments, suits, liens,
collections or charge-offs must be paid prior to closing. Tax liens are not
allowed.
With respect to Progressive Express(TM) III, a borrower must have a
minimum of 5 trade accounts, no late mortgage payments for the past 12 months
and may have one 30-day late mortgage payment within the past 13 and 24 months.
A borrower may not have more than a maximum of three 30-day delinquent payments
on any revolving credit accounts or installment credit accounts in the past 24
months. All bankruptcies must be at least 24 months old, fully discharged and
the borrower must have re-established a satisfactory credit history.
Foreclosures are not allowed in the past 3 years. Judgments, suits, liens,
collections or charge-offs must be paid prior to closing. Tax liens are not
allowed.
With respect to Progressive Express(TM) IV, a borrower must have a
minimum of 5 trade accounts, no mortgage payments for the past 12 months or
three 30-day late mortgage payments in the past 24 months. A borrower may not
have more than a maximum of three 30-day or one 60-day delinquent payments on
any revolving credit accounts or installment credit accounts in the past 24
months. All bankruptcies must be at least 24 months old, fully discharged and
the borrower must have re-established a satisfactory credit history.
Foreclosures are not allowed in the past 3 years. Judgments, suits, liens,
collections or charge-offs, not to exceed $500, must be paid prior to closing.
Tax liens are not allowed.
With respect to Progressive Express(TM) V, a borrower must have a
minimum of 3 trade accounts, no more than two 30-day late mortgage payments in
the past 12 months. A borrower may not have more than a maximum of two 30-day or
one 60-day delinquent payments on any revolving credit accounts or installment
credit accounts in the past 12 months. All bankruptcies must be at least 24
months old, fully discharged and the borrower must have re-established a
satisfactory credit history. Foreclosures are not allowed in the past 24 months.
Judgments, suits, liens, collections or charge-offs, not to exceed $500, must be
paid at closing. Tax liens are not allowed.
With respect to Progressive Express(TM) VI, a borrower must have a
minimum of 3 trade accounts, no more than four 30-day or three 30-day and one
60-day late mortgage payments in the past 12 months. A borrower may not have
more than a maximum of four 30-day or two 60-day or one 90-day delinquent
payments on any revolving credit accounts or installment credit accounts in the
past 12 months. All bankruptcies must be at least 18 months old and fully
discharged. Foreclosures are not allowed in the past 18 months. Judgments,
suits, liens, collections or charge-offs, not to exceed $1,000, must be paid at
closing. Tax liens are not allowed.
QUALITY CONTROL. Impac Funding generally performs a pre-funding audit
on each Progressive Express(TM) Program mortgage loan. This audit includes a
review for compliance with Progressive Express(TM) Program parameters and
accuracy of the legal documents. Impac Funding performs a quality control review
on a minimum of 25% of the mortgage loans originated or acquired under the
Progressive Express(TM) Program for complete re-verification of employment,
income and liquid assets used to qualify for such mortgage loan. Such review
also includes procedures intended to detect evidence of fraudulent documentation
and/or imprudent activity during the processing, funding, servicing or selling
of the mortgage loan. Verification of occupancy and applicable information is
made by regular mail.
APPRAISALS. Each Progressive Express(TM) loan includes one full
appraisal and an enhanced review appraisal by a national appraisal company
designated by Impac Funding. The enhanced appraisal review is not required when
the full appraisal is ordered by the Conduit Seller from one of Impac Funding's
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<PAGE>
approved national appraisal companies. In full appraisals, appraisers inspect
and appraise the subject property and verify that such property is in acceptable
condition. Following each appraisal, the appraiser prepares a report which
includes a market value analysis based on recent sales of comparable homes in
the area and, when deemed appropriate, replacement costs analysis based on the
current cost of constructing a similar home. All full appraisals are required to
conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice adopted by
the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation and must be on forms
acceptable to FNMA and FHLMC. Selected mortgage loans will also be reviewed for
compliance and document accuracy.
Impac Funding commenced acquiring mortgage loans underwritten pursuant
to the Progressive Series Program in November 1995 and pursuant to the
Progressive Express(TM) Program in late 1996. Accordingly, Impac Funding has
limited historical delinquency or default experience that may be referred to for
purposes of estimating the future delinquency and loss experience of the
Mortgage Loans underwritten pursuant to the Progressive Series Program and the
Progressive Express(TM) Program. There can only be a limited assurance that the
delinquency experience of the servicing portfolio of ICII or of Wendover as
described herein will correspond to the delinquency experience of the Mortgage
Loans underwritten pursuant to the Progressive Series Program or the Progressive
Express(TM) Program. It is contemplated that all of the Progressive Series
Program and Progressive Express(TM) Program mortgage loans originated or
acquired by Impac Funding will also be underwritten with a view toward the
resale thereof in the secondary mortgage market.
VARIATIONS. Impac Funding uses the foregoing parameters as guidelines
only. On a case-by-case basis, Impac Funding may determine that the prospective
mortgagor warrants an exception outside the standard Progressive Series Program
guidelines. An exception may be allowed if the loan application reflects certain
compensating factors, including instances where the prospective mortgagor (i)
has demonstrated an ability to save and devote a greater portion of income to
basic housing needs; (ii) may have a potential for increased earnings and
advancement because of education or special job training, even if the
prospective mortgagor has just entered the job market; (iii) has demonstrated an
ability to maintain a debt free position; (iv) may have short term income that
is verifiable but could not be counted as stable income because it does not meet
the remaining term requirements; and (v) has net worth substantial enough to
suggest that repayment of the loan is within the prospective mortgagor's
ability. Impac Funding may also underwrite loans from time to time pursuant to
the Federal National Mortgage Association guidelines for five and seven year
balloon loans.
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PROSPECTUS
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE BONDS
IMH ASSETS CORP.
The collateralized mortgage bonds (the "Bonds") offered hereby and by the
supplements hereto (each, a "Prospectus Supplement") will be offered from time
to time in series.
Each series of Bonds will represent indebtedness of the related trust fund (with
respect to any series, the "Trust Fund") to be established by IMH Assets Corp.
(the "Company") pursuant to a trust agreement (the "Trust Agreement") and will
be secured by certain assets deposited therein. Each Trust Fund for a series of
Bonds and the related Certificates (as defined herein, and together with the
Bonds, the "Securities") will consist primarily of a segregated pool (a
"Mortgage Pool") of one- to four-family and/or multifamily residential first
and/or junior mortgage loans or manufactured housing conditional sales contracts
and installment loan agreements (collectively, the "Mortgage Loans") or
interests therein, acquired by the Company from one or more affiliated or
unaffiliated institutions (the "Sellers"). See "The Mortgage Pools." The
Mortgage Loans and other assets in each Trust Fund, which may only include, if
applicable, reinvestment income, reserve funds, cash accounts and various forms
of credit enhancement as described herein (collectively, the "Trust Fund
Assets") will be pledged pursuant to an indenture (the "Indenture") to secure a
series of Bonds to the extent and as more fully described herein under "The
Agreements" and in the related Prospectus Supplement. Information regarding the
Bonds of a series, and the general characteristics of the Mortgage Loans and
other Trust Fund Assets in the related Trust Fund, will be set forth in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
Each series of Bonds will include one or more classes. Each class of Bonds of
any series will represent the right, which right may be senior or subordinate to
the rights of one or more of the other classes of Bonds to receive a specified
portion of payments of principal or interest (or both) on the Mortgage Loans and
the other Trust Fund Assets in the related Trust Fund in the manner described
herein under "Description of the Bonds" and in the related Prospectus
Supplement. A series may include one or more classes of Bonds entitled to
principal distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or no interest
distributions, or to interest distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or
no principal distributions. A series may include two or more classes of Bonds
which differ as to the timing, sequential order, priority of payment,
pass-through rate or amount of distributions of principal or interest or both.
THE COMPANY'S ONLY OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO A SERIES OF BONDS WILL BE
PURSUANT TO CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE BY THE COMPANY, EXCEPT
AS PROVIDED IN THE RELATED PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THE MASTER SERVICER (THE
"MASTER SERVICER") FOR ANY SERIES OF BONDS WILL BE NAMED IN THE RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THE PRINCIPAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE MASTER SERVICER WILL BE
PURSUANT TO ITS CONTRACTUAL SERVICING OBLIGATIONS (WHICH INCLUDE ITS LIMITED
OBLIGATION TO MAKE CERTAIN ADVANCES IN THE EVENT OF DELINQUENCIES IN PAYMENTS ON
THE RELATED MORTGAGE LOANS). SEE "DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS."
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trust Fund for a
series of Bonds may include any one or any combination of a financial guaranty
insurance policy, mortgage pool insurance policy, letter of credit, bankruptcy
bond, special hazard insurance policy or reserve fund. In addition to or in lieu
of the foregoing, credit enhancement may be provided by means of subordination
of one or more classes of Bonds or by Overcollateralization (as defined herein).
See "Description of Credit Enhancement."
The rate of payment of principal of each class of Bonds entitled to a portion of
principal payments on the Mortgage Loans and the other Trust Fund Assets in the
related Mortgage Pool will depend on the priority of payment of such class and
the rate and timing of principal payments (including by reason of prepayments,
defaults, liquidations and repurchases of Mortgage Loans) on such Mortgage Loans
and other Trust Fund Assets. A rate of principal payment slower or faster than
that anticipated may affect the yield on a class of Bonds in the manner
described herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement. See "Yield
Considerations."
Bonds of a series will be characterized for federal income tax purposes as debt
instruments. No election will be made to treat a Trust Fund or a designated
portion thereof as a real estate mortgage investment conduit ("REMIC") for
federal income tax purposes. See "Federal Income Tax Consequences" herein.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 13 HEREIN AND ON PAGE S-10 IN THE RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR A DISCUSSION OF SIGNIFICANT MATTERS AFFECTING
INVESTMENTS IN THE BONDS.
PROCEEDS OF THE ASSETS IN THE RELATED TRUST FUND AND PAYMENTS UNDER ANY BOND
INSURANCE POLICY ARE THE SOLE SOURCE OF PAYMENTS ON THE BONDS. THE BONDS DO NOT
REPRESENT AN INTEREST IN OR OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY, THE MASTER SERVICER OR
ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES. NEITHER THE BONDS OF ANY SERIES NOR THE
UNDERLYING MORTGAGE LOANS WILL BE GUARANTEED OR INSURED BY ANY GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY OR BY THE COMPANY, THE MASTER SERVICER OR ANY OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES.
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 Bonds may be offered through one or more different methods, including
offerings through underwriters, as more fully described under "Methods of
Distribution" and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
There will be no secondary market for the Bonds of any series prior to the
offering thereof. There can be no assurance that a secondary market for any of
the Bonds will develop or, if it does develop, that it will continue. The Bonds
will not be listed on any securities exchange.
Retain this Prospectus for future reference. This Prospectus may not be used to
consummate sales of securities offered hereby unless accompanied by a Prospectus
Supplement.
The date of this Prospectus is March 24, 1998.
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT HERETO AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON. THIS PROSPECTUS AND ANY PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT WITH RESPECT HERETO DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE BONDS OFFERED
HEREBY AND THEREBY OR AN OFFER OF SUCH BONDS TO ANY PERSON IN ANY STATE OR OTHER
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF
ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE; HOWEVER, IF ANY MATERIAL CHANGE OCCURS WHILE
THIS PROSPECTUS IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO BE DELIVERED, THIS PROSPECTUS WILL BE
AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED ACCORDINGLY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CAPTION PAGE
- ------- ----
SUMMARY OF PROSPECTUS........................................................4
RISK FACTORS................................................................13
THE MORTGAGE POOLS..........................................................18
General ..........................................................18
The Mortgage Loans.................................................19
Underwriting Standards.............................................24
Qualifications of Originators and Sellers..........................26
Representations by Sellers.........................................26
SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS.................................................28
General ..........................................................28
The Master Servicer................................................29
Collection and Other Servicing Procedures;
Mortgage Loan Modifications...............................29
Subservicers.......................................................31
Special Servicers..................................................31
Realization Upon or Sale of Defaulted
Mortgage Loans............................................32
Servicing and Other Compensation and
Payment of Expenses; Spread...............................34
Evidence as to Compliance..........................................35
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS....................................................35
General ..........................................................35
Form of Bonds......................................................36
Assignment of Trust Fund Assets....................................38
Collection Account.................................................40
Distributions......................................................44
Distributions of Interest and Principal on the Bonds...............44
Funding Account....................................................45
Distributions on the Bonds in Respect
of Prepayment Premiums...................................46
Allocation of Losses and Shortfalls................................46
Advances ..........................................................46
Reports to Bondholders.............................................47
DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT...........................................49
General ..........................................................49
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy................................50
Subordinate Bonds..................................................50
Letter of Credit...................................................50
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policies...................................51
Special Hazard Insurance Policies..................................52
Bankruptcy Bonds...................................................53
Overcollateralization..............................................54
Reserve Funds......................................................54
Maintenance of Credit Enhancement..................................55
Reduction or Substitution of Credit Enhancement....................57
PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS........................................................57
PRIMARY MORTGAGE INSURANCE, HAZARD INSURANCE;
CLAIMS THEREUNDER..................................................58
General ..........................................................58
Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies................................58
Hazard Insurance Policies..........................................59
FHA Insurance......................................................61
THE COMPANY.................................................................61
IMPAC FUNDING CORPORATION...................................................62
THE AGREEMENTS..............................................................62
Events of Default; Rights Upon Event of Default....................62
Amendment..........................................................64
Termination; Redemption of Bonds...................................65
The Owner Trustee..................................................65
The Indenture Trustee..............................................66
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS........................................................66
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS......................................69
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF MORTGAGE LOANS.....................................70
Single Family Loans and Multifamily Loans..........................70
Contracts..........................................................71
Foreclosure on Mortgages...........................................73
Repossession with respect to Contracts.............................74
Rights of Redemption...............................................76
Anti-Deficiency Legislation and Other
Limitations on Lenders....................................76
Junior Mortgages...................................................78
Consumer Protection Laws with respect to
Contracts.................................................79
Environmental Legislation..........................................80
Enforceability of Certain Provisions...............................80
Subordinate Financing..............................................81
Applicability of Usury Laws........................................81
Alternative Mortgage Instruments...................................82
Formaldehyde Litigation with respect to Contracts..................82
Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940....................83
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES.............................................83
General ..........................................................83
STATE AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES............................................90
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS........................................................91
Tax-Exempt Investors...............................................92
LEGAL INVESTMENT MATTERS....................................................92
USE OF PROCEEDS.............................................................93
METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION.....................................................93
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................................95
FINANCIAL INFORMATION.......................................................95
RATING ...................................................................95
INDEX OF PRINCIPAL DEFINITIONS..............................................96
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UNTIL 90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF EACH PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE RELATED BONDS, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE RELATED
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE
OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND PROSPECTUS WHEN
ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
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 and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Such reports and other information filed by the Company can
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and its Regional
Offices located as follows: Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison, 14th
Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661; New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade
Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can also be obtained
from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates and electronically through the
Commission's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system at the
Commission's Web site (http:\\www.sec.gov). The Company does not intend to send
any financial reports to Bondholders.
This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the Registration Statement (of which this Prospectus forms a part) and exhibits
thereto which the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and to which reference is hereby made.
REPORTS TO BONDHOLDERS
The Master Servicer or other designated person will be required to
provide periodic unaudited reports concerning each Trust Fund to all registered
holders of Bonds of the related series as are required under the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. See "Description of
the Bonds--Reports to
Bondholders."
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
There are incorporated herein and in the related Prospectus Supplement
by reference all documents and reports filed or caused to be filed by the
Company with respect to a Trust Fund pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of the offering of the Bonds
of the related series. The Company will provide or cause to be provided without
charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered in connection with
the offering of one or more classes of Bonds, upon written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any or all such reports incorporated herein by reference,
in each case to the extent such reports relate to one or more of such classes of
such Bonds, other than the exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference in such documents. Requests should be
directed in writing to IMH Assets Corp., 20371 Irvine Avenue, Suite 200, Santa
Ana Heights, California 92707, or by telephone at (714) 556-0122. The Company
has determined that its financial statements will not be material to the
offering of any Bonds.
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<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF PROSPECTUS
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and by reference to
the information with respect to each series of Bonds contained in the Prospectus
Supplement to be prepared and delivered in connection with the offering of Bonds
of such series. Capitalized terms used in this summary that are not otherwise
defined shall have the meanings ascribed thereto elsewhere in this Prospectus.
An index indicating where certain capitalized terms used herein are defined
appears at the end of this Prospectus.
Securities Offered........................Collateralized mortgage bonds (the
"Bonds"). The Bonds offered hereby and
by the various Prospectus Supplements
with respect hereto will be offered
from time to time in series.
Company...................................IMH Assets Corp. (the "Company"), a
limited- purpose wholly owned
subsidiary of Impac Mortgage Holdings,
Inc. ("Impac Holdings"), formerly
known as Imperial Credit Mortgage
Holdings, Inc., and an affiliate of
Impac Funding Corporation ("Impac
Funding"), formerly known as ICI
Funding Corporation. See "The
Company."
Issuer....................................The Issuer with respect to a series of
Bonds will be the Company or an owner
trust established by it for the
purpose of issuing one or more series
of Bonds. Each such owner trust will
be created pursuant to a trust
agreement (the "Trust Agreement")
between the Company, acting as
depositor, and the Owner Trustee. Each
series of Bonds will represent
indebtedness of the Issuer and will be
issued pursuant to an indenture
between the Issuer and the Indenture
Trustee (the "Indenture") whereby the
Issuer will pledge the Trust Fund to
secure the Bonds under the lien of the
Indenture. As to each series of Bonds
where the Issuer is an owner trust,
the ownership of the Trust Fund will
be evidenced by certificates (the
"Certificates," and together with the
Bonds, the "Securities") issued under
the Trust Agreement, which are not
offered hereby. The Bonds will
represent nonrecourse obligations
solely of the Issuer, and the proceeds
of the Trust Fund will be the sole
source of payments on the Bonds,
except as described herein under
"Description of
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<PAGE>
Credit Enhancement" and in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
Master Servicer...........................The master servicer (the "Master
Servicer"), if any, for a series of
Bonds will be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement and may be Impac
Funding or another affiliate of the
Company. See "Impac Funding
Corporation" and "Servicing of
Mortgage Loans--The Master Servicer."
Special Servicer..........................The special servicer (the "Special
Servicer"), if any, for a series of
Bonds will be specified, or the
circumstances under which a Special
Servicer will be appointed will be
described, in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Any Special Servicer may
be an affiliate of the Company. See
"Servicing of Mortgage Loans--Special
Servicers."
Administrator.............................An entity may be named as the
Administrator in the related
Prospectus Supplement, if required in
addition to or in lieu of the Master
Servicer or Servicer for a series of
Bonds (the "Administrator").
Indenture Trustee.........................The Indenture Trustee for each series
of Bonds will be specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement (the
"Indenture Trustee").
Owner Trustee.............................As to each series of Bonds where the
Issuer in an owner trust, the Owner
Trustee for each related Trust Fund
will be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement (the "Owner
Trustee").
The Bonds.................................Each series of Bonds will include one
or more classes of Bonds which will
represent indebtedness secured by a
segregated pool of Mortgage Loans
(exclusive of any portion of interest
payments (the "Spread") relating to
each Mortgage Loan retained by the
Company or any of its affiliates) or
interests therein and certain other
assets, which may only include, if
applicable, reinvestment income,
reserve funds, cash accounts and
various forms of credit enhancement as
described herein (collectively, the
"Trust Fund Assets," and the related
trust fund, the "Trust Fund").
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<PAGE>
Except for certain Strip Bonds (as
hereinafter described), each series of
Bonds, or class of Bonds in the case
of a series consisting of two or more
classes, will have a stated principal
balance and will be entitled to
distributions of interest based on a
specified interest rate or rates
(each, an "Interest Rate"). Each
series or class of Bonds may have a
different Interest Rate, which may be
a fixed, variable or adjustable
Interest Rate, or any combination of
two or more such Interest Rates. The
related Prospectus Supplement will
specify the Interest Rate or Rates for
each series or class of Bonds, or the
initial Interest Rate or Rates and the
method for determining subsequent
changes to the Interest Rate or Rates.
A series may include one or more
classes of Bonds ("Strip Bonds")
entitled (i) to principal distribu
tions, with disproportionate, nominal
or no interest distributions, or (ii)
to interest distributions, with
disproportionate, nominal or no
principal distribu tions. In addition,
a series may include two or more
classes of Bonds which differ as to
timing, sequential order, priority of
payment, pass-through rate or amount
of distributions of principal or
interest or both, or as to which
distributions of principal or interest
or both on any class may be made upon
the occurrence of specified events, in
accordance with a schedule or formula,
or on the basis of collections from
designated portions of the Mortgage
Pool, which series may include one or
more classes of Bonds ("Accrual
Bonds"), as to which certain accrued
interest will not be distributed but
rather will be added to the principal
balance thereof on each Distribution
Date, as hereinafter defined, in the
manner described in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
If so provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement, a series of
Bonds may include one or more classes
of Bonds (collectively, the "Senior
Bonds") which are senior to one or
more classes of Bonds (collectively,
the "Subordinate Bonds") in respect of
certain distributions of principal and
interest and allocations of losses on
Mortgage
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<PAGE>
Loans. In addition, certain classes of
Senior (or Subordinate) Bonds may be
senior to other classes of Senior (or
Subordinate) Bonds in respect of such
distributions or losses. The
Certificates, insofar as they
represent the beneficial ownership
interest in the Issuer, will be
subordinate to the Bonds. See
"Description of the Bonds."
The Bonds will not be guaranteed or
insured by any governmental agency or
instrumentality, by the Company, the
Master Servicer or any of their
respective affiliates.
Bonds of one or more classes of a
series may be issued in book-entry
form. See "Description of the
Bonds--Form of Bonds."
The Mortgage Pools........................Each Trust Fund will consist primarily
of a segregated pool (a "Mortgage
Pool") of mortgage loans and/or
manufactured housing conditional sales
and installment loan agreements
(collectively, the "Mortgage Loans")
or interests therein. Each Mortgage
Loan will be secured by a first or
junior lien on or security interest in
(i) a one- to four- family residential
property, (ii) a residential property
consisting of five or more rental or
cooperatively-owned dwelling units or
(iii) a new or used manufactured home
(each, a "Mortgaged Property"). The
Mortgaged Properties may be located in
any one of the 50 states, the District
of Columbia or the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico. For a description of the
types of Mortgage Loans that may be
included in the Mortgage Pools, see
"The Mortgage Pools--The Mortgage
Loans." The Mortgage Loans will not be
guaranteed or insured by the Company,
any of its affiliates or by any
governmental agency or
instrumentality.
If specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, Mortgage Loans which are
converting or converted from an
adjustable-rate to a fixed-rate or
certain Mortgage Loans for which the
Mortgage Rate has been reset may be
repurchased by the Company or
purchased by the related Master
Servicer, the applicable Seller or
another party, or a designated
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remarketing agent will use its best
efforts to arrange the sale thereof as
further described herein under "The
Mortgage Pools--The Mortgage Loans."
If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, some Mortgage
Loans may be delinquent or
non-performing as of the date of their
deposit in the related Trust Fund.
Each Mortgage Loan included in a Trust
Fund will have been selected by the
Company from among those purchased,
either directly or indirectly, from a
prior holder thereof (a "Seller"),
which prior holder may or may not be
the originator of such Mortgage Loan
and may be an affiliate of the
Company.
A Current Report on Form 8-K will be
available upon request to purchasers
of the Bonds of the related series and
will be filed, together with the
related Servicing Agreement, Trust
Agreement (if any) and Indenture, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission
within fifteen days after such initial
issuance.
Interest Distributions....................Except as otherwise specified herein
or in the related Prospectus
Supplement, interest on each class of
Bonds of each series, other than Strip
Bonds or Accrual Bonds (prior to the
time when accrued interest becomes
payable thereon), will accrue at the
applicable Interest Rate (which may be
a fixed, variable or adjustable rate
or any combination thereof) on such
class's principal balance outstanding
from time to time and will be remitted
on the 25th day (or, if such day is
not a business day, on the next
succeeding business day) of each
month, commencing with the month
following the month in which the
Cut-off Date (as defined in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement)
occurs (each, a "Distribution Date").
Distributions, if any, with respect to
interest on Strip Bonds will be
calculated and made on each
Distribution Date as described herein
under "Description of the
Bonds--Distribution of Interest and
Principal on the
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<PAGE>
Bonds" and in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Interest that has accrued
but is not yet payable on any Accrual
Bonds will be added to the principal
balance of such class on each
Distribution Date, and will thereafter
bear interest at the applicable
Interest Rate. Distributions of
interest with respect to one or more
classes of Bonds (or, in the case of a
class of Accrual Bonds, accrued
interest to be added to the principal
balance thereof) may be reduced as a
result of the occurrence of certain
delinquencies not covered by advances,
losses, prepayments and other
contingencies described herein and in
the related Prospectus Supplement. See
"Yield Considerations" and
"Description of the
Bonds--Distribution of Interest and
Principal on the Bonds."
Principal Distributions...................Except as otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement,
principal distributions on the Bonds
of each series will be payable on each
Distribution Date, commencing with the
Distribution Date in the month
following the month in which the
Cut-off Date occurs, to the holders of
the Bonds of such series, or of the
class or classes of Bonds then
entitled thereto, on a pro rata basis
among all such Bonds or among the
Bonds of any such class, in proportion
to their respective outstanding
principal balances, or in the priority
and manner otherwise specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. Strip
Bonds with no principal balance will
not receive distributions in respect
of principal. Distributions of
principal with respect to any series
of Bonds, or with respect to one or
more classes included therein, may be
reduced to the extent of certain
delinquencies not covered by advances
or losses not covered by the
applicable form of credit enhancement.
See "The Mortgage Pools," "Maturity
and Prepayment Considerations" and
"Description of the Bonds."
Funding Account...........................If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, a portion of
the proceeds of the sale of one or
more Classes of Bonds of a series may
be deposited in a segregated account
to be applied to acquire additional
Mortgage Loans from the
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Sellers, subject to the limitations
set forth herein under "Description of
the Bonds-Funding Account." Monies on
deposit in the Funding Account and not
applied to acquire such additional
Mortgage Loans within the time set
forth in the related Trust Agreement
or other applicable agreement may be
treated as principal and applied in
the manner described in the related
Prospectus Supplement.
Credit Enhancement........................If so specified in the Prospectus
Supplement, the Trust Fund with
respect to any series of Bonds may
include any one or any combination of
a financial guaranty insurance policy,
mortgage pool insurance policy, letter
of credit, special hazard insurance
policy, bankruptcy bond or reserve
fund to provide partial coverage for
certain defaults and losses relating
to the Mortgage Loans. Credit support
also will be provided in the form of
subordination of the Certificates (if
applicable) and also may be provided
in the form of subordination of one or
more classes of Bonds in a series
under which losses are first allocated
to any Subordinate Bonds up to a
specified limit or in the form of
Overcollateralization. Any form of
credit enhancement may have certain
limitations and exclusions from
coverage thereunder, which will be
described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Losses not covered by any
form of credit enhancement will be
borne by the holders of the related
Bonds (or certain classes thereof). To
the extent not set forth herein, the
amount and types of coverage, the
identification of any entity providing
the coverage, the terms of any
subordination and related information
will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to a series of
Bonds. See "Description of Credit
Enhancement" and "Subordination."
Advances..................................If and to the extent described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, and
subject to any limitations specified
therein, the Master Servicer for any
Trust Fund will be obligated to make,
or have the option of making, certain
advances with respect to delinquent
scheduled payments on the
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<PAGE>
Mortgage Loans in such Trust Fund. Any
such advance made by the Master
Servicer with respect to a Mortgage
Loan is recoverable by it as described
herein under "Description of the
Bonds--Advances" either from
recoveries on or in respect of the
specific Mortgage Loan or, with
respect to any advance subsequently
determined to be nonrecoverable from
recoveries on or in respect of the
specific Mortgage Loan, out of funds
otherwise distributable to the holders
of the related series of Bonds, which
may include the holders of any Senior
Bonds of such series. If and to the
extent provided in the Prospectus
Supplement for a series of Bonds, the
Master Servicer will be entitled to
receive interest on its advances for
the period that they are outstanding
payable from amounts in the related
Trust Fund.
Optional Termination......................The Master Servicer, the Company or a
person specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement (other than any
Bondholder) may at its option either
(i) effect early retirement of a
series of Bonds through the purchase
of the assets in the related Trust
Fund or (ii) purchase, in whole but
not in part, the Bonds specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement; in
each case under the circumstances and
in the manner set forth herein under
"The Agreements--Termination;
Redemption of Bonds" and in the
related Prospectus Supplement.
Legal Investment..........................At the date of issuance, as to each
series, each class of Bonds will be
rated at the request of the Company in
one of the four highest rating
categories by one or more nationally
recognized statistical rating agencies
(each, a "Rating Agency"). Each class
of Bonds that is rated in one of the
two highest rating categories by at
least one Rating Agency will
constitute "mortgage related
securities" for purposes of the
Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement
Act of 1984, as amended ("SMMEA").
Investors whose investment authority
is subject to legal restrictions
should consult their own legal
advisors to determine whether and to
what extent the Bonds of any series
constitute legal
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<PAGE>
investments for them. See "Legal
Investment Matters."
ERISA Considerations......................A fiduciary of an employee benefit
plan and certain other retirement
plans and arrangements, including
individual retirement accounts and
annuities, Keogh plans, and collective
investment funds and separate accounts
in which such plans, accounts,
annuities or arrangements are
invested, that is subject to the
Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or
Section 4975 of the Code (each, a
"Plan") should carefully review with
its legal advisors whether the
purchase or holding of Bonds could
give rise to a transaction that is
prohibited or is not otherwise
permissible either under ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code. Investors
are advised to consult their counsel
and to review "ERISA Considerations"
herein and in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
Federal Income
Tax Consequences........................In the opinion of Tax Counsel (as
defined herein), for federal income
tax purposes, the Bonds will
constitute indebtedness of the Issuer.
(i) Bonds held by a domestic building
and loan association will not
constitute "loans...secured by an
interest in real property" within the
meaning of Code section
7701(a)(19)(C)(v); (ii) Bonds held by
a real estate investment trust will
not constitute "real estate assets"
within the meaning of Code section
856(c)(4)(A); and (iii) interest on
Bonds will not be considered "interest
on obligations secured by mortgages on
real property" within the meaning of
Code section 856(c)(3)(B).
Investors are advised to consult their
tax advisors as to the tax
consequences of an investment in the
Bonds in light of investors'
individual circumstances and to review
"Federal Income Tax Consequences"
herein and in the related Prospectus
Supplement for a more general
discussion of material tax matters
related to the Bonds. See "Federal
Income Tax Consequences."
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<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Investors should consider, among other things, the following factors in
connection with the purchase of the Bonds:
LIMITED LIQUIDITY. There can be no assurance that a secondary market
for the Bonds of any series will develop or, if it does develop, that it will
provide Bondholders with liquidity of investment or that it will continue for
the life of the Bonds of any series. The Prospectus Supplement for any series of
Bonds may indicate that an underwriter specified therein intends to establish a
secondary market in such Bonds, however no underwriter will be obligated to do
so. As a result, any resale prices that may be available for any Bond in any
market that may develop may be at a discount from the initial offering price or
the fair market value thereof. The Bonds will not be listed on any securities
exchange.
LIMITED OBLIGATIONS. The Bonds will evidence an obligation of the
related Issuer to remit certain payments to the registered holder thereof. The
Bonds will not represent an interest in or obligation of the Company, the Master
Servicer or any of their respective affiliates. The only obligations of the
foregoing entities with respect to the Bonds and the Mortgage Loans will be the
obligations (if any) of the Company pursuant to certain limited representations
and warranties made with respect to the Mortgage Loans, the Master Servicer's
servicing obligations under the related Servicing Agreement (including, if and
to the extent described in the related Prospectus Supplement, its limited
obligation to make certain advances in the event of delinquencies on the
Mortgage Loans) and, if and to the extent expressly described in the related
Prospectus Supplement, certain limited obligations of the Master Servicer in
connection with a Purchase Obligation or an agreement to purchase or act as
remarketing agent with respect to a Convertible Mortgage Loan upon conversion to
a fixed rate. Neither the Bonds nor the underlying Mortgage Loans will be
guaranteed or insured by any governmental agency or instrumentality, by the
Company, the Master Servicer or any of their respective affiliates. Proceeds of
the assets included in the related Trust Fund for each series of Bonds
(including the Mortgage Loans and any form of credit enhancement) will be the
sole source of payments on the Bonds, and there will be no recourse to the
Company, the Master Servicer or any other entity in the event that such proceeds
are insufficient or otherwise unavailable to make all payments provided for
under the Bonds.
LIMITATIONS, REDUCTION AND SUBSTITUTION OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT. With
respect to each series of Bonds, credit enhancement will be provided in limited
amounts to cover certain types of losses on the underlying Mortgage Loans.
Credit enhancement will be provided in one or more of the forms referred to
herein, including: subordination of any Subordinate Bonds of the same series; a
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy; a Letter of Credit; a Purchase Obligation;
a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy; a Special Hazard Insurance Policy; a
Bankruptcy Bond; Overcollateralization; a Reserve Fund; or any combination
thereof. See "Subordination" and "Description of Credit Enhancement" herein.
Regardless of the form of credit enhancement provided, the amount of coverage
will be limited in amount and in most cases will be subject to periodic
reduction in accordance with a schedule or formula. Furthermore, such credit
enhancements may provide only very limited coverage as to certain types of
losses or risks, and may provide no coverage as to certain other types of losses
or risks. In the event losses exceed the amount of coverage provided by any
credit enhancement or losses of a type not covered by any credit enhancement
occur, such losses will be borne by the holders of the related Bonds (or certain
classes thereof). The Company, the Master Servicer or other specified person
will generally be permitted to reduce, terminate or substitute all or a portion
of the credit enhancement for any series of Bonds, if each applicable Rating
Agency indicates that the then-current rating(s) thereof will not be adversely
affected. The rating(s) of any series of Bonds by any applicable Rating Agency
may be lowered following the initial issuance thereof as a result of the
downgrading of the obligations of any applicable credit support provider, or as
a result of losses on the related Mortgage Loans in excess of the levels
contemplated by such Rating Agency at the
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<PAGE>
time of its initial rating analysis. Neither the Company, the Master Servicer
nor any of their respective affiliates will have any obligation to replace or
supplement any credit enhancement, or to take any other action to maintain any
rating(s) of any series of Bonds. See "Description of Credit
Enhancement--Reduction of Credit Enhancement."
LIMITED NATURE OF RATINGS. It is a condition to the issuance of the
Bonds that each class of Bonds be rated in one of the four highest rating
categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating agency. A security
rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be
subject to revision or withdrawal at any time. No person is obligated to
maintain the rating on any Bond, and, accordingly, there can be no assurance
that the ratings assigned to any Bond on the date on which such Bonds are
initially issued will not be lowered or withdrawn by a Rating Agency at any time
thereafter. In the event any rating is revised or withdrawn, the liquidity or
the market value of the related Bonds may be adversely affected. See "Rating"
herein.
FORECLOSURE RISKS OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS. Statutory and judicial
limitations on foreclosure procedures may delay recovery in respect of the
mortgaged property and, in some instances, limit the amount that may be
recovered by the foreclosing lender. Foreclosure procedures may vary from state
to state. Two primary methods of foreclosing a mortgage instrument are judicial
foreclosure, involving court proceedings, and non-judicial foreclosure pursuant
to a power of sale granted in the mortgage instrument. A foreclosure action is
subject to most of the delays and expenses of other lawsuits if defenses are
raised or counterclaims are asserted. Delays may also result from difficulties
in locating necessary defendants. Non-judicial foreclosures may be subject to
delays resulting from state laws mandating the recording of notice of default
and notice of sale and, in certain states, notice to any party having an
interest of record in the real property, including junior lienholders. Certain
states have adopted "anti-deficiency" statutes that limit the ability of a
lender to realize upon assets securing a mortgage loan. In addition, United
States courts have traditionally imposed general equitable principles to limit
the remedies available to lenders in foreclosure actions that are perceived by
the court as harsh or unfair. The effect of such statutes and judicial
principles may be to delay and/or reduce distributions in respect of the Bonds.
See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans--Foreclosure on Mortgage Loans."
RISKS OF MORTGAGE LOANS AND PROPERTY VALUE. An investment in securities
such as the Bonds that are secured by mortgage loans and/or manufactured housing
conditional sales contracts and installment loan agreements may be affected by,
among other things, a decline in real estate values and changes in the
borrowers' financial condition. No assurance can be given that values of the
Mortgaged Properties have remained or will remain at their levels on the dates
of origination of the related Mortgage Loans. If the residential real estate
market should experience an overall decline in property values such that the
outstanding balances of the Mortgage Loans, and any secondary financing on the
Mortgaged Properties, in a particular Mortgage Pool become equal to or greater
than the value of the Mortgaged Properties, the actual rates of delinquencies,
foreclosures and losses could be higher than those now generally experienced in
the mortgage lending industry. In particular, Mortgage Loans with high
Loan-to-Value Ratios will be affected by any decline in real estate values. Any
decrease in the value of such Mortgage Loans may result in the allocation of
losses which are not covered by credit enhancement to the Bonds.
RISKS OF NON-CONFORMING MORTGAGE LOANS. Certain Mortgage Loans may be
underwritten in accordance with underwriting standards which are primarily
intended to provide single family mortgage loans for non-conforming credits. A
"non-conforming credit" means a mortgage loan which is ineligible for purchase
by FNMA or FHLMC due to credit characteristics that do not meet the FNMA or
FHLMC underwriting guidelines, including mortgagors whose creditworthiness and
repayment ability do not satisfy such FNMA or FHLMC underwriting guidelines and
mortgagors who may have a record of credit write-offs, outstanding judgments,
prior bankruptcies and other credit items that do not satisfy such FNMA or FHLMC
underwriting guidelines. Accordingly, Mortgage Loans underwritten under the
Originators' non-
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<PAGE>
conforming credit underwriting standards are likely to experience rates of
delinquency, foreclosure and loss that are higher, and may be substantially
higher, than mortgage loans originated in accordance with the FNMA or FHLMC
underwriting guidelines. Any such losses, to the extent not covered by credit
enhancement, may affect the yield to maturity of the Bonds.
RISKS OF MORTGAGE LOANS WITH VARIABLE PAYMENTS. Certain of the types of
loans which may be included in the Mortgage Pools may involve additional
uncertainties not present in traditional types of loans. In the case of Mortgage
Loans that are subject to negative amortization, due to the addition to
principal balance of Deferred Interest, the principal balances of such Mortgage
Loans could be increased to an amount equal to or in excess of the value of the
underlying Mortgaged Properties, thereby increasing the likelihood of default.
In the case of Buydown Loans, the increase in the Monthly Payment by the
Mortgagor during and following the Buydown Period may result in an increased
risk of default on such Buydown Loan. Certain of the Mortgage Loans provide for
escalating or variable payments by the borrower under the Mortgage Loan (the
"Mortgagor"), as to which the Mortgagor is generally qualified on the basis of
the initial payment amount. In some instances, Mortgagors may not be able to
make their loan payments as such payments increase and thus the likelihood of
default will increase. Any risks associated with the variable payments of such
Mortgage Loans may affect the yield to maturity of the Bonds to the extent
losses caused by such risks which are not covered by credit enhancement are
allocated to the Bonds.
RISKS OF MORTGAGE LOANS WITH JUNIOR LIENS. Certain Mortgage Loans may
be secured by second liens on the related Mortgaged Properties. As to Mortgage
Loans secured by second mortgages, the proceeds from any liquidation, insurance
or condemnation proceedings will be available to satisfy the outstanding balance
of such Mortgage Loans only to the extent that the claims of such senior
mortgages have been satisfied in full, including any related foreclosure costs.
In addition, the holder of a Mortgage Loan secured by a junior mortgage may not
foreclose on the Mortgaged Property unless it forecloses subject to the senior
mortgages, in which case it must either pay the entire amount due on the senior
mortgages to the senior mortgagees at or prior to the foreclosure sale or
undertake the obligation to make payments on the senior mortgages in the event
the mortgagor is in default thereunder. The Trust Fund will not have any source
of funds to satisfy the senior mortgages or make payments due to the senior
mortgagees, although the Master Servicer or Subservicer may, at its option,
advance such amounts to the extent deemed recoverable and prudent. In the event
that such proceeds from a foreclosure or similar sale of the related Mortgaged
Property are insufficient to satisfy all senior liens and the Mortgage Loan in
the aggregate, the Trust Fund, as the holder of the junior lien, and,
accordingly, Holders of one or more classes of the Bonds, to the extent not
covered by credit enhancement, are likely to (i) incur losses in jurisdictions
in which a deficiency judgment against the borrower is not available, and (ii)
incur losses if any deficiency judgment obtained is not realized upon. In
addition, the rate of default of second mortgage loans may be greater than that
of mortgage loans secured by first liens on comparable properties.
RISKS OF MORTGAGE LOAN CONCENTRATION. Certain geographic regions of the
United States from time to time will experience weaker regional economic
conditions and housing markets, and, consequently, will experience higher rates
of loss and delinquency than will be experienced on mortgage loans generally.
For example, a region's economic condition and housing market may be directly,
or indirectly, adversely affected by natural disasters or civil disturbances
such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, eruptions or riots. The economic impact
of any of these types of events may also be felt in areas beyond the region
immediately affected by the disaster or disturbance. The Mortgage Loans securing
certain series of Bonds may be concentrated in these regions, and such
concentration may present risk considerations in addition to those generally
present for similar mortgage-backed securities without such concentration.
Moreover, as described below, any Mortgage Loan for which a breach of a
representation or warranty exists will remain in the related Trust Fund in the
event that a Seller is unable, or disputes its obligation, to repurchase such
Mortgage Loan and such a breach does not also constitute a breach of any
representation made by any
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other person. In such event, any resulting losses will be borne by the related
form of credit enhancement, to the extent available. Any risks associated with
Mortgage Loan concentration may affect the yield to maturity of the Bonds to the
extent losses caused by such risks which are not covered by credit enhancement
are allocated to the Bonds.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH BALLOON LOANS. Certain of the Mortgage Loans
included in a Trust Fund, particularly those secured by Multifamily Properties,
may not be fully amortizing (or may not amortize at all) over their terms to
maturity and, thus, will require substantial payments of principal and interest
(that is, balloon payments) at their stated maturity. Mortgage Loans of this
type involve a greater degree of risk than self-amortizing loans because the
ability of a Mortgagor to make a balloon payment typically will depend upon its
ability either to fully refinance the loan or to sell the related Mortgaged
Property at a price sufficient to permit the Mortgagor to make the balloon
payment. The ability of a Mortgagor to accomplish either of these goals will be
affected by a number of factors, including the value of the related Mortgaged
Property, the level of available mortgage rates at the time of sale or
refinancing, the Mortgagor's equity in the related Mortgaged Property,
prevailing general economic conditions, the availability of credit for loans
secured by comparable real properties and, in the case of Multifamily
Properties, the financial condition and operating history of the Mortgagor and
the related Mortgaged Property, tax laws and rent control laws. Any risks
associated with the Balloon Loans may affect the yield to maturity of the Bonds
to the extent losses caused by such risks which are not covered by credit
enhancement are allocated to the Bonds.
RISKS WITH RESPECT TO MORTGAGE LOANS WITH LIMITED RECOURSE. It is
anticipated that some or all of the Mortgage Loans included in any Trust Fund,
particularly Mortgage Loans secured by Multifamily Properties, will be
nonrecourse loans or loans for which recourse may be restricted or
unenforceable. As to those Mortgage Loans, recourse in the event of Mortgagor
default will be limited to the specific real property and other assets, if any,
that were pledged to secure the Mortgage Loan. However, even with respect to
those Mortgage Loans that provide for recourse against the Mortgagor and its
assets generally, there can be no assurance that enforcement of such recourse
provisions will be practicable, or that the other assets of the Mortgagor will
be sufficient to permit a recovery in respect of a defaulted Mortgage Loan in
excess of the liquidation value of the related Mortgaged Property. Any risks
associated with Mortgage Loans with no or limited recourse may affect the yield
to maturity of the Bonds to the extent losses caused by such risks which are not
covered by credit enhancement are allocated to the Bonds.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MULTIFAMILY LOANS. Mortgage Loans made on the
security of Multifamily Properties may entail risks of delinquency and
foreclosure, and risks of loss in the event thereof, that are greater than
similar risks associated with loans made on the security of Single Family
Properties. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by an
income-producing property typically is dependent primarily upon the successful
operation of such property rather than upon the existence of independent income
or assets of the borrower; thus, the value of an income-producing property is
directly related to the net operating income derived from such property. If the
net operating income of the property is reduced (for example, if rental or
occupancy rates decline or real estate tax rates or other operating expenses
increase), the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired. In
addition, the concentration of default, foreclosure and loss risk for a pool of
Mortgage Loans secured by Multifamily Properties may be greater than for a pool
of Mortgage Loans secured by Single Family Properties of comparable aggregate
unpaid principal balance because the pool of Mortgage Loans secured by
Multifamily Properties is likely to consist of a smaller number of higher
balance loans. Any risks associated with the Multifamily Loans may affect the
yield to maturity of the Bonds to the extent losses caused by such risks which
are not covered by credit enhancement are allocated to the Bonds.
RISKS OF HIGH LTV LOANS. Some or all of the Mortgage Loans included in
any Trust Fund may be High LTV Loans. High LTV Loans with Combined Loan-to-Value
Ratios in excess of 100% may have
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<PAGE>
been originated with a limited expectation of recovering any amounts from the
foreclosure of the related Mortgaged Property and are underwritten with an
emphasis on the creditworthiness of the related borrower. If such Mortgage Loans
go into foreclosure and are liquidated, there may be no amounts recovered from
the related Mortgaged Property unless the value of the property increases or the
principal amount of the related senior liens have been reduced such as to reduce
the current Combined Loan-to- Value Ratio of the related Mortgage Loan to below
100%. Any such losses, to the extent not covered by credit enhancement, may
affect the yield to maturity of the Bonds.
RISKS OF UNDERWRITING STANDARDS OF UNAFFILIATED SELLERS. Mortgage Loans
to be included in a Mortgage Pool will have been purchased by the Company,
either directly or indirectly from Sellers. Such Mortgage Loans will generally
have been originated in accordance with underwriting standards acceptable to the
Company and generally described herein under "The Mortgage Pools--Underwriting
Standards" or such alternative underwriting criteria as may be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement. However, in some cases, particularly those
involving Unaffiliated Sellers, the Company may not be able to establish the
underwriting standards used in the origination of the related Mortgage Loans. In
those cases, the related Prospectus Supplement will include a statement to such
effect and will reflect what, if any, reunderwriting of the related Mortgage
Loans was done by the Company or any of its affiliates. To the extent the
Mortgage Loans cannot be reunderwritten or the underwriting criteria cannot be
verified, the Mortgage Loans may suffer losses greater than they would had they
been directly underwritten by the Company or an affiliate thereof. Any such
losses, to the extent not covered by credit enhancement, may affect the yield to
maturity of the Bonds.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS. Applicable federal and state laws generally
regulate interest rates and other charges, require certain disclosures, prohibit
unfair and deceptive practices, regulate debt collection, and require licensing
of the originators of the mortgage loans and contracts. Depending on the
provisions of the applicable law and the specified facts and circumstances
involved, violations of those laws, policies and principles may limit the
ability to collect all or part of the principal of or interest on the Mortgage
Loans and may entitle the borrower to a refund of amounts previously paid. See
"Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans" herein. To the extent such laws and
regulations result in losses on the mortgage loans, the yield to maturity of the
Bonds, to the extent not covered by credit enhancement, may be affected.
YIELD AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS. The yield to maturity of the Bonds
of each series will depend on, among other things, the rate and timing of
principal payments (including prepayments, liquidations due to defaults, and
repurchases due to conversion of ARM Loans to fixed interest rate loans or
breaches of representations and warranties) on the related Mortgage Loans and
the price paid by Bondholders. Such yield may be adversely affected by a higher
or lower than anticipated rate of prepayments on the related Mortgage Loans. The
yield to maturity on Strip Bonds will be extremely sensitive to the rate of
prepayments on the related Mortgage Loans. In addition, the yield to maturity on
certain other types of classes of Bonds, including Accrual Bonds, Bonds with a
Interest Rate which fluctuates inversely with an index or certain other classes
in a series including more than one class of Bonds, may be relatively more
sensitive to the rate of prepayment on the related Mortgage Loans than other
classes of Bonds. In addition, to the extent amounts in any Funding Account have
not been used to purchase additional Mortgage Loans, holders of the Bonds may
receive an additional prepayment. Prepayments are influenced by a number of
factors, including prevailing mortgage market interest rates, local and regional
economic conditions and homeowner mobility. See "Yield Considerations" and
"Maturity and Prepayment Considerations" herein.
ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF THE MORTGAGE LOANS. To the extent the Master
Servicer acquires title to any Mortgaged Property with contaminated with or
affected by hazardous wastes or hazardous substances, or, with respect to any
Multifamily Property, not in compliance with environmental laws and regulations,
the Mortgage Loans may incur losses. See "Servicing of Mortgage
Loans--Realization Upon or Sale of
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Defaulted Mortgage Loans" and "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage
Loans--Environmental Legislation." To the extent such environmental risks result
in losses on the mortgage loans, the yield to maturity of the Bonds, to the
extent not covered by credit enhancement, may be affected.
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS. Generally, ERISA applies to investments made by
employee benefit plans and transactions involving the assets of such plans. Due
to the complexity of regulations that govern such plans, prospective investors
that are subject to ERISA are urged to consult their own counsel regarding
consequences under ERISA of acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Bonds
of any series. See "ERISA Considerations".
THE MORTGAGE POOLS
GENERAL
Each Mortgage Pool will consist primarily of Mortgage Loans, minus the
Spread, if any, or any other interest retained by the Company or any affiliate
of the Company. The Mortgage Loans may consist of Single Family Loans,
Multifamily Loans and Contracts, each as described below.
The Mortgage Loans (other than the Contracts) will be evidenced by
promissory notes ("Mortgage Notes") and secured by mortgages, deeds of trust or
other similar security instruments ("Mortgages") that, in each case, create a
first or junior lien on the related Mortgagor's fee or leasehold interest in the
related Mortgaged Property. The Mortgaged Properties for such loans may consist
of attached or detached one-family dwelling units, two- to four-family dwelling
units, condominiums, townhouses, row houses, individual units in planned-unit
developments and certain other individual dwelling units (a "Single Family
Property" and the related loans, "Single Family Loans"), which in each case may
be owner-occupied or may be a vacation, second or non-owner-occupied home. The
Mortgaged Properties for such loans may also consist of residential properties
consisting of five or more rental or cooperatively-owned dwelling units in
high-rise, mid-rise or garden apartment buildings or projects ("Multifamily
Properties" and the related loans, "Multifamily Loans").
The "Contracts" will consist of manufactured housing conditional sales
contracts and installment loan agreements each secured by a Manufactured Home.
The "Manufactured Homes" securing the Contracts will consist of manufactured
homes within the meaning of 42 United States Code, Section 5402(6), which
defines a "manufactured home" as "a structure, transportable in one or more
sections, which in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width or
forty body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is three hundred
twenty or more square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and
designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when
connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air
conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein; except that such term
shall include any structure which meets all the requirements of this paragraph
except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer
voluntarily files a certification required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development and complies with the standards established under this chapter."
Mortgaged Properties may be located in any one of the 50 states, the
District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The Mortgage Loans will not be guaranteed or insured by the Company,
any of its affiliates or by any governmental agency or instrumentality. However,
if so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Mortgage Loans may be
insured by the Federal Housing Administration (the "FHA" and such loans, "FHA
Loans"). See "Description of Primary Insurance Policies--FHA Insurance."
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A Mortgage Pool may include Mortgage Loans that are delinquent or
non-performing as of the date the related series of Bonds is issued. In that
case, the related Prospectus Supplement will set forth, as to each such Mortgage
Loan, available information as to the period of such delinquency or
non-performance and any other information relevant for a prospective purchaser
to make an investment decision.
Each Mortgage Loan will be selected by the Company for inclusion in a
Mortgage Pool from among those purchased by the Company, either directly or
through its affiliates, from banks, savings and loan associations, mortgage
bankers, investment banking firms, the Resolution Trust Corporation (the "RTC"),
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and other mortgage loan
originators or sellers not affiliated with the Company ("Unaffiliated Sellers")
or from affiliates of the Company such as Impac Funding, Impac Holdings,
Southern Pacific Thrift and Loan Association, Southern Pacific Funding
Corporation and Imperial Credit Industries, Inc. (collectively, the "Affiliated
Sellers"; Unaffiliated Sellers and Affiliated Sellers are collectively referred
to herein as "Sellers"). If a Mortgage Pool is composed of Mortgage Loans
acquired by the Company directly from Unaffiliated Sellers, the related
Prospectus Supplement will specify the extent of Mortgage Loans so acquired. The
characteristics of the Mortgage Loans are as described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Other mortgage loans available for purchase by the Company may have
characteristics which would make them eligible for inclusion in a Mortgage Pool
but were not selected for inclusion in such Mortgage Pool.
Under certain circumstances, the Mortgage Loans to be included in a
Mortgage Pool will be delivered either directly or indirectly to the Company by
one or more Sellers identified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
concurrently with the issuance of the related series of Bonds (a "Designated
Seller Transaction"). Such Bonds may be sold in whole or in part to any such
Seller in exchange for the related Mortgage Loans, or may be offered under any
of the other methods described herein under "Methods of Distribution." The
related Prospectus Supplement for a Mortgage Pool composed of Mortgage Loans
acquired by the Company pursuant to a Designated Seller Transaction will
generally include information, provided by the related Seller, about the Seller,
the Mortgage Loans and the underwriting standards applicable to the Mortgage
Loans. None of the Company or, unless it is the Seller, Impac Funding or any of
their affiliates will make any representation or warranty with respect to such
Mortgage Loans, or any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such
information provided by the Seller.
THE MORTGAGE LOANS
Each of the Mortgage Loans will be a type of mortgage loan described or
referred to in paragraphs numbered (1) through (8) below, with any variations
described in the Prospectus Supplement:
(1) Fixed-rate, fully-amortizing mortgage loans (which may
include mortgage loans converted from adjustable-rate mortgage loans or
otherwise modified) providing for level monthly payments of principal
and interest and terms at origination or modification of not more than
approximately 15 years;
(2) Fixed-rate, fully-amortizing mortgage loans (which may
include mortgage loans converted from adjustable-rate mortgage loans or
otherwise modified) providing for level monthly payments of principal
and interest and terms at origination or modification of more than 15
years, but not more than approximately 25 or 30 years;
(3) Fully-amortizing adjustable-rate mortgage loans ("ARM
Loans") having an original or modified term to maturity of not more
than approximately 25 or 30 years with a related interest rate (a
"Mortgage Rate") which generally adjusts initially either three months,
six months or one, three, five or seven years subsequent to the initial
payment date, and thereafter at either three-month, six-month, one-year
or other intervals (with corresponding adjustments in the amount of
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monthly payments) over the term of the mortgage loan to equal the sum
of a fixed percentage set forth in the related Mortgage Note (the "Note
Margin") and an index*. The related Prospectus Supplement will set
forth the relevant index and the highest, lowest and weighted average
Note Margin with respect to the ARM Loans in the related Mortgage Pool.
The related Prospectus Supplement will also indicate any periodic or
lifetime limitations on changes in any per annum Mortgage Rate at the
time of any adjustment. If specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, an ARM Loan may include a provision that allows the
Mortgagor to convert the adjustable Mortgage Rate to a fixed rate at
some point during the term of such ARM Loan generally not later than
six to ten years subsequent to the initial payment date;
(4) Negatively-amortizing ARM Loans having original or
modified terms to maturity of not more than approximately 25 or 30
years with Mortgage Rates which generally adjust initially on the
payment date referred to in the related Prospectus Supplement, and on
each of certain periodic payment dates thereafter, to equal the sum of
the Note Margin and the index. The scheduled monthly payment will be
adjusted as and when described in the related Prospectus Supplement to
an amount that would fully amortize the Mortgage Loan over its
remaining term on a level debt service basis; provided that increases
in the scheduled monthly payment may be subject to certain limitations
as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. If an adjustment to
the Mortgage Rate on a Mortgage Loan causes the amount of interest
accrued thereon in any month to exceed the scheduled monthly payment on
such mortgage loan, the resulting amount of interest that has accrued
but is not then payable ("Deferred Interest") will be added to the
principal balance of such Mortgage Loan;
(5) Fixed-rate, graduated payment mortgage loans having
original or modified terms to maturity of not more than approximately
15 years with monthly payments during the first year calculated on the
basis of an assumed interest rate which is a specified percentage below
the Mortgage Rate on such mortgage loan. Such monthly payments increase
at the beginning of the second year by a specified percentage of the
monthly payment during the preceding year and each year thereafter to
the extent necessary to amortize the mortgage loan over the remainder
of its approximately 15-year term. Deferred Interest, if any, will be
added to the principal balance of such mortgage loans;
(6) Fixed-rate, graduated payment mortgage loans having
original or modified terms to maturity of not more than approximately
25 or 30 years with monthly payments during the first year calculated
on the basis of an assumed interest rate which is a specified
percentage below the Mortgage Rate. Such monthly payments increase at
the beginning of the second year by a specified percentage of the
monthly payment during the preceding year and each year thereafter to
the extent necessary to fully amortize the mortgage loan within its
approximately 25- or 30-year term. Deferred Interest, if any, will be
added to the principal balance of such mortgage loan; or
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* The index (the "Index") for a particular Mortgage Pool will be
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement and may include one of
the following indexes: (i) the weekly average yield on U.S. Treasury
securities adjusted to a constant maturity of either six months or one
year, (ii) the weekly auction average investment yield of U.S. Treasury
bills of six months, (iii) the daily Bank Prime Loan rate made
available by the Federal Reserve Board, (iv) the cost of funds of
member institutions for the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco,
(v) the interbank offered rates for U.S. dollar deposits in the London
market, each calculated as of a date prior to each scheduled interest
rate adjustment date which will be specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement or (vi) any other index described in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
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(7) Mortgage loans ("Balloon Loans") having payment terms
similar to those described in one of the preceding paragraphs numbered
(1) through (6), calculated on the basis of an assumed amortization
term, but providing for a payment (a "Balloon Payment") of all
outstanding principal and interest to be made at the end of a specified
term that is shorter than such assumed amortization term.
If provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, certain of the
Mortgage Pools may contain Single Family and Multifamily Loans secured by junior
liens, and the related senior liens ("Senior Liens") may not be included in the
Mortgage Pool. The primary risk to holders of such Mortgage Loans secured by
junior liens is the possibility that adequate funds will not be received in
connection with a foreclosure of the related Senior Liens to satisfy fully both
the Senior Liens and the Mortgage Loan. In the event that a holder of a Senior
Lien forecloses on a Mortgaged Property, the proceeds of the foreclosure or
similar sale will be applied first to the payment of court costs and fees in
connection with the foreclosure, second to real estate taxes, third in
satisfaction of all principal, interest, prepayment or acceleration penalties,
if any, and any other sums due and owing to the holder of the Senior Liens. The
claims of the holders of the Senior Liens will be satisfied in full out of
proceeds of the liquidation of the related Mortgaged Property, if such proceeds
are sufficient, before the Trust Fund as holder of the junior lien receives any
payments in respect of the Mortgage Loan. If the Master Servicer were to
foreclose on any such Mortgage Loan, it would do so subject to any related
Senior Liens. In order for the debt related to the Mortgage Loan to be paid in
full at such sale, a bidder at the foreclosure sale of such Mortgage Loan would
have to bid an amount sufficient to pay off all sums due under the Mortgage Loan
and the Senior Liens or purchase the Mortgaged Property subject to the Senior
Liens. In the event that such proceeds from a foreclosure or similar sale of the
related Mortgaged Property are insufficient to satisfy all Senior Liens and the
Mortgage Loan in the aggregate, the Trust Fund, as the holder of the junior
lien, and, accordingly, holders of one or more classes of the Bonds of the
related series bear (i) the risk of delay in distributions while a deficiency
judgment against the borrower is obtained and (ii) the risk of loss if the
deficiency judgment is not realized upon. Moreover, deficiency judgments may not
be available in certain jurisdictions or the Mortgage Loan may be nonrecourse.
In addition, a junior mortgagee may not foreclose on the property securing a
junior mortgage unless it forecloses subject to the senior mortgages.
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Mortgage Loan
may contain a prohibition on prepayment (the period of such prohibition, a
"Lock-out Period" and its date of expiration, a "Lock-out Expiration Date") or
require payment of a premium or a yield maintenance penalty (a "Prepayment
Penalty").
Certain information, including information regarding loan-to-value
ratios (each, a "Loan-to-Value Ratio") at origination of the Mortgage Loans
underlying each series of Bonds, will be supplied in the related Prospectus
Supplement. In the case of most Mortgage Loans, the "Loan-to-Value Ratio" at
origination is defined generally as the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the
principal amount of the Mortgage Loan at origination (or, if appropriate, at the
time of an appraisal subsequent to origination), plus, in the case of a Mortgage
Loan secured by a junior lien, the outstanding principal balance of the related
Senior Liens, to the Value of the related Mortgaged Property. The "Value" of a
Mortgaged Property securing a Single Family or Multifamily Mortgage Loan will
generally be equal to the lesser of (x) the appraised value determined in an
appraisal obtained at origination of such Mortgage Loan, if any, or, if the
related Mortgaged Property has been appraised subsequent to origination, the
value determined in such subsequent appraisal and (y) the sales price for the
related Mortgaged Property (except in certain circumstances in which there has
been a subsequent appraisal). In the case of certain refinanced, modified or
converted Single Family or Multifamily Loans, the "Value" of the related
Mortgaged Property will generally be equal to the lesser of (x) the appraised
value of the related Mortgaged Property determined at origination or in an
appraisal, if any, obtained at the time of refinancing, modification or
conversion and (y) the sales price of the related Mortgage Property or, if the
Mortgage Loan is not a rate and term
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refinance Mortgage Loan and if the Mortgaged Property was owned for a relatively
short period of time prior to refinancing, modification or conversion, the sum
of the sales price of the related Mortgaged Property plus the added value of any
improvements. Certain Mortgage Loans which are subject to negative amortization
will have Loan-to-Value Ratios which will increase after origination as a result
of such negative amortization. For purposes of calculating the Loan-to-Value
Ratio of a Contract relating to a new Manufactured Home, the "Value" is
generally no greater than the sum of a fixed percentage of the list price of the
unit actually billed by the manufacturer to the dealer (exclusive of freight to
the dealer site), including "accessories" identified in the invoice (the
"Manufacturer's Invoice Price"), plus the actual cost of any accessories
purchased from the dealer, a delivery and set-up allowance, depending on the
size of the unit, and the cost of state and local taxes, filing fees and up to
three years prepaid hazard insurance premiums. With respect to a used
Manufactured Home, the "Value" is generally the least of the sale price, the
appraised value, and the National Automobile Dealer's Association book value
plus prepaid taxes and hazard insurance premiums. The appraised value of a
Manufactured Home is based upon the age and condition of the manufactured
housing unit and the quality and condition of the mobile home park in which it
is situated, if applicable. Manufactured Homes are less likely than other types
of housing to experience appreciation in value and more likely to experience
depreciation in value over time.
The Mortgage Loans may be "equity refinance" Mortgage Loans, as to
which a portion of the proceeds are used to refinance an existing mortgage loan,
and the remaining proceeds may be retained by the Mortgagor or used for purposes
unrelated to the Mortgaged Property. Alternatively, the Mortgage Loans may be
"rate and term refinance" Mortgage Loans, as to which substantially all of the
proceeds (net of related costs incurred by the Mortgagor) are used to refinance
an existing mortgage loan or loans (which may include a junior lien) primarily
in order to change the interest rate or other terms thereof. The Mortgage Loans
may be mortgage loans which have been consolidated and/or have had various terms
changed, mortgage loans which have been converted from adjustable rate mortgage
loans to fixed rate mortgage loans, or construction loans which have been
converted to permanent mortgage loans. In addition, a Mortgaged Property may be
subject to secondary financing at the time of origination of the Mortgage Loan
or thereafter. In addition, certain or all of the Single Family Loans may have
Loan-to- Value Ratios in excess of 80% and as high as 125% and will not be
insured by a Primary Insurance Policy (such Mortgage Loans, "High LTV Loans").
If provided for in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Mortgage Pool
may contain ARM Loans which allow the Mortgagors to convert the adjustable rates
on such Mortgage Loans to a fixed rate at some point during the life of such
Mortgage Loans (each such Mortgage Loan, a "Convertible Mortgage Loan"),
generally not later than six to ten years subsequent to the date of origination,
depending upon the length of the initial adjustment period. If specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement, upon any conversion, the Company, the related
Master Servicer, the applicable Seller or a third party will purchase the
converted Mortgage Loan as and to the extent set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Alternatively, if specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
the Company or the related Master Servicer (or another party specified therein)
may agree to act as remarketing agent with respect to such converted Mortgage
Loans and, in such capacity, to use its best efforts to arrange for the sale of
converted Mortgage Loans under specified conditions. Upon the failure of any
party so obligated to purchase any such converted Mortgage Loan, the inability
of any remarketing agent to arrange for the sale of the converted Mortgage Loan
and the unwillingness of such remarketing agent to exercise any election to
purchase the converted Mortgage Loan for its own account, the related Mortgage
Pool will thereafter include both fixed rate and adjustable rate Mortgage Loans.
If provided for in the related Prospectus Supplement, certain of the
Mortgage Loans may be subject to temporary buydown plans ("Buydown Mortgage
Loans") pursuant to which the monthly payments made by the Mortgagor during the
early years of the Mortgage Loan (the "Buydown Period") will be less than the
scheduled monthly payments on the Mortgage Loan, the resulting difference to be
made up from (i)
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an amount (such amount, exclusive of investment earnings thereon, being
hereinafter referred to as "Buydown Funds") contributed by the seller of the
Mortgaged Property or another source and placed in a custodial account (the
"Buydown Account"), (ii) if the Buydown Funds are contributed on a present value
basis, investment earnings on such Buydown Funds or (iii) additional buydown
funds to be contributed over time by the Mortgagor's employer or another source.
See "Description of the Bonds--Payments on Mortgage Loans; Deposits to
Collection Account." Generally, the Mortgagor under each Buydown Mortgage Loan
will be qualified at the applicable lower monthly payment. Accordingly, the
repayment of a Buydown Mortgage Loan is dependent on the ability of the
Mortgagor to make larger level monthly payments after the Buydown Funds have
been depleted and, for certain Buydown Mortgage Loans, during the Buydown
Period.
The Prospectus Supplement for each series of Bonds will contain
information as to the type of Mortgage Loans that will be included in the
related Mortgage Pool. Each Prospectus Supplement applicable to a series of
Bonds will include certain information, generally as of the Cut-off Date and to
the extent then available to the Company, on an approximate basis, as to (i) the
aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans, (ii) the type of property
securing the Mortgage Loans, (iii) the original or modified terms to maturity of
the Mortgage Loans, (iv) the range of principal balances of the Mortgage Loans
at origination or modification, (v) the earliest origination or modification
date and latest maturity date of the Mortgage Loans, (vi) the Loan-to-Value
Ratios of the Mortgage Loans, (vii) the Mortgage Rate or range of Mortgage Rates
borne by the Mortgage Loans, (viii) if any of the Mortgage Loans are ARM Loans,
the applicable Index, the range of Note Margins and the weighted average Note
Margin, (ix) the geographical distribution of the Mortgage Loans, (x) the number
of Buydown Mortgage Loans, if applicable, and (xi) the percent of ARM Loans
which are convertible to fixed-rate mortgage loans, if applicable. A Current
Report on Form 8-K will be available upon request to holders of the related
series of Bonds and will be filed, together with the related Master Servicing
Agreement, Trust Agreement and Indenture, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission within fifteen days after the initial issuance of such Bonds. In the
event that Mortgage Loans are added to or deleted from the Trust Fund after the
date of the related Prospectus Supplement, such addition or deletion will be
noted in the Current Report on Form 8-K.
The Company will cause the Mortgage Loans constituting each Mortgage
Pool to be assigned, without recourse, to the Indenture Trustee named in the
related Prospectus Supplement, for the benefit of the holders of all of the
Securities of a series (the "Securityholders"). Except to the extent that
servicing of any Mortgage Loan is to be transferred to a Special Servicer, the
Master Servicer named in the related Prospectus Supplement will service the
Mortgage Loans, directly or through other mortgage servicing institutions
("Subservicers"), pursuant to a Servicing Agreement and will receive a fee for
such services. See "Servicing of Mortgage Loans," "Description of the Bonds" and
"The Agreements." With respect to those Mortgage Loans serviced by the Master
Servicer through a Subservicer, the Master Servicer will remain liable for its
servicing obligations under the related Servicing Agreement as if the Master
Servicer alone were servicing such Mortgage Loans. The Master Servicer's
obligations with respect to the Mortgage Loans will consist principally of its
contractual servicing obligations under the related Servicing Agreement
(including its obligation to enforce certain purchase and other obligations of
Subservicers and Sellers, as more fully described herein under
"--Representations by Sellers" below, "Servicing of Mortgage
Loans--Subservicers," and "Description of the Bonds--Assignment of Trust Fund
Assets," and, if and to the extent set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement, its obligation to make certain cash advances in the event of
delinquencies in payments on or with respect to the Mortgage Loans as described
herein under "Description of the Bonds--Advances"). In addition to or in lieu of
the Master Servicer for a series of Bonds, the related Prospectus Supplement may
identify an Administrator for the Trust Fund. The Administrator may be an
affiliate of the Company. All references herein to "Master Servicer" and any
discussions of the servicing and administration functions of the Master Servicer
will also apply to the Administrator to the extent applicable.
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UNDERWRITING STANDARDS
Mortgage Loans to be included in a Mortgage Pool will have been
purchased by the Company, either directly or indirectly from Sellers. Such
Mortgage Loans will generally have been originated in accordance with
underwriting standards acceptable to the Company or alternative underwriting
criteria. The underwriting standards for the Mortgage Loans included in each
Mortgage Pool are described below and in the related Prospectus Supplement.
However, in some cases, particularly those involving Unaffiliated Sellers, the
Company may not be able to establish the underwriting standards used in the
origination of the related Mortgage Loans. In those cases, the related
Prospectus Supplement will include a statement to such effect and will reflect
what, if any, re-underwriting of the related Mortgage Loans was done by the
Company or any of its affiliates.
The underwriting standards to be used in originating the Mortgage Loans
are primarily intended to assess the creditworthiness of the Mortgagor, the
value of the Mortgaged Property and the adequacy of such property as collateral
for the Mortgage Loan.
The primary considerations in underwriting a Single Family Loan or
Contract are the Mortgagor's employment stability and whether the Mortgagor has
sufficient monthly income available (i) to meet the Mortgagor's monthly
obligations on the proposed Mortgage Loan (generally determined on the basis of
the monthly payments due in the year of origination) and other expenses related
to the home (such as property taxes and hazard insurance) and (ii) to meet
monthly housing expenses and other financial obligations and monthly living
expenses. However, the Loan-to-Value Ratio of the Mortgage Loan is another
critical factor. In addition, a Mortgagor's credit history and repayment
ability, as well as the type and use of the Mortgaged Property, are also
considerations.
High LTV Loans are underwritten with an emphasis on the
creditworthiness of the related Mortgagor. Such Mortgage Loans are underwritten
with a limited expectation of recovering any amounts from the foreclosure of the
related Mortgaged Property.
In the case of the Multifamily Loans, lenders typically look to the
Debt Service Coverage Ratio of a loan as an important measure of the risk of
default on such a loan. The "Debt Service Coverage Ratio" of a Multifamily Loan
at any given time is generally equal to the ratio of (i) the Net Operating
Income of the related Mortgaged Property for a twelve-month period to (ii) the
annualized scheduled payments on the Mortgage Loan and on any other loan that is
secured by a lien on the Mortgaged Property prior to the lien of the related
Mortgage. "Net Operating Income" generally means, for any given period, the
total operating revenues derived from a Multifamily Property during such period,
minus the total operating expenses incurred in respect of such property during
such period other than (i) non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization,
(ii) capital expenditures and (iii) debt service on loans (including the related
Mortgage Loan) secured by liens on such property. The Net Operating Income of a
Multifamily Property will fluctuate over time and may or may not be sufficient
to cover debt service on the related Mortgage Loan at any given time. As the
primary source of the operating revenues of a Multifamily Property, rental
income (and maintenance payments from tenant-stockholders of a cooperatively
owned Multifamily Property) may be affected by the condition of the applicable
real estate market and/or area economy. Increases in operating expenses due to
the general economic climate or economic conditions in a locality or industry
segment, such as increases in interest rates, real estate tax rates, energy
costs, labor costs and other operating expenses, and/or to changes in
governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, may also affect the risk of
default on a Multifamily Loan. Lenders also look to the Loan-to-Value Ratio of a
Multifamily Loan as a measure of risk of loss if a property must be liquidated
following a default.
It is expected that each prospective Mortgagor will complete a mortgage
loan application that includes information with respect to the applicant's
liabilities, income, credit history, employment history
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and personal information. One or more credit reports on each applicant from
national credit reporting companies will generally be required. The report
typically contains information relating to such matters as credit history with
local and national merchants and lenders, installment debt payments and any
record of defaults, bankruptcies, repossessions, or judgments. In the case of a
Multifamily Loan, the Mortgagor will also be required to provide certain
information regarding the related Multifamily Property, including a current rent
roll and operating income statements (which may be pro forma and unaudited). In
addition, the originator will generally also consider the location of the
Multifamily Property, the availability of competitive lease space and rental
income of comparable properties in the relevant market area, the overall economy
and demographic features of the geographic area and the Mortgagor's prior
experience in owning and operating properties similar to the Multifamily
Properties.
Mortgaged Properties will generally be appraised by licensed
appraisers. The appraiser will generally address neighborhood conditions, site
and zoning status and condition and valuation of improvements. In the case of
Single Family Properties, the appraisal report will generally include a
reproduction cost analysis (when appropriate) based on the current cost of
constructing a similar home and a market value analysis based on recent sales of
comparable homes in the area. With respect to Multifamily Properties, the
appraisal must specify whether an income analysis, a market analysis or a cost
analysis was used. An appraisal employing the income approach to value analyzes
a property's projected net cash flow, capitalization and other operational
information in determining the property's value. The market approach to value
analyzes the prices paid for the purchase of similar properties in the
property's area, with adjustments made for variations between those other
properties and the property being appraised. The cost approach to value requires
the appraiser to make an estimate of land value and then determine the current
cost of reproducing the improvements less any accrued depreciation. In any case,
the value of the property being financed, as indicated by the appraisal, must be
such that it currently supports, and is anticipated to support in the future,
the outstanding loan balance. All appraisals are usually required to conform to
the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and the Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA") and must be
on forms acceptable to the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and/or
the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Loan-to-Value Ratios will not
necessarily constitute an accurate measure of the risk of liquidation loss in a
pool of Mortgage Loans. For example, the value of a Mortgaged Property as of the
date of initial issuance of the related series of Bonds may be less than the
Value determined at loan origination, and will likely continue to fluctuate from
time to time based upon changes in economic conditions and the real estate
market. Moreover, even when current, an appraisal is not necessarily a reliable
estimate of value for a Multifamily Property. As stated above, appraised values
of Multifamily Properties are generally based on the market analysis, the cost
analysis, the income analysis, or upon a selection from or interpolation of the
values derived from such approaches. Each of these appraisal methods can present
analytical difficulties. It is often difficult to find truly comparable
properties that have recently been sold; the replacement cost of a property may
have little to do with its current market value; and income capitalization is
inherently based on inexact projections of income and expenses and the selection
of an appropriate capitalization rate. Where more than one of these appraisal
methods are used and provide significantly different results, an accurate
determination of value and, correspondingly, a reliable analysis of default and
loss risks, is even more difficult.
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the underwriting
of a Multifamily Loan may also include environmental testing. Under the laws of
certain states, contamination of real property may give rise to a lien on the
property to assure the costs of cleanup. In several states, such a lien has
priority over an existing mortgage lien on such property. In addition, under the
laws of some states and under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), a lender may be liable, as an
"owner" or "operator", for costs of addressing releases or threatened releases
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of hazardous substances at a property, if agents or employees of the lender have
become sufficiently involved in the operations of the borrower, regardless of
whether or not the environmental damage or threat was caused by the borrower or
a prior owner. A lender also risks such liability on foreclosure of the
mortgage. See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans--Environmental
Legislation".
With respect to any FHA Loan the Mortgage Loan Seller will be required
to represent that it has complied with the applicable underwriting policies of
the FHA. See "Description of Primary Insurance Policies--FHA Insurance".
To the extent relevant and available, the related Prospectus Supplement
will include delinquency and foreclosure experience for the applicable
Seller(s).
QUALIFICATIONS OF ORIGINATORS AND SELLERS
Each Mortgage Loan will be originated, directly or through mortgage
brokers and correspondents, by a savings and loan association, savings bank,
commercial bank, credit union, insurance company, or similar institution which
is supervised and examined by a federal or state authority, or by a mortgagee
approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to sections
203 and 211 of the National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (the "Housing Act").
Except with respect to Designated Seller Transactions, each Seller must satisfy
certain criteria as to financial stability evaluated on a case-by-case basis by
the Company.
REPRESENTATIONS BY SELLERS
Each Seller will generally have made representations and warranties in
respect of the Mortgage Loans sold by such Seller and evidenced by a series of
Bonds. In the case of Mortgage Loans, such representations and warranties will
generally include, among other things, that as to each such Mortgage Loan: (i)
any required hazard and primary mortgage insurance policies were effective at
the origination of such Mortgage Loan, and each such policy remained in effect
on the date of purchase of such Mortgage Loan from the Seller by or on behalf of
the Company; (ii) with respect to each Mortgage Loan other than a Contract,
either (A) a title insurance policy insuring (subject only to permissible title
insurance exceptions) the lien status of the Mortgage was effective at the
origination of such Mortgage Loan and such policy remained in effect on the date
of purchase of the Mortgage Loan from the Seller by or on behalf of the Company
or (B) if the Mortgaged Property securing such Mortgage Loan is located in an
area where such policies are generally not available, there is in the related
mortgage file an attorney's certificate of title indicating (subject to such
permissible exceptions set forth therein) the first lien status of the mortgage;
(iii) the Seller has good title to such Mortgage Loan and such Mortgage Loan was
subject to no offsets, defenses or counterclaims except as may be provided under
the Relief Act and except to the extent that any buydown agreement exists for a
Buydown Mortgage Loan; (iv) there are no mechanics' liens or claims for work,
labor or material affecting the related Mortgaged Property which are, or may be
a lien prior to, or equal with, the lien of the related Mortgage (subject only
to permissible title insurance exceptions); (v) the related Mortgaged Property
is free from damage and in good repair; (vi) there are no delinquent tax or
assessment liens against the related Mortgaged Property; (vii) such Mortgage
Loan is not more than 60 days' delinquent as to any scheduled payment of
principal and/or interest; (viii) if a Primary Insurance Policy is required with
respect to such Mortgage Loan, such Mortgage Loan is the subject of such a
policy; and (ix) such Mortgage Loan was made in compliance with, and is
enforceable under, all applicable local, state and federal laws in all material
respects. In the event of a breach of a Seller's representation or warranty that
materially adversely affects the interests of the Securityholders in a Mortgage
Loan, the related Seller will be obligated to cure the breach or repurchase or,
if permitted, replace such Mortgage Loan as described below. However, there can
be no assurance that a Seller will honor its obligation to
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repurchase or, if permitted, replace any Mortgage Loan as to which such a breach
of a representation or warranty arises.
All of the representations and warranties of a Seller in respect of a
Mortgage Loan will have been made as of the date on which such Mortgage Loan was
purchased from the Seller by or on behalf of the Company; the date as of which
such representations and warranties were made will be a date prior to the date
of initial issuance of the related series of Bonds or, in the case of a
Designated Seller Transaction, will be the date of closing of the related sale
by the applicable Seller. A substantial period of time may have elapsed between
the date as of which the representations and warranties were made and the later
date of initial issuance of the related series of Bonds. Accordingly, the
Seller's purchase obligation (or, if specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, limited replacement option) described below will not arise if,
during the period commencing on the date of sale of a Mortgage Loan by the
Seller, an event occurs that would have given rise to such an obligation had the
event occurred prior to sale of the affected Mortgage Loan. The only
representations and warranties to be made for the benefit of holders of Bonds in
respect of any related Mortgage Loan relating to the period commencing on the
date of sale of such Mortgage Loan by the Seller to or on behalf of the Company
will be certain limited representations of the Company and the Master Servicer
described under "Description of the Bonds--Assignment of Trust Fund Assets"
below.
The Company will assign to the Indenture Trustee for the benefit of the
holders of the related series of Securities all of its right, title and interest
in each agreement by which it purchased a Mortgage Loan from a Seller insofar as
such agreement relates to the representations and warranties made by such Seller
in respect of such Mortgage Loan and any remedies provided for with respect to
any breach of such representations and warranties. If a Seller cannot cure a
breach of any representation or warranty made by it in respect of a Mortgage
Loan which materially and adversely affects the interests of the Securityholders
therein within a specified period after having discovered or received notice of
such breach, then such Seller may be obligated to purchase such Mortgage Loan at
a price (the "Purchase Price") set forth in the related Servicing Agreement
which Purchase Price will generally be equal to the principal balance thereof as
of the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest through or about the
date of purchase at the related Mortgage Rate (net of any portion of such
interest payable to such Seller in respect of master servicing compensation,
special servicing compensation or subservicing compensation, as applicable, and
the Spread, if any).
As to any Mortgage Loan required to be purchased by an Affiliated
Seller as provided above, rather than repurchase the Mortgage Loan, the Seller
may be entitled, at its sole option, to remove such Mortgage Loan (a "Deleted
Mortgage Loan") from the Trust Fund and substitute in its place another Mortgage
Loan of like kind (a "Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loan"). Except as otherwise
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, any Qualified Substitute Mortgage
Loan generally will, on the date of substitution, (i) have an outstanding
principal balance, after deduction of the principal portion of the monthly
payment due in the month of substitution, not in excess of the outstanding
principal balance of the Deleted Mortgage Loan (the amount of any shortfall to
be deposited in the Collection Account by the Master Servicer in the month of
substitution for distribution to the Bondholders), (ii) have a Mortgage Rate and
a Net Mortgage Rate not less than (and not more than one percentage point
greater than) the Mortgage Rate and Net Mortgage Rate, respectively, of the
Deleted Mortgage Loan as of the date of substitution, (iii) have a Loan-to-Value
Ratio at the time of substitution no higher than that of the Deleted Mortgage
Loan at the time of substitution, (iv) have a remaining term to maturity not
greater than (and not more than one year less than) that of the Deleted Mortgage
Loan, (v) comply with all of the representations and warranties made by such
Affiliated Seller as of the date of substitution, and (vi) except in the case of
High LTV Loans, be covered under a primary insurance policy if such Mortgage
Loan has a Loan-to-Value Ratio greater than 80%. The related purchase agreement
may include additional requirements relating to ARM Loans or other specific
types of Mortgage Loans, or additional provisions relating to meeting the
foregoing requirements on an aggregate basis where a number of substitutions
occur contemporaneously.
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An Unaffiliated Seller will generally have no option to substitute for a
Mortgage Loan that it is obligated to repurchase in connection with a breach of
a representation and warranty.
The Master Servicer will be required under the applicable Servicing
Agreement to use reasonable efforts to enforce this purchase or substitution
obligation for the benefit of the Indenture Trustee and the Securityholders,
following such practices it would employ in its good faith business judgment and
which are normal and usual in its general mortgage servicing activities;
provided, however, that this purchase or substitution obligation will not become
an obligation of the Master Servicer in the event the applicable Seller fails to
honor such obligation. In instances where a Seller is unable, or disputes its
obligation, to purchase affected Mortgage Loans, the Master Servicer, employing
the standards set forth in the preceding sentence, may negotiate and enter into
one or more settlement agreements with such Seller that could provide for, among
other things, the purchase of only a portion of the affected Mortgage Loans. Any
such settlement could lead to losses on the Mortgage Loans which would be borne
by the related Securities. In accordance with the above described practices, the
Master Servicer will not be required to enforce any purchase obligation of a
Seller arising from any misrepresentation by the Seller, if the Master Servicer
determines in the reasonable exercise of its business judgment that the matters
related to such misrepresentation did not directly cause or are not likely to
directly cause a loss on the related Mortgage Loan. If the Seller fails to
repurchase and no breach of any other party's representations has occurred, the
Seller's purchase obligation will not become an obligation of the Company or any
other party. In the case of a Designated Seller Transaction where the Seller
fails to repurchase a Mortgage Loan and neither the Company nor any other entity
has assumed the representations and warranties, such repurchase obligation of
the Seller will not become an obligation of the Company or any other party. The
foregoing obligations will constitute the sole remedies available to
Securityholders or the Indenture Trustee for a breach of any representation by a
Seller or for any other event giving rise to such obligations as described
above.
Neither the Company nor the Master Servicer will be obligated to
purchase a Mortgage Loan if a Seller defaults on its obligation to do so, and no
assurance can be given that the Sellers will carry out such purchase
obligations. Such a default by a Seller is not a default by the Company or by
the Master Servicer. However, to the extent that a breach of the representations
and warranties of a Seller also constitutes a breach of a representation made by
the Company or the Master Servicer, as described below under "Description of the
Bonds--Assignment of Trust Fund Assets," the Company or the Master Servicer may
have a purchase or substitution obligation. Any Mortgage Loan not so purchased
or substituted for shall remain in the related Trust Fund and any losses related
thereto shall be allocated to the related credit enhancement, to the extent
available, and otherwise to one or more classes of the related series of Bonds.
If a person other than a Seller makes the representations and
warranties referred to in the first paragraph of this "--Representations by
Sellers" section, or a person other than a Seller is responsible for
repurchasing or replacing any Mortgage Loan in connection with a breach of such
representations and warranties, the identity of such person will be specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement.
SERVICING OF MORTGAGE LOANS
GENERAL
The Mortgage Loans included in each Mortgage Pool will be serviced and
administered pursuant to a Servicing Agreement. A form of Servicing Agreement
has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part. However, the provisions of each Servicing Agreement will
vary depending upon the nature of the related Mortgage Pool. The following
summaries describe certain servicing-related provisions that may appear in a
Servicing Agreement for a Mortgage Pool that includes Mortgage Loans. The
related Prospectus Supplement will describe any servicing-related provision of
such
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a Servicing Agreement that materially differs from the description thereof
contained in this Prospectus. The summaries herein do not purport to be complete
and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of
the provisions of the related Servicing Agreement and the description of such
provisions in the related Prospectus Supplement.
THE MASTER SERVICER
The master servicer (the "Master Servicer"), if any, for a series of
Bonds will be named in the related Prospectus Supplement and may be an affiliate
of the Company. The Master Servicer is required to maintain a fidelity bond and
errors and omissions policy with respect to its officers and employees and other
persons acting on behalf of the Master Servicer in connection with its
activities under a Servicing Agreement.
COLLECTION AND OTHER SERVICING PROCEDURES; MORTGAGE LOAN MODIFICATIONS
The Master Servicer for any Mortgage Pool, directly or through
Subservicers, will be obligated under the Servicing Agreement to service and
administer the Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Pool for the benefit of the
related Securityholders, in accordance with applicable law and the terms of such
Servicing Agreement, such Mortgage Loans and any instrument of credit
enhancement included in the related Trust Fund, and, to the extent consistent
with the foregoing, in the same manner as would prudent institutional mortgage
lenders servicing comparable mortgage loans for their own account in the
jurisdictions where the related Mortgaged Properties are located. Subject to the
foregoing, the Master Servicer will have full power and authority to do any and
all things in connection with such servicing and administration that it may deem
necessary and desirable.
As part of its servicing duties, a Master Servicer will be required to
make reasonable efforts to collect all payments called for under the terms and
provisions of the Mortgage Loans that it services and will be obligated to
follow such collection procedures as it would follow with respect to mortgage
loans that are comparable to such Mortgage Loans and held for its own account,
provided such procedures are consistent with the terms of the related Servicing
Agreement, including the servicing standard specified therein and generally
described in the preceding paragraph (as such may be more particularly described
in the related Prospectus Supplement, the "Servicing Standard"), and do not
impair recovery under any instrument of credit enhancement included in the
related Trust Fund. Consistent with the foregoing, the Master Servicer will be
permitted, in its discretion, to waive any Prepayment Premium, late payment
charge or other charge in connection with any Mortgage Loan.
Under a Servicing Agreement, a Master Servicer will be granted certain
discretion to extend relief to Mortgagors whose payments become delinquent. In
the case of Single Family Loans and Contracts, a Master Servicer may, among
other things, grant a period of temporary indulgence (generally up to four
months) to a Mortgagor or may enter into a liquidating plan providing for
repayment by such Mortgagor of delinquent amounts within a specified period
(generally up to one year) from the date of execution of the plan. However, the
Master Servicer must first determine that any such waiver or extension will not
impair the coverage of any related insurance policy or materially adversely
affect the security for such Mortgage Loan. In addition, if a material default
occurs or a payment default is reasonably foreseeable with respect to a
Multifamily Loan, the Master Servicer will be permitted, subject to any specific
limitations set forth in the related Servicing Agreement and described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, to modify, waive or amend any term of such
Mortgage Loan, including deferring payments, extending the stated maturity date
or otherwise adjusting the payment schedule, provided that such modification,
waiver or amendment (i) is reasonably likely to produce a greater recovery with
respect to such Mortgage Loan on a present value basis than would liquidation
and (ii) will not adversely affect the coverage under any applicable instrument
of credit enhancement.
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In the case of Multifamily Loans, a Mortgagor's failure to make
required Mortgage Loan payments may mean that operating income is insufficient
to service the mortgage debt, or may reflect the diversion of that income from
the servicing of the mortgage debt. In addition, a Mortgagor under a Multifamily
Loan that is unable to make Mortgage Loan payments may also be unable to make
timely payment of taxes and otherwise to maintain and insure the related
Mortgaged Property. In general, the related Master Servicer will be required to
monitor any Multifamily Loan that is in default, evaluate whether the causes of
the default can be corrected over a reasonable period without significant
impairment of the value of the related Mortgaged Property, initiate corrective
action in cooperation with the Mortgagor if cure is likely, inspect the related
Mortgaged Property and take such other actions as are consistent with the
Servicing Standard. A significant period of time may elapse before the Master
Servicer is able to assess the success of any such corrective action or the need
for additional initiatives. The time within which the Master Servicer can make
the initial determination of appropriate action, evaluate the success of
corrective action, develop additional initiatives, institute foreclosure
proceedings and actually foreclose (or accept a deed to a Mortgaged Property in
lieu of foreclosure) on behalf of the Securityholders of the related series may
vary considerably depending on the particular Multifamily Loan, the Mortgaged
Property, the Mortgagor, the presence of an acceptable party to assume the
Multifamily Loan and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the Mortgaged
Property is located. If a Mortgagor files a bankruptcy petition, the Master
Servicer may not be permitted to accelerate the maturity of the related
Multifamily Loan or to foreclose on the Mortgaged Property for a considerable
period of time. See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans."
Certain of the Mortgage Loans in a Mortgage Pool may contain a
due-on-sale clause that entitles the lender to accelerate payment of the
Mortgage Loan upon any sale or other transfer of the related Mortgaged Property
made without the lender's consent. Certain of the Multifamily Loans in a
Mortgage Pool may also contain a due-on-encumbrance clause that entitles the
lender to accelerate the maturity of the Mortgage Loan upon the creation of any
other lien or encumbrance upon the Mortgaged Property. In any case in which
property subject to a Single Family Loan or Contract is being conveyed by the
Mortgagor, unless the related Prospectus Supplement provides otherwise, the
Master Servicer will in general be obligated, to the extent it has knowledge of
such conveyance, to exercise its rights to accelerate the maturity of such
Mortgage Loan under any due-on-sale clause applicable thereto, but only if the
exercise of such rights is permitted by applicable law and only to the extent it
would not adversely affect or jeopardize coverage under any Primary Insurance
Policy or applicable credit enhancement arrangements. If the Master Servicer is
prevented from enforcing such due-on-sale clause under applicable law or if the
Master Servicer determines that it is reasonably likely that a legal action
would be instituted by the related Mortgagor to avoid enforcement of such
due-on-sale clause, the Master Servicer will enter into an assumption and
modification agreement with the person to whom such property has been or is
about to be conveyed, pursuant to which such person becomes liable under the
Mortgage Loan subject to certain specified conditions. The original Mortgagor
may be released from liability on a Single Family Loan or Contract if the Master
Servicer shall have determined in good faith that such release will not
adversely affect the collectability of the Mortgage Loan. The Master Servicer
will determine whether to exercise any right the Owner Trustee may have under
any due-on-sale or due-on-encumbrance provision in a Multifamily Loan in a
manner consistent with the Servicing Standard. The Master Servicer will
generally be entitled to retain as additional servicing compensation any fee
collected in connection with the permitted transfer of a Mortgaged Property. See
"Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans--Enforceability of Certain Provisions."
FHA Loans contain no such clause and may be assumed by the purchaser of the
mortgaged property.
Mortgagors may, from time to time, request partial releases of the
Mortgaged Properties, easements, consents to alteration or demolition and other
similar matters. The Master Servicer may approve such a request if it has
determined, exercising its good faith business judgment in the same manner as it
would if it were the owner of the related Mortgage Loan, that such approval will
not adversely affect the security for, or the timely and full collectability of,
the related Mortgage Loan. Any fee collected by
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the Master Servicer for processing such request will be retained by the Master
Servicer as additional servicing compensation.
In the case of Single Family and Multifamily Loans secured by junior
liens on the related Mortgaged Properties, the Master Servicer will be required
to file (or cause to be filed) of record a request for notice of any action by a
superior lienholder under the Senior Lien for the protection of the related
Indenture Trustee's interest, where permitted by local law and whenever
applicable state law does not require that a junior lienholder be named as a
party defendant in foreclosure proceedings in order to foreclose such junior
lienholder's equity of redemption. The Master Servicer also will be required to
notify any superior lienholder in writing of the existence of the Mortgage Loan
and request notification of any action (as described below) to be taken against
the Mortgagor or the Mortgaged Property by the superior lienholder. If the
Master Servicer is notified that any superior lienholder has accelerated or
intends to accelerate the obligations secured by the related Senior Lien, or has
declared or intends to declare a default under the mortgage or the promissory
note secured thereby, or has filed or intends to file an election to have the
related Mortgaged Property sold or foreclosed, then the Master Servicer will be
required to take, on behalf of the related Trust Fund, whatever actions are
necessary to protect the interests of the related Securityholders, and/or to
preserve the security of the related Mortgage Loan. The Master Servicer will
generally be required to advance the necessary funds to cure the default or
reinstate the superior lien, if such advance is in the best interests of the
related Securityholders and the Master Servicer determines such advances are
recoverable out of payments on or proceeds of the related Mortgage Loan.
The Master Servicer for any Mortgage Pool will also be required to
perform other customary functions of a servicer of comparable loans, including
maintaining escrow or impound accounts for payment of taxes, insurance premiums
and similar items, or otherwise monitoring the timely payment of those items;
adjusting Mortgage Rates on ARM Loans; maintaining Buydown Accounts; supervising
foreclosures and similar proceedings; managing Mortgage Properties acquired
through or in lieu of foreclosure (each, an "REO Property"); and maintaining
servicing records relating to the Mortgage Loans in such Mortgage Pool. The
Master Servicer will generally be responsible for filing and settling claims in
respect of particular Mortgage Loans under any applicable instrument of credit
enhancement. See "Description of Credit Enhancement."
SUBSERVICERS
A Master Servicer may delegate its servicing obligations in respect of
the Mortgage Loans serviced by it to one or more third-party servicers (each, a
"Subservicer"), but the Master Servicer will remain liable for such obligations
under the related Servicing Agreement. The Master Servicer will be solely liable
for all fees owed by it to any Subservicer, irrespective of whether the Master
Servicer's compensation pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement is
sufficient to pay such fees. Each Subservicer will be entitled to reimbursement
for certain expenditures which it makes, generally to the same extent as would
the Master Servicer for making the same expenditures. See "--Servicing and Other
Compensation and Payment of Expenses; Spread" below and "Description of the
Bonds--The Collection Account."
SPECIAL SERVICERS
If and to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a
special servicer (a "Special Servicer") may be a party to the related Servicing
Agreement or may be appointed by the Master Servicer or another specified party
to perform certain specified duties in respect of servicing the related Mortgage
Loans that would otherwise be performed by the Master Servicer (for example, the
workout and/or foreclosure of defaulted Mortgage Loans). The rights and
obligations of any Special Servicer will be specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, and the Master Servicer will be liable for the performance of a
Special Servicer only if, and to the extent, set forth in such Prospectus
Supplement.
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REALIZATION UPON OR SALE OF DEFAULTED MORTGAGE LOANS
Except as described below or in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Master Servicer will be required, in a manner consistent with the Servicing
Standard, to foreclose upon or otherwise comparably convert the ownership of
properties securing such of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool as
come into and continue in default and as to which no satisfactory arrangements
can be made for collection of delinquent payments. In connection therewith, the
Master Servicer will be authorized to institute foreclosure proceedings,
exercise any power of sale contained in the related Mortgage, obtain a deed in
lieu of foreclosure, or otherwise acquire title to the related Mortgaged
Property, by operation of law or otherwise, if such action is consistent with
the Servicing Standard. The Master Servicer's actions in this regard must be
conducted, however, in a manner that will permit recovery under any instrument
of credit enhancement included in the related Trust Fund. In addition, the
Master Servicer will not be required to expend its own funds in connection with
any foreclosure or to restore any damaged property unless it shall determine
that (i) such foreclosure and/or restoration will increase the proceeds of
liquidation of the Mortgage Loan to the related Securityholders after
reimbursement to itself for such expenses and (ii) such expenses will be
recoverable to it from related Insurance Proceeds, Liquidation Proceeds or
amounts drawn out of any fund or under any instrument constituting credit
enhancement (respecting which it shall have priority for purposes of withdrawal
from the Collection Account in accordance with the Servicing Agreement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Master Servicer may not acquire
title to any Multifamily Property securing a Mortgage Loan or take any other
action that would cause the related Indenture Trustee, for the benefit of
Securityholders of the related series, or any other specified person to be
considered to hold title to, to be a "mortgagee-in-possession" of, or to be an
"owner" or an "operator" of such Mortgaged Property within the meaning of
certain federal environmental laws, unless the Master Servicer has previously
determined, based on a report prepared by a person who regularly conducts
environmental audits (which report will be an expense of the Trust Fund), that
either:
(i) the Mortgaged Property is in compliance with applicable
environmental laws and regulations or, if not, that taking such actions
as are necessary to bring the Mortgaged Property into compliance
therewith is reasonably likely to produce a greater recovery on a
present value basis than not taking such actions; and
(ii) there are no circumstances or conditions present at the
Mortgaged Property that have resulted in any contamination for which
investigation, testing, monitoring, containment, clean-up or
remediation could be required under any applicable environmental laws
and regulations or, if such circumstances or conditions are present for
which any such action could be required, taking such actions with
respect to the Mortgaged Property is reasonably likely to produce a
greater recovery on a present value basis than not taking such actions.
See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage Loans--Environmental
Legislation."
In addition, the Master Servicer will not be obligated to foreclose
upon or otherwise convert the ownership of any Single Family Property securing a
Mortgage Loan if it has received notice or has actual knowledge that such
property may be contaminated with or affected by hazardous wastes or hazardous
substances; however, no environmental testing will generally be required. The
Master Servicer will not be liable to the Bondholders of the related series if,
based on its belief that no such contamination or effect exists, the Master
Servicer forecloses on a Mortgaged Property and takes title to such Mortgaged
Property, and thereafter such Mortgaged Property is determined to be so
contaminated or affected.
With respect to a Mortgage Loan in default, the Master Servicer may
pursue foreclosure (or similar remedies) concurrently with pursuing any remedy
for a breach of a representation and warranty. However,
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the Master Servicer is not required to continue to pursue both such remedies if
it determines that one such remedy is more likely to result in a greater
recovery. Upon the first to occur of final liquidation (by foreclosure or
otherwise) and a repurchase or substitution pursuant to a breach of a
representation and warranty, such Mortgage Loan will be removed from the related
Trust Fund if it has not been removed previously. The Master Servicer may elect
to treat a defaulted Mortgage Loan as having been finally liquidated if
substantially all amounts expected to be received in connection therewith have
been received. Any additional liquidation expenses relating to such Mortgage
Loan thereafter incurred will be reimbursable to the Master Servicer (or any
Subservicer) from any amounts otherwise distributable to holders of Securities
of the related series, or may be offset by any subsequent recovery related to
such Mortgage Loan. Alternatively, for purposes of determining the amount of
related Liquidation Proceeds to be distributed to Securityholders, the amount of
any Realized Loss or the amount required to be drawn under any applicable form
of credit support, the Master Servicer may take into account minimal amounts of
additional receipts expected to be received, as well as estimated additional
liquidation expenses expected to be incurred in connection with such defaulted
Mortgage Loan. With respect to certain series of Bonds, if so provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, the applicable form of credit enhancement may
provide, to the extent of coverage thereunder, that a defaulted Mortgage Loan
will be removed from the Trust Fund prior to the final liquidation thereof. In
addition, a Servicing Agreement may grant to the Master Servicer, a Special
Servicer, a provider of credit enhancement and/or the holder or holders of
certain classes of Securities of the related series a right of first refusal to
purchase from the Trust Fund, at a predetermined purchase price (which, if
insufficient to fully fund the entitlements of Bondholders to principal and
interest thereon, will be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement), any
Mortgage Loan as to which a specified number of scheduled payments are
delinquent. Furthermore, a Servicing Agreement may authorize the Master Servicer
to sell any defaulted Mortgage Loan if and when the Master Servicer determines,
consistent with the Servicing Standard, that such a sale would produce a greater
recovery to Securityholders on a present value basis than would liquidation of
the related Mortgaged Property.
In the event that title to any Mortgaged Property is acquired in
foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise, the deed or certificate
of sale will be issued to the Indenture Trustee or to its nominee on behalf of
Securityholders of the related series. Notwithstanding any such acquisition of
title and cancellation of the related Mortgage Loan, such Mortgage Loan (an "REO
Mortgage Loan") will be considered for most purposes to be an outstanding
Mortgage Loan held in the Trust Fund until such time as the Mortgaged Property
is sold and all recoverable Liquidation Proceeds and Insurance Proceeds have
been received with respect to such defaulted Mortgage Loan (a "Liquidated
Mortgage Loan"). For purposes of calculations of amounts distributable to
Securityholders in respect of an REO Mortgage Loan, the amortization schedule in
effect at the time of any such acquisition of title (before any adjustment
thereto by reason of any bankruptcy or any similar proceeding or any moratorium
or similar waiver or grace period) will be deemed to have continued in effect
(and, in the case of an ARM Loan, such amortization schedule will be deemed to
have adjusted in accordance with any interest rate changes occurring on any
adjustment date therefor) so long as such REO Mortgage Loan is considered to
remain in the Trust Fund.
If Liquidation Proceeds collected with respect to a defaulted Mortgage
Loan are less than the outstanding principal balance of the defaulted Mortgage
Loan plus interest accrued thereon plus the aggregate amount of reimbursable
expenses incurred by the Master Servicer with respect to such Mortgage Loan, and
the shortfall is not covered under any applicable instrument or fund
constituting credit enhancement, the Trust Fund will realize a loss in the
amount of such difference. The Master Servicer will be entitled to reimburse
itself from the Liquidation Proceeds recovered on any defaulted Mortgage Loan,
prior to the distribution of such Liquidation Proceeds to Securityholders,
amounts that represent unpaid servicing compensation in respect of the Mortgage
Loan, unreimbursed servicing expenses incurred with respect to the Mortgage Loan
and any unreimbursed advances of delinquent payments made with respect
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to the Mortgage Loan. If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
applicable form of credit enhancement may provide for reinstatement subject to
certain conditions in the event that, following the final liquidation of a
Mortgage Loan and a draw under such credit enhancement, subsequent recoveries
are received. If a gain results from the final liquidation of a defaulted
Mortgage Loan or an REO Mortgage Loan which is not required by law to be
remitted to the related Mortgagor, the Master Servicer will not be entitled to
retain such gain as additional servicing compensation unless the related
Prospectus Supplement provides otherwise. For a description of the Master
Servicer's (or other specified person's) obligations to maintain and make claims
under applicable forms of credit enhancement and insurance relating to the
Mortgage Loans, see "Description of Credit Enhancement" and "Primary Mortgage
Insurance, Hazard Insurance; Claims Thereunder."
SERVICING AND OTHER COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES; SPREAD
The principal servicing compensation to be paid to the Master Servicer
in respect of its master servicing activities for a series of Bonds will be
equal to the percentage per annum described in the related Prospectus Supplement
(which may vary under certain circumstances) of the outstanding principal
balance of each Mortgage Loan, and such compensation will be retained by it on a
monthly or other periodic basis from collections of interest on such Mortgage
Loan in the related Trust Fund at the time such collections are deposited into
the applicable Collection Account. This portion of the servicing fee will be
calculated with respect to each Mortgage Loan by multiplying such fee by the
principal balance of such Mortgage Loan. In addition, the Master Servicer will
not retain any Prepayment Premiums, assumption fees and late payment charges, to
the extent collected from Mortgagors, and any benefit which may accrue as a
result of the investment of funds in the applicable Collection Account. Any
additional servicing compensation will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. Any Subservicer will receive a portion of the Master Servicer's
compensation as its sub-servicing compensation.
In addition to amounts payable to any Subservicer, the Master Servicer
will pay or cause to be paid certain ongoing expenses associated with each Trust
Fund and incurred by it in connection with its responsibilities under the
Servicing Agreement, including, if so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, payment of any fee or other amount payable in respect of any
alternative credit enhancement arrangements, payment of the fees and
disbursements of the Owner Trustee and the Indenture Trustee, any custodian
appointed by the Owner Trustee and the Bond Registrar, and payment of expenses
incurred in enforcing the obligations of Subservicers and Sellers. The Master
Servicer will be entitled to reimbursement of expenses incurred in enforcing the
obligations of Subservicers and Sellers under certain limited circumstances. In
addition, the Master Servicer will be entitled to reimbursements for certain
expenses incurred by it in connection with Liquidated Mortgage Loans and in
connection with the restoration of Mortgaged Properties, such right of
reimbursement being prior to the rights of Securityholders to receive any
related Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds. If and to the extent so
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Master Servicer will be
entitled to receive interest on amounts advanced to cover such reimbursable
expenses for the period that such advances are outstanding at the rate specified
in such Prospectus Supplement, and the Master Servicer will be entitled to
payment of such interest periodically from general collections on the Mortgage
Loans in the related Trust Fund prior to any payment to Securityholders or as
otherwise provided in the related Servicing Agreement and described in such
Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement for a series of Bonds will specify whether
there will be any Spread retained. Any such Spread will be a specified portion
of the interest payable on each Mortgage Loan in a Mortgage Pool and will not be
part of the related Trust Fund. Any such Spread will be established on a
loan-by-loan basis and the amount thereof with respect to each Mortgage Loan in
a Mortgage Pool will be specified on an exhibit to the related Servicing
Agreement. Any partial recovery of interest in respect of a Mortgage Loan will
be allocated between the owners of any Spread and the holders of classes of
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Securities entitled to payments of interest as provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement and the applicable Servicing Agreement.
If and to the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
Master Servicer may be required to apply a portion of the servicing compensation
otherwise payable to it in respect of any period to any Prepayment Interest
Shortfalls resulting from Mortgagor prepayments during such period. See "Yield
Considerations."
EVIDENCE AS TO COMPLIANCE
Each Servicing Agreement will provide that on or before a specified
date in each year, beginning the first such date that is at least a specified
number of months after the Cut-off Date, a firm of independent public
accountants will furnish a statement to the Company and the Indenture Trustee to
the effect that, on the basis of an examination by such firm conducted
substantially in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for
Mortgage Bankers or the Audit Program for Mortgages serviced for FHLMC, the
servicing of mortgage loans under agreements (including the related Servicing
Agreement) substantially similar to each other was conducted in compliance with
such agreements except for such significant exceptions or errors in records
that, in the opinion of the firm, the Uniform Single Attestation Program for
Mortgage Bankers or the Audit Program for Mortgages serviced for FHLMC requires
it to report. In rendering its statement such firm may rely, as to the matters
relating to the direct servicing of mortgage loans by Subservicers, upon
comparable statements for examinations conducted substantially in compliance
with the Uniform Single Attestation Program for Mortgage Bankers or the Audit
Program for Mortgages serviced for FHLMC (rendered within one year of such
statement) of firms of independent public accountants with respect to those
Subservicers which also have been the subject of such an examination.
Each Servicing Agreement will also provide for delivery to the
Indenture Trustee, on or before a specified date in each year, of an annual
statement signed by one or more officers of the Master Servicer to the effect
that, to the best knowledge of each such officer, the Master Servicer has
fulfilled in all material respects its obligations under the Servicing Agreement
throughout the preceding year or, if there has been a material default in the
fulfillment of any such obligation, such statement shall specify each such known
default and the nature and status thereof. Such statement may be provided as a
single form making the required statements as to more than one Servicing
Agreement.
Copies of the annual accountants' statement and the annual statement of
officers of a Master Servicer may be obtained by Bondholders without charge upon
written request to the Master Servicer or the Indenture Trustee.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
GENERAL
The Bonds will be issued in series. Each series of Bonds (or, in
certain instances, two or more series of Bonds) will be issued pursuant to an
Indenture between the Company and the Indenture Trustee, similar to the form
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. Each Indenture, Trust Agreement and Servicing Agreement will be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form
8-K. The following summaries (together with additional summaries under "The
Agreements" below) describe certain provisions relating to the Bonds common to
each of the Agreements. The summaries do not purport to be complete and are
subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the
provisions of the Agreements for each Trust Fund and the related Prospectus
Supplement. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the Agreements
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are referred to herein, such sections or defined terms are thereby incorporated
herein by reference.
Bonds of each series covered by a particular Indenture will evidence
indebtedness of the related Issuer secured by a separate Trust Fund. A Trust
Fund will consist of, to the extent provided in the Indenture: (i) such Mortgage
Loans (and the related mortgage documents) or interests therein underlying a
particular series of Bonds as from time to time are subject to the Indenture,
exclusive of, if specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, any Spread or
other interest retained by the Company or any of its affiliates with respect to
each such Mortgage Loan; (ii) such assets including, without limitation, all
payments and collections in respect of the Mortgage Loans due after the related
Cut-off Date, as from time to time are identified as deposited in respect
thereof in the related Collection Account as described below; (iii) any property
acquired in respect of Mortgage Loans in the Trust Fund, whether through
foreclosure of such Mortgage Loans or by deed in lieu of foreclosure or
otherwise; (iv) hazard insurance policies, Primary Insurance Policies and FHA
insurance policies, if any, maintained in respect of Mortgage Loans in the Trust
Fund and certain proceeds of such policies; (v) certain rights of the Company
under any Mortgage Loan Purchase Agreement, including in respect of any
representations and warranties therein; and (vi) any combination, as and to the
extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, of a Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy, Letter of Credit, Purchase Obligation, Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy, Special Hazard Insurance Policy or Bankruptcy Bond as described under
"Description of Credit Enhancement." To the extent that any Trust Fund includes
certificates of interest or participations in Mortgage Loans, the related
Prospectus Supplement will describe the material terms and conditions of such
certificates or participations.
Each series of Bonds may consist of any one or a combination of the
following: (i) a single class of Bonds; (ii) two or more classes of Bonds, one
or more classes of which will be senior ("Senior Bonds") in right of payment to
one or more of the other classes of Bonds, if any (collectively, the
"Subordinate Bonds"), and as to which certain classes of Bonds may be senior to
other classes of Senior Bonds or Subordinate Bonds, as described in the
respective Prospectus Supplement (any such series, a "Senior/Subordinate
Series"); (iii) two or more classes of Bonds, one or more classes ("Strip
Bonds") of which will be entitled to (a) principal distributions, with
disproportionate, nominal or no interest distributions or (b) interest
distributions, with disproportionate, nominal or no principal distributions;
(iv) two or more classes of Bonds which differ as to the timing, sequential
order, rate, pass-through rate or amount of distributions of principal or
interest or both, or as to which distributions of principal or interest or both
on any such class may be made upon the occurrence of specified events, in
accordance with a schedule or formula (including "planned amortization classes"
and "targeted amortization classes"), or on the basis of collections from
designated portions of the Mortgage Pool, and which classes may include one or
more classes of Bonds ("Accrual Bonds") with respect to which certain accrued
interest will not be distributed but rather will be added to the principal
balance thereof on each Distribution Date for the period described in the
related Prospectus Supplement; or (v) other types of classes of Bonds, as
described in the related Prospectus Supplement. The Certificates, insofar as
they represent the beneficial ownership interest in the Issuer, will be
subordinate to the Bonds. As to each series, all Bonds offered hereby (the
"Bonds") will be rated in one of the four highest rating categories by one or
more Rating Agencies. Credit support for the Bonds of each series may be
provided by a Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy, Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy, Special Hazard Insurance Policy, Bankruptcy Bond, Letter of Credit,
Purchase Obligation, Overcollateralization or Reserve Fund as described under
"Description of Credit Enhancement," by the subordination of one or more other
classes of Subordinate Bonds or by any combination of the foregoing.
FORM OF BONDS
Except as described below, the Bonds of each series will be issued as
physical certificates in fully registered form only in the denominations
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, and will be
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transferrable and exchangeable at the corporate trust office of the registrar
(the "Bond Registrar") named in the related Prospectus Supplement. No service
charge will be made for any registration of exchange or transfer of Bonds, but
the Indenture Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or other governmental charge. The term "Bondholder" or "Holder" as used herein
refers to the entity whose name appears on the records of the Bond Registrar
(consisting of or including the "Bond Register") as the registered holder of a
Bond, except as otherwise indicated in the related Prospectus Supplement.
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, specified classes
of a series of Bonds will be initially issued through the book-entry facilities
of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). As to any such class of Bonds ("DTC
Registered Bonds"), the record Holder of such Bonds will be DTC's nominee. DTC
is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New
York, which holds securities for its participating organizations
("Participants") and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in the
accounts of Participants. Participants include securities brokers and dealers,
banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other
organizations. Other institutions that are not Participants but clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with Participants (such institutions,
"Intermediaries") have indirect access to DTC's clearance system.
No person acquiring an interest in any DTC Registered Bonds (each such
person, a "Beneficial Owner") will be entitled to receive a Bond representing
such interest in registered, certificated form, unless either (i) DTC ceases to
act as depository in respect thereof and a successor depository is not obtained,
or (ii) the Company elects in its sole discretion to discontinue the
registration of such Bonds through DTC. Prior to any such event, Beneficial
Owners will not be recognized by the Indenture Trustee or the Master Servicer as
Holders of the related Bonds for purposes of the related Indenture, and
Beneficial Owners will be able to exercise their rights as owners of such Bonds
only indirectly through DTC, Participants and Intermediaries. Any Beneficial
Owner that desires to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer any interest in DTC
Registered Bonds may do so only through DTC, either directly if such Beneficial
Owner is a Participant or indirectly through Participants and, if applicable,
Intermediaries. Pursuant to the procedures of DTC, transfers of the beneficial
ownership of any DTC Registered Bonds will be required to be made in minimum
denominations specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. The ability of a
Beneficial Owner to pledge DTC Registered Bonds to persons or entities that are
not Participants in the DTC system, or to otherwise act with respect to such
Bonds, may be limited because of the lack of physical certificates evidencing
such Bonds and because DTC may act only on behalf of Participants.
Distributions in respect of the DTC Registered Bonds will be forwarded
by the Indenture Trustee or other specified person to DTC, and DTC will be
responsible for forwarding such payments to Participants, each of which will be
responsible for disbursing such payments to the Beneficial Owners it represents
or, if applicable, to Intermediaries. Accordingly, Beneficial Owners may
experience delays in the receipt of payments in respect of their Bonds. Under
DTC's procedures, DTC will take actions permitted to be taken by Holders of any
class of DTC Registered Bonds under the Indenture only at the direction of one
or more Participants to whose account the DTC Registered Bonds are credited and
whose aggregate holdings represent no less than any minimum amount of Percentage
Interests required therefor. DTC may take conflicting actions with respect to
any action of Holders of Bonds of any Class to the extent that Participants
authorize such actions. None of the Master Servicer, the Company, the Indenture
Trustee or any of their respective affiliates will have any liability for any
aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial
ownership interests in the DTC Registered Bonds, or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
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ASSIGNMENT OF TRUST FUND ASSETS
At the time of issuance of a series of Bonds, the Company will assign,
or cause to be assigned, to the related Indenture Trustee (or its nominee),
without recourse, the Mortgage Loans being included in the related Trust Fund,
together with all principal and interest received on or with respect to such
Mortgage Loans after the Cut-off Date, other than principal and interest due on
or before the Cut-off Date. If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
the Company or any of its affiliates may retain the Spread, if any, for itself
or transfer the same to others. Each Mortgage Loan will be identified in a
schedule appearing as an exhibit to the related Servicing Agreement. Such
schedule will include, among other things, information as to the principal
balance of each Mortgage Loan in the related Trust Fund as of the Cut-off Date,
as well as information respecting the Mortgage Rate, the currently scheduled
monthly payment of principal and interest, the maturity of the Mortgage Note and
the Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination or modification (without regard to any
secondary financing).
As to each series of Bonds, the foregoing assignment of the Mortgage
Loans to the Indenture Trustee will be made for the purpose of granting a
security interest in the Mortgage Loans to the Indenture Trustee to secure the
Bonds. As to any series of Bonds where the Issuer is an owner trust, immediately
prior to such pledge to the Indenture Trustee, the Company will convey the
Mortgage Loans to the Owner Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement.
In addition, the Company will, as to each Mortgage Loan (other than
Contracts), deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the related Indenture Trustee
(or to the custodian described below) the Mortgage Note endorsed, without
recourse, either in blank or to the order of the Indenture Trustee (or a nominee
thereof), the Mortgage with evidence of recording indicated thereon (except for
any Mortgage not returned from the public recording office), an assignment of
the Mortgage in blank or to the Indenture Trustee (or a nominee thereof) in
recordable form, together with any intervening assignments of the Mortgage with
evidence of recording thereon (except for any such assignment not returned from
the public recording office), and, if applicable, any riders or modifications to
such Mortgage Note and Mortgage, together with certain other documents at such
times as set forth in the related Servicing Agreement. Such assignments may be
blanket assignments covering Mortgages on Mortgaged Properties located in the
same county, if permitted by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Trust Fund
may include Mortgage Loans where the original Mortgage Note is not delivered to
the Indenture Trustee if the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the
related Indenture Trustee (or the custodian) a copy or a duplicate original of
the Mortgage Note, together with an affidavit certifying that the original
thereof has been lost or destroyed. In addition, if the Company cannot deliver,
with respect to any Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage or any intervening assignment
with evidence of recording thereon concurrently with the execution and delivery
of the related Servicing Agreement because of a delay caused by the public
recording office, the Company will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the
related Indenture Trustee (or the custodian) a true and correct photocopy of
such Mortgage or assignment as submitted for recording. The Company will
deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the related Indenture Trustee (or the
custodian) such Mortgage or assignment with evidence of recording indicated
thereon after receipt thereof from the public recording office. If the Company
cannot deliver, with respect to any Mortgage Loan, the Mortgage or any
intervening assignment with evidence of recording thereon concurrently with the
execution and delivery of the related Servicing Agreement because such Mortgage
or assignment has been lost, the Company will deliver, or cause to be delivered,
to the related Indenture Trustee (or the custodian) a true and correct photocopy
of such Mortgage or assignment with evidence of recording thereon. Assignments
of the Mortgage Loans to the Indenture Trustee (or a nominee thereof) will be
recorded in the appropriate public recording office, except in states where, in
the opinion of counsel acceptable to the Indenture Trustee, such recording is
not required to protect the Indenture Trustee's interests in the Mortgage Loan
against the claim of any subsequent transferee or any successor to or creditor
of the Company or the originator of such Mortgage Loan, or except as otherwise
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement as to any series of Bonds. In
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addition, unless specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Company
will, as to each Contract, deliver, or cause to be delivered, the original
Contract endorsed, without recourse, to the order of the Indenture Trustee and
copies of documents and instruments related to the Contract and the security
interest in the Manufactured Home securing the Contract, together with a blanket
assignment to the Indenture Trustee of all Contracts in the related Trust Fund
and such documents and instruments. In order to give notice of the right, title
and interest of the Bondholders to the Contracts, the Company will cause to be
executed and delivered to the Indenture Trustee a UCC-1 financing statement
identifying the Indenture Trustee as the secured party and identifying all
Contracts as collateral.
The Indenture Trustee (or the custodian hereinafter referred to) will
hold such documents in trust for the benefit of the related Securityholders, and
generally will review such documents within 90 days after receipt thereof in the
case of documents delivered concurrently with the execution and delivery of the
related Indenture, and within the time period specified in the related Indenture
in the case of all other documents delivered. If any such document is found to
be missing or defective in any material respect, the Indenture Trustee (or such
custodian) will be required to promptly so notify the Master Servicer, the
Company, and the related Seller. If the related Seller does not cure the
omission or defect within a specified period after notice is given thereto by
the Indenture Trustee, and such omission or defect materially and adversely
affects the interests of Securityholders in the affected Mortgage Loan, then the
related Seller will be obligated to purchase such Mortgage Loan from the
Indenture Trustee at its Purchase Price (or, if and to the extent it would
otherwise be permitted to do so for a breach of representation and warranty as
described under "The Mortgage Pools--Representations of Sellers," to substitute
for such Mortgage Loan). The Indenture Trustee will be obligated to enforce this
obligation of the Seller to the extent described above under "The Mortgage
Pools--Representations by Sellers," but there can be no assurance that the
applicable Seller will fulfill its obligation to purchase (or substitute for)
the affected Mortgage Loan as described above. Except as described in the
Prospectus Supplement, neither the Master Servicer nor the Company will be
obligated to purchase or substitute for such Mortgage Loan if the Seller
defaults on its obligation to do so. This purchase or substitution obligation
generally constitutes the sole remedy available to the related Securityholders
and the related Indenture Trustee for omission of, or a material defect in, a
constituent document. Any affected Mortgage Loan not so purchased or substituted
for shall remain in the related Trust Fund.
The Indenture Trustee will be authorized at any time to appoint one or
more custodians pursuant to a custodial agreement to hold title to the Mortgage
Loans in any Mortgage Pool, and to maintain possession of and, if applicable, to
review, the documents relating to such Mortgage Loans, in any case as the agent
of the Indenture Trustee. The identity of any such custodian to be appointed on
the date of initial issuance of the Bonds will be set forth in the related
Prospectus Supplement. Any such custodian may be an affiliate of the Company or
the Master Servicer.
With respect to the Mortgage Loans in a Mortgage Pool, except in the
case of a Designated Seller Transaction, the Company will make certain
representations and warranties as to the types and geographical concentrations
of such Mortgage Loans and as to the accuracy, in all material respects, of
certain identifying information furnished to the related Indenture Trustee in
respect of each such Mortgage Loan (E.G., original Loan-to-Value Ratio,
principal balance as of the Cut-off Date, Mortgage Rate and maturity). Upon a
breach of any such representation which materially and adversely affects the
interests of the Securityholders in a Mortgage Loan, the Company will be
obligated to cure the breach in all material respects, to purchase the Mortgage
Loan at its Purchase Price or, if specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, to substitute for such Mortgage Loan a Qualified Substitute Mortgage
Loan in accordance with the provisions for such substitution by Affiliated
Sellers as described above under "The Mortgage Pools--Representations by
Sellers." However, the Company will not be required to repurchase or substitute
for any Mortgage Loan in connection with a breach of a representation and
warranty if the substance of any such breach also constitutes fraud in the
origination of the related Mortgage Loan. This purchase or
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substitution obligation generally constitutes the sole remedy available to
Securityholders or the Indenture Trustee for such a breach of representation by
the Company. Any Mortgage Loan not so purchased or substituted for shall remain
in the related Trust Fund.
Pursuant to the related Servicing Agreement, the Master Servicer for
any Mortgage Pool, either directly or through Subservicers, will service and
administer the Mortgage Loans included in such Mortgage Pool and assigned to the
related Indenture Trustee as more fully set forth under "Servicing of Mortgage
Loans." The Master Servicer will make certain representations and warranties
regarding its authority to enter into, and its ability to perform its
obligations under, the Servicing Agreement.
COLLECTION ACCOUNT
GENERAL. The Master Servicer and/or the Indenture Trustee will, as to
each Trust Fund, establish and maintain or cause to be established and
maintained one or more separate accounts for the collection of payments on the
related Mortgage Loans constituting such Trust Fund (collectively, the
"Collection Account"), which will be established so as to comply with the
standards of each Rating Agency that has rated any one or more classes of Bonds
of the related series. A Collection Account may be maintained either as an
interest-bearing or a non-interest-bearing account, and the funds held therein
may be held as cash or invested in United States government securities and other
investment grade obligations specified in the related Servicing Agreement or
Indenture ("Permitted Investments"). Any interest or other income earned on
funds in the Collection Account will be not paid to the related Master Servicer
or Indenture Trustee as additional compensation. If permitted by such Rating
Agency or Agencies and so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a
Collection Account may contain funds relating to more than one series of
mortgage pass-through certificates and may contain other funds representing
payments on mortgage loans owned by the related Master Servicer or serviced by
it on behalf of others.
DEPOSITS. The related Master Servicer, Indenture Trustee or Special
Servicer will be required to deposit or cause to be deposited in the Collection
Account for each Trust Fund within a certain period following receipt (in the
case of collections and payments), the following payments and collections
received, or advances made, by the Master Servicer, the Indenture Trustee or any
Special Servicer subsequent to the Cut-off Date with respect to the Mortgage
Loans in such Trust Fund (other than payments due on or before the Cut-off
Date):
(i) all payments on account of principal, including principal
prepayments, on the Mortgage Loans;
(ii) all payments on account of interest on the Mortgage
Loans, including any default interest collected, in each case net of
any portion thereof retained by the Master Servicer, any Special
Servicer or Sub-Servicer as its servicing compensation or as
compensation to the Indenture Trustee, and further net of any Spread;
(iii)all proceeds received under any hazard, title, primary
mortgage, FHA or other insurance policy that provides coverage with
respect to a particular Mortgaged Property or the related Mortgage Loan
(other than proceeds applied to the restoration of the property or
released to the related borrower in accordance with the customary
servicing practices of the Master Servicer (or, if applicable, a
Special Servicer) and/or the terms and conditions of the related
Mortgage (collectively, "Insurance Proceeds") and all other amounts
received and retained in connection with the liquidation of defaulted
Mortgage Loans or property acquired in respect thereof, by foreclosure
or otherwise ("Liquidation Proceeds"), together with the net operating
income (less reasonable reserves for future expenses) derived from the
operation of any Mortgaged Properties acquired by the Trust Fund
through foreclosure or otherwise;
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(iv) any amounts paid under any instrument or drawn from any
fund that constitutes credit enhancement for the related series of
Bonds as described under "Description of Credit Enhancement";
(v) any advances made as described under "--Advances" below;
(vi) any Buydown Funds (and, if applicable, investment
earnings thereon) required to be paid to Bondholders, as described
below;
(vii) all proceeds of any Mortgage Loan purchased (or, in the
case of a substitution, certain amounts representing a principal
adjustment) by the Master Servicer, the Company, a Seller or any other
person pursuant to the terms of the related Servicing Agreement as
described under "The Mortgage Pools--Representations by Sellers,"
"Servicing of Mortgage Loans--Realization Upon and Sale of Defaulted
Mortgage Loans," "--Assignment of Trust Fund Assets" above, "The
Servicing Agreement--Termination" and "Purchase Obligations";
(viii) any amounts paid by the Master Servicer to cover
Prepayment Interest Shortfalls arising out of the prepayment of
Mortgage Loans as described under "Servicing of Mortgage
Loans--Servicing and Other Compensation and Payment of Expenses;
Spread";
(ix) to the extent that any such item does not constitute
additional servicing compensation to the Master Servicer or a Special
Servicer, any payments on account of modification or assumption fees,
late payment charges or Prepayment Premiums on the Mortgage Loans;
(x) any amount required to be deposited by the Master Servicer
or the Indenture Trustee in connection with losses realized on
investments for the benefit of the Master Servicer or the Indenture
Trustee, as the case may be, of funds held in the Collection Account;
and
(xi) any other amounts required to be deposited in the
Collection Account as provided in the related Servicing Agreement and
described herein or in the related Prospectus Supplement.
With respect to each Buydown Mortgage Loan, the Master Servicer will be
required to deposit the related Buydown Funds provided to it in a Buydown
Account which will comply with the requirements set forth herein with respect to
the Collection Account. The terms of all Buydown Mortgage Loans provide for the
contribution of Buydown Funds in an amount equal to or exceeding either (i) the
total payments to be made from such funds pursuant to the related buydown plan
or (ii) if such Buydown Funds are to be deposited on a discounted basis, that
amount of Buydown Funds which, together with investment earnings thereon at a
rate as will support the scheduled level of payments due under the Buydown
Mortgage Loan. Neither the Master Servicer nor the Company will be obligated to
add to any such discounted Buydown Funds any of its own funds should investment
earnings prove insufficient to maintain the scheduled level of payments. To the
extent that any such insufficiency is not recoverable from the Mortgagor or, in
an appropriate case, from the Seller, distributions to Bondholders may be
affected. With respect to each Buydown Mortgage Loan, the Master Servicer will
be required monthly to withdraw from the Buydown Account and deposit in the
Collection Account as described above the amount, if any, of the Buydown Funds
(and, if applicable, investment earnings thereon) for each Buydown Mortgage Loan
that, when added to the amount due from the Mortgagor on such Buydown Mortgage
Loan, equals the full monthly payment which would be due on the Buydown Mortgage
Loan if it were not subject to the buydown plan. The Buydown Funds will in no
event be a part of the related Trust Fund.
If the Mortgagor on a Buydown Mortgage Loan prepays such Mortgage Loan
in its entirety during the Buydown Period, the Master Servicer will be required
to withdraw from the Buydown Account and
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remit to the Mortgagor or such other designated party in accordance with the
related buydown plan any Buydown Funds remaining in the Buydown Account. If a
prepayment by a Mortgagor during the Buydown Period together with Buydown Funds
will result in full prepayment of a Buydown Mortgage Loan, the Master Servicer
will generally be required to withdraw from the Buydown Account and deposit in
the Collection Account the Buydown Funds and investment earnings thereon, if
any, which together with such prepayment will result in a prepayment in full;
provided that Buydown Funds may not be available to cover a prepayment under
certain Mortgage Loan programs. Any Buydown Funds so remitted to the Master
Servicer in connection with a prepayment described in the preceding sentence
will be deemed to reduce the amount that would be required to be paid by the
Mortgagor to repay fully the related Mortgage Loan if the Mortgage Loan were not
subject to the buydown plan. Any investment earnings remaining in the Buydown
Account after prepayment or after termination of the Buydown Period will be
remitted to the related Mortgagor or such other designated party pursuant to the
agreement relating to each Buydown Mortgage Loan (the "Buydown Agreement"). If
the Mortgagor defaults during the Buydown Period with respect to a Buydown
Mortgage Loan and the property securing such Buydown Mortgage Loan is sold in
liquidation (either by the Master Servicer, the Primary Insurer, the insurer
under the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy (the "Pool Insurer") or any other
insurer), the Master Servicer will be required to withdraw from the Buydown
Account the Buydown Funds and all investment earnings thereon, if any, and
either deposit the same in the Collection Account or, alternatively, pay the
same to the Primary Insurer or the Pool Insurer, as the case may be, if the
Mortgaged Property is transferred to such insurer and such insurer pays all of
the loss incurred in respect of such default.
WITHDRAWALS. A Master Servicer, Indenture Trustee or Special Servicer
may make withdrawals from the Collection Account for each Trust Fund for any of
the following purposes:
(i) to make distributions to the related Securityholders on
each Distribution Date;
(ii) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any other specified
person for unreimbursed amounts advanced by it as described under
"--Advances" below in respect of Mortgage Loans in the Trust Fund, such
reimbursement to be made out of amounts received which were identified
and applied by the Master Servicer as late collections of interest (net
of related servicing fees) on and principal of the particular Mortgage
Loans with respect to which the advances were made or out of amounts
drawn under any form of credit enhancement with respect to such
Mortgage Loans;
(iii) to reimburse the Master Servicer or a Special Servicer
for unpaid servicing fees earned by it and certain unreimbursed
servicing expenses incurred by it with respect to Mortgage Loans in the
Trust Fund and properties acquired in respect thereof, such
reimbursement to be made out of amounts that represent Liquidation
Proceeds and Insurance Proceeds collected on the particular Mortgage
Loans and properties, and net income collected on the particular
properties, with respect to which such fees were earned or such
expenses were incurred or out of amounts drawn under any form of credit
enhancement with respect to such Mortgage Loans and properties;
(iv) to reimburse the Master Servicer or any other specified
person for any advances described in clause (ii) above made by it and
any servicing expenses referred to in clause (iii) above incurred by it
which, in the good faith judgment of the Master Servicer or such other
person, will not be recoverable from the amounts described in clauses
(ii) and (iii), respectively, such reimbursement to be made from
amounts collected on other Mortgage Loans in the Trust Fund or, if and
to the extent so provided by the related Servicing Agreement and
described in the related Prospectus Supplement, only from that portion
of amounts collected on such other Mortgage Loans that is otherwise
distributable on one or more classes of Subordinate Bonds of the
related series;
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(v) if and to the extent described in the related
Prospectus Supplement, to pay the Master Servicer, a Special Servicer
or another specified entity (including a provider of credit
enhancement) interest accrued on the advances described in clause (ii)
above made by it and the servicing expenses described in clause (iii)
above incurred by it while such remain outstanding and unreimbursed;
(vi) to pay for costs and expenses incurred by the Trust
Fund for environmental site assessments performed with respect to
Multifamily Properties that constitute security for defaulted Mortgage
Loans, and for any containment, clean-up or remediation of hazardous
wastes and materials present on such Mortgaged Properties, as described
under "Servicing of Mortgage Loans--Realization Upon Defaulted Mortgage
Loans";
(vii) to reimburse the Master Servicer, the Company, or any
of their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, as the
case may be, for certain expenses, costs and liabilities incurred
thereby, as and to the extent described under "The Servicing
Agreement--Certain Matters Regarding the Master Servicer and the
Company";
(viii) if and to the extent described in the related
Prospectus Supplement, to pay the fees of the Owner Trustee and the
Indenture Trustee;
(ix) to reimburse the Owner Trustee or the Indenture Trustee
or any of its directors, officers, employees and agents, as the case
may be, for certain expenses, costs and liabilities incurred thereby,
as and to the extent described under "The Agreements";
(x) if specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, to
pay the Master Servicer or the Indenture Trustee, as additional
compensation, interest and investment income earned in respect of
amounts held in the Collection Account;
(xi) to pay (generally from related income) for costs
incurred in connection with the operation, management and maintenance
of any Mortgaged Property acquired by the Trust Fund by foreclosure or
otherwise;
(xii) to pay for the cost of an independent appraiser or
other expert in real estate matters retained to determine a fair sale
price for a defaulted Mortgage Loan or a property acquired in respect
thereof in connection with the liquidation of such Mortgage Loan or
property;
(xiii) to pay for the cost of various opinions of counsel
obtained pursuant to the related Indenture for the benefit of the
related Bondholders;
(xiv) to pay to itself, the Company, a Seller or any other
appropriate person all amounts received with respect to each Mortgage
Loan purchased, repurchased or removed from the Trust Fund pursuant to
the terms of the related Servicing Agreement and not required to be
distributed as of the date on which the related Purchase Price is
determined;
(xv) to make any other withdrawals permitted by the related
Servicing Agreement and described in the related Prospectus Supplement;
and
(xvi) to clear and terminate the Collection Account upon the
termination of the Trust Fund.
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DISTRIBUTIONS
Distributions on the Bonds of each series will be made by or on behalf
of the related Indenture Trustee or Master Servicer on each Distribution Date as
specified in the related Prospectus Supplement from the Available Distribution
Amount for such series and such Distribution Date. The "Available Distribution
Amount" for any series of Bonds and any Distribution Date will generally refer
to the total of all payments or other collections (or advances in lieu thereof)
on, under or in respect of the Mortgage Loans and any other Trust Fund Assets
included in the related Trust Fund that are available for distribution to the
Bondholders of such series on such date. The particular components of the
Available Distribution Amount for any series on each Distribution Date will be
more specifically described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Except as otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
distributions on the Bonds of each series (other than the final distribution in
retirement of any such Bond) will be made to the persons in whose names such
Bonds are registered at the close of business on the last business day of the
month preceding the month in which the applicable Distribution Date occurs (the
"Record Date"), and the amount of each distribution will be determined as of the
close of business on the date (the "Determination Date") specified in the
related Prospectus Supplement. All distributions with respect to each class of
Bonds on each Distribution Date will be allocated PRO RATA among the outstanding
Bonds in such class. Payments will be made either by wire transfer in
immediately available funds to the account of a Bondholder at a bank or other
entity having appropriate facilities therefor, if such Bondholder has provided
the Indenture Trustee or other person required to make such payments with wiring
instructions no later than five business days prior to the related Record Date
or such other date specified in the related Prospectus Supplement (and, if so
provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, such Bondholder holds Bonds in
the requisite amount or denomination specified therein), or by check mailed to
the address of such Bondholder as it appears on the Bond Register; provided,
however, that the final distribution in retirement of any class of Bonds will be
made only upon presentation and surrender of such Bonds at the location
specified in the notice to Bondholders of such final distribution. Payments will
be made to each Bondholder in accordance with such holder's Percentage Interest
in a particular class. The ("Percentage Interest") represented by a Bond of a
particular class will be equal to the percentage obtained by dividing the
initial principal balance or notional amount of such Bond by the aggregate
initial amount or notional balance of all the Bonds of such class. In addition,
amounts remaining in the Payment Account on each Payment Date after payments on
the Bonds will be applied for the purposes set forth in the Agreements, as
described in the related Prospectus Supplement, including distributions on the
related Certificates or release to the Company. Any amounts so distributed on
the Certificates or released to the Company will be released from the lien of
the Indenture.
DISTRIBUTIONS OF INTEREST AND PRINCIPAL ON THE BONDS
Each class of Bonds of each series may have a different Interest Rate,
which may be fixed, variable or adjustable, or any combination of two or more
such rates. The related Prospectus Supplement will specify the Interest Rate or,
in the case of a variable or adjustable Interest Rate, the method for
determining the Interest Rate, for each class. Interest on the Bonds of each
series will be calculated on the basis of a specified period (generally one
month) and a 360-day year.
Distributions of interest in respect of the Bonds of any class (other
than any class of Accrual Bonds and other than any class of Strip Bonds that is
not entitled to any distributions of interest) will be made on each Distribution
Date based on the Accrued Bond Interest for such class and such Distribution
Date, subject to the sufficiency of the portion of the Available Distribution
Amount allocable to such class on such Distribution Date. Prior to the time
interest is distributable on any class of Accrual Bonds, the amount of Accrued
Bond Interest otherwise distributable on such class will be added to the
principal balance
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thereof on each Distribution Date. With respect to each class of Bonds (other
than certain classes of Strip Bonds), "Accrued Bond Interest" for each
Distribution Date will be equal to interest at the applicable Interest Rate
accrued for a specified period (generally one month) on the outstanding
principal balance thereof immediately prior to such Distribution Date. Accrued
Bond Interest for each Distribution Date on Strip Bonds entitled to
distributions of interest will be similarly calculated except that it will
accrue on a notional amount that is either (i) based on the principal balances
of some or all of the Mortgage Loans in the related Trust Fund or (ii) equal to
the principal balances of one or more other classes of Bonds of the same series.
Reference to such a notional amount with respect to a class of Strip Bonds is
solely for convenience in making certain calculations and does not represent the
right to receive any distribution of principal. If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the amount of Accrued Bond Interest that is otherwise
distributable on (or, in the case of Accrual Bonds, that may otherwise be added
to the principal balance of) one or more classes of the Bonds of a series will
be reduced to the extent that any Prepayment Interest Shortfalls, as described
under "Yield Considerations", exceed the amount of any sums (including, if and
to the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Master
Servicer's servicing compensation) that are applied to offset such shortfalls.
The particular manner in which such shortfalls will be allocated among some or
all of the classes of Bonds of that series will be specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The related Prospectus Supplement will also describe the
extent to which the amount of Accrued Bond Interest that is otherwise
distributable on (or, in the case of Accrual Bonds, that may otherwise be added
to the principal balance of) a class of Bonds may be reduced as a result of any
other contingencies, including delinquencies, losses and Deferred Interest on or
in respect of the related Mortgage Loans or application of the Relief Act with
respect to such Mortgage Loans. Any reduction in the amount of Accrued Bond
Interest otherwise distributable on a class of Bonds by reason of the allocation
to such class of a portion of any Deferred Interest on or in respect of the
related Mortgage Loans will result in a corresponding increase in the principal
balance of such class.
As and to the extent described in the related Prospectus Supplement,
distributions of principal with respect to a series of Bonds will be made on
each Distribution Date to the holders of the class or classes of Bonds of such
series entitled thereto until the principal balance(s) of such Bonds have been
reduced to zero. In the case of a series of Bonds which includes two or more
classes of Bonds, the timing, sequential order, priority of payment or amount of
distributions in respect of principal, and any schedule or formula or other
provisions applicable to the determination thereof (including distributions
among multiple classes of Senior Bonds or Subordinate Bonds), shall be as set
forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Distributions of principal with
respect to one or more classes of Bonds may be made at a rate that is faster
(and, in some cases, substantially faster) than the rate at which payments or
other collections of principal are received on the Mortgage Loans in the related
Trust Fund, may not commence until the occurrence of certain events, such as the
retirement of one or more other classes of Bonds of the same series, or may be
made at a rate that is slower (and, in some cases, substantially slower) than
the rate at which payments or other collections of principal are received on
such Mortgage Loans. In addition, distributions of principal with respect to one
or more classes of Bonds may be made, subject to available funds, based on a
specified principal payment schedule and, with respect to one or more classes of
Bonds, may be contingent on the specified principal payment schedule for another
class of the same series and the rate at which payments and other collections of
principal on the Mortgage Loans in the related Trust Fund are received.
FUNDING ACCOUNT
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trust
Agreement or other agreement may provide for the transfer by the Sellers of
additional Mortgage Loans to the related Trust after the Closing Date. Such
additional Mortgage Loans will be required to conform to the requirements set
forth in the related Agreement or other agreement providing for such transfer,
and will generally be underwritten to the same standards as the Mortgage Loans
initially included in the Trust Fund. As specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, such transfer may be funded by the establishment of a Funding
Account (a
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"Funding Account"). If a Funding Account is established, all or a portion of the
proceeds of the sale of one or more classes of Bonds of the related series will
be deposited in such account to be released as additional Mortgage Loans are
transferred. A Funding Account will be required to be maintained as an Eligible
Account, all amounts therein will be required to be invested in Permitted
Investments and the amount held therein shall at no time exceed 25% of the
aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Bonds. The related Agreement or
other agreement providing for the transfer of additional Mortgage Loans will
generally provide that all such transfers must be made within 3 months after the
Closing Date, and that amounts set aside to fund such transfers (whether in a
Funding Account or otherwise) and not so applied within the required period of
time will be deemed to be principal prepayments and applied in the manner set
forth in such Prospectus Supplement.
The Company will be required to provide data regarding the additional
Mortgage Loans to the Rating Agencies and the Credit Enhancer, if any,
sufficiently in advance of the scheduled transfer to permit review by such
parties. Transfer of the additional Mortgage Loans will be further conditioned
upon confirmation by the Rating Agencies that the addition of such Mortgage
Loans to the Trust Fund will not result in the downgrading of the Bonds or, in
the case of a series guaranteed or supported by a Credit Enhancer, will not
adversely affect the capital requirements of such Credit Enhancer. Finally, a
legal opinion to the effect that the conditions to the transfer of the
additional Mortgage Loans have been satisfied.
DISTRIBUTIONS ON THE BONDS IN RESPECT OF PREPAYMENT PREMIUMS
If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, Prepayment
Premiums received on or in connection with the Mortgage Assets in any Trust Fund
will be distributed on each Distribution Date to the holders of the class of
Bonds of the related series entitled thereto in accordance with the provisions
described in such Prospectus Supplement.
ALLOCATION OF LOSSES AND SHORTFALLS
The amount of any losses or shortfalls in collections on the Mortgage
Loans in any Trust Fund (to the extent not covered or offset by draws on any
reserve fund or under any instrument of credit enhancement or by
overcollateralization) will be allocated among the respective classes of Bonds
of the related series in the priority and manner, and subject to the
limitations, specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. As described in the
related Prospectus Supplement, such allocations may result in reductions in the
entitlements to interest and/or principal balances of one or more such classes
of Bonds, or may be effected simply by a prioritization of payments among such
classes of Bonds.
ADVANCES
If and to the extent provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, and
subject to any limitations specified therein, the related Master Servicer may be
obligated to advance, or have the option of advancing, on or before each
Distribution Date, from its or their own funds or from excess funds held in the
related Collection Account that are not part of the Available Distribution
Amount for the related series of Bonds for such Distribution Date, an amount up
to the aggregate of any payments of principal (other than the principal portion
of any Balloon Payments) and interest that were due on or in respect of such
Mortgage Loans during the related Due Period and were delinquent on the related
Determination Date. A "Due Period" is the period between Distribution Dates, and
scheduled payments on the Mortgage Loans in any Trust Fund that became due
during a given Due Period will, to the extent received by the related
Determination Date or advanced by the related Master Servicer or other specified
person, be distributed on the Distribution Date next succeeding such
Determination Date.
Advances are intended to maintain a regular flow of scheduled interest
and principal payments to
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holders of the class or classes of Bonds entitled thereto, rather than to
guarantee or insure against losses. Accordingly, all advances made from the
Master Servicer's own funds will be reimbursable out of related recoveries on
the Mortgage Loans (including amounts received under any fund or instrument
constituting credit enhancement) respecting which such advances were made (as to
any Mortgage Loan, "Related Proceeds") and such other specific sources as may be
identified in the related Prospectus Supplement, including in the case of a
series that includes one or more classes of Subordinate Bonds, collections on
other Mortgage Loans in the related Trust Fund that would otherwise be
distributable to the holders of one or more classes of such Subordinate Bonds.
No advance will be required to be made by the Master Servicer if, in the good
faith judgment of the Master Servicer, such advance would not be recoverable
from Related Proceeds or another specifically identified source (any such
advance, a "Nonrecoverable Advance"); and, if previously made by a Master
Servicer, a Nonrecoverable Advance will be reimbursable from any amounts in the
related Collection Account prior to any distributions being made to the related
series of Securities.
If advances have been made from excess funds in a Collection Account,
the Master Servicer that advanced such funds will be required to replace such
funds in the Collection Account on any future Distribution Date to the extent
that funds then in the Collection Account are insufficient to permit full
distributions to Securityholders on such date. If so specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, the obligation of a Master Servicer to make advances may
be secured by a cash advance reserve fund or a surety bond. If applicable,
information regarding the characteristics of, and the identity of any obligor
on, any such surety bond, will be set forth in the related Prospectus
Supplement.
If any person other than the Master Servicer has any obligation to make
advances as described above, the related Prospectus Supplement will identify
such person.
If and to the extent so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement,
any entity making advances will be entitled to receive interest thereon for the
period that such advances are outstanding at the rate specified in such
Prospectus Supplement, and such entity will be entitled to payment of such
interest periodically from general collections on the Mortgage Loans in the
related Trust Fund prior to any payment to Securityholders or as otherwise
provided in the related Indenture and described in such Prospectus Supplement.
REPORTS TO BONDHOLDERS
With each distribution to Bondholders of a particular class of Bonds,
the related Master Servicer or Indenture Trustee will forward or cause to be
forwarded to each holder of record of such class of Bonds a statement or
statements with respect to the related Trust Fund setting forth the information
specifically described in the related Indenture, which generally will include
the following as applicable except as otherwise provided therein:
(i) the amount, if any, of such distribution allocable to
principal;
(ii) the amount, if any, of such distribution allocable to
interest;
(iii)the amount, if any, of such distribution allocable to
Prepayment Premiums;
(iv) with respect to a series consisting of two or more
classes, the outstanding principal balance or notional amount of each
class after giving effect to the distribution of principal on such
Distribution Date;
(v) the amount of servicing compensation received by the
related Master Servicer (and,
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if payable directly out of the related Trust Fund, by any Special
Servicer and any Sub-Servicer);
(vi) the aggregate amount of advances included in the
distributions on such Distribution Date, and the aggregate amount of
unreimbursed advances at the close of business on such Distribution
Date;
(vii)the aggregate principal balance of the Mortgage Loans in
the related Mortgage Pool on, or as of a specified date shortly prior
to, such Distribution Date;
(viii) the number and aggregate principal balance of any
Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool in respect of which (A) one
scheduled payment is delinquent, (B) two scheduled payments are
delinquent, (C) three or more scheduled payments are delinquent and (D)
foreclosure proceedings have been commenced;
(ix) the book value of any real estate acquired by such Trust
Fund through foreclosure or grant of a deed in lieu of foreclosure;
(x) the balance of the Reserve Fund, if any, at the close of
business on such Distribution Date;
(xi) the amount of coverage under any Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy, Letter of Credit or Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy
covering default risk as of the close of business on the applicable
Determination Date and a description of any credit enhancement
substituted therefor;
(xii)the Special Hazard Amount, Fraud Loss Amount and
Bankruptcy Amount as of the close of business on the applicable
Distribution Date and a description of any change in the calculation of
such amounts; and
(xiii) in the case of Bonds benefitting from alternative
credit enhancement arrangements described in a Prospectus Supplement,
the amount of coverage under such alternative arrangements as of the
close of business on the applicable Determination Date.
In the case of information furnished pursuant to subclauses (i)-(iii)
above, the amounts will be expressed as a dollar amount per minimum denomination
of the relevant class of Bonds or per a specified portion of such minimum
denomination. In addition to the information described above, reports to
Bondholders will contain such other information as is set forth in the
applicable Indenture, which may include, without limitation, prepayments,
reimbursements to Subservicers and the Master Servicer and losses borne by the
related Trust Fund.
In addition, within a reasonable period of time after the end of each
calendar year, the Master Servicer or Indenture Trustee will furnish a report to
each holder of record of a class of Bonds at any time during such calendar year
which, among other things, will include information as to the aggregate of
amounts reported pursuant to subclauses (i)-(iii) above for such calendar year
or, in the event such person was a holder of record of a class of Bonds during a
portion of such calendar year, for the applicable portion of such a year.
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DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
GENERAL
Credit support with respect to the Bonds of each series may be
comprised of one or more of the following components. Each component will have a
dollar limit and will provide coverage with respect to certain losses on the
related Mortgage Loans (as more particularly described in the related Prospectus
Supplement, "Realized Losses") that are (i) attributable to the Mortgagor's
failure to make any payment of principal or interest as required under the
Mortgage Note, but not including Special Hazard Losses, Extraordinary Losses or
other losses resulting from damage to a Mortgaged Property, Bankruptcy Losses or
Fraud Losses (any such loss, a "Defaulted Mortgage Loss"); (ii) of a type
generally covered by a Special Hazard Insurance Policy (as defined below) (any
such loss, a "Special Hazard Loss"); (iii) attributable to certain actions which
may be taken by a bankruptcy court in connection with a Mortgage Loan, including
a reduction by a bankruptcy court of the principal balance of or the Mortgage
Rate on a Mortgage Loan or an extension of its maturity (any such loss, a
"Bankruptcy Loss"); and (iv) incurred on defaulted Mortgage Loans as to which
there was fraud in the origination of such Mortgage Loans (any such loss, a
"Fraud Loss"). Defaulted Mortgage Losses, Special Hazard Losses, Bankruptcy
Losses and Fraud Losses in excess of the amount of coverage provided therefor
and losses occasioned by war, civil insurrection, certain governmental actions,
nuclear reaction and certain other risks ("Extraordinary Losses") will generally
not be covered. To the extent that the credit support for the Bonds of any
series is exhausted, the holders thereof will bear all further risks of loss not
otherwise insured against.
As set forth below and in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, (i)
coverage with respect to Defaulted Mortgage Losses may be provided by one or
more of a Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy, a Letter of Credit or a Mortgage
Pool Insurance Policy, (ii) coverage with respect to Special Hazard Losses may
be provided by one or more of a Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy, a Letter of
Credit or a Special Hazard Insurance Policy (any instrument, to the extent
providing such coverage, a "Special Hazard Instrument"), (iii) coverage with
respect to Bankruptcy Losses may be provided by one or more of a Financial
Guaranty Insurance Policy, Letter of Credit or a Bankruptcy Bond and (iv)
coverage with respect to Fraud Losses may be provided by one or more of a
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy, Letter of Credit, Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy or mortgage repurchase bond. In addition, if provided in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, in lieu of or in addition to any or all of the foregoing
arrangements, credit enhancement may be in the form of a Reserve Fund to cover
such losses, in the form of subordination provided by one or more classes of
Subordinate Bonds to provide credit support to one or more classes of Senior
Bonds, or in the form of Overcollateralization, or in the form of a specified
entity's agreement to repurchase certain Mortgage Loans or fund certain losses
pursuant to a Purchase Obligation, which obligations may be supported by a
Letter of Credit, surety bonds or other types of insurance policies, certain
other secured or unsecured corporate guarantees or in such other form as may be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement, or in the form of a combination
of two or more of the foregoing. The credit support may be provided by an
assignment of the right to receive certain cash amounts, a deposit of cash into
a Reserve Fund or other pledged assets, or by banks, insurance companies,
guarantees or any combination thereof identified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
The amounts and type of credit enhancement arrangement as well as the
provider thereof, if applicable, with respect to the Bonds of each series will
be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. To the extent provided in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement and the Indenture, the credit enhancement
arrangements may be periodically modified, reduced and substituted for based on
the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Mortgage Loans covered
thereby. See "Description of Credit Enhancement--Reduction or Substitution of
Credit Enhancement." If specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
credit support for the Bonds of one series may cover the Bonds of one or more
other series.
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The descriptions of any insurance policies or bonds described in this
Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement and the coverage thereunder do not
purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
actual forms of such policies, copies of which are available upon request.
FINANCIAL GUARANTY INSURANCE POLICY
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, a financial
guaranty insurance policy or surety bond (a "Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy") may be obtained and maintained for a class or series of Bonds. The
issuer of the Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy (the "Insurer") will be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement and a copy of the form of
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy will be filed with the related Current
Report on Form 8-K.
A Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy will be unconditional and
irrevocable and will guarantee to holders of the applicable Bonds that an amount
equal to the full amount of payments due to such holders will be received by the
Indenture Trustee or its agent on behalf of such holders for payment on each
Payment Date. The specific terms of any Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy will
be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. A Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy may have limitations and generally will not insure the
obligation of the Sellers or the Master Servicer to purchase or substitute for a
defective Mortgage Loan and will not guarantee any specific rate of principal
prepayments. The Insurer will be subrogated to the rights of each holder to the
extent the Insurer makes payments under the Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy.
SUBORDINATE BONDS
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, one or more
classes of Bonds of a series may be Subordinate Bonds. To the extent specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement, the rights of the holders of Subordinate
Bonds to receive distributions from the Collection Account on any Distribution
Date will be subordinated to the corresponding rights of the holders of Senior
Bonds. If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the subordination of
a class may apply only in the event of (or may be limited to) certain types of
losses or shortfalls. The related prospectus Supplement will set forth
information concerning the manner and amount of subordination provided by a
class or classes of Subordinate Bonds in a series and the circumstances under
which such subordination will be available. The Bonds of any series may include
one or more classes of Subordinate Bonds.
If the Mortgage Loans in any Trust Fund are divided into separate
groups, each supporting a separate class or classes of Bonds of the related
series, credit enhancement may be provided by cross- support provisions
requiring that distributions be made on Senior Bonds evidencing interests in one
group of Mortgage Loans prior to distributions on Subordinate Bonds evidencing
interests in a different group of Mortgage Loans within the Trust Fund. The
Prospectus Supplement for a series that includes a cross- support provision will
describe the manner and conditions for applying such provisions.
LETTER OF CREDIT
If any component of credit enhancement as to the Bonds of any series is
to be provided by a letter of credit (the "Letter of Credit"), a bank (the
"Letter of Credit Bank") will deliver to the related Indenture Trustee an
irrevocable Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit may provide direct coverage
with respect to the Mortgage Loans or, if specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, support an entity's obligation pursuant to a Purchase Obligation to
make certain payments to the related Indenture Trustee with respect to one or
more components of credit enhancement. The Letter of Credit Bank, as well as the
amount available under the Letter of Credit with respect to each component of
credit enhancement, will be specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
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the Letter of Credit may permit draws only in the event of certain types of
losses and shortfalls. The Letter of Credit may also provide for the payment of
advances which the Master Servicer would be obligated to make with respect to
delinquent monthly mortgage payments. The amount available under the Letter of
Credit will, in all cases, be reduced to the extent of the unreimbursed payments
thereunder and may otherwise be reduced as described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. The Letter of Credit will expire on the expiration date set forth in
the related Prospectus Supplement, unless earlier terminated or extended in
accordance with its terms.
MORTGAGE POOL INSURANCE POLICIES
Any Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy obtained by the Company for each
Trust Fund will be issued by the Pool Insurer named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. Each Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will, subject to the limitations
described below, cover Defaulted Mortgage Losses in an amount equal to a
percentage specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement of the aggregate
principal balance of the Mortgage Loans on the Cut-off Date. As set forth under
"Maintenance of Credit Enhancement," the Master Servicer will use reasonable
efforts to maintain the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy and to present claims
thereunder to the Pool Insurer on behalf of itself, the related Indenture
Trustee and the related Bondholders. The Mortgage Pool Insurance Policies,
however, are not blanket policies against loss, since claims thereunder may only
be made respecting particular defaulted Mortgage Loans and only upon
satisfaction of certain conditions precedent described below. Unless specified
in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policies may
not cover losses due to a failure to pay or denial of a claim under a Primary
Insurance Policy, irrespective of the reason therefor.
Each Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will generally provide that no
claims may be validly presented thereunder unless, among other things, (i) any
required Primary Insurance Policy is in effect for the defaulted Mortgage Loan
and a claim thereunder has been submitted and settled, (ii) hazard insurance on
the property securing such Mortgage Loan has been kept in force and real estate
taxes and other protection and preservation expenses have been paid by the
Master Servicer, (iii) if there has been physical loss or damage to the
Mortgaged Property, it has been restored to its condition (reasonable wear and
tear excepted) at the Cut-off Date and (iv) the insured has acquired good and
merchantable title to the Mortgaged Property free and clear of liens except
certain permitted encumbrances. Upon satisfaction of these conditions, the Pool
Insurer will have the option either (a) to purchase the property securing the
defaulted Mortgage Loan at a price equal to the principal balance thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest at the applicable Mortgage Rate to the date of
purchase and certain expenses incurred by the Master Servicer, Special Servicer
or Subservicer on behalf of the related Indenture Trustee and Bondholders, or
(b) to pay the amount by which the sum of the principal balance of the defaulted
Mortgage Loan plus accrued and unpaid interest at the Mortgage Rate to the date
of payment of the claim and the aforementioned expenses exceeds the proceeds
received from an approved sale of the Mortgaged Property, in either case net of
certain amounts paid or assumed to have been paid under any related Primary
Insurance Policy. Bondholders will experience a shortfall in the amount of
interest payable on the related Bonds in connection with the payment of claims
under a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy because the Pool Insurer is only required
to remit unpaid interest through the date a claim is paid rather than through
the end of the month in which such claim is paid. In addition, the Bondholders
will also experience losses with respect to the related Bonds in connection with
payments made under a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy to the extent that the
Master Servicer expends funds to cover unpaid real estate taxes or to repair the
related Mortgaged Property in order to make a claim under a Mortgage Pool
Insurance Policy, as those amounts will not be covered by payments under such
policy and will be reimbursable to the Master Servicer from funds otherwise
payable to the Bondholders. If any Mortgaged Property securing a defaulted
Mortgage Loan is damaged and proceeds, if any (see "Special Hazard Insurance
Policies" below for risks which are not covered by such policies), from the
related hazard insurance policy or applicable Special Hazard Instrument are
insufficient to restore the damaged property to a condition sufficient to permit
recovery
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under the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, the Master Servicer is not required to
expend its own funds to restore the damaged property unless it determines (x)
that such restoration will increase the proceeds to one or more classes of
Bondholders on liquidation of the Mortgage Loan after reimbursement of the
Master Servicer for its expenses and (y) that such expenses will be recoverable
by it through Liquidation Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds.
A Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy (and certain Primary Insurance
Policies) will likely not insure against loss sustained by reason of a default
arising from, among other things, (i) fraud or negligence in the origination or
servicing of a Mortgage Loan, including misrepresentation by the Mortgagor, the
Seller or other persons involved in the origination thereof, or (ii) failure to
construct a Mortgaged Property in accordance with plans and specifications.
Depending upon the nature of the event, a breach of representation made by a
Seller may also have occurred. Such a breach, if it materially and adversely
affects the interests of Bondholders and cannot be cured, would give rise to a
purchase obligation on the part of the Seller, as more fully described under
"The Mortgage Pools--Representations by Sellers." However, such an event would
not give rise to a breach of a representation and warranty or a purchase
obligation on the part of the Company or Master Servicer.
The original amount of coverage under each Mortgage Pool Insurance
Policy will be reduced over the life of the related series of Bonds by the
aggregate dollar amount of claims paid less the aggregate of the net amounts
realized by the Pool Insurer upon disposition of all foreclosed properties. The
amount of claims paid includes certain expenses incurred by the Master Servicer,
Special Servicer or Subservicer as well as accrued interest on delinquent
Mortgage Loans to the date of payment of the claim. Accordingly, if aggregate
net claims paid under any Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy reach the original
policy limit, coverage under that Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will be
exhausted and any further losses will be borne by holders of the related series
of Bonds. In addition, unless the Master Servicer could determine that an
advance in respect of a delinquent Mortgage Loan would be recoverable to it from
the proceeds of the liquidation of such Mortgage Loan or otherwise, the Master
Servicer would not be obligated to make an advance respecting any such
delinquency since the advance would not be ultimately recoverable to it from
either the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or from any other related source. See
"Description of the Bonds--Advances."
Since each Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy will require that the
property subject to a defaulted Mortgage Loan be restored to its original
condition prior to claiming against the Pool Insurer, such policy will not
provide coverage against hazard losses. As set forth under "Primary Mortgage
Insurance, Hazard Insurance; Claims Thereunder," the hazard policies covering
the Mortgage Loans typically exclude from coverage physical damage resulting
from a number of causes and, even when the damage is covered, may afford
recoveries which are significantly less than full replacement cost of such
losses. Further, no coverage in respect of Special Hazard Losses, Fraud Losses
or Bankruptcy Losses will cover all risks, and the amount of any such coverage
will be limited. See "Special Hazard Insurance Policies" below. As a result,
certain hazard risks will not be insured against and will therefore be borne by
the related Bondholders.
SPECIAL HAZARD INSURANCE POLICIES
Any insurance policy covering Special Hazard Losses (a "Special Hazard
Insurance Policy") obtained by the Company for a Trust Fund will be issued by
the insurer named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Each Special Hazard
Insurance Policy will, subject to limitations described below, protect holders
of the related series of Bonds from (i) losses due to direct physical damage to
a Mortgaged Property other than any loss of a type covered by a hazard insurance
policy or a flood insurance policy, if applicable, and (ii) losses from partial
damage caused by reason of the application of the co-insurance clauses contained
in hazard insurance policies ("Special Hazard Losses"). See "Primary Mortgage
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Insurance, Hazard Insurance; Claims Thereunder." However, a Special Hazard
Insurance Policy will not cover losses occasioned by war, civil insurrection,
certain governmental actions, errors in design, faulty workmanship or materials
(except under certain circumstances), nuclear reaction, chemical contamination,
waste by the Mortgagor and certain other risks. Aggregate claims under a Special
Hazard Insurance Policy will be limited to the amount set forth in the related
Prospectus Supplement and will be subject to reduction as described in such
related Prospectus Supplement. A Special Hazard Insurance Policy will provide
that no claim may be paid unless hazard and, if applicable, flood insurance on
the property securing the Mortgage Loan has been kept in force and other
protection and preservation expenses have been paid by the Master Servicer.
Subject to the foregoing limitations, a Special Hazard Insurance Policy
will provide that, where there has been damage to property securing a foreclosed
Mortgage Loan (title to which has been acquired by the insured) and to the
extent such damage is not covered by the hazard insurance policy or flood
insurance policy, if any, maintained by the Mortgagor or the Master Servicer,
Special Servicer or the Subservicer, the insurer will pay the lesser of (i) the
cost of repair or replacement of such property or (ii) upon transfer of the
property to the insurer, the unpaid principal balance of such Mortgage Loan at
the time of acquisition of such property by foreclosure or deed in lieu of
foreclosure, plus accrued interest at the Mortgage Rate to the date of claim
settlement and certain expenses incurred by the Master Servicer, Special
Servicer or Subservicer with respect to such property. If the property is
transferred to a third party in a sale approved by the issuer of the Special
Hazard Insurance Policy (the "Special Hazard Insurer"), the amount that the
Special Hazard Insurer will pay will be the amount under (ii) above reduced by
the net proceeds of the sale of the property. No claim may be validly presented
under the Special Hazard Insurance Policy unless hazard insurance on the
property securing a defaulted Mortgage Loan has been kept in force and other
reimbursable protection, preservation and foreclosure expenses have been paid
(all of which must be approved in advance by the Special Hazard Insurer). If the
unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest and certain expenses is paid by
the insurer, the amount of further coverage under the related Special Hazard
Insurance Policy will be reduced by such amount less any net proceeds from the
sale of the property. Any amount paid as the cost of repair of the property will
further reduce coverage by such amount. Restoration of the property with the
proceeds described under (i) above will satisfy the condition under each
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy that the property be restored before a claim
under such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy may be validly presented with respect
to the defaulted Mortgage Loan secured by such property. The payment described
under (ii) above will render presentation of a claim in respect of such Mortgage
Loan under the related Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy unnecessary. Therefore, so
long as a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy remains in effect, the payment by the
insurer under a Special Hazard Insurance Policy of the cost of repair or of the
unpaid principal balance of the related Mortgage Loan plus accrued interest and
certain expenses will not affect the total Insurance Proceeds paid to
Bondholders, but will affect the relative amounts of coverage remaining under
the related Special Hazard Insurance Policy and Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy.
As and to the extent set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
coverage in respect of Special Hazard Losses for a series of Bonds may be
provided, in whole or in part, by a type of Special Hazard Instrument other than
a Special Hazard Insurance Policy or by means of the special hazard
representation of the Company.
BANKRUPTCY BONDS
In the event of a personal bankruptcy of a Mortgagor, it is possible
that the bankruptcy court may establish the value of the Mortgaged Property of
such Mortgagor at an amount less than the then outstanding principal balance of
the Mortgage Loan secured by such Mortgaged Property (a "Deficient Valuation").
The amount of the secured debt could then be reduced to such value, and, thus,
the holder of such Mortgage Loan would become an unsecured creditor to the
extent the outstanding principal balance
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of such Mortgage Loan exceeds the value assigned to the Mortgaged Property by
the bankruptcy court. In addition, certain other modifications of the terms of a
Mortgage Loan can result from a bankruptcy proceeding, including a reduction in
the amount of the Monthly Payment on the related Mortgage Loan (a "Debt Service
Reduction"; Debt Service Reductions and Deficient Valuations, collectively
referred to herein as Bankruptcy Losses). See "Certain Legal Aspects of Mortgage
Loans and Related Matters--Anti-Deficiency Legislation and Other Limitations on
Lenders." Any Bankruptcy Bond to provide coverage for Bankruptcy Losses for
proceedings under the federal Bankruptcy Code obtained by the Company for a
Trust Fund will be issued by an insurer named in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The level of coverage under each Bankruptcy Bond will be set forth
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
OVERCOLLATERALIZATION
If so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, interest
collections on the Mortgage Loans may exceed interest payments on the Bonds for
the related Payment Date (such excess referred to as "Excess Interest"). Such
Excess Interest may be deposited into a Reserve Fund or applied as a payment of
principal on the Bonds. To the extent Excess Interest is applied as principal
payments on the Bonds, the effect will be to reduce the principal balance of the
Bonds relative to the outstanding balance of the Mortgage Loans, thereby
creating "Overcollateralization" and additional protection to the Bondholders,
as specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. If so provided in the related
Prospectus Supplement, Overcollateralization may also be provided as to any
series of Bonds by the issuance of Bonds in an initial aggregate principal
amount (together with the related Certificates, if any) which is less than the
aggregate principal amount of the related Mortgage Loans.
RESERVE FUNDS
If so provided in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
deposit or cause to be deposited in an account (a "Reserve Fund") any
combination of cash, one or more irrevocable letters of credit or one or more
Permitted Investments in specified amounts, or any other instrument satisfactory
to the relevant Rating Agency or Agencies, which will be applied and maintained
in the manner and under the conditions specified in such Prospectus Supplement.
In the alternative or in addition to such deposit, to the extent described in
the related Prospectus Supplement, a Reserve Fund may be funded through
application of all or a portion of amounts otherwise payable on any related
Subordinate Bonds, from the Spread or otherwise. To the extent that the funding
of the Reserve Fund is dependent on amounts otherwise payable on related
Subordinate Bonds, Spread or other cash flows attributable to the related
Mortgage Loans or on reinvestment income, the Reserve Fund may provide less
coverage than initially expected if the cash flows or reinvestment income on
which such funding is dependent are lower than anticipated. In addition, with
respect to any series of Bonds as to which credit enhancement includes a Letter
of Credit, if so specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, under certain
circumstances the remaining amount of the Letter of Credit may be drawn by the
Indenture Trustee and deposited in a Reserve Fund. Amounts in a Reserve Fund may
be distributed to Bondholders, or applied to reimburse the Master Servicer for
outstanding advances, or may be used for other purposes, in the manner and to
the extent specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. Any such Reserve Fund
will generally not be deemed to be part of the related Trust Fund. If set forth
in the related Prospectus Supplement, a Reserve Fund may provide coverage to
more than one series of Bonds.
In connection with the establishment of any Reserve Fund, the Reserve
Fund will be structured so that the Indenture Trustee will have a perfected
security interest for the benefit of the Bondholders in the assets in the
Reserve Fund. However, to the extent that the Company, any affiliate thereof or
any other entity has an interest in any Reserve Fund, in the event of the
bankruptcy, receivership or insolvency of
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such entity, there could be delays in withdrawals from the Reserve Fund and
corresponding payments to the Bondholders which could adversely affect the yield
to investors on the related Bonds.
Amounts deposited in any Reserve Fund for a series will be invested in
Permitted Investments by, or at the direction of, and for the benefit of the
Master Servicer or any other person named in the related Prospectus Supplement.
MAINTENANCE OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
To the extent that the applicable Prospectus Supplement does not
expressly provide for alternative credit enhancement arrangements in lieu of
some or all of the arrangements mentioned below, the following paragraphs shall
apply.
If a Letter of Credit or alternate form of credit enhancement has been
obtained for a series of Bonds, the Master Servicer will be obligated to
exercise reasonable efforts to keep or cause to be kept such Letter of Credit
(or an alternate form of credit support) in full force and effect throughout the
term of the applicable Indenture, unless coverage thereunder has been exhausted
through payment of claims or otherwise, or substitution therefor is made as
described below under "--Reduction or Substitution of Credit Enhancement." If a
Letter of Credit obtained for a series of Bonds is scheduled to expire prior to
the date the final distribution on such Bonds is made and coverage under such
Letter of Credit has not been exhausted and no substitution has occurred, the
Indenture Trustee will draw the amount available under the Letter of Credit and
maintain such amount in trust for such Bondholders.
If a Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy has been obtained for a series of
Bonds, the Master Servicer will be obligated to exercise reasonable efforts to
keep such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy (or an alternate form of credit
support) in full force and effect throughout the term of the applicable
Indenture, unless coverage thereunder has been exhausted through payment of
claims or until such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy is replaced in accordance
with the terms of the applicable Indenture. The Master Servicer will generally
agree to pay the premiums for each Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy on a timely
basis. In the event the Pool Insurer ceases to be a Qualified Insurer (such term
being defined to mean a private mortgage guaranty insurance company duly
qualified as such under the laws of the state of its incorporation and each
state having jurisdiction over the insurer in connection with the Mortgage Pool
Insurance Policy and approved as an insurer by FHLMC, FNMA or any successor
entity) because it ceases to be qualified under any such law to transact such
insurance business or coverage is terminated for any reason other than
exhaustion of such coverage, the Master Servicer will use reasonable efforts to
obtain from another Qualified Insurer a replacement insurance policy comparable
to the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy with a total coverage equal to the then
outstanding coverage of such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, provided that, if
the cost of the replacement policy is greater than the cost of such Mortgage
Pool Insurance Policy, the coverage of the replacement policy will, unless
otherwise agreed to by the Company, be reduced to a level such that its premium
rate does not exceed the premium rate on such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy. In
the event that the Pool Insurer ceases to be a Qualified Insurer because it
ceases to be approved as an insurer by FHLMC, FNMA or any successor entity, the
Master Servicer will be obligated to review, not less often than monthly, the
financial condition of the Pool Insurer with a view toward determining whether
recoveries under the Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy are jeopardized for reasons
related to the financial condition of the Pool Insurer. If the Master Servicer
determines that recoveries are so jeopardized, it will be obligated to exercise
its best reasonable efforts to obtain from another Qualified Insurer a
replacement insurance policy as described above, subject to the same cost limit.
Any losses associated with any reduction or withdrawal in rating by an
applicable Rating Agency shall be borne by the related Bondholders.
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In lieu of the Master Servicer's obligation to maintain a Letter of
Credit or Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy as provided above, the Master Servicer
may obtain a substitute Letter of Credit, Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or an
alternate form of credit enhancement. If the Master Servicer obtains such a
substitute Letter of Credit or Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, it will maintain
and keep such Letter of Credit, Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or alternate form
of credit enhancement in full force and effect as provided herein. Prior to its
obtaining any substitute Letter of Credit, Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or
alternate form of credit enhancement, the Master Servicer will obtain written
confirmation from the Rating Agency or Agencies that rated the related series of
Bonds that the substitution of such Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, Letter of
Credit, or alternate form of credit enhancement for the existing credit
enhancement will not adversely affect the then-current ratings assigned to such
Bonds by such Rating Agency or Agencies.
If a Special Hazard Instrument has been obtained for a series of Bonds,
the Master Servicer will also be obligated to exercise reasonable efforts to
maintain and keep such Special Hazard Instrument in full force and effect
throughout the term of the applicable Indenture, unless coverage thereunder has
been exhausted through payment of claims or otherwise or substitution therefor
is made as described below under "--Reduction or Substitution of Credit
Enhancement." If the Special Hazard Instrument takes the form of a Special
Hazard Insurance Policy, such policy will provide coverage against risks of the
type described herein under "Description of Credit Enhancement--Special Hazard
Insurance Policies." The Master Servicer may obtain a substitute Special Hazard
Instrument for the existing Special Hazard Instrument if prior to such
substitution the Master Servicer obtains written confirmation from the Rating
Agency or Agencies that rated the related Bonds that such substitution shall not
adversely affect the then-current ratings assigned to such Bonds by such Rating
Agency or Agencies.
If a Bankruptcy Bond has been obtained for a series of Bonds, the
Master Servicer will be obligated to exercise reasonable efforts to maintain and
keep such Bankruptcy Bond in full force and effect throughout the term of the
Indenture, unless coverage thereunder has been exhausted through payment of
claims or substitution therefor is made as described below under "--Reduction or
Substitution of Credit Enhancement." The Master Servicer may obtain a substitute
Bankruptcy Bond or other credit enhancement for the existing Bankruptcy Bond if
prior to such substitution the Master Servicer obtains written confirmation from
the Rating Agency or Agencies that rated the related Bonds that such
substitution shall not adversely affect the then-current ratings assigned to
such Bonds by such Rating Agency or Agencies. See "--Bankruptcy Bonds" above.
The Master Servicer, on behalf of itself, the Indenture Trustee and
Bondholders, will provide the Indenture Trustee information required for the
Indenture Trustee to draw under the Letter of Credit and will present claims to
the provider of any Purchase Obligation, to each Pool Insurer, to the issuer of
each Special Hazard Insurance Policy or other Special Hazard Instrument, to the
issuer of each Bankruptcy Bond and, in respect of defaulted Mortgage Loans for
which there is no Subservicer, to each Primary Insurer and take such reasonable
steps as are necessary to permit recovery under such Letter of Credit, Purchase
Obligation, insurance policies or comparable coverage respecting defaulted
Mortgage Loans or Mortgage Loans which are the subject of a bankruptcy
proceeding. Additionally, the Master Servicer will present such claims and take
such steps as are reasonably necessary to provide for the performance by the
provider of the Purchase Obligation of its Purchase Obligation. As set forth
above, all collections by the Master Servicer under any Purchase Obligation, any
Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, any Primary Insurance Policy or any Bankruptcy
Bond and, where the related property has not been restored, any Special Hazard
Instrument, are to be deposited in the related Collection Account, subject to
withdrawal as described above. All draws under any Letter of Credit are also to
be deposited in the related Collection Account. In those cases in which a
Mortgage Loan is serviced by a Subservicer, the Subservicer, on behalf of
itself, the Indenture Trustee and the Bondholders will present claims to the
Primary Insurer, and all collections thereunder shall initially be deposited in
a subservicing account that generally meets the requirements for
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the Collection Account prior to being delivered to the Master Servicer for
deposit in the related Collection Account.
If any property securing a defaulted Mortgage Loan is damaged and
proceeds, if any, from the related hazard insurance policy or any applicable
Special Hazard Instrument are insufficient to restore the damaged property to a
condition sufficient to permit recovery under any Financial Guaranty Insurance
Policy, Letter of Credit, Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or any related Primary
Insurance Policy, the Master Servicer is not required to expend its own funds to
restore the damaged property unless it determines (i) that such restoration will
increase the proceeds to one or more classes of Bondholders on liquidation of
the Mortgage Loan after reimbursement of the Master Servicer for its expenses
and (ii) that such expenses will be recoverable by it through Liquidation
Proceeds or Insurance Proceeds. If recovery under any Financial Guaranty
Insurance Policy, Letter of Credit, Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy, other credit
enhancement or any related Primary Insurance Policy is not available because the
Master Servicer has been unable to make the above determinations, has made such
determinations incorrectly or recovery is not available for any other reason,
the Master Servicer is nevertheless obligated to follow such normal practices
and procedures (subject to the preceding sentence) as it deems necessary or
advisable to realize upon the defaulted Mortgage Loan and in the event such
determination has been incorrectly made, is entitled to reimbursement of its
expenses in connection with such restoration.
REDUCTION OR SUBSTITUTION OF CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
The amount of credit support provided pursuant to any form of credit
enhancement may be reduced under certain specified circumstances. In most cases,
the amount available pursuant to any form of credit enhancement will be subject
to periodic reduction in accordance with a schedule or formula on a
nondiscretionary basis pursuant to the terms of the related Indenture.
Additionally, in most cases, such form of credit support (and any replacements
therefor) may be replaced, reduced or terminated, and the formula used in
calculating the amount of coverage with respect to Bankruptcy Losses, Special
Hazard Losses or Fraud Losses may be changed, without the consent of the
Bondholders, upon the written assurance from each applicable Rating Agency that
the then-current rating of the related series of Bonds will not be adversely
affected. Furthermore, in the event that the credit rating of any obligor under
any applicable credit enhancement is downgraded, the credit rating(s) of the
related series of Bonds may be downgraded to a corresponding level, and the
Master Servicer will not be obligated to obtain replacement credit support in
order to restore the rating(s) of the related series of Bonds. The Master
Servicer will also be permitted to replace such credit support with other credit
enhancement instruments issued by obligors whose credit ratings are equivalent
to such downgraded level and in lower amounts which would satisfy such
downgraded level, provided that the then-current rating(s) of the related series
of Bonds are maintained. Where the credit support is in the form of a Reserve
Fund, a permitted reduction in the amount of credit enhancement will result in a
release of all or a portion of the assets in the Reserve Fund to the Company,
the Master Servicer or such other person that is entitled thereto. Any assets so
released will not be available for distributions in future periods.
PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS
With respect to certain types of Mortgage Loans to be included in any
Mortgage Pool, if specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Mortgage
Loans may be sold subject to a Purchase Obligation as described below that would
become applicable on a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified
event. For example, with respect to certain types of ARM Loans as to which the
Mortgage Rate is fixed for the first five years, a Purchase Obligation may apply
on the first date that the Mortgage Rate of such Mortgage Loan is adjusted, and
such obligation may apply to the Mortgage Loans or to the related Bonds
themselves, or to a corresponding Purchase Obligation of the Company or another
person as specified in
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the related Prospectus Supplement. With respect to any Purchase Obligation, such
obligation will be an obligation of an entity (which may include a bank or other
financial institution or an insurance company) specified in the related
Prospectus Supplement, and an instrument evidencing such obligation (a "Purchase
Obligation") shall be delivered to the related Indenture Trustee for the benefit
of the Bondholders to the related series.
The specific terms and conditions applicable to any Purchase Obligation
will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement, including the purchase
price, the timing of and any limitations and conditions to any such purchase.
Any Purchase Obligation will be payable solely to the Indenture Trustee for the
benefit of the Bondholders of the related series and will be nontransferable.
Each Purchase Obligation will be a general unsecured obligation of the provider
thereof, and prospective purchasers of Bonds must look solely to the credit of
such entity for payment under the Purchase Obligation.
PRIMARY MORTGAGE INSURANCE, HAZARD INSURANCE;
CLAIMS THEREUNDER
GENERAL
Each Mortgage Loan will be required to be covered by a hazard insurance
policy (as described below) and, if required as described below, a Primary
Insurance Policy. The following is only a brief description of certain insurance
policies and does not purport to summarize or describe all of the provisions of
these policies. Such insurance is subject to underwriting and approval of
individual Mortgage Loans by the respective insurers. The descriptions of any
insurance policies described in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement and
the coverage thereunder do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their
entirety by reference to such forms of policies, sample copies of which are
available upon request.
PRIMARY MORTGAGE INSURANCE POLICIES
Except in the case of High LTV Loans and as otherwise provided in the
related Prospectus Supplement, each Single Family Loan having a Loan-to-Value
Ratio at origination of over 80% will generally be required by the Company to be
covered by a primary mortgage guaranty insurance policy (a "Primary Insurance
Policy") insuring against default on such Mortgage Loan as to at least the
principal amount thereof exceeding 75% of the Value of the related Mortgaged
Property at origination of the Mortgage Loan, unless and until the principal
balance of the Mortgage Loan is reduced to a level that would produce a
Loan-to-Value Ratio equal to or less than at least 80%. The Company will
represent and warrant that, to the best of the Company's knowledge, such
Mortgage Loans are so covered. However, the foregoing standard may vary
significantly depending on the characteristics of the Mortgage Loans and the
applicable underwriting standards, and any variation will be described in the
related Prospectus Supplement. A Mortgage Loan will not be considered to be an
exception to the foregoing standard if no Primary Insurance Policy was obtained
at origination but the Mortgage Loan has amortized to below an 80% Loan-to-Value
Ratio level as of the applicable Cut-off Date. Mortgage Loans which are subject
to negative amortization will only be covered by a Primary Insurance Policy if
such coverage was so required upon their origination, notwithstanding that
subsequent negative amortization may cause such Mortgage Loan's Loan-to-Value
Ratio (based on the then-current balance) to subsequently exceed the limits
which would have required such coverage upon their origination. Multifamily
Loans will not be covered by a Primary Insurance Policy, regardless of the
related Loan-to-Value Ratio.
While the terms and conditions of the Primary Insurance Policies issued
by one primary mortgage guaranty insurer (a "Primary Insurer") will differ from
those in Primary Insurance Policies issued by other Primary Insurers, each
Primary Insurance Policy will in general provide substantially the following
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coverage. The amount of the loss as calculated under a Primary Insurance Policy
covering a Mortgage Loan (herein referred to as the "Loss") will generally
consist of the unpaid principal amount of such Mortgage Loan and accrued and
unpaid interest thereon and reimbursement of certain expenses, less (i) rents or
other payments collected or received by the insured (other than the proceeds of
hazard insurance) that are derived from the related Mortgaged Property, (ii)
hazard insurance proceeds in excess of the amount required to restore such
Mortgaged Property and which have not been applied to the payment of the
Mortgage Loan, (iii) amounts expended but not approved by the Primary Insurer,
(iv) claim payments previously made on such Mortgage Loan and (v) unpaid
premiums and certain other amounts.
The Primary Insurer will generally be required to pay either: (i) the
insured percentage of the Loss; (ii) the entire amount of the Loss, after
receipt by the Primary Insurer of good and merchantable title to, and possession
of, the Mortgaged Property; or (iii) at the option of the Primary Insurer under
certain Primary Insurance Policies, the sum of the delinquent monthly payments
plus any advances made by the insured, both to the date of the claim payment
and, thereafter, monthly payments in the amount that would have become due under
the Mortgage Loan if it had not been discharged plus any advances made by the
insured until the earlier of (a) the date the Mortgage Loan would have been
discharged in full if the default had not occurred or (b) an approved sale.
As conditions precedent to the filing or payment of a claim under a
Primary Insurance Policy, in the event of default by the Mortgagor, the insured
will typically be required, among other things, to: (i) advance or discharge (a)
hazard insurance premiums and (b) as necessary and approved in advance by the
Primary Insurer, real estate taxes, protection and preservation expenses and
foreclosure and related costs; (ii) in the event of any physical loss or damage
to the Mortgaged Property, have the Mortgaged Property restored to at least its
condition at the effective date of the Primary Insurance Policy (ordinary wear
and tear excepted); and (iii) tender to the Primary Insurer good and
merchantable title to, and possession of, the Mortgaged Property.
For any Bonds offered hereunder, the Master Servicer will maintain or
cause each Subservicer to maintain, as the case may be, in full force and effect
and to the extent coverage is available a Primary Insurance Policy with regard
to each Single Family Loan for which such coverage is required under the
standard described above, provided that such Primary Insurance Policy was in
place as of the Cut-off Date and the Company had knowledge of such Primary
Insurance Policy. In the event that the Company gains knowledge that as of the
Closing Date, a Mortgage Loan had a Loan-to-Value Ratio at origination in excess
of 80% and was not the subject of a Primary Insurance Policy (and was not
included in any exception to such standard disclosed in the related Prospectus
Supplement) and that such Mortgage Loan has a then current Loan-to-Value Ratio
in excess of 80%, then the Master Servicer is required to use reasonable efforts
to obtain and maintain a Primary Insurance Policy to the extent that such a
policy is obtainable at a reasonable price. The Master Servicer or, in the case
of a Designated Seller Transaction, the Seller will not cancel or refuse to
renew any such Primary Insurance Policy in effect at the time of the initial
issuance of a series of Bonds that is required to be kept in force under the
applicable Servicing Agreement unless the replacement Primary Insurance Policy
for such cancelled or non-renewed policy is maintained with an insurer whose
claims-paying ability is acceptable to the Rating Agency or Agencies that rated
such series of Bonds for mortgage pass-through certificates having a rating
equal to or better than the highest then-current rating of any class of such
series of Bonds. For further information regarding the extent of coverage under
any Mortgage Pool Insurance Policy or Primary Insurance Policy, see "Description
of Credit Enhancement--Mortgage Pool Insurance Policies."
HAZARD INSURANCE POLICIES
The terms of the Mortgage Loans require each Mortgagor to maintain a
hazard insurance policy for their Mortgage Loan. Additionally, the Servicing
Agreement will require the Master Servicer to cause
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to be maintained for each Mortgage Loan a hazard insurance policy providing for
no less than the coverage of the standard form of fire insurance policy with
extended coverage customary in the state in which the property is located. Such
coverage generally will be in an amount equal to the lesser of the principal
balance owing on such Mortgage Loan or 100% of the insurable value of the
improvements securing the Mortgage Loan except that, if generally available,
such coverage must not be less than the minimum amount required under the terms
thereof to fully compensate for any damage or loss on a replacement cost basis.
The ability of the Master Servicer to ensure that hazard insurance proceeds are
appropriately applied may be dependent on its being named as an additional
insured under any hazard insurance policy and under any flood insurance policy
referred to below, or upon the extent to which information in this regard is
furnished to the Master Servicer by Mortgagors or Subservicers.
As set forth above, all amounts collected by the Master Servicer under
any hazard policy (except for amounts to be applied to the restoration or repair
of the Mortgaged Property or released to the Mortgagor in accordance with the
Master Servicer's normal servicing procedures) will be deposited in the related
Collection Account. The Servicing Agreement will provide that the Master
Servicer may satisfy its obligation to cause hazard policies to be maintained by
maintaining a blanket policy insuring against losses on the Mortgage Loans. If
such blanket policy contains a deductible clause, the Master Servicer will
deposit in the applicable Collection Account all sums which would have been
deposited therein but for such clause.
In general, the standard form of fire and extended coverage policy
covers physical damage to or destruction of the improvements on the property by
fire, lightning, explosion, smoke, windstorm, hail, riot, strike and civil
commotion, subject to the conditions and exclusions specified in each policy.
Although the policies relating to the Mortgage Loans will be underwritten by
different insurers under different state laws in accordance with different
applicable state forms and therefore will not contain identical terms and
conditions, the basic terms thereof are dictated by respective state laws, and
most such policies typically do not cover any physical damage resulting from the
following: war, revolution, governmental actions, floods and other water-related
causes, earth movement (including earthquakes, landslides and mudflows), nuclear
reactions, wet or dry rot, vermin, rodents, insects or domestic animals, theft
and, in certain cases, vandalism. The foregoing list is merely indicative of
certain kinds of uninsured risks and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Where
the improvements securing a Mortgage Loan are located in a federally designated
flood area at the time of origination of such Mortgage Loan, the Servicing
Agreement requires the Master Servicer to cause to be maintained for each such
Mortgage Loan serviced, flood insurance (to the extent available) in an amount
equal in general to the lesser of the amount required to compensate for any loss
or damage on a replacement cost basis or the maximum insurance available under
the federal flood insurance program.
The hazard insurance policies covering the Mortgaged Properties
typically contain a co-insurance clause which in effect requires the insured at
all times to carry insurance of a specified percentage (generally 80% to 90%) of
the full replacement value of the improvements on the property in order to
recover the full amount of any partial loss. If the insured's coverage falls
below this specified percentage, such clause generally provides that the
insurer's liability in the event of partial loss does not exceed the greater of
(i) the replacement cost of the improvements damaged or destroyed less physical
depreciation or (ii) such proportion of the loss as the amount of insurance
carried bears to the specified percentage of the full replacement cost of such
improvements.
Since the amount of hazard insurance that Mortgagors are required to
maintain on the improvements securing the Mortgage Loans may decline as the
principal balances owing thereon decrease, and since residential properties have
historically appreciated in value over time, hazard insurance proceeds could be
insufficient to restore fully the damaged property in the event of a partial
loss. See "Description of Credit Enhancement--Special Hazard Insurance Policies"
for a description of the limited protection
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afforded by any Special Hazard Insurance Policy against losses occasioned by
hazards which are otherwise uninsured against (including losses caused by the
application of the co-insurance clause described in the preceding paragraph).
Under the terms of the Mortgage Loans, Mortgagors are generally
required to present claims to insurers under hazard insurance policies
maintained on the Mortgaged Properties. The Master Servicer, on behalf of the
Indenture Trustee and Bondholders, is obligated to present claims under any
Special Hazard Insurance Policy or other Special Hazard Instrument and any
blanket insurance policy insuring against hazard losses on the Mortgaged
Properties. However, the ability of the Master Servicer to present such claims
is dependent upon the extent to which information in this regard is furnished to
the Master Servicer or the Subservicers by Mortgagors.
FHA INSURANCE
The FHA is responsible for administering various federal programs,
including mortgage insurance, authorized under The Housing Act and the United
States Housing Act of 1937, as amended.
There are two primary FHA insurance programs that are available for
multifamily mortgage loans. Sections 221(d)(3) and (d)(4) of the Housing Act
allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") to insure mortgage
loans that are secured by newly constructed and substantially rehabilitated
multifamily rental projects. Section 244 of the Housing Act provides for
co-insurance of such mortgage loans made under Sections 221(d)(3) and (d)(4) by
HUD/FHA and a HUD-approved co-insurer. Generally the term of such a mortgage
loan may be up to 40 years and the ratio of the loan amount to property
replacement cost can be up to 90%.
Section 223(f) of the Housing Act allows HUD to insure mortgage loans
made for the purchase or refinancing of existing apartment projects which are at
least three years old. Section 244 also provides for co-insurance of mortgage
loans made under Section 223(f). Under Section 223(f), the loan proceeds cannot
be used for substantial rehabilitation work, but repairs may be made for up to,
in general, the greater of 15% of the value of the project or a dollar amount
per apartment unit established from time to time by HUD. In general the loan
term may not exceed 35 years and a loan to value ratio of no more than 85% is
required for the purchase of a project and 70% for the refinancing of a project.
HUD has the option, in most cases, to pay insurance claims in cash or
in debentures issued by HUD. Presently, claims are being paid in cash, and
claims have not been paid in debentures since 1965. HUD debentures issued in
satisfaction of FHA insurance claims bear interest at the applicable HUD
debenture interest rate. The Master Servicer will generally be obligated to
purchase any such debenture issued in satisfaction of a defaulted FHA insured
Mortgage Loan serviced by it for an amount equal to the principal amount of any
such debenture.
The Master Servicer will be required to take such steps as are
reasonably necessary to keep FHA insurance in full force and effect.
THE COMPANY
The Company is a limited-purpose wholly-owned subsidiary of Impac
Mortgage Holdings, Inc. ("Impac Holdings"), formerly known as Imperial Credit
Mortgage Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded real estate investment trust
("REIT"). The Company was incorporated in the State of California on April 12,
1996. The Company was organized for the purpose of serving as a private
secondary mortgage market conduit.
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The Company maintains its principal office at 20371 Irvine Avenue,
Suite 200, Santa Ana Heights, California 92707. Its telephone number is (909)
788-7808.
IMPAC FUNDING CORPORATION
Impac Funding Corporation ("Impac Funding"), formerly known as
ICI Funding Corporation, is an affiliate of the Company and may from time to
time be a Seller or act as Master Servicer with respect to a Mortgage Pool.
Impac Funding is a mortgage banking conduit that acquires conventional one-to
four-family residential mortgage loans nationwide. Impac Funding is a
non-consolidating subsidiary of Impac Holdings. Impac Funding primarily acquires
mortgage loans from approved correspondents. Impac Funding's executive offices
are located at 20371 Irvine Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Ana Heights, California
92707, and its telephone number is (714) 556-0122.
Prior to November 1995, Impac Funding was a division of
Imperial Credit Industries, Inc. ("ICII"), a California corporation. ICII is a
publicly traded mortgage banking company. In November 1995, ICII restructured
its operations pursuant to which Impac Funding became a separate corporation and
ICII contributed, among other things, all of the outstanding nonvoting preferred
stock of Impac Funding, which represents 99% of the economic interest in Impac
Funding, to Impac Holdings, in exchange for approximately 10% of the common
stock of Impac Holdings. The common stock of Impac Funding was retained by ICII
until March 1997 when it was distributed to certain officers and/or directors of
Impac Funding who are also officers and/or directors of IMH.
THE AGREEMENTS
The following summaries describe certain provisions of the Trust
Agreement, the Indenture and Servicing Agreement relating to a series of Bonds
(each, an "Agreement" and, collectively, the "Agreements"). The summaries do not
purport to be complete and are qualified entirely by reference to the actual
terms of the Agreements relating to a series of Bonds.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT
SERVICING AGREEMENT
A "Servicing Default" under the Servicing Agreement in respect of a
series of Securities generally will include: (i) any failure by the Master
Servicer to make a required deposit to the Collection Account or, if the Master
Servicer is so required, to distribute to the holders of any class of Securities
of such series any required payment which continues unremedied for five business
days (or other period of time described in the related Prospectus Supplement)
after the giving of written notice of such failure to the Master Servicer by the
Indenture Trustee or the Issuer; (ii) any failure by the Master Servicer duly to
observe or perform in any material respect any other of its covenants or
agreements in the Servicing Agreement with respect to such series of Securities
which continues unremedied for 45 days after the giving of written notice of
such failure to the Master Servicer by the Indenture Trustee or the Issuer (or
the Pool Insurer, if applicable); (iii) certain events of insolvency,
readjustment of debt, marshalling of assets and liabilities or similar
proceedings regarding the Master Servicer and certain actions by the Master
Servicer indicating its insolvency or inability to pay its obligations and (iv)
any other Servicing Default as set forth in the Servicing Agreement.
So long as a Servicing Default remains unremedied, either the Company
or the Indenture Trustee may (except as otherwise provided for in the related
Agreement with respect to the Pool Insurer, if
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applicable), by written notification to the Master Servicer and to the Issuer or
the Indenture Trustee or Trust Fund, as applicable, terminate all of the rights
and obligations of the Master Servicer under the Servicing Agreement (other than
any right of the Master Servicer as Securityholder and other than the right to
receive servicing compensation and expenses for servicing the Mortgage Loans
during any period prior to the date of such termination), whereupon the
Indenture Trustee will succeed to all responsibilities, duties and liabilities
of the Master Servicer under such Servicing Agreement (other than the obligation
to purchase Mortgage Loans under certain circumstances) and will be entitled to
similar compensation arrangements. In the event that the Indenture Trustee would
be obligated to succeed the Master Servicer but is unwilling so to act, it may
appoint (or if it is unable so to act, it shall appoint) or petition a court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of an approved mortgage servicing
institution with a net worth of at least $10,000,000 to act as successor to the
Master Servicer under the Servicing Agreement (unless otherwise set forth in the
Servicing Agreement). Pending such appointment, the Indenture Trustee is
obligated to act in such capacity. The Indenture Trustee and such successor may
agree upon the servicing compensation to be paid, which in no event may be
greater than the compensation to the initial Master Servicer under the Servicing
Agreement.
INDENTURE
An "Event of Default" under the Indenture in respect of each series of
Bonds, generally will include: (i) a default for five days or more (or other
period of time described in the related Prospectus Supplement) in the payment of
any principal of or interest on any Bond of such series; (ii) failure to perform
any other covenant of the Company or the Trust Fund in the Indenture which
continues for a period of thirty days after notice thereof is given in
accordance with the procedures described in the related Prospectus Supplement
(and if the Pool Insurer defaults in the performance of its obligations, if
applicable); (iii) any representation or warranty made by the Company or the
Trust Fund in the Indenture or in any certificate or other writing delivered
pursuant thereto or in connection therewith with respect to or affecting such
series having been incorrect in a material respect as of the time made, and such
breach is not cured within thirty days after notice thereof is given in
accordance with the procedures described in the related Prospectus Supplement;
(iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or liquidation of
the Company or the Trust Fund (and if the Pool Insurer defaults in the
performance of its obligations, if applicable); or (v) any other Event of
Default provided with respect to Bonds of that series.
If an Event of Default with respect to the Bonds of any series at the
time outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the Indenture Trustee, the
Pool Insurer (if applicable) or the holders of a majority of the then aggregate
outstanding amount of the Bonds of such series may declare the principal amount
(or, if the Bonds of that series are Accrual Bonds, such portion of the
principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series, as provided in
the related Prospectus Supplement) of all the Bonds of such series to be due and
payable immediately. Such declaration may, under certain circumstances, be
rescinded and annulled by the holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding
amount of the related Bonds.
If following an Event of Default with respect to any series of Bonds,
the Bonds of such series have been declared to be due and payable, the Indenture
Trustee (with the consent of the Pool Insurer, if applicable) may, in its
discretion, notwithstanding such acceleration, elect to maintain possession of
the collateral securing the Bonds of such series and to continue to apply
payments on such collateral as if there had been no declaration of acceleration
if such collateral continues to provide sufficient funds for the payment of
principal of and interest on the Bonds of such series as they would have become
due if there had not been such a declaration. In addition, the Indenture Trustee
may not sell or otherwise liquidate the collateral securing the Bonds of a
series following an Event of Default, unless (a) the holders of 100% of the then
aggregate outstanding amount of the Bonds of such series consent to such sale,
(b) the proceeds of such sale or liquidation are sufficient to pay in full the
principal of and accrued interest, due and unpaid, on the outstanding Bonds of
such series (and to reimburse the Pool Insurer, if applicable) at the date of
such
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sale or (c) the Indenture Trustee determines that such collateral would not be
sufficient on an ongoing basis to make all payments on such Bonds as such
payments would have become due if such Bonds had not been declared due and
payable, and the Indenture Trustee obtains the consent of the holders of 66 2/3%
of the then aggregate outstanding amount of the Bonds of such series (and the
Pool Insurer, if applicable).
In the event that the Indenture Trustee liquidates the collateral in
connection with an Event of Default, the Indenture provides that the Indenture
Trustee will have a prior lien on the proceeds of any such liquidation for
unpaid fees and expenses. As a result, upon the occurrence of such an Event of
Default, the amount available for payments to the Bondholders would be less than
would otherwise be the case. However, the Indenture Trustee may not institute a
proceeding for the enforcement of its lien except in connection with a
proceeding for the enforcement of the lien of the Indenture for the benefit of
the Bondholders after the occurrence of such an Event of Default.
In the event the principal of the Bonds of a series is declared due and
payable, as described above, the holders of any such Bonds issued at a discount
from par may be entitled to receive no more than an amount equal to the unpaid
principal amount thereof less the amount of such discount that is unamortized.
No Securityholder generally will have any right under a Trust Agreement
or Indenture to institute any proceeding with respect to such Agreement unless
(a) such holder previously has given to the Indenture Trustee written notice of
default and the continuance thereof, (b) the holders of Securities of any class
evidencing not less than 25% of the aggregate Percentage Interests constituting
such class (i) have made written request upon the Indenture Trustee to institute
such proceeding in its own name as Indenture Trustee thereunder and (ii) have
offered to the Indenture Trustee reasonable indemnity, (c) the Indenture Trustee
has neglected or refused to institute any such proceeding for 60 days after
receipt of such request and indemnity and (d) no direction inconsistent with
such written request has been given to the Indenture Trustee during such 60 day
period by the Holders of a majority of the Bond Balances of such class (except
as otherwise provided for in the related Agreement with respect to the Pool
Insurer). However, the Indenture Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of the trusts or powers vested in it by the applicable Agreement or to
institute, conduct or defend any litigation thereunder or in relation thereto at
the request, order or direction of any of the holders of Securities covered by
such Agreement, unless such Securityholders have offered to the Indenture
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
AMENDMENT
Each Agreement may be amended by the parties thereto (except as
otherwise provided for in the related Agreement with respect to the Pool
Insurer) without the consent of any of the holders of Securities covered by such
Agreement, (i) to cure any ambiguity; (ii) to correct or supplement any
provision therein which may be inconsistent with any other provision therein or
to correct any error; (iii) to change the timing and/or nature of deposits in
the Collection Account or to change the name in which the Collection Account is
maintained (except that (a) deposits to the Payment Account may not occur later
than the related Payment Date, (b) such change may not adversely affect in any
material respect the interests of any Securityholder, as evidenced by an opinion
of counsel, and (c) such change may not adversely affect the then-current rating
of any rated Bonds, as evidenced by a letter from each applicable Rating
Agency); or (iv) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
questions arising under such Agreement which are not materially inconsistent
with the provisions thereof, so long as such action will not adversely affect in
any material respect the interests of any Securityholder.
Each Agreement may also be amended by the parties thereto (except as
otherwise provided for in the related Agreement with respect to the Pool
Insurer) with the consent of the holders of Securities of each class affected
thereby evidencing, in each case, not less than 66% of the aggregate Percentage
Interests
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constituting such class for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing
in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of such Agreement or of
modifying in any manner the rights of the related Securityholders, except that
no such amendment may (i) reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the
timing of, payments received on Mortgage Loans which are required to be paid on
a Security of any class without the consent of the holder of such Security, (ii)
impair the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the enforcement of
the provisions of the Agreements or (iii) reduce the percentage of Securities of
any class the holders of which are required to consent to any such amendment
unless the holders of all Securities of such class have consented to the change
in such percentage.
TERMINATION; REDEMPTION OF BONDS
TRUST AGREEMENT
The obligations created by the Trust Agreement for each series of
Securities (other than certain limited payment and notice obligations of the
Owner Trustee and the Company, respectively) will terminate upon the payment to
the related Securityholders (including, the Bonds issued pursuant to the related
Indenture) of all amounts held by the Master Servicer and required to be paid to
Securityholders following the earlier of (i) the final payment or other
liquidation or disposition (or any advance with respect thereto) of the last
Mortgage Loan subject thereto and all property acquired upon foreclosure or deed
in lieu of foreclosure of any such Mortgage Loan and (ii) the purchase, in whole
but not in part, by the Master Servicer or the Company or a person specified in
the related Prospectus Supplement (other than any Bondholder) of the Bonds of
such series; provided, however, that no such purchase shall be made unless the
aggregate Bond Principal Balance as of such date is equal to or less than 25% of
the aggregate Bond Principal Balance as of the Delivery Date or a period of
seven years has elapsed since the initial Payment Date. Any purchase pursuant to
clause (ii) above will be at a purchase price equal to 100% of the aggregate
Bond Principal Balance of the Bonds redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, plus, if applicable, other amounts described in the Prospectus
Supplement.
INDENTURE
The Indenture will be discharged with respect to a series of Bonds
(except with respect to certain continuing rights specified in the Indenture)
upon the distribution to Bondholders of all amounts required to be distributed
pursuant to the Indenture.
THE OWNER TRUSTEE
The Owner Trustee under the Trust Agreement will be named in the
related Prospectus Supplement. The commercial bank or trust company serving as
Owner Trustee may have normal banking relationships with the Company and/or its
affiliates, including Impac Holdings.
The Owner Trustee may resign at any time, in which event the
Administrator or the Indenture Trustee will be obligated to appoint a successor
owner trustee as set forth in the Agreements. The Administrator or the Indenture
Trustee may also remove the Owner Trustee if the Owner Trustee ceases to be
eligible to continue as such under the Trust Agreement or if the Owner Trustee
becomes insolvent. Upon becoming aware of such circumstances, the Administrator
or the Indenture Trustee will be obligated to appoint a successor Owner Trustee.
Any resignation or removal of the Owner Trustee and appointment of a successor
Owner Trustee will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by
the successor Owner Trustee.
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THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE
The Indenture Trustee under the Indenture will be named in the related
Prospectus Supplement. The commercial bank or trust company serving as Indenture
Trustee may have normal banking relationships with the Company and/or its
affiliates, including Impac Holdings.
The Indenture Trustee may resign at any time, in which event the
Company, the Owner Trustee or the Administrator will be obligated to appoint a
successor indenture trustee as set forth in the Indenture. The Company, the
Owner Trustee or the Administrator as set forth in the Indenture may also remove
the Indenture Trustee if the Indenture Trustee ceases to be eligible to continue
as such under the Indenture or if the Indenture Trustee becomes insolvent. Upon
becoming aware of such circumstances, the Company, the Owner Trustee or the
Administrator will be obligated to appoint a successor Indenture Trustee. If so
specified in the Indenture, the Indenture Trustee may also be removed at any
time by the holders of a majority principal balance of the Bonds. Any
resignation or removal of the Indenture Trustee and appointment of a successor
Indenture Trustee will not become effective until acceptance of the appointment
by the successor Indenture Trustee.
YIELD CONSIDERATIONS
The yield to maturity of an Bond will depend on the price paid by the
holder for such Bond, the Interest Rate on any such Bond entitled to payments of
interest (which Interest Rate may vary if so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement) and the rate and timing of principal payments (including
prepayments, defaults, liquidations and repurchases) on the Mortgage Loans and
the allocation thereof to reduce the principal balance of such Bond (or notional
amount thereof if applicable) and other factors.
A class of Bonds may be entitled to payments of interest at a fixed
Interest Rate, a variable Interest Rate or adjustable Interest Rate, or any
combination of such Interest Rates, each as specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. A variable Interest Rate may be calculated based on the weighted
average of the Mortgage Rates (in each case, net of the per annum rate or rates
applicable to the calculation of servicing and administrative fees and any
Spread (each, a "Net Mortgage Rate")) of the related Mortgage Loans for the
month preceding the Distribution Date if so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement. As will be described in the related Prospectus Supplement, the
aggregate payments of interest on a class of Bonds, and the yield to maturity
thereon, will be affected by the rate of payment of principal on the Bonds (or
the rate of reduction in the notional balance of Bonds entitled only to payments
of interest) and, in the case of Bonds evidencing interests in ARM Loans, by
changes in the Net Mortgage Rates on the ARM Loans. See "Maturity and Prepayment
Considerations" below. The yield on the Bonds will also be affected by
liquidations of Mortgage Loans following Mortgagor defaults and by purchases of
Mortgage Loans in the event of breaches of representations made in respect of
such Mortgage Loans by the Company, the Master Servicer and others, or
conversions of ARM Loans to a fixed interest rate. See "The Mortgage
Pools--Representations by Sellers" and "Descriptions of the Bonds--Assignment of
Trust Fund Assets" above. Holders of certain Strip Bonds or a class of Bonds
having a Interest Rate that varies based on the weighted average Mortgage Rate
of the underlying Mortgage Loans will be affected by disproportionate
prepayments and repurchases of Mortgage Loans having higher Net Mortgage Rates
or rates applicable to the Strip Bonds, as applicable.
With respect to any series of Bonds, a period of time will elapse
between the date upon which payments on the related Mortgage Loans are due and
the Distribution Date on which such payments are passed through to Bondholders.
That delay will effectively reduce the yield that would otherwise be produced if
payments on such Mortgage Loans were distributed to Bondholders on or near the
date they were due.
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In general, if a class of Bonds is purchased at initial issuance at a
premium and payments of principal on the related Mortgage Loans occur at a rate
faster than anticipated at the time of purchase, the purchaser's actual yield to
maturity will be lower than that assumed at the time of purchase. Conversely, if
a class of Bonds is purchased at initial issuance at a discount and payments of
principal on the related Mortgage Loans occur at a rate slower than that assumed
at the time of purchase, the purchaser's actual yield to maturity will be lower
than that originally anticipated. The effect of principal prepayments,
liquidations and purchases on yield will be particularly significant in the case
of a series of Bonds having a class entitled to payments of interest only or to
payments of interest that are disproportionately high relative to the principal
payments to which such class is entitled. Such a class will likely be sold at a
substantial premium to its principal balance and any faster than anticipated
rate of prepayments will adversely affect the yield to holders thereof. In
certain circumstances extremely rapid prepayments may result in the failure of
such holders to recoup their original investment. In addition, the yield to
maturity on certain other types of classes of Bonds, including Accrual Bonds,
Bonds with a Interest Rate which fluctuates inversely with or at a multiple of
an index or certain other classes in a series including more than one class of
Bonds, may be relatively more sensitive to the rate of prepayment on the related
Mortgage Loans than other classes of Bonds.
The timing of changes in the rate of principal payments on or
repurchases of the Mortgage Loans may significantly affect an investor's actual
yield to maturity, even if the average rate of principal payments experienced
over time is consistent with an investor's expectation. In general, the earlier
a prepayment of principal on the underlying Mortgage Loans or a repurchase
thereof, the greater will be the effect on an investor's yield to maturity. As a
result, the effect on an investor's yield of principal payments and repurchases
occurring at a rate higher (or lower) than the rate anticipated by the investor
during the period immediately following the issuance of a series of Bonds would
not be fully offset by a subsequent like reduction (or increase) in the rate of
principal payments.
When a principal prepayment in full is made on a Mortgage Loan, the
borrower is generally charged interest only for the period from the due date of
the preceding scheduled payment up to the date of such prepayment, instead of
for the full accrual period, that is, the period from the due date of the
preceding scheduled payment up to the due date for the next scheduled payment.
In addition, a partial principal prepayment may likewise be applied as of a date
prior to the next scheduled due date (and, accordingly, be accompanied by
interest thereon for less than the full accrual period). However, interest
accrued on any series of Bonds and distributable thereon on any Distribution
Date will generally correspond to interest accrued on the principal balance of
Mortgage Loans for their respective full accrual periods. Consequently, if a
prepayment on any Mortgage Loan is distributable to Bondholders on a particular
Distribution Date, but such prepayment is not accompanied by interest thereon
for the full accrual period, the interest charged to the borrower (net of
servicing and administrative fees and any Spread) may be less (such shortfall, a
"Prepayment Interest Shortfall") than the corresponding amount of interest
accrued and otherwise payable on the Bonds of the related series. If and to the
extent that any such shortfall is allocated to a class of Bonds, the yield
thereon will be adversely affected. The Prospectus Supplement for a series of
Bonds will describe the manner in which any such shortfalls will be allocated
among the classes of such Bonds. If so specified in the related Prospectus
Supplement, the Master Servicer will be required to apply some or all of its
servicing compensation for the corresponding period to offset the amount of any
such shortfalls. The related Prospectus Supplement will also describe any other
amounts available to offset such shortfalls. See Servicing of Mortgage
Loans--Servicing and Other Compensation and Payment of Expenses; Spread".
The Trust Fund with respect to any series may include Convertible
Mortgage Loans. As is the case with conventional, fixed-rate mortgage loans
originated in a high interest rate environment which may be subject to a greater
rate of principal prepayments when interest rates decrease, Convertible Mortgage
Loans
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may be subject to a greater rate of principal prepayments (or purchases by the
related Subservicer or the Master Servicer) due to their refinancing or
conversion to fixed interest rate loans in a low interest rate environment. For
example, if prevailing interest rates fall significantly, Convertible Mortgage
Loans could be subject to higher prepayment and conversion rates than if
prevailing interest rates remain constant because the availability of fixed-rate
or other adjustable-rate mortgage loans at competitive interest rates may
encourage Mortgagors to refinance their adjustable-rate mortgages to "lock in" a
lower fixed interest rate or to take advantage of the availability of such other
adjustable-rate mortgage loans, or, in the case of convertible adjustable-rate
mortgage loans, to exercise their option to convert the adjustable interest
rates to fixed interest rates. The conversion feature may also be exercised in a
rising interest rate environment as Mortgagors attempt to limit their risk of
higher rates. Such a rising interest rate environment may also result in an
increase in the rate of defaults on the Mortgage Loans. If the related
Subservicer or the Master Servicer purchases Convertible Mortgage Loans, a
Mortgagor's exercise of the conversion option will result in a distribution of
the principal portion thereof to the Bondholders, as described herein.
Alternatively, to the extent Subservicers or the Master Servicer fail to
purchase Converting Mortgage Loans, the Mortgage Pool will include fixed-rate
Mortgage Loans.
The rate of defaults on the Mortgage Loans will also affect the rate
and timing of principal payments on the Mortgage Loans and thus the yield on the
Bonds. In general, defaults on Single Family Loans are expected to occur with
greater frequency in their early years. However, there is a risk that Mortgage
Loans, including Multifamily Loans, that require Balloon Payments may default at
maturity, or that the maturity of such a Mortgage Loan may be extended in
connection with a workout. The rate of default on Single Family Loans which are
refinance or limited documentation mortgage loans, and on Mortgage Loans,
including Multifamily Loans, with high Loan-to-Value Ratios, may be higher than
for other types of Mortgage Loans. Furthermore, the rate and timing of
prepayments, defaults and liquidations on the Mortgage Loans will be affected by
the general economic condition of the region of the country in which the related
Mortgaged Properties are located. The risk of delinquencies and loss is greater
and prepayments are less likely in regions where a weak or deteriorating economy
exists, as may be evidenced by, among other factors, increasing unemployment or
falling property values. See "Risk Factors."
With respect to certain Mortgage Loans including ARM Loans, the
Mortgage Rate at origination may be below the rate that would result if the
index and margin relating thereto were applied at origination. Under the
applicable underwriting standards, the Mortgagor under each Mortgage Loan
generally will be qualified, or the Mortgage Loan otherwise approved, on the
basis of the Mortgage Rate in effect at origination. The repayment of any such
Mortgage Loan may thus be dependent on the ability of the mortgagor to make
larger level monthly payments following the adjustment of the Mortgage Rate. In
addition, the periodic increase in the amount paid by the Mortgagor of a Buydown
Mortgage Loan during or at the end of the applicable Buydown Period may create a
greater financial burden for the Mortgagor, who might not have otherwise
qualified for a mortgage under applicable underwriting guidelines, and may
accordingly increase the risk of default with respect to the related Mortgage
Loan.
The Mortgage Rates on certain ARM Loans subject to negative
amortization generally adjust monthly and their amortization schedules adjust
less frequently. During a period of rising interest rates as well as immediately
after origination (initial Mortgage Rates are generally lower than the sum of
the Indices applicable at origination and the related Bond Margins), the amount
of interest accruing on the principal balance of such Mortgage Loans may exceed
the amount of the minimum scheduled monthly payment thereon. As a result, a
portion of the accrued interest on negatively amortizing Mortgage Loans may
become Deferred Interest which will be added to the principal balance thereof
and will bear interest at the applicable Mortgage Rate. The addition of any such
Deferred Interest to the principal balance of any related class or classes of
Bonds will lengthen the weighted average life thereof and may adversely affect
yield to holders thereof, depending upon the price at which such Bonds were
purchased. In addition, with respect to certain ARM Loans subject to negative
amortization, during a period of declining interest
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rates, it might be expected that each minimum scheduled monthly payment on such
a Mortgage Loan would exceed the amount of scheduled principal and accrued
interest on the principal balance thereof, and since such excess will be applied
to reduce the principal balance of the related class or classes of Bonds, the
weighted average life of such Bonds will be reduced and may adversely affect
yield to holders thereof, depending upon the price at which such Bonds were
purchased.
MATURITY AND PREPAYMENT CONSIDERATIONS
As indicated above under "The Mortgage Pools," the original terms to
maturity of the Mortgage Loans in a given Mortgage Pool will vary depending upon
the type of Mortgage Loans included in such Mortgage Pool. The Prospectus
Supplement for a series of Bonds will contain information with respect to the
types and maturities of the Mortgage Loans in the related Mortgage Pool.
Mortgage Loans may generally be prepaid without penalty in full or in part at
any time. The prepayment experience with respect to the Mortgage Loans in a
Mortgage Pool will affect the life and yield of the related series of Bonds.
With respect to Balloon Loans, payment of the Balloon Payment (which,
based on the amortization schedule of such Mortgage Loans, is expected to be a
substantial amount) will generally depend on the Mortgagor's ability to obtain
refinancing of such Mortgage Loans or to sell the Mortgaged Property prior to
the maturity of the Balloon Loan. The ability to obtain refinancing will depend
on a number of factors prevailing at the time refinancing or sale is required,
including, without limitation, real estate values, the Mortgagor's financial
situation, prevailing mortgage loan interest rates, the Mortgagor's equity in
the related Mortgaged Property, tax laws and prevailing general economic
conditions. None of the Company, the Master Servicer, or any of their affiliates
will be obligated to refinance or repurchase any Mortgage Loan or to sell the
Mortgaged Property.
The extent of prepayments of principal of the Mortgage Loans may be
affected by a number of factors, including, without limitation, solicitations
and the availability of mortgage credit, the relative economic vitality of the
area in which the Mortgaged Properties are located and, in the case of
Multifamily Loans, the quality of management of the Mortgage Properties, the
servicing of the Mortgage Loans, possible changes in tax laws and other
opportunities for investment. In addition, the rate of principal payments on the
Mortgage Loans may be affected by the existence of Lock-out Periods and
requirements that principal prepayments be accompanied by Prepayment Premiums,
as well as due-on-sale and due-on-encumbrance provisions, and by the extent to
which such provisions may be practicably enforced. See "Servicing of Mortgage
Loans--Collection and Other Servicing Procedures" and "Certain Legal Aspects of
the Mortgage Loans--Enforceability of Certain Provisions" for a description of
certain provisions of the Indenture and certain legal developments that may
affect the prepayment experience on the Mortgage Loans.
The rate of prepayment on a pool of mortgage loans is also affected by
prevailing market interest rates for mortgage loans of a comparable type, term
and risk level. When the prevailing market interest rate is below a mortgage
coupon, a borrower may have an increased incentive to refinance its mortgage
loan. In addition, as prevailing market interest rates decline, even borrowers
with ARM Loans that have experienced a corresponding interest rate decline may
have an increased incentive to refinance for purposes of either (i) converting
to a fixed rate loan and thereby "locking in" such rate or (ii) taking advantage
of the initial "teaser rate" (a mortgage interest rate below what it would
otherwise be if the applicable index and gross margin were applied) on another
adjustable rate mortgage loan. Moreover, although the Mortgage Rates on ARM
Loans will be subject to periodic adjustments, such adjustments generally will
(i) not increase or decrease such Mortgage Rates by more than a fixed percentage
amount on each adjustment date, (ii) not increase such Mortgage Rates over a
fixed percentage amount during the life of any ARM Loan and (iii) be based on an
index (which may not rise and fall consistently with mortgage
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interest rates) plus the related Bond Margin (which may be different from
margins being used at the time for newly originated adjustable rate mortgage
loans). As a result, the Mortgage Rates on the ARM Loans at any time may not
equal the prevailing rates for similar, newly originated adjustable rate
mortgage loans. In certain rate environments, the prevailing rates on fixed-rate
mortgage loans may be sufficiently low in relation to the then-current Mortgage
Rates on ARM Loans that the rate of prepayment may increase as a result of
refinancings. There can be no certainty as to the rate of prepayments on the
Mortgage Loans during any period or over the life of any series of Bonds.
If the applicable Agreement for a series of Bonds provides for a
Funding Account or other means of funding the transfer of additional Mortgage
Loans to the related Trust Fund, as described under "Description of the
Bonds--Funding Account" herein, and the Trust Fund is unable to acquire such
additional Mortgage Loans within any applicable time limit, the amounts set
aside for such purpose may be applied as principal payments on one or more
classes of Bonds of such series. See "Risk Factors--Yield and Prepayment
Considerations."
There can be no assurance as to the rate of prepayment of the Mortgage
Loans. The Company is not aware of any publicly available statistics relating to
the principal prepayment experience of diverse portfolios of mortgage loans such
as the Mortgage Loans over an extended period of time. All statistics known to
the Company that have been compiled with respect to prepayment experience on
mortgage loans indicate that while some mortgage loans may remain outstanding
until their stated maturities, a substantial number will be paid prior to their
respective stated maturities. No representation is made as to the particular
factors that will affect the prepayment of the Mortgage Loans or as to the
relative importance of such factors.
Under certain circumstances, the Master Servicer, the Company or a
person specified in the related Prospectus Supplement may have the option to
purchase the assets in a Trust Fund and effect early retirement of the related
series of Bonds. See "The Agreements--Termination; Redemption of Bonds."
CERTAIN LEGAL ASPECTS OF MORTGAGE LOANS
The following discussion contains summaries of certain legal aspects of
mortgage loans that are general in nature. Because such legal aspects are
governed in part by applicable state law (which laws may differ substantially),
the summaries do not purport to be complete nor to reflect the laws of any
particular state nor to encompass the laws of all states in which the Mortgaged
Properties may be situated. The summaries are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the applicable federal and state laws governing the Mortgage Loans.
SINGLE FAMILY LOANS AND MULTIFAMILY LOANS
GENERAL. Each Single Family and Multifamily Loan will be evidenced by a
note or bond and secured by an instrument granting a security interest in real
property, which may be a mortgage, deed of trust or a deed to secure debt,
depending upon the prevailing practice and law in the state in which the related
Mortgaged Property is located. Mortgages, deed of trust and deeds to secure debt
are herein collectively referred to as "mortgages". A mortgage creates a lien
upon, or grants a title interest in, the real property covered thereby, and
represents the security for the repayment of the indebtedness customarily
evidenced by a promissory note. The priority of the lien created or interest
granted will depend on the terms of the mortgage and, in some cases, on the
terms of separate subordination agreements or intercreditor agreements with
others that hold interests in the real property, the knowledge of the parties to
the mortgage and, generally, the order of recordation of the mortgage in the
appropriate public recording
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office. However, the lien of a recorded mortgage will generally be subordinate
to later-arising liens for real estate taxes and assessments and other charges
imposed under governmental police powers.
TYPES OF MORTGAGE INSTRUMENTS. There are two parties to a mortgage: a
mortgagor (the borrower and usually the owner of the subject property) and a
mortgagee (the lender). In contrast, a deed of trust is a three-party
instrument, among a trustor (the equivalent of a borrower), a trustee to whom
the real property is conveyed, and a beneficiary (the lender) for whose benefit
the conveyance is made. Under a deed of trust, the trustor grants the property,
irrevocably until the debt is paid, in trust and generally with a power of sale,
to the trustee to secure repayment of the indebtedness evidenced by the related
note. A deed to secure debt typically has two parties. The borrower, or grantor,
conveys title to the real property to the grantee, or lender, generally with a
power of sale, until such time as the debt is repaid. In a case where the
borrower is a land trust, there would be an additional party because legal title
to the property is held by a land trustee under a land trust agreement for the
benefit of the borrower. At origination of a mortgage loan involving a land
trust, the borrower executes a separate undertaking to make payments on the
mortgage note. The mortgagee's authority under a mortgage, the trustee's
authority under a deed of trust and the grantee's authority under a deed to
secure debt are governed by the express provisions of the related instrument,
the law of the state in which the real property is located, certain federal laws
(including, without limitation, the Relief Act) and, in some deed of trust
transactions, the directions of the beneficiary.
LEASES AND RENTS. Mortgages that encumber income-producing multifamily
properties often contain an assignment of rents and leases, pursuant to which
the borrower assigns to the lender the borrower's right, title and interest as
landlord under each lease and the income derived therefrom, while (unless rents
are to be paid directly to the lender) retaining a revocable license to collect
the rents for so long as there is no default. If the borrower defaults, the
license terminates and the lender is entitled to collect the rents. Local law
may require that the lender take possession of the property and/or obtain a
court-appointed receiver before becoming entitled to collect the rents.
CONTRACTS
Under the laws of most states, manufactured housing constitutes
personal property and is subject to the motor vehicle registration laws of the
state or other jurisdiction in which the unit is located. In a few states, where
certificates of title are not required for manufactured homes, security
interests are perfected by the filing of a financing statement under Article 9
of the UCC which has been adopted by all states. Such financing statements are
effective for five years and must be renewed at the end of each five years. The
certificate of title laws adopted by the majority of states provide that
ownership of motor vehicles and manufactured housing shall be evidenced by a
certificate of title issued by the motor vehicles department (or a similar
entity) of such state. In the states that have enacted certificate of title
laws, a security interest in a unit of manufactured housing, so long as it is
not attached to land in so permanent a fashion as to become a fixture, is
generally perfected by the recording of such interest on the certificate of
title to the unit in the appropriate motor vehicle registration office or by
delivery of the required documents and payment of a fee to such office,
depending on state law.
The Master Servicer will be required under the related Servicing
Agreement to effect such notation or delivery of the required documents and
fees, and to obtain possession of the certificate of title, as appropriate under
the laws of the state in which any Manufactured Home is registered. In the event
the Master Servicer fails, due to clerical errors or otherwise, to effect such
notation or delivery, or files the security interest under the wrong law (for
example, under a motor vehicle title statute rather than under the UCC, in a few
states), the Indenture Trustee may not have a first priority security interest
in the Manufactured Home securing a Contract. As manufactured homes have become
larger and often have been attached to their sites without any apparent
intention by the borrowers to move them, courts in many states have held that
manufactured homes may, under certain circumstances, become subject to real
estate title
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and recording laws. As a result, a security interest in a manufactured home
could be rendered subordinate to the interests of other parties claiming an
interest in the home under applicable state real estate law. In order to perfect
a security interest in a manufactured home under real estate laws, the holder of
the security interest must file either a "fixture filing" under the provisions
of the UCC or a real estate mortgage under the real estate laws of the state
where the home is located. These filings must be made in the real estate records
office of the county where the home is located. Generally, Contracts will
contain provisions prohibiting the obligor from permanently attaching the
Manufactured Home to its site. So long as the obligor does not violate this
agreement, a security interest in the Manufactured Home will be governed by the
certificate of title laws or the UCC, and the notation of the security interest
on the certificate of title or the filing of a UCC financing statement will be
effective to maintain the priority of the security interest in the Manufactured
Home. If, however, a Manufactured Home is permanently attached to its site,
other parties could obtain an interest in the Manufactured Home that is prior to
the security interest originally retained by the Seller and transferred to the
Company.
The Company will assign or cause to be assigned a security interest in
the Manufactured Homes to the Indenture Trustee, on behalf of the Bondholders.
Neither the Company, the Master Servicer nor the Indenture Trustee will amend
the certificates of title to identify the Indenture Trustee, on behalf of the
Bondholders, as the new secured party and, accordingly, the Company or the
Seller will continue to be named as the secured party on the certificates of
title relating to the Manufactured Homes. In most states, such assignment is an
effective conveyance of such security interest without amendment of any lien
noted on the related certificate of title and the new secured party succeeds to
the Company's rights as the secured party. However, in some states there exists
a risk that, in the absence of an amendment to the certificate of title, such
assignment of the security interest might not be held effective against
creditors of the Company or Seller.
In the absence of fraud, forgery or permanent affixation of the
Manufactured Home to its site by the Manufactured Home owner, or administrative
error by state recording officials, the notation of the lien of the Company on
the certificate of title or delivery of the required documents and fees will be
sufficient to protect the Indenture Trustee against the rights of subsequent
purchasers of a Manufactured Home or subsequent lenders who take a security
interest in the Manufactured Home. If there are any Manufactured Homes as to
which the Company has failed to perfect or cause to be perfected the security
interest assigned to the Trust Fund, such security interest would be subordinate
to, among others, subsequent purchasers for value of Manufactured Homes and
holders of perfected security interests. There also exists a risk in not
identifying the Indenture Trustee, on behalf of the Bondholders, as the new
secured party on the certificate of title that, through fraud or negligence, the
security interest of the Indenture Trustee could be released.
In the event that the owner of a Manufactured Home moves it to a state
other than the state in which such Manufactured Home initially is registered,
under the laws of most states the perfected security interest in the
Manufactured Home would continue for four months after such relocation and
thereafter until the owner re-registers the Manufactured Home in such state. If
the owner were to relocate a Manufactured Home to another state and re-register
the Manufactured Home in such state, and if the Company did not take steps to
re-perfect its security interest in such state, the security interest in the
Manufactured Home would cease to be perfected. A majority of states generally
require surrender of a certificate of title to re-register a Manufactured Home;
accordingly, the Company must surrender possession if it holds the certificate
of title to such Manufactured Home or, in the case of Manufactured Homes
registered in states that provide for notation of lien, the Company would
receive notice of surrender if the security interest in the Manufactured Home is
noted on the certificate of title. Accordingly, the Company would have the
opportunity to re-perfect its security interest in the Manufactured Home in the
state of relocation. In states that do not require a certificate of title for
registration of a manufactured home, re-registration could defeat perfection.
Similarly, when an obligor under a manufactured housing
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conditional sales contract sells a manufactured home, the obligee must surrender
possession of the certificate of title or it will receive notice as a result of
its lien noted thereon and accordingly will have an opportunity to require
satisfaction of the related manufactured housing conditional sales contract
before release of the lien. Under each related Servicing Agreement, the Master
Servicer will be obligated to take such steps, at the Master Servicer's expense,
as are necessary to maintain perfection of security interests in the
Manufactured Homes.
Under the laws of most states, liens for repairs performed on a
Manufactured Home take priority even over a perfected security interest. The
Company will obtain the representation of the related Seller that it has no
knowledge of any such liens with respect to any Manufactured Home securing a
Contract. However, such liens could arise at any time during the term of a
Contract. No notice will be given to the Indenture Trustee or Bondholders in the
event such a lien arises.
FORECLOSURE ON MORTGAGES
Foreclosure of a deed of trust is generally accomplished by a
non-judicial trustee's sale under a specific provision in the deed of trust
which authorizes the trustee to sell the property upon any default by the
borrower under the terms of the note or deed of trust. In addition to any notice
requirements contained in a deed of trust, in some states, the trustee must
record a notice of default and send a copy to the borrower trustor and to any
person who has recorded a request for a copy of notice of default and notice of
sale. In addition, the trustee must provide notice in some states to any other
individual having an interest of record in the real property, including any
junior lienholders. If the deed of trust is not reinstated within a specified
period, a notice of sale must be posted in a public place and, in most states,
published for a specific period of time in one or more newspapers. In addition,
some state laws require that a copy of the notice of sale be posted on the
property and sent to all parties having an interest of record in the real
property.
Foreclosure of a mortgage is generally accomplished by judicial action.
Generally, the action is initiated by the service of legal pleadings upon all
parties having an interest of record in the real property. Delays in completion
of the foreclosure may occasionally result from difficulties in locating
necessary parties. Judicial foreclosure proceedings are often not contested by
any of the applicable parties. If the mortgagee's right to foreclose is
contested, the legal proceedings necessary to resolve the issue can be
time-consuming.
In some states, the borrower-trustor has the right to reinstate the
loan at any time following default until shortly before the trustee's sale. In
general, in such states, the borrower, or any other person having a junior
encumbrance on the real estate, may, during a reinstatement period, cure the
default by paying the entire amount in arrears plus the costs and expenses
incurred in enforcing the obligation.
In the case of foreclosure under either a mortgage or a deed of trust,
the sale by the referee or other designated officer or by the trustee is a
public sale. However, because of the difficulty a potential buyer at the sale
would have in determining the exact status of title and because the physical
condition of the property may have deteriorated during the foreclosure
proceedings, it is uncommon for a third party to purchase the property at a
foreclosure sale. Rather, it is common for the lender to purchase the property
from the trustee or referee for a credit bid less than or equal to the unpaid
principal amount of the mortgage or deed of trust, accrued and unpaid interest
and the expense of foreclosure. Generally, state law controls the amount of
foreclosure costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, which may be
recovered by a lender. Thereafter, subject to the right of the borrower in some
states to remain in possession during the redemption period, the lender will
assume the burdens of ownership, including obtaining hazard insurance and making
such repairs at its own expense as are necessary to render the property suitable
for sale. The lender will commonly obtain the services of a real estate broker
and pay the broker's commission in
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connection with the sale of the property. Depending upon market conditions, the
ultimate proceeds of the sale of the property may not equal the lender's
investment in the property and, in some states, subject to the terms of the
loan, the lender may be entitled to a deficiency judgment. Any loss may be
reduced by the receipt of any mortgage insurance proceeds.
A junior mortgagee may not foreclose on the property securing a junior
mortgage unless it forecloses subject to the senior mortgages, in which case it
must either pay the entire amount due on the senior mortgages to the senior
mortgagees prior to or at the time of the foreclosure sale or undertake the
obligation to make payments on the senior mortgages in the event the mortgagor
is in default thereunder, in either event adding the amounts expended to the
balance due on the junior loan, and may be subrogated to the rights of the
senior mortgagees. In addition, in the event that the foreclosure of a junior
mortgage triggers the enforcement of a "due-on-sale" clause, the junior
mortgagee may be required to pay the full amount of the senior mortgages to the
senior mortgagees. Accordingly, with respect to those Single Family and
Multifamily Loans which are junior mortgage loans, if the lender purchases the
property, the lender's title will be subject to all senior liens and claims and
certain governmental liens. The proceeds received by the referee or trustee from
the sale are applied first to the costs, fees and expenses of sale and then in
satisfaction of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage or deed of trust under
which the sale was conducted. Any remaining proceeds are generally payable to
the holders of junior mortgages or deeds of trust and other liens and claims in
order of their priority, whether or not the borrower is in default. Any
additional proceeds are generally payable to the mortgagor or trustor. The
payment of the proceeds to the holders of junior mortgages may occur in the
foreclosure action of the senior mortgagee or may require the institution of
separate legal proceeds.
In foreclosure, courts have imposed general equitable principles. The
equitable principles are generally designed to relieve the borrower from the
legal effect of its defaults under the loan documents. Examples of judicial
remedies that have been fashioned include judicial requirements that the lender
undertake affirmative and expensive actions to determine the causes for the
borrower's default and the likelihood that the borrower will be able to
reinstate the loan. In some cases, courts have substituted their judgment for
the lender's judgment and have required that lenders reinstate loans or recast
payment schedules in order to accommodate borrowers who are suffering from
temporary financial disability. In other cases, courts have limited the right of
a lender to foreclose if the default under the mortgage instrument is not
monetary, such as the borrower's failure to adequately maintain the property or
the borrower's execution of a second mortgage or deed of trust affecting the
property. Finally, some courts have been faced with the issue of whether or not
federal or state constitutional provisions reflecting due process concerns for
adequate notice require that borrowers under deeds of trust or mortgages receive
notices in addition to the statutorily-prescribed minimums. For the most part,
these cases have upheld the notice provisions as being reasonable or have found
that the sale by a trustee under a deed of trust, or under a mortgage having a
power of sale, does not involve sufficient state action to afford constitutional
protection to the borrower.
REPOSSESSION WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACTS
GENERAL. Repossession of manufactured housing is governed by state law.
A few states have enacted legislation that requires that the debtor be given an
opportunity to cure its default (typically 30 days to bring the account current)
before repossession can commence. So long as a manufactured home has not become
so attached to real estate that it would be treated as a part of the real estate
under the law of the state where it is located, repossession of such home in the
event of a default by the obligor will generally be governed by the UCC (except
in Louisiana). Article 9 of the UCC provides the statutory framework for the
repossession of manufactured housing. While the UCC as adopted by the various
states may vary in certain small particulars, the general repossession procedure
established by the UCC is as follows:
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(i) Except in those states where the debtor must receive
notice of the right to cure a default, repossession can commence
immediately upon default without prior notice. Repossession may be
effected either through self-help (peaceable retaking without court
order), voluntary repossession or through judicial process
(repossession pursuant to court-issued writ of replevin). The self-help
and/or voluntary repossession methods are more commonly employed, and
are accomplished simply by retaking possession of the manufactured
home. In cases in which the debtor objects or raises a defense to
repossession, a court order must be obtained from the appropriate state
court, and the manufactured home must then be repossessed in accordance
with that order. Whether the method employed is self-help, voluntary
repossession or judicial repossession, the repossession can be
accomplished either by an actual physical removal of the manufactured
home to a secure location for refurbishment and resale or by removing
the occupants and their belongings from the manufactured home and
maintaining possession of the manufactured home on the location where
the occupants were residing. Various factors may affect whether the
manufactured home is physically removed or left on location, such as
the nature and term of the lease of the site on which it is located and
the condition of the unit. In many cases, leaving the manufactured home
on location is preferable, in the event that the home is already set
up, because the expenses of retaking and redelivery will be saved.
However, in those cases where the home is left on location, expenses
for site rentals will usually be incurred.
(ii) Once repossession has been achieved, preparation for
the subsequent disposition of the manufactured home can commence. The
disposition may be by public or private sale provided the method,
manner, time, place and terms of the sale are commercially reasonable.
(iii) Sale proceeds are to be applied first to repossession
expenses (expenses incurred in retaking, storage, preparing for sale to
include refurbishing costs and selling) and then to satisfaction of the
indebtedness. While some states impose prohibitions or limitations on
deficiency judgments if the net proceeds from resale do not cover the
full amount of the indebtedness, the remainder may be sought from the
debtor in the form of a deficiency judgement in those states that do
not prohibit or limit such judgments. The deficiency judgment is a
personal judgment against the debtor for the shortfall. Occasionally,
after resale of a manufactured home and payment of all expenses and
indebtedness, there is a surplus of funds. In that case, the UCC
requires the party suing for the deficiency judgment to remit the
surplus to the debtor. Because the defaulting owner of a manufactured
home generally has very little capital or income available following
repossession, a deficiency judgment may not be sought in many cases or,
if obtained, will be settled at a significant discount in light of the
defaulting owner's strained financial condition.
LOUISIANA LAW. Any contract secured by a manufactured home located in
Louisiana will be governed by Louisiana law rather than Article 9 of the UCC.
Louisiana laws provide similar mechanisms for perfection and enforcement of
security interests in manufactured housing used as collateral for an installment
sale contract or installment loan agreement.
Under Louisiana law, a manufactured home that has been permanently
affixed to real estate will nevertheless remain subject to the motor vehicle
registration laws unless the obligor and any holder of a security interest in
the property execute and file in the real estate records for the parish in which
the property is located a document converting the unit into real property. A
manufactured home that is converted into real property but is then removed from
its site can be converted back to personal property governed by the motor
vehicle registration laws if the obligor executes and files various documents in
the appropriate real estate records and all mortgagees under real estate
mortgages on the property and the land to which it was affixed file releases
with the motor vehicle commission.
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So long as a manufactured home remains subject to the Louisiana motor
vehicle laws, liens are recorded on the certificate of title by the motor
vehicle commissioner and repossession can be accomplished by voluntary consent
of the obligor, executory process (repossession proceedings which must be
initiated through the courts but which involve minimal court supervision) or a
civil suit for possession. In connection with a voluntary surrender, the obligor
must be given a full release from liability for all amounts due under the
contract. In executory process repossessions, a sheriff's sale (without court
supervision) is permitted, unless the obligor brings suit to enjoin the sale,
and the lender is prohibited from seeking a deficiency judgment against the
obligor unless the lender obtained an appraisal of the manufactured home prior
to the sale and the property was sold for at least two-thirds of its appraised
value.
RIGHTS OF REDEMPTION
SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES AND MULTIFAMILY Properties. The purposes of a
foreclosure action in respect of a Single Family Property or Multifamily
Property are to enable the lender to realize upon its security and to bar the
borrower, and all persons who have interests in the property that are
subordinate to that of the foreclosing lender, from exercise of their "equity of
redemption". The doctrine of equity of redemption provides that, until the
property encumbered by a mortgage has been sold in accordance with a properly
conducted foreclosure and foreclosure sale, those having interests that are
subordinate to that of the foreclosing lender have an equity of redemption and
may redeem the property by paying the entire debt with interest. Those having an
equity of redemption must generally be made parties and joined in the
foreclosure proceeding in order for their equity of redemption to be terminated.
The equity of redemption is a common-law (non-statutory) right which
should be distinguished from post-sale statutory rights of redemption. In some
states, after sale pursuant to a deed of trust or foreclosure of a mortgage, the
borrower and foreclosed junior lienors are given a statutory period in which to
redeem the property. In some states, statutory redemption may occur only upon
payment of the foreclosure sale price. In other states, redemption may be
permitted if the former borrower pays only a portion of the sums due. The effect
of a statutory right of redemption is to diminish the ability of the lender to
sell the foreclosed property because the exercise of a right of redemption would
defeat the title of any purchase through a foreclosure. Consequently, the
practical effect of the redemption right is to force the lender to maintain the
property and pay the expenses of ownership until the redemption period has
expired. In some states, a post-sale statutory right of redemption may exist
following a judicial foreclosure, but not following a trustee's sale under a
deed of trust.
MANUFACTURED HOMES. While state laws do not usually require notice to
be given to debtors prior to repossession, many states do require delivery of a
notice of default and of the debtor's right to cure defaults before
repossession. The law in most states also requires that the debtor be given
notice of sale prior to the resale of the home so that the owner may redeem at
or before resale. In addition, the sale must comply with the requirements of the
UCC.
ANTI-DEFICIENCY LEGISLATION AND OTHER LIMITATIONS ON LENDERS
SINGLE FAMILY LOANS AND MULTIFAMILY Loans. Certain states have imposed
statutory prohibitions which limit the remedies of a beneficiary under a deed of
trust or a mortgagee under a mortgage. In some states including California,
statutes limit the right of the beneficiary or mortgagee to obtain a deficiency
judgment against the borrower following foreclosure. A deficiency judgment is a
personal judgment against the former borrower equal in most cases to the
difference between the net amount realized upon the public sale of the real
property and the amount due to the lender. In the case of a Mortgage Loan
secured by a property owned by a trust where the Mortgage Note is executed on
behalf of the trust, a deficiency judgment against the trust following
foreclosure or sale under a deed of trust, even if obtainable under applicable
law, may be of little value to the mortgagee or beneficiary if there are no
trust assets
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against which such deficiency judgment may be executed. In the case of a
Mortgage Loan secured by a property owned by a trust where the Mortgage Note is
executed on behalf of the trust, a deficiency judgment against the trust
following foreclosure or sale under a deed of trust, even if obtainable under
applicable law, may be of little value to the mortgagee or beneficiary if there
are no trust assets against which such deficiency judgment may be executed.
Other statutes require the beneficiary or mortgagee to exhaust the security
afforded under a deed of trust or mortgage by foreclosure in an attempt to
satisfy the full debt before bringing a personal action against the borrower. In
certain other states, the lender has the option of bringing a personal action
against the borrower on the debt without first exhausting such security; however
in some of these states, the lender, following judgment on such personal action,
may be deemed to have elected a remedy and may be precluded from exercising
remedies with respect to the security. Consequently, the practical effect of the
election requirement, in those states permitting such election, is that lenders
will usually proceed against the security first rather than bringing a personal
action against the borrower. Finally, in certain other states, statutory
provisions limit any deficiency judgment against the former borrower following a
foreclosure to the excess of the outstanding debt over the fair value of the
property at the time of the public sale. The purpose of these statutes is
generally to prevent a beneficiary or mortgagee from obtaining a large
deficiency judgment against the former borrower as a result of low or no bids at
the judicial sale.
In addition to laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency judgments,
numerous other federal and state statutory provisions, including the federal
bankruptcy laws and state laws affording relief to debtors, may interfere with
or affect the ability of the secured mortgage lender to realize upon collateral
or enforce a deficiency judgment. For example, under the federal Bankruptcy
Code, as amended from time to time (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the
"Bankruptcy Code"), virtually all actions (including foreclosure actions and
deficiency judgment proceedings) to collect a debt are automatically stayed upon
the filing of the bankruptcy petition and, often, no interest or principal
payments are made during the course of the bankruptcy case. The delay and the
consequences thereof caused by such automatic stay can be significant. Also,
under the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a petition in a bankruptcy by or on
behalf of a junior lienor may stay the senior lender from taking action to
foreclose out of such junior lien. Moreover, with respect to federal bankruptcy
law, a court with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction may permit a debtor through
his or her Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 rehabilitative plan to cure a monetary
default in respect of a mortgage loan on a debtor's residence by paying
arrearage within a reasonable time period and reinstating the original mortgage
loan payment schedule even though the lender accelerated the mortgage loan and
final judgment of foreclosure had been entered in state court (provided no sale
of the residence had yet occurred) prior to the filing of the debtor's petition.
Some courts with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction have approved plans, based on
the particular facts of the reorganization case, that effected the curing of a
mortgage loan default by paying arrearage over a number of years.
Courts with federal bankruptcy jurisdiction have also indicated that
the terms of a mortgage loan secured by property of the debtor may be modified.
These courts have allowed modifications that include reducing the amount of each
monthly payment, changing the rate of interest, altering the repayment schedule,
forgiving all or a portion of the debt and reducing the lender's security
interest to the value of the residence, thus leaving the lender a general
unsecured creditor for the difference between the value of the residence and the
outstanding balance of the loan. Generally, however, the terms of a mortgage
loan secured only by a mortgage on real property that is the debtor's principal
residence may not be modified pursuant to a plan confirmed pursuant to Chapter
13 except with respect to mortgage payment arrearages, which may be cured within
a reasonable time period.
In the case of income-producing multifamily properties, federal
bankruptcy law may also have the effect of interfering with or affecting the
ability of the secured lender to enforce the borrower's assignment of rents and
leases related to the mortgaged property. Under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy
Code, the
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lender will be stayed from enforcing the assignment, and the legal proceedings
necessary to resolve the issue could be time-consuming, with resulting delays in
the lender's receipt of the rents.
Certain tax liens arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), may in certain circumstances provide priority over the
lien of a mortgage or deed of trust. In addition, substantive requirements are
imposed upon mortgage lenders in connection with the origination and the
servicing of single family mortgage loans by numerous federal and some state
consumer protection laws. These laws include the federal Truth-in-Lending Act,
Regulation "Z," Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Regulation "X," Equal
Credit Opportunity Act, Regulation "B," Fair Credit Billing Act, the Fair
Housing Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and related statutes. These federal laws
impose specific statutory liabilities upon lenders who originate mortgage loans
and who fail to comply with the provisions of the law. In some cases, this
liability may affect assignees of the mortgage loans. In particular, the
originators' failure to comply with certain requirements of the Federal
Truth-in-Lending Act, as implemented by Regulation Z, could subject both
originators and assignees of such obligations to monetary penalties and could
result in obligors' rescinding the mortgage loans against either the originators
or assignees.
In addition, certain of the Mortgage Loans are also subject to the Home
Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (the "Homeownership Act") (such
mortgage loans, "High Cost Loans"), if such Mortgage Loans were originated on or
after October 1, 1995, are not mortgage loans made to finance the purchase of
the mortgaged property and have interest rates or origination costs in excess of
certain prescribed levels. The Homeownership Act requires certain additional
disclosures, specifies the timing of such disclosures and limits or prohibits
inclusion of certain provisions in mortgages subject to the Homeownership Act.
Remedies available to the mortgagor include monetary penalties, as well as
recission rights if the appropriate disclosures were not given as required. The
Homeownership Act also provides that any purchaser or assignee of a mortgage
covered by the Homeownership Act is subject to all of the claims and defenses to
loan payment, whether under the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, as amended by the
Homeownership Act or other law, which the borrower could assert against the
original lender unless the purchaser or assignee did not know and could not with
reasonable diligence have determined that the Mortgage Loan was subject to the
provisions of the Homeownership Act. The maximum damages that may be recovered
under the Homeownership Act from an assignee is the remaining amount of
indebtedness plus the total amount paid by the borrower in connection with the
Mortgage Loan.
CONTRACTS. In addition to the laws limiting or prohibiting deficiency
judgments, numerous other statutory provisions, including federal bankruptcy
laws and related state laws, may interfere with or affect the ability of a
lender to realize upon collateral and/or enforce a deficiency judgment. For
example, in a Chapter 13 proceeding under the federal bankruptcy law, a court
may prevent a lender from repossessing a home, and, as part of the
rehabilitation plan, reduce the amount of the secured indebtedness to the market
value of the home at the time of bankruptcy (as determined by the court),
leaving the party providing financing as a general unsecured creditor for the
remainder of the indebtedness. A bankruptcy court may also reduce the monthly
payments due under a contract or change the rate of interest and time of
repayment of the indebtedness.
JUNIOR MORTGAGES
Some of the Mortgage Loans may be secured by junior mortgages or deeds
of trust, which are junior to senior mortgages or deeds of trust which are not
part of the Trust Fund. The rights of the Bondholders as the holders of a junior
deed of trust or a junior mortgage are subordinate in lien priority and in
payment priority to those of the holder of the senior mortgage or deed of trust,
including the prior rights of the senior mortgagee or beneficiary to receive and
apply hazard insurance and condemnation proceeds and, upon default of the
mortgagor, to cause a foreclosure on the property. Upon completion of the
foreclosure proceedings by the holder of the senior mortgage or the sale
pursuant to the deed of trust,
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the junior mortgagee's or junior beneficiary's lien will be extinguished unless
the junior lienholder satisfies the defaulted senior loan or asserts its
subordinate interest in a property in foreclosure proceedings. See
"--Foreclosure on Mortgages" above.
Furthermore, the terms of the junior mortgage or deed of trust are
subordinate to the terms of the senior mortgage or deed of trust. In the event
of a conflict between the terms of the senior mortgage or deed of trust and the
junior mortgage or deed of trust, the terms of the senior mortgage or deed of
trust will govern generally. Upon a failure of the mortgagor or trustor to
perform any of its obligations, the senior mortgagee or beneficiary, subject to
the terms of the senior mortgage or deed of trust, may have the right to perform
the obligation itself. Generally, all sums so expended by the mortgagee or
beneficiary become part of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage or deed of
trust. To the extent a senior mortgagee expends such sums, such sums will
generally have priority over all sums due under the junior mortgage.
CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACTS
Numerous federal and state consumer protection laws impose substantial
requirements upon creditors involved in consumer finance. These laws include the
federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Regulation "Z", the Equal Credit Opportunity Act,
Regulation "B", the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Real Estate Settlement
Procedures Act, Regulation "X," the Fair Housing Act and related statutes. These
laws can impose specific statutory liabilities upon creditors who fail to comply
with their provisions. In some cases, this liability may affect an assignee's
ability to enforce a contract. In particular, the originators' failure to comply
with certain requirements of the Federal Truth-in-Lending Act, as implemented by
Regulation Z, could subject both originators and assignees of such obligations
to monetary penalties and could result in obligors' rescinding the Contracts
against either the originators or assignees. Further, if such Contracts are
deemed High Cost Loans within the meaning of the Homeownership Act, they would
be subject to the same provisions of the Homeownership Act as Mortgage Loans as
described in "--Anti-Deficiency Legislation and Other Limitations on Lenders"
above.
Manufactured housing contracts often contain provisions obligating the
obligor to pay late charges if payments are not timely made. In certain cases,
federal and state law may specifically limit the amount of late charges that may
be collected. Under the related Servicing Agreement, late charges will not be
retained by the Master Servicer as additional servicing compensation, and any
inability to collect these amounts will not affect payments to Bondholders.
Courts have imposed general equitable principles upon repossession and
litigation involving deficiency balances. These equitable principles are
generally designed to relieve a consumer from the legal consequences of a
default.
In several cases, consumers have asserted that the remedies provided to
secured parties under the UCC and related laws violate the due process
protections provided under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States. For the most part, courts have upheld the notice provisions of the UCC
and related laws as reasonable or have found that the repossession and resale by
the creditor does not involve sufficient state action to afford constitutional
protection to consumers.
The so-called "Holder-in-Due-Course" Rule of the Federal Trade
Commission (the "FTC Rule") has the effect of subjecting a seller (and certain
related creditors and their assignees) in a consumer credit transaction and any
assignee of the creditor to all claims and defenses which the debtor in the
transaction could assert against the seller of the goods. Liability under the
FTC Rule is limited to the amounts paid by a debtor on the contract, and the
holder of the contract may also be unable to collect amounts still due
thereunder. Most of the Contracts in a Trust Fund will be subject to the
requirements of the FTC Rule. Accordingly, the Trust Fund, as holder of the
Contracts, will be subject to any claims or defenses that the
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purchaser of the related manufactured home may assert against the seller of the
manufactured home, subject to a maximum liability equal to the amounts paid by
the obligor on the Contract. Further, if such Contracts are deemed High Cost
Loans within the meaning of the Homeownership Act, assignees of such obligations
would be subject to the same liability as Mortgage Loans as described in
"--Anti-Deficiency Legislation and Other Limitations on Lenders" above.
ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
Certain states impose a statutory lien for associated costs on property
that is the subject of a cleanup action by the state on account of hazardous
wastes or hazardous substances released or disposed of on the property. Such a
lien will generally have priority over all subsequent liens on the property and,
in certain of these states, will have priority over prior recorded liens
including the lien of a mortgage. In addition, under federal environmental
legislation and under state law in a number of states, a secured party which
takes a deed in lieu of foreclosure or acquires a mortgaged property at a
foreclosure sale or becomes involved in the operation or management of a
property so as to be deemed an "owner" or "operator" of the property may be
liable for the costs of cleaning up a contaminated site. Although such costs
could be substantial, it is unclear whether they would be imposed on a lender
(such as a Trust Fund) secured by residential real property. In the event that
title to a Mortgaged Property securing a Mortgage Loan in a Trust Fund was
acquired by the Trust Fund and cleanup costs were incurred in respect of the
Mortgaged Property, the holders of the Bonds of the related series might realize
a loss if such costs were required to be paid by the Trust Fund.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
TRANSFER OF SINGLE FAMILY PROPERTIES AND MULTIFAMILY Properties. Unless
the related Prospectus Supplement indicates otherwise, the Single Family Loans
and Multifamily Loans generally contain due-on-sale clauses. These clauses
permit the lender to accelerate the maturity of the loan if the borrower sells,
transfers or conveys the property. The enforceability of these clauses has been
the subject of legislation or litigation in many states, and in some cases the
enforceability of these clauses was limited or denied. However, the Garn-St
Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982 (the "Garn-St Germain Act") preempts
state constitutional, statutory and case law that prohibits the enforcement of
due-on-sale clauses and permits lenders to enforce these clauses in accordance
with their terms, subject to certain limited exceptions. The Garn-St Germain Act
does "encourage" lenders to permit assumption of loans at the original rate of
interest or at some other rate less than the average of the original rate and
the market rate.
The Garn-St Germain Act also sets forth nine specific instances in
which a mortgage lender covered by the Garn-St Germain Act may not exercise a
due-on-sale clause, notwithstanding the fact that a transfer of the property may
have occurred. These include intra-family transfers, certain transfers by
operation of law, leases of fewer than three years and the creation of a junior
encumbrance. Regulations promulgated under the Garn-St Germain Act also prohibit
the imposition of a prepayment penalty upon the acceleration of a loan pursuant
to a due-on-sale clause.
The inability to enforce a due-on-sale clause may result in a mortgage
loan bearing an interest rate below the current market rate being assumed by the
buyer rather than being paid off, which may have an impact upon the average life
of the Mortgage Loans and the number of Mortgage Loans which may be outstanding
until maturity.
TRANSFER OF MANUFACTURED HOMES. Generally, manufactured housing
contracts contain provisions prohibiting the sale or transfer of the related
manufactured homes without the consent of the obligee on the contract and
permitting the acceleration of the maturity of such contracts by the obligee on
the contract upon any such sale or transfer that is not consented to. The Master
Servicer will, to the extent it has
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knowledge of such conveyance or proposed conveyance, exercise or cause to be
exercised its rights to accelerate the maturity of the related Contracts through
enforcement of due-on-sale clauses, subject to applicable state law. In certain
cases, the transfer may be made by a delinquent obligor in order to avoid a
repossession proceeding with respect to a Manufactured Home.
In the case of a transfer of a Manufactured Home as to which the Master
Servicer desires to accelerate the maturity of the related Contract, the Master
Servicer's ability to do so will depend on the enforceability under state law of
the due-on-sale clause. The Garn-St Germain Act preempts, subject to certain
exceptions and conditions, state laws prohibiting enforcement of due-on-sale
clauses applicable to the Manufactured Homes. Consequently, in some cases the
Master Servicer may be prohibited from enforcing a due-on-sale clause in respect
of certain Manufactured Homes.
LATE PAYMENT CHARGES AND PREPAYMENT RESTRICTIONS. Mortgage notes and
mortgages, as well as manufactured housing conditional sales contracts and
installment loan agreements, may contain provisions that obligate the borrower
to pay a late charge or additional interest if payments are not timely made, and
in some circumstances, may prohibit prepayments for a specified period and/or
condition prepayments upon the borrower's payment of prepayment fees or yield
maintenance penalties. In certain states, there are or may be specific
limitations upon the late charges which a lender may collect from a borrower for
delinquent payments. Certain states also limit the amounts that a lender may
collect from a borrower as an additional charge if the loan is prepaid. In
addition, the enforceability of provisions that provide for prepayment fees or
penalties upon an involuntary prepayment is unclear under the laws of many
states.
SUBORDINATE FINANCING
When the mortgagor encumbers mortgaged property with one or more junior
liens, the senior lender is subjected to additional risk. First, the mortgagor
may have difficulty servicing and repaying multiple loans. In addition, if the
junior loan permits recourse to the mortgagor (as junior loans often do) and the
senior loan does not, a mortgagor may be more likely to repay sums due on the
junior loan than those on the senior loan. Second, acts of the senior lender
that prejudice the junior lender or impair the junior lender's security may
create a superior equity in favor of the junior lender. For example, if the
mortgagor and the senior lender agree to an increase in the principal amount of
or the interest rate payable on the senior loan, the senior lender may lose its
priority to the extent an existing junior lender is harmed or the mortgagor is
additionally burdened. Third, if the mortgagor defaults on the senior loan
and/or any junior loan or loans, the existence of junior loans and actions taken
by junior lenders can impair the security available to the senior lender and can
interfere with or delay the taking of action by the senior lender. Moreover, the
bankruptcy of a junior lender may operate to stay foreclosure or similar
proceeds by the senior lender.
APPLICABILITY OF USURY LAWS
Title V of the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary
Control Act of 1980, enacted in March 1980 ("Title V"), provides that state
usury limitations shall not apply to certain types of residential first mortgage
loans originated by certain lenders after March 31, 1980. A similar federal
statute was in effect with respect to mortgage loans made during the first three
months of 1980. The Office of Thrift Supervision is authorized to issue rules
and regulations and to publish interpretations governing implementation of Title
V. The statute authorized any state to reimpose interest rate limits by
adopting, before April 1, 1983, a law or constitutional provision which
expressly rejects application of the federal law. In addition, even where Title
V is not so rejected, any state is authorized by the law to adopt a provision
limiting discount points or other charges on mortgage loans covered by Title V.
Certain states have taken action to reimpose interest rate limits or to limit
discount points or other charges.
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Title V also provides that, subject to the following conditions, state
usury limitations shall not apply to any loan that is secured by a first lien on
certain kinds of manufactured housing. The Contracts would be covered if they
satisfy certain conditions, among other things, governing the terms of any
prepayments, late charges and deferral fees and requiring a 30-day notice period
prior to instituting any action leading to repossession of or foreclosure with
respect to the related unit. Title V authorized any state to reimpose
limitations on interest rates and finance charges by adopting before April 1,
1983 a law or constitutional provision which expressly rejects application of
the federal law. Fifteen states adopted such a law prior to the April 1, 1983
deadline. In addition, even where Title V was not so rejected, any state is
authorized by the law to adopt a provision limiting discount points or other
charges on loans covered by Title V. In any state in which application of Title
V was expressly rejected or a provision limiting discount points or other
charges has been adopted, no Contract which imposes finance charges or provides
for discount points or charges in excess of permitted levels has been included
in the Trust Fund.
As indicated above under "The Mortgage Pools--Representations by
Sellers," each Seller of a Mortgage Loan will have represented that such
Mortgage Loan was originated in compliance with then applicable state laws,
including usury laws, in all material respects. However, the Mortgage Rates on
the Mortgage Loans will be subject to applicable usury laws as in effect from
time to time.
ALTERNATIVE MORTGAGE INSTRUMENTS
Alternative mortgage instruments, including adjustable rate mortgage
loans and early ownership mortgage loans, originated by non-federally chartered
lenders have historically been subjected to a variety of restrictions. Such
restrictions differed from state to state, resulting in difficulties in
determining whether a particular alternative mortgage instrument originated by a
state-chartered lender was in compliance with applicable law. These difficulties
were alleviated substantially as a result of the enactment of Title VIII of the
Garn-St Germain Act ("Title VIII"). Title VIII provides that, notwithstanding
any state law to the contrary, state-chartered banks may originate alternative
mortgage instruments in accordance with regulations promulgated by the
Comptroller of the Currency with respect to origination of alternative mortgage
instruments by national banks, state-chartered credit unions may originate
alternative mortgage instruments in accordance with regulations promulgated by
the National Credit Union Administration with respect to origination of
alternative mortgage instruments by federal credit unions, and all other
non-federally chartered housing creditors, including state-chartered savings and
loan associations, state-chartered savings banks and mutual savings banks and
mortgage banking companies, may originate alternative mortgage instruments in
accordance with the regulations promulgated by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board,
predecessor to the Office of Thrift Supervision, with respect to origination of
alternative mortgage instruments by federal savings and loan associations. Title
VIII provides that any state may reject applicability of the provisions of Title
VIII by adopting, prior to October 15, 1985, a law or constitutional provision
expressly rejecting the applicability of such provisions. Certain states have
taken such action.
FORMALDEHYDE LITIGATION WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACTS
A number of lawsuits are pending in the United States alleging personal
injury from exposure to the chemical formaldehyde, which is present in many
building materials, including such components of manufactured housing as plywood
flooring and wall paneling. Some of these lawsuits are pending against
manufacturers of manufactured housing, suppliers of component parts, and related
persons in the distribution process. The Company is aware of a limited number of
cases in which plaintiffs have won judgments in these lawsuits.
Under the FTC Rule, which is described above under "Consumer Protection
Laws", the holder of any Contract secured by a Manufactured Home with respect to
which a formaldehyde claim has been successfully asserted may be liable to the
obligor for the amount paid by the obligor on the related Contract
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and may be unable to collect amounts still due under the Contract. In the event
an obligor is successful in asserting such a claim, the related Bondholders
could suffer a loss if (i) the related Seller fails or cannot be required to
repurchase the affected Contract for a breach of representation and warranty and
(ii) the Master Servicer or the Indenture Trustee were unsuccessful in asserting
any claim of contribution or subrogation on behalf of the Bondholders against
the manufacturer or other persons who were directly liable to the plaintiff for
the damages. Typical products liability insurance policies held by manufacturers
and component suppliers of manufactured homes may not cover liabilities arising
from formaldehyde in manufactured housing, with the result that recoveries from
such manufacturers, suppliers or other persons may be limited to their corporate
assets without the benefit of insurance.
SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' CIVIL RELIEF ACT OF 1940
Under the terms of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940,
as amended (the "Relief Act"), a Mortgagor who enters military service after the
origination of such Mortgagor's Mortgage Loan (including a Mortgagor who was in
reserve status and is called to active duty after origination of the Mortgage
Loan), may not be charged interest (including fees and charges) above an annual
rate of 6% during the period of such Mortgagor's active duty status, unless a
court orders otherwise upon application of the lender. The Relief Act applies to
individuals who are members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, National
Guard, Reserves, Coast Guard, and officers of the U.S. Public Health Service
assigned to duty with the military. Because the Relief Act applies to Mortgagors
who enter military service (including reservists who are called to active duty)
after origination of the related Mortgage Loan, no information can be provided
as to the number of loans that may be affected by the Relief Act. Application of
the Relief Act would adversely affect, for an indeterminate period of time, the
ability of the Master Servicer to collect full amounts of interest on certain of
the Mortgage Loans. Any shortfall in interest collections resulting from the
application of the Relief Act or similar legislation or regulations, which would
not be recoverable from the related Mortgage Loans, would result in a reduction
of the amounts distributable to the holders of the related Bonds, and would not
be covered by advances or by any Letter of Credit provided in connection with
the related series of Bonds. In addition, the Relief Act imposes limitations
that would impair the ability of the Master Servicer to foreclose on an affected
Mortgage Loan or enforce rights under a Contract during the Mortgagor's period
of active duty status, and, under certain circumstances, during an additional
three month period thereafter. Thus, in the event that the Relief Act or similar
legislation or regulations applies to any Mortgage Loan which goes into default,
there may be delays in payment and losses on the related Bonds in connection
therewith. Any other interest shortfalls, deferrals or forgiveness of payments
on the Mortgage Loans resulting from similar legislation or regulations may
result in delays in payments or losses to Bondholders of the related series.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
GENERAL
The following general discussion of the anticipated material federal
income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Bonds
offered hereunder to the extent it relates to matter of law or legal conclusions
with respect thereto, represents the opinion of counsel to the Depositor with
respect to that series on the material matters associated with such
consequences, subject to any qualifications set forth herein. This discussion
has been prepared with the advice of Thacher Proffitt & Wood, counsel to the
Company. This discussion is directed solely to Bondholders that hold the Bonds
as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code and does not
purport to discuss all federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to
particular categories of investors, some of which (such as banks, insurance
companies and foreign investors) may be subject to special rules. Further, the
authorities on which this discussion, and the opinion referred to below, are
based are subject to change or
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differing interpretations, which could apply retroactively. Prospective
investors should note that no rulings have been or will be sought from the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") with respect to any of the federal income tax
consequences discussed below, and no assurance can be given the IRS will not
take contrary positions. Taxpayers and preparers of tax returns should be aware
that under applicable Treasury regulations a provider of advice on specific
issues of law is not considered an income tax return preparer unless the advice
(i) is given with respect to events that have occurred at the time the advice is
rendered and is not given with respect to the consequences of contemplated
actions, and (ii) is directly relevant to the determination of an entry on a tax
return. Accordingly, taxpayers should consult their tax advisors and tax return
preparers regarding the preparation of any item on a tax return, even where the
anticipated tax treatment has been discussed herein. In addition to the federal
income tax consequences described herein, potential investors should consider
the state and local tax consequences, if any, of the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the Bonds. See "State and Other Tax Consequences." Bondholders
are advised to consult their tax advisors concerning the federal, state, local
or other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Bonds offered hereunder.
Taxable mortgage pool ("TMP") rules enacted as part of the Tax Reform
Act of 1986 treat certain arrangements that securitize real estate mortgages as
taxable corporations. An entity will be characterized as a TMP if (i)
substantially all of its assets are debt obligations and more than 50 percent of
such debt obligations consist of real estate mortgages or interests therein,
(ii) the entity is the obligor under debt obligations with two or more
maturities, and (iii) payments on the debt obligations referred to in (ii) bear
a relationship to payments on the debt obligations referred to in (i).
Furthermore, a group of assets held by an entity can be treated as a separate
TMP if the assets are expected to produce significant cash flow that will
support one or more of the entity's issues of debt obligation.
It is possible that the Issuer or a portion of the Issuer relating to
the ownership of the Mortgage Loans and the issuance of the Bonds could be
treated as a TMP. The related Prospectus Supplement for each series of Bonds
will discuss whether the Issuer is anticipated to be characterized as a TMP for
federal income tax purposes. Such characterization would require that the Issuer
be treated as a "separate" corporation and not includible with any other
corporation in a consolidated return, therefore subjecting the Issuer to
corporate income tax. However, it is anticipated that for federal income tax
purposes the Issuer will be disregarded as an entity separate from the Company
(a "Wholly Owned Entity") pursuant to Treasury regulation Section
301.7701-2(c)(2) (the "Entity Classification Regulations"), because one hundred
percent of the equity of the Issuer will be owned by the Company which is a
"qualified REIT subsidiary" (as defined in Section 856(i)(2) of the Code) of
Impac Holdings, which itself is a REIT. Characterization of the Issuer as a TMP
would result only in the shareholders of Impac Holdings being required to
include in income, as "excess inclusion" income, some or all of their allocable
share of the Issuer's net income that would be excess inclusion income, if any,
if the Issuer were treated as a REMIC. Such characterization of the Issuer as a
Wholly Owned Entity or a "qualified REIT subsidiary" would not result in
entity-level, corporate income taxation with respect to the Issuer. If the
Issuer were to fail to qualify as a Wholly Owned Entity and fail to continue to
be treated as a "qualified REIT subsidiary" by reason of the Company's failure
to continue to qualify as a "qualified REIT subsidiary" for federal income tax
purposes, or for any other reason, the net income of the Issuer would be subject
to corporate income tax and if the Issuer were characterized as a TMP the Issuer
would not be permitted to be included on a consolidated income tax return of
another corporate entity. If the Company were to dispose of a portion of the
equity of the Issuer, the Issuer would be characterized as a partnership
pursuant to the Entity Classification Regulations, unless the Issuer was
characterized as a TMP, in which case the net income of the Issuer would be
subject to corporate income tax and the Issuer would not be permitted to be
included on a consolidated income tax return of another corporate entity. No
assurance can be given with regard to the prospective qualification of the
Issuer as either a Wholly Owned Entity or a "qualified REIT subsidiary" or of
the Company as a "qualified REIT subsidiary" for federal income tax purposes.
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Upon the issuance of the Bonds, Thacher Proffitt & Wood ("Tax
Counsel"), counsel to the Company, will deliver its opinion generally to the
effect that, for federal income tax purposes, assuming compliance with all
provisions of the Indenture and certain related documents, the Bonds will be
treated as indebtedness. The following discussion is based in part upon the
rules governing original issue discount that are set forth in Sections 1271-1273
and 1275 of the Code and in the Treasury regulations issued thereunder (the "OID
Regulations"). For purposes of this tax discussion, references to a "Bondholder"
or a "holder" are to the beneficial owner of a Bond.
STATUS AS REAL PROPERTY LOANS. (i) Bonds held by a domestic building
and loan association will not constitute "loans...secured by an interest in real
property" within the meaning of Code section 7701(a)(19)(C)(v); (ii) Bonds held
by a real estate investment trust will not constitute "real estate assets"
within the meaning of Code section 856(c)(4)(A); and (iii) interest on Bonds
will not be considered "interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real
property" within the meaning of Code section 856(c)(3)(B).
INTEREST AND ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT. The related Prospectus Supplement
for a series of Bonds will disclose whether such Bonds are anticipated to be
issued with original issue discount. Any holders of Bonds issued with original
issue discount generally will be required to include original issue discount in
income as it accrues, in accordance with the method described below, in advance
of the receipt of the cash attributable to such income. In addition, Section
1272(a)(6) of the Code provides special rules applicable to any class of Bonds
issued with original issue discount. Regulations have not been issued under that
section.
Under the OID Regulations, a holder of a Bond issued with a DE MINIMIS
amount of original issue discount must include such DE MINIMIS discount in
income, on a PRO RATA basis, as principal payments are made on the Bond. Stated
interest on the Bonds will be taxable to a Bondholder as ordinary interest
income when received or accrued in accordance with such Bondholder's method of
tax accounting.
Section 1272(a)(6) of the Code requires that a prepayment assumption
(the "Prepayment Assumption") be used with respect to the collateral underlying
debt instruments in computing the accrual of original issue discount if payments
under such debt instruments may be accelerated by reason of prepayments of other
obligations securing such debt instruments, and that adjustments be made in the
amount and rate of accrual of such discount to reflect differences between the
actual prepayment rate and the Prepayment Assumption. The Prepayment Assumption
is to be determined in a manner prescribed in Treasury regulations; as noted
above, those regulations have not been issued. The Conference Committee Report
(the "Committee Report") accompanying the Tax Reform Act of 1986 indicates that
the regulations will provide that the Prepayment Assumption used with respect to
a Bond must be the same as that used in pricing the initial offering of such
Bond. The Prepayment Assumption used by the Issuer in reporting original issue
discount for each series of Bonds will be consistent with this standard and will
be disclosed in the related Prospectus Supplement. However, no representation
will be made that the Mortgage Loans will in fact prepay at a rate conforming to
the Prepayment Assumption or at any other rate.
The original issue discount, if any, on a Bond would be the excess of
its stated redemption price at maturity over its issue price. The issue price of
a particular class of Bonds will be the first cash price at which a substantial
amount of Bonds of that class is sold (excluding sales to bond houses, brokers
and underwriters). If less than a substantial amount of a particular class of
Bonds is sold for cash on or prior to the date of their initial issuance (the
"Closing Date"), the issue price for such class will be treated as the fair
market value of such class on the Closing Date. Under the OID Regulations, the
stated redemption price of a Bond is equal to the total of all payments to be
made on such Bond other than "qualified stated interest." "Qualified stated
interest" includes interest that is unconditionally payable at least annually at
a single fixed rate, or in the case of a variable rate debt instrument, at a
"qualified floating rate," an "objective rate," a combination of a single fixed
rate and one or more "qualified floating rates" or one
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"qualified inverse floating rate," or a combination of "qualified floating
rates" that generally does not operate in a manner that accelerates or defers
interest payments on such Bond.
In the case of Bonds bearing adjustable interest rates, the
determination of the total amount of original issue discount and the timing of
the inclusion thereof will vary according to the characteristics of such Bonds.
If the original issue discount rules apply to such Bonds, the related Prospectus
Supplement will describe the manner in which such rules will be applied by the
Issuer with respect to those Bonds in preparing information returns to the
Bondholders and the IRS.
Certain classes of the Bonds may provide for the first interest payment
with respect to such Bonds to be made more than one month after the date of
issuance, a period which is longer than the subsequent monthly intervals between
interest payments. Assuming the "accrual period" (as defined below) for original
issue discount is each monthly period that ends on a Distribution Date, in some
cases, as a consequence of this "long first accrual period," some or all
interest payments may be required to be included in the stated redemption price
of the Bond and accounted for as original issue discount.
In addition, if the accrued interest to be paid on the first
Distribution Date is computed with respect to a period that begins prior to the
Closing Date, a portion of the purchase price paid for a Bond will reflect such
accrued interest. In such cases, information returns to the Bondholders and the
IRS will be based on the position that the portion of the purchase price paid
for the interest accrued with respect to periods prior to the Closing Date is
treated as part of the overall purchase price of such Bond (and not as a
separate asset the purchase price of which is recovered entirely out of interest
received on the next Distribution Date) and that portion of the interest paid on
the first Distribution Date in excess of interest accrued for a number of days
corresponding to the number of days from the Closing Date to the first
Distribution Date should be included in the stated redemption price of such
Bond. However, the OID Regulations state that all or some portion of such
accrued interest may be treated as a separate asset the cost of which is
recovered entirely out of interest paid on the first Distribution Date. It is
unclear how an election to do so would be made under the OID Regulations and
whether such an election could be made unilaterally by a Bondholder.
Notwithstanding the general definition of original issue discount,
original issue discount on a Bond will be considered to be DE MINIMIS if it is
less than 0.25% of the stated redemption price of the Bond multiplied by its
weighted average maturity. For this purpose, the weighted average maturity of
the Bond is computed as the sum of the amounts determined, as to each payment
included in the stated redemption price of such Bond, by multiplying (i) the
number of complete years (rounding down for partial years) from the issue date
until such payment is expected to be made (presumably taking into account the
Prepayment Assumption) by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount
of the payment, and the denominator of which is the stated redemption price at
maturity of such Bond. Under the OID Regulations, original issue discount of
only a DE MINIMIS amount (other than DE MINIMIS original issue discount
attributable to a so-called "teaser" interest rate or an initial interest
holiday) will be included in income as each payment of stated principal is made,
based on the product of the total amount of such DE MINIMIS original issue
discount and a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of such principal
payment and the denominator of which is the outstanding stated principal amount
of the Bond. The OID Regulations also would permit a Bondholder to elect to
accrue DE MINIMIS original issue discount into income currently based on a
constant yield method. See "--Market Discount" for a description of such
election under the OID Regulations.
If original issue discount on a Bond is in excess of a DE MINIMIS
amount, the holder of such Bond must include in ordinary gross income the sum of
the "daily portions" of original issue discount for each day during its taxable
year on which it held such Bond, including the purchase date but excluding the
disposition date. In the case of an original holder of a Bond, the daily
portions of original issue discount will be determined as follows.
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As to each "accrual period," that is each period that ends on a date
that corresponds to a Distribution Date and begins on the first day following
the immediately preceding accrual period (or in the case of the first such
period, begins on the Closing Date), a calculation will be made of the portion
of the original issue discount that accrued during such accrual period. The
portion of original issue discount that accrues in any accrual period will equal
the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of (A) the present value, as of the end of
the accrual period, of all of the distributions remaining to be made on the
Bond, if any, in future periods and (B) the distributions made on such Bond
during the accrual period of amounts included in the stated redemption price,
over (ii) the adjusted issue price of such Bond at the beginning of the accrual
period. The present value of the remaining distributions referred to in the
preceding sentence will be calculated (1) assuming that distributions on the
Bonds will be received in future periods based on the Mortgage Loans being
prepaid at a rate equal to the Prepayment Assumption and (2) using a discount
rate equal to the original yield to maturity of the Bond. For these purposes,
the original yield to maturity of the Bond will be calculated based on its issue
price and assuming that distributions on the Bond will be made in all accrual
periods based on the Mortgage Loans being prepaid at a rate equal to the
Prepayment Assumption. The adjusted issue price of a Bond at the beginning of
any accrual period will equal the issue price of such Bond, increased by the
aggregate amount of original issue discount that accrued with respect to such
Bond in prior accrual periods, and reduced by the amount of any distributions
made on such Bond in prior accrual periods of amounts included in its stated
redemption price. The original issue discount accruing during any accrual
period, computed as described above, will be allocated ratably to each day
during the accrual period to determine the daily portion of original issue
discount for such day.
A subsequent purchaser of a Bond that purchases such Bond at a price
(excluding any portion of such price attributable to accrued qualified stated
interest) less than its remaining stated redemption price will also be required
to include in gross income the daily portions of any original issue discount
with respect to such Bond. However, each such daily portion will be reduced, if
such cost is in excess of its "adjusted issue price," in proportion to the ratio
such excess bears to the aggregate original issue discount remaining to be
accrued on such Bond. The adjusted issue price of a Bond on any given day equals
the sum of (i) the adjusted issue price (or, in the case of the first accrual
period, the issue price) of such Bond at the beginning of the accrual period
which includes such day and (ii) the daily portions of original issue discount
for all days during such accrual period prior to such day.
MARKET DISCOUNT. A Bondholder that purchases a Bond at a market
discount, that is, in the case of a Bond issued without original issue discount,
at a purchase price less than its remaining stated principal amount, or in the
case of a Bond issued with original issue discount, at a purchase price less
than its adjusted issue price will recognize gain upon receipt of each
distribution representing stated redemption price. In particular, under Section
1276 of the Code, such a Bondholder generally will be required to allocate the
portion of each such distribution representing stated redemption price first to
accrued market discount not previously included in income, and to recognize
ordinary income to that extent. A Bondholder may elect to include market
discount in income currently as it accrues rather than including it on a
deferred basis in accordance with the foregoing. If made, such election will
apply to all market discount bonds acquired by such Bondholder on or after the
first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies. In addition,
the OID Regulations permit a Bondholder to elect to accrue all interest,
discount (including DE MINIMIS market or original issue discount) and premium in
income as interest, based on a constant yield method. If such an election were
made with respect to a Bond with market discount, the Bondholder would be deemed
to have made an election to include currently market discount in income with
respect to all other debt instruments having market discount that such
Bondholder acquires during the taxable year of the election or thereafter, and
possibly previously acquired instruments. Similarly, a Bondholder that made this
election for a Bond that is acquired at a premium would be deemed to have made
an election to amortize bond premium with respect to all debt instruments having
amortizable bond premium that such Bondholder owns or acquires. See "-Premium"
below. Each of these elections to accrue
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interest, discount and premium with respect to a Bond on a constant yield method
or as interest would be irrevocable.
However, market discount with respect to a Bond will be considered to
be DE MINIMIS for purposes Section 1276 of the Code if such market discount is
less than 0.25% of the remaining stated redemption price of such Bond multiplied
by the number of complete years to maturity remaining after the date of its
purchase. In interpreting a similar rule with respect to original issue discount
on obligations payable in installments, the OID Regulations refer to the
weighted average maturity of obligations, and it is likely that the same rule
will be applied with respect to market discount, presumably taking into account
the Prepayment Assumption. If market discount is treated as DE MINIMIS under
this rule, it appears that the actual discount would be treated in a manner
similar to original issue discount of a DE MINIMIS amount. See "-Original Issue
Discount" above. Such treatment would result in discount being included in
income at a slower rate than discount would be required to be included in income
using the method described above.
Section 1276(b)(3) of the Code specifically authorizes the Treasury
Department to issue regulations providing for the method for accruing market
discount on debt instruments, the principal of which is payable in more than one
installment. Until regulations are issued by the Treasury Department, certain
rules described in the Committee Report apply. The Committee Report indicates
that in each accrual period market discount on Bonds should accrue, at the
Bondholder's option: (i) on the basis of a constant yield method, (ii) in the
case of a Bond issued without original issue discount, in an amount that bears
the same ratio to the total remaining market discount as the stated interest
paid in the accrual period bears to the total amount of stated interest
remaining to be paid on the Bonds as of the beginning of the accrual period or
(iii) in the case of a Bond issued with original issue discount, in an amount
that bears the same ratio to the total remaining market discount as the original
issue discount accrued in the accrual period bears to the total original issue
discount remaining on the Bond at the beginning of the accrual period. Moreover,
the Prepayment Assumption used in calculating the accrual of original issue
discount is also used in calculating the accrual of market discount. Because the
regulations referred to in this paragraph have not been issued, it is not
possible to predict what effect such regulations might have on the tax treatment
of a Bond purchased at a discount in the secondary market.
To the extent that Bonds provide for monthly or other periodic
distributions throughout their term, the effect of these rules may be to require
market discount to be includible in income at a rate that is not significantly
slower than the rate at which such discount would accrue if it were original
issue discount. Moreover, in any event a holder of a Bond generally will be
required to treat a portion of any gain on the sale or exchange of such Bond as
ordinary income to the extent of the market discount accrued to the date of
disposition under one of the foregoing methods, less any accrued market discount
previously reported as ordinary income.
Further, under Section 1277 of the Code, a holder of a Bond may be
required to defer a portion of its interest deductions for the taxable year
attributable to any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry a
Bond purchased with market discount. For these purposes, the DE MINIMIS rule
referred to above applies. Any such deferred interest expense would not exceed
the market discount that accrues during such taxable year and is, in general,
allowed as a deduction not later than the year in which such market discount is
includible in income. If such holder elects to include market discount in income
currently as it accrues on all market discount instruments acquired by such
holder in that taxable year or thereafter, the interest deferral rule described
above will not apply.
PREMIUM. A Bond purchased at a cost (excluding any portion of such cost
attributable to accrued qualified stated interest) greater than its remaining
stated redemption price will be considered to be purchased at a premium. The
holder of such a Bond may elect under Section 171 of the Code to amortize such
premium under the constant yield method over the remaining term of the Bond. If
made, such an
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election will apply to all debt instruments having amortizable bond premium that
the holder owns or subsequently acquires. Amortizable premium will be treated as
an offset to interest income on the related Bond, rather than as a separate
interest deduction. The OID Regulations also permit Bondholders to elect to
include all interest, discount and premium in income based on a constant yield
method, further treating the Bondholder as having made the election to amortize
premium generally. See "-Market Discount" above. The Committee Report states
that the same rules that apply to accrual of market discount (which rules may
require use of a prepayment assumption in accruing market discount with respect
to Bonds without regard to whether such Bonds have original issue discount)
would also apply in amortizing bond premium under Section 171 of the Code.
REALIZED LOSSES. Under Section 166 of the Code, both corporate holders
of the Bonds and noncorporate holders of the Bonds that acquire such Bonds in
connection with a trade or business should be allowed to deduct, as ordinary
losses, any losses sustained during a taxable year in which their Bonds become
wholly or partially worthless as the result of one or more realized losses on
the Mortgage Loans. However, it appears that a noncorporate holder that does not
acquire a Bond in connection with a trade or business will not be entitled to
deduct a loss under Section 166 of the Code until such holder's Bond becomes
wholly worthless (i.e., until its outstanding principal balance has been reduced
to zero) and that the loss will be characterized as a short-term capital loss.
Each holder of a Bond will be required to accrue interest and original
issue discount with respect to such Bond, without giving effect to any
reductions in distributions attributable to defaults or delinquencies on the
Mortgage Loans until it can be established that any such reduction ultimately
will not be recoverable. As a result, the amount of taxable income reported in
any period by the holder of a Bond could exceed the amount of economic income
actually realized by the holder in such period. Although the holder of a Bond
eventually will recognize a loss or reduction in income attributable to
previously accrued and included income that, as the result of a realized loss,
ultimately will not be realized, the law is unclear with respect to the timing
and character of such loss or reduction in income.
SALES OF BONDS. If a Bond is sold, the selling Bondholder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on
the sale and its adjusted basis in the Bond. The adjusted basis of a Bond
generally will equal the cost of such Bond to such Bondholder, increased by
income reported by such Bondholder with respect to such Bond (including original
issue discount and market discount income) and reduced (but not below zero) by
any amortized premium and any distributions on such bond received by such
Bondholder. Except as provided in the following two paragraphs, any such gain or
loss will be capital gain or loss, provided such Bond is held as a capital asset
(generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of
the Code. As a result of the enactment of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 on
August 5, 1997, long-term capital gains may be taxable at different rates
depending upon when they are realized, the holding period for the assets that
produce the gain, and the investor's tax bracket.
Gain recognized on the sale of a Bond by a seller who purchased such
Bond at a market discount will be taxable as ordinary income in an amount not
exceeding the portion of such discount that accrued during the period such Bond
was held by such holder, reduced by any market discount included in income under
the rules described above under "-Market Discount" and "-Premium."
A portion of any gain from the sale of a Bond that might otherwise be
capital gain may be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such Bond is
held as part of a "conversion transaction" within the meaning of Section 1258 of
the Code. A conversion transaction generally is one in which the taxpayer has
taken two or more positions in the same or similar property that reduce or
eliminate market risk, if substantially all of the taxpayer's return is
attributable to the time value of the taxpayer's net investment in such
transaction. The amount of gain so realized in a conversion transaction that is
recharacterized as
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ordinary income generally will not exceed the amount of interest that would have
accrued on the taxpayer's net investment at 120% of the appropriate "applicable
Federal rate" (which rate is computed and published monthly by the IRS) at the
time the taxpayer enters into the conversion transaction, subject to appropriate
reduction for prior inclusion of interest and other ordinary income items from
the transaction.
Finally, a taxpayer may elect to have net capital gain taxed at
ordinary income rates rather than capital gains rates in order to include such
net capital gain in total net investment income for the taxable year, for
purposes of the rule that limits the deduction of interest on indebtedness
incurred to purchase or carry property held for investment to a taxpayer's net
investment income.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING. Payments of interest and
principal, as well as payments of proceeds from the sale of Bonds, may be
subject to the "backup withholding tax" under Section 3406 of the Code at a rate
of 31% if recipients of such payments fail to furnish to the payor certain
information, including their taxpayer identification numbers, or otherwise fail
to establish an exemption from such tax. Any amounts deducted and withheld from
a distribution to a recipient would be allowed as a credit against such
recipient's federal income tax. Furthermore, certain penalties may be imposed by
the IRS on a recipient of payments that is required to supply information but
that does not do so in the proper manner.
The Issuer will report to the Holders and to the IRS for each calendar
year the amount of any "reportable payments" during such year and the amount of
tax withheld, if any, with respect to payments on the Bonds.
TAX TREATMENT OF FOREIGN INVESTORS. Interest paid on a Bond to a
nonresident alien individual, foreign partnership or foreign corporation that
has no connection with the United States other than holding Bonds
("Nonresidents"), such interest will normally qualify as portfolio interest
(except where (i) the recipient is a holder, directly or by attribution, of 10%
or more of the capital or profits interest in the Company, or (ii) the recipient
is a controlled foreign corporation to which the Company is a related person)
and will be exempt from federal income tax. Upon receipt of appropriate
ownership statements, the Issuer normally will be relieved of obligations to
withhold tax from such interest payments. These provisions supersede the
generally applicable provisions of United States law that would otherwise
require the issuer to withhold at a 30% rate (unless such rate were reduced or
eliminated by an applicable tax treaty) on, among other things, interest and
other fixed or determinable, annual or periodic income paid to Nonresidents. For
these purposes a Bondholder may be considered to be related to the Company by
holding a Bond or by having common ownership with any other holder of a Bond or
any affiliate thereof.
STATE AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
In addition to the federal income tax consequences described in
"Federal Income Tax Consequences", potential investors should consider the state
and local tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the
Bonds offered hereunder. State tax law may differ substantially from the
corresponding federal tax law, and the discussion above does not purport to
describe any aspect of the tax laws of any state or other jurisdiction.
Therefore, prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with
respect to the various tax consequences of investments in the certificates
offered hereunder.
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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
("ERISA"), and the Code impose certain requirements on employee benefit plans
and on certain other retirement plans and arrangements, including individual
retirement accounts and annuities, Keogh plans and collective investment funds
and separate accounts (and, as applicable, insurance company general accounts)
in which such plans, accounts or arrangements are invested that are subject to
the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code
("Plans") and on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to such Plans in
connection with the investment of Plan assets. Certain employee benefit plans,
such as governmental plans (as defined in ERISA Section 3(32)), and, if no
election has been made under Section 410(d) of the Code, church plans (as
defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are not subject to ERISA requirements.
Accordingly, assets of such plans may be invested in Bonds without regard to the
ERISA considerations described below, subject to the provisions of other
applicable federal and state law. Any such plan which is qualified and exempt
from taxation under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code, however, is subject
to the prohibited transaction rules set forth in Section 503 of the Code.
ERISA generally imposes on Plan fiduciaries certain general fiduciary
requirements, including those of investment prudence and diversification and the
requirement that a Plan's investments be made in accordance with the documents
governing the Plan. In addition, Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code prohibit a broad range of transactions involving assets of a Plan and
persons (parties in interest under ERISA and disqualified persons under the
Code, collectively, "Parties in Interest") who have certain specified
relationships to the Plan unless a statutory or administrative exemption is
available. Certain Parties in Interest that participate in a prohibited
transaction may be subject to an excise tax imposed pursuant to Section 4975 of
the Code or a penalty imposed pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA, unless a
statutory or administrative exemption is available. These prohibited
transactions generally are set forth in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of
the Code.
The Trust Fund, the Company, any underwriter, the Owner
Trustee, the Indenture Trustee, the Master Servicer, any Administrator, any
Servicer, any provider of credit support or any of their affiliates may be
considered to be or may become Parties in Interest (or Disqualified Persons)
with respect to certain Plans. Prohibited transactions under Section 406 of
ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code may arise if a Bond is acquired by a Plan
with respect to which such persons are Parties in Interest (or Disqualified
Persons) unless such transactions are subject to one or more statutory or
administrative exemptions, such as: Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption
("PTCE") 75-1, which exempts certain transactions involving Plans and certain
broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks; PTCE 90-1, which exempts certain
transactions between insurance company separate accounts and Parties in Interest
(or Disqualified Persons); PTCE 91-38, which exempts certain transactions
between bank collective investment funds and Parties in Interest (or
Disqualified Persons); PTCE 95-60, which exempts certain transactions between
insurance company general accounts and Parties in Interest (or Disqualified
Persons); or PTCE 84-14, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf
of a Plan by a "qualified professional asset manager". There can be no assurance
that any of these class exemptions will apply with respect to any particular
Plan investment in Bonds or, even if it were deemed to apply, that any exemption
would apply to all prohibited transactions that may occur in connection with
such investment. Accordingly, prior to making an investment in the Bonds,
investing Plans should determine whether the Trust Fund, the Company, any
underwriter, the Owner Trustee, the Indenture Trustee, the Master Servicer, any
Administrator, any Servicer, any provider of credit support or any of their
affiliates is a Party in Interest (or Disqualified Person) with respect to such
Plan and, if so, whether such transaction is subject to one or more statutory or
administrative exemptions.
Any Plan fiduciary considering whether to invest in Bonds on
behalf of a Plan should consult with its counsel regarding the applicability of
the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction
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provisions of ERISA and the Code to such investment. Each Plan fiduciary also
should determine whether, under the general fiduciary standards of investment
prudence and diversification, an investment in the Bonds is appropriate for the
Plan considering the overall investment policy of the Plan and the composition
of the Plan's investment portfolio as well as whether such investment is
permitted under the governing Plan instruments.
TAX-EXEMPT INVESTORS
A Plan that is exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to
Section 501 of the Code (a "Tax-Exempt Investor") nonetheless will be subject to
federal income taxation to the extent that its income is "unrelated business
taxable income" ("UBTI") within the meaning of Section 512 of the Code.
LEGAL INVESTMENT MATTERS
Each class of Bonds offered hereby and by the related Prospectus
Supplement will be rated at the date of issuance in one of the four highest
rating categories by at least one Rating Agency. Each such class that is rated
in one of the two highest rating categories by at least one Rating Agency will
constitute "mortgage related securities" for purposes of the Secondary Mortgage
Market Enhancement Act of 1984 ("SMMEA"), and, as such, will be legal
investments for persons, trusts, corporations, partnerships, associations,
business trusts and business entities (including depository institutions, life
insurance companies and pension funds) created pursuant to or existing under the
laws of the United States or of any State whose authorized investments are
subject to state regulation to the same extent that, under applicable law,
obligations issued by or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
States or any agency or instrumentality thereof constitute legal investments for
such entities. Under SMMEA, if a State enacted legislation on or prior to
October 3, 1991 specifically limiting the legal investment authority of any such
entities with respect to "mortgage related securities," such securities will
constitute legal investments for entities subject to such legislation only to
the extent provided therein. Certain States have enacted legislation which
overrides the preemption provisions of SMMEA. SMMEA provides, however, that in
no event will the enactment of any such legislation affect the validity of any
contractual commitment to purchase, hold or invest in "mortgage related
securities," or require the sale or other disposition of such securities, so
long as such contractual commitment was made or such securities acquired prior
to the enactment of such legislation.
SMMEA also amended the legal investment authority of
federally-chartered depository institutions as follows: federal savings and loan
associations and federal savings banks may invest in, sell or otherwise deal
with "mortgage related securities" without limitation as to the percentage of
their assets represented thereby, federal credit unions may invest in such
securities, and national banks may purchase such securities for their own
account without regard to the limitations generally applicable to investment
securities set forth in 12 U.S.C. 24 (Seventh), subject in each case to such
regulations as the applicable federal regulatory authority may prescribe.
The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council has issued a
supervisory policy statement (the "Policy Statement") applicable to all
depository institutions, setting forth guidelines for and significant
restrictions on investments in "high-risk mortgage securities." The Policy
Statement has been adopted by the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC and the OTS with an effective date of
February 10, 1992. The Policy Statement generally indicates that a mortgage
derivative product will be deemed to be high risk if it exhibits greater price
volatility than a standard fixed rate thirty-year mortgage security. According
to the Policy Statement, prior to purchase, a depository institution will be
required to determine whether a mortgage derivative product that it is
considering acquiring is high-risk, and if so that the proposed acquisition
would reduce the institution's overall interest rate risk. Reliance on analysis
and documentation obtained from a securities dealer or other outside party
without internal
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analysis by the institution would be unacceptable. There can be no assurance as
to which classes of Bonds will be treated as high-risk under the Policy
Statement.
The predecessor to the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") issued a
bulletin, entitled, "Mortgage Derivative Products and Mortgage Swaps", which is
applicable to thrift institutions regulated by the OTS. The bulletin established
guidelines for the investment by savings institutions in certain "high-risk"
mortgage derivative securities and limitations on the use of such securities by
insolvent, undercapitalized or otherwise "troubled" institutions. According to
the bulletin, such "high-risk" mortgage derivative securities include securities
having certain specified characteristics, which may include certain classes of
Bonds. In addition, the National Credit Union Administration has issued
regulations governing federal credit union investments which prohibit investment
in certain specified types of securities, which may include certain classes of
Bonds. Similar policy statements have been issued by regulators having
jurisdiction over other types of depository institutions.
Certain classes of Bonds offered hereby, including any class that is
not rated in one of the two highest rating categories by at least one Rating
Agency, will not constitute "mortgage related securities" for purposes of SMMEA.
Any such class of Bonds will be identified in the related Prospectus Supplement.
Prospective investors in such classes of Bonds, in particular, should consider
the matters discussed in the following paragraph.
There may be other restrictions on the ability of certain investors
either to purchase certain classes of Bonds or to purchase any class of Bonds
representing more than a specified percentage of the investors' assets. The
Company will make no representations as to the proper characterization of any
class of Bonds for legal investment or other purposes, or as to the ability of
particular investors to purchase any class of Bonds under applicable legal
investment restrictions. These uncertainties may adversely affect the liquidity
of any class of Bonds. Accordingly, all investors whose investment activities
are subject to legal investment laws and regulations, regulatory capital
requirements or review by regulatory authorities should consult with their own
legal advisors in determining whether and to what extent the Bonds of any class
thereof constitute legal investments or are subject to investment, capital or
other restrictions, and, if applicable, whether SMMEA has been overridden in any
jurisdiction relevant to such investor.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Substantially all of the net proceeds to be received from the sale of
Bonds will be applied by the Company to finance the purchase of, or to repay
short-term loans incurred to finance the purchase of, the Mortgage Loans in the
respective Mortgage Pools, and to pay other expenses. The Company expects that
it will make additional sales of securities similar to the Bonds from time to
time, but the timing and amount of any such additional offerings will be
dependent upon a number of factors, including the volume of mortgage loans
purchased by the Company, prevailing interest rates, availability of funds and
general market conditions.
METHODS OF DISTRIBUTION
The Bonds offered hereby and by the related Prospectus Supplements will
be offered in series through one or more of the methods described below. The
Prospectus Supplement prepared for each series will describe the method of
offering being utilized for that series and will state the net proceeds to the
Company from such sale.
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The Company intends that Bonds will be offered through the following
methods from time to time and that offerings may be made concurrently through
more than one of these methods or that an offering of the Bonds of a particular
series may be made through a combination of two or more of these methods. Such
methods are as follows:
1. By negotiated firm commitment or best efforts underwriting
and public re-offering by underwriters;
2. By placements by the Company with institutional investors
through dealers; and
3. By direct placements by the Company with institutional
investors.
If underwriters are used in a sale of any Bonds (other than in
connection with an underwriting on a best efforts basis), such Bonds will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time
to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed
public offering prices or at varying prices to be determined at the time of sale
or at the time of commitment therefor. Such underwriters may be broker-dealers
affiliated with the Company whose identities and relationships to the Company
will be as set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. The managing
underwriter or underwriters with respect to the offer and sale of the Bonds of a
particular series will be set forth on the cover of the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series and the members of the underwriting syndicate, if any,
will be named in such Prospectus Supplement.
In connection with the sale of the Bonds, underwriters may receive
compensation from the Company or from purchasers of such Bonds in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters and dealers participating in
the distribution of the Bonds may be deemed to be underwriters in connection
with such Bonds, and any discounts or commissions received by them from the
Company and any profit on the resale of Bonds by them may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act").
It is anticipated that the underwriting agreement pertaining to the
sale of Bonds of any series will provide that the obligations of the
underwriters will be subject to certain conditions precedent, that the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such Bonds if any are purchased
(other than in connection with an underwriting on a best efforts basis) and
that, in limited circumstances, the Company will indemnify the several
underwriters and the underwriters will indemnify the Company against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or will
contribute to payments required to be made in respect thereof.
The Prospectus Supplement with respect to any series offered by
placements through dealers will contain information regarding the nature of such
offering and any agreements to be entered into between the Company and
purchasers of Bonds of such series.
The Company anticipates that the Bonds offered hereby will be sold
primarily to institutional investors or sophisticated non-institutional
investors. Purchasers of Bonds, including dealers, may, depending on the facts
and circumstances of such purchases, be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of the Securities Act in connection with reoffers and sales by them of
such Bonds. Holders of Bonds should consult with their legal advisors in this
regard prior to any such reoffer or sale.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters, including certain federal income tax matters, in
connection with the Bonds of each series will be passed upon for the Company by
Thacher Proffitt & Wood, New York, New
York.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A new Trust fund will be formed with respect to each series of Bonds,
and no Trust Fund will engage in any business activities or have any assets or
obligations prior to the issuance of the related series of Bonds. Accordingly,
no financial statements with respect to any Trust Fund will be included in this
Prospectus or in the related Prospectus Supplement.
RATING
It is a condition to the issuance of any class of Bonds that they shall
have been rated not lower than investment grade, that is, in one of the four
highest rating categories, by at least one Rating Agency.
Ratings on mortgage pass-through certificates address the likelihood of
receipt by the holders thereof of all collections on the underlying mortgage
assets to which such holders are entitled. These ratings address the structural,
legal and issuer-related aspects associated with such certificates, the nature
of the underlying mortgage assets and the credit quality of the guarantor, if
any. Ratings on mortgage pass-through certificates do not represent any
assessment of the likelihood of principal prepayments by borrowers or of the
degree by which such prepayments might differ from those originally anticipated.
As a result, Bondholders might suffer a lower than anticipated yield, and, in
addition, holders of stripped interest certificates in extreme cases might fail
to recoup their initial investments.
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INDEX OF PRINCIPAL DEFINITIONS
PAGE
1986 Act ............................................................84
Accrual Bonds .........................................................6, 36
Accrued Bond Interest.........................................................45
Administrator .............................................................5
Affiliated Sellers............................................................19
Agreements ............................................................62
ARM Loans ............................................................19
Available Distribution Amount.................................................44
Balloon Loans ............................................................21
Balloon Payment ............................................................21
Bankruptcy Code ............................................................77
Bankruptcy Loss ............................................................49
Beneficial Owner ............................................................37
Bond Register ............................................................37
Bond Registrar ............................................................37
Bondholder ............................................................37
Bonds ......................................................1, 4, 36
Buydown Account ............................................................23
Buydown Agreement ............................................................42
Buydown Funds ............................................................23
Buydown Mortgage Loans........................................................22
Buydown Period ............................................................22
CERCLA ............................................................25
Certificates .............................................................4
Closing Date ............................................................85
Code ............................................................78
Collection Account............................................................40
Commission .............................................................3
Company ..........................................................1, 4
Contracts ............................................................18
Convertible Mortgage Loan.....................................................22
Debt Service Coverage Ratio...................................................24
Debt Service Reduction........................................................54
Defaulted Mortgage Loss.......................................................49
Deferred Interest ............................................................20
Deficient Valuation...........................................................53
Deleted Mortgage Loan.........................................................27
Designated Seller Transaction.................................................19
Determination Date............................................................44
Distribution Date .............................................................8
DTC ............................................................37
DTC Registered Bonds..........................................................37
Due Period ............................................................46
Entity Classification Regulations.............................................84
ERISA ........................................................12, 91
Event of Default ............................................................63
Excess Interest ............................................................54
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Exchange Act .............................................................3
Extraordinary Losses..........................................................49
FDIC ............................................................19
FHA ............................................................18
FHA Loans ............................................................18
FHLMC ............................................................25
Financial Guaranty Insurance Policy...........................................50
FIRREA ............................................................25
FNMA ............................................................25
Fraud Loss ............................................................49
FTC Rule ............................................................79
Funding Account ............................................................46
Garn-St Germain Act...........................................................80
High Cost Loans ............................................................78
High LTV Loans ............................................................22
Holder ............................................................37
Homeownership Act ............................................................78
Housing Act ............................................................26
HUD ............................................................61
ICII ............................................................62
Impac Funding .........................................................4, 62
Impac Holdings .........................................................4, 61
Indenture ..........................................................1, 4
Indenture Trustee .............................................................5
Index ............................................................20
Insurance Proceeds............................................................40
Insurer ............................................................50
Interest Rate .............................................................6
Intermediaries ............................................................37
IRS ............................................................84
Letter of Credit ............................................................50
Letter of Credit Bank.........................................................50
Liquidated Mortgage Loan......................................................33
Liquidation Proceeds..........................................................40
Loan-to-Value Ratio...........................................................21
Lock-out Expiration Date......................................................21
Lock-out Period ............................................................21
Loss ............................................................59
Manufactured Homes............................................................18
Manufacturer's Invoice Price..................................................22
Master Servicer ......................................................1, 5, 29
Mortgage Loans ..........................................................1, 5
Mortgage Notes ............................................................18
Mortgage Pool ..........................................................1, 7
Mortgage Rate ............................................................19
Mortgaged Property.............................................................7
Mortgages ............................................................18
Mortgagor ............................................................15
Multifamily Loans ............................................................18
Multifamily Properties........................................................18
Multifamily Property...........................................................7
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Net Mortgage Rate ............................................................66
Net Operating Income..........................................................24
Non-conforming credit.........................................................14
Nonrecoverable Advance........................................................47
Nonresidents ............................................................90
Note Margin ............................................................20
OID Regulations ............................................................85
OTS ............................................................93
Overcollateralization.........................................................54
Owner Trust .............................................................4
Owner Trustee .............................................................4
Participants ............................................................37
Parties in Interest...........................................................91
Percentage Interest...........................................................44
Permitted Investments.........................................................40
Plan ........................................................12, 91
Policy Statement ............................................................92
Pool Insurer ............................................................42
Prepayment Interest Shortfall.................................................67
Prepayment Penalty............................................................21
Primary Insurance Policy......................................................58
Primary Insurer ............................................................58
Prospectus Supplement..........................................................1
PTCE ............................................................91
Purchase Obligation...........................................................58
Purchase Price ............................................................27
Qualified Substitute Mortgage Loan............................................27
Rating Agency ............................................................11
Realized Losses ............................................................49
Record Date ............................................................44
REIT ............................................................62
Related Proceeds ............................................................47
Relief Act ............................................................83
REMIC .............................................................1
REO Mortgage Loan ............................................................33
REO Property ............................................................31
Reserve Fund ............................................................54
RTC ............................................................19
Securities ..........................................................1, 4
Securities Act .........................................................3, 94
Securityholders ............................................................23
Seller .............................................................8
Sellers .........................................................1, 19
Senior Bonds .........................................................6, 36
Senior Liens ............................................................21
Senior/Subordinate Series.....................................................36
Servicing Default ............................................................62
Servicing Standard............................................................29
Single Family Loans...........................................................18
Single Family Property........................................................18
SMMEA ........................................................11, 92
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Special Hazard Instrument.....................................................49
Special Hazard Insurance Policy...............................................52
Special Hazard Insurer........................................................53
Special Hazard Loss...........................................................49
Special Hazard Losses.........................................................52
Special Servicer .........................................................5, 31
Spread .............................................................5
Strip Bonds .........................................................6, 36
Subordinate Securities.....................................................6, 36
Subservicer ............................................................31
Subservicers ............................................................23
Tax Counsel ............................................................85
Title V ............................................................81
Title VIII ............................................................82
TMP ............................................................84
Trust Agreement ..........................................................1, 4
Trust Fund ..........................................................1, 5
Trust Fund Assets ..........................................................1, 5
Unaffiliated Sellers..........................................................19
Value ............................................................21
Wholly Owned Entity...........................................................84
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